Flights to Hawaii

 

According to a turn of the century law, "only an American carrier can transport a person to and from two American cities". This was intended for the protection of the shipping industry, but is still upheld by the present airline industry. There are two categories of airlines entering Hawaii, domestic and foreign. This here refers to ownership. And anyone traveling from an American city on the Mainland, to Hawaii must use an American-owned airline company. Domestic airlines servicing Hawaii include United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and Continental Airlines.

 

But if you are on a foreign-owned airline from or bound for a city outside America, then landing in Hawaii as a destination or stopover will be permitted. Foreign airlines flying the Hawaiian route include Qantas, Air New Zealand, Air Canada, Japan Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Korean Air, and China Airlines, all operated by Nippon Air.

 

There are three types of flights, the milk run, direct and nonstop. Milk runs are the least desirable and should be avoided, as it involves boarding on your home ground and flying to a gateway city for plane changes, followed by a flight to the West Coast for another change of plane before finally landing at Hawaii. There is also a big risk here, other than tediousness and non-savings, as luggage can be easily lost. Direct flights do without the hassle of plane changes, although they do involve landing in between the journey. The more expensive nonstop flights fly directly, with no stops in between.

 

Most domestic flights to Hawaii land in Honolulu International Airport, but there are flights directly to the Neighbor Islands. United Airlines offers daily flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to The Big Island's Keanole Airport in Kona; and Maui's Kahului Airport. United Airlines also flies daily from Los Angeles to Kauai's Lihu'e Airport. American Airlines, meanwhile, has four flights every week from Seattle to Maui's Kahului Airport. Delta Airlines also arranges two flights every day from Los Angeles to Kahalui. The airports of Hawaii's Neighbor Islands are Kapalua Airport and Kahalui Airport in Maui; Keahole Airport in Kona and Hilo Airport in Hilo; Lihu'e Airport in Kauai; Lanai Airport; and Molokai Airport.

 

A good tip is to make arrangements through a travel agent. Reputable agents are truly a blessing, and should be members of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and licensed by the Air Traffic Conference (ATC), also known as IATA. Travel agents always manage to put together lower bulk rates of airfares and can give good travel advice. It is best to do without a package tour, but rather to go for a practical package deal that includes flight, car and accommodation instead. This is because Hawaii is best savored with the freedom of time on your own, and even if you would still like a tour, arranging for one in Hawaii would be cheaper and more convenient too.

 

In the past, chartered flights were reserved for groups with memberships in travel clubs, but charters are now open to the public. Charter flights today are the cheapest of fares, but do remember to go for charter flights with "fly only". Also, typically, Charters don't have the flexibility of changing returns dates. It would be wise to know that the lower fare of a charter flight does come with more restrictions. For example, advance payment and foregoing the convenience of changing dates and times of departure and returns.

 

Or opt for promotions that include only car rental at most, and don't be tempted by offers of bus tickets and guides. Avoid airfares that come with guides and bus services. A reliable charter company should be registered with the ASTA and ATC.