28 September 2023
Following Southwest’s 50% off sale earlier this week, competitors have launched their own discounted flights to Hawaii. For example, Hawaiian Airlines is now offering one-way flights from the West Coast starting at $62.
The Aloha State’s carrier is also selling more expensive yet still discounted flights from major East Coast hubs, including New York.
Additionally, round-trip flights from other departure cities are available on American Airlines and United Airlines for less than $200.
Deal basics
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES
Airlines: American, Hawaiian and United
Routes: San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, Boston and others to Honolulu, Kona, Lihue and Hilo, Hawaii
How to book: Browse Google Flights and book directly through the airline
Travel dates: October 2023 to May 2024 and January to February 2024, depending on the route
Book by: ASAP
Blackout dates: Some include Thanksgiving, but all exclude Christmas and New Year’s flights.
Thank you to Going, formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights, for alerting us to part of this deal. Sign up for Going to get deals up to 90% off via its Premium membership, which users can try for free for 14 days and then $49 per year. You can also upgrade to Going’s Elite membership for $199 per year; doing so will give you access to all the Premium deals, plus premium economy, business-class and first-class alerts.
Sample flights
The following flights were priced as listed at the time of publication. We cannot guarantee the below flights will be available when you book:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), starting at $90 one-way
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to HNL, starting at $91 one-way
Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Lihue Airport (LIH), starting at $94 one-way
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to HNL, starting at $99 one-way
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to LIH, starting at $112 one-way
SFO to LIH, HNL and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA), starting at $197 round trip
SEA to LIH, HNL and KOA, starting at $216 round trip
AUS to LIH, starting at $232 round trip
AUS to KOA, starting at $247 round trip
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to HNL, starting at $279 one-way
New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to HNL, starting at $310 one-way
The cheapest flights on Hawaiian Airlines will be for the carrier’s Main Cabin Basic fare type; it allows travelers one free carry-on and one personal item but is otherwise restricted.
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES
The round-trip flights advertised in this deal will be for American and United basic economy. Similar to Hawaiian’s basic economy, these tickets do not permit flight changes or cancellations. Travelers are assigned seats at check-in and board in the last group.
Travelers flying American basic economy can bring one personal item and one carry-on item, while United basic economy does not permit a full-size carry-on. A checked bag costs between $30 and $35 each way on all airlines.
When searching for this deal, you’ll see sale flights to Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG). Out of respect for the ongoing wildfire recovery efforts, TPG is not promoting deals to Maui at this time.
Maximize your purchase
Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: 2 points per dollar spent on travel
American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly through the airline or American Express Travel
The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly through the airline or American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year)
Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees): 3 points per dollar spent on airfare
Chase Sapphire Reserve: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare
Bottom line
JESSE WARREN/GETTY IMAGES
This is a wide-reaching deal with pros and cons. The available Hawaiian Airlines flights are restricted to travel in January and February but include a variety of routes and are cheaper in price overall. Fewer flights are available on American and United, but they still offer a steep discount at more than 70% off for select routes for a longer time period.
Plus, Southwest‘s deal can still be booked through EOD Thursday, with 50% off flights to Hawaii.
Related reading:
What it’s really like flying Southwest Airlines all the way to Hawaii
What to know about new resort fees at some Hawaii hotels
What to do if you have a trip planned for Hawaii
Your complete guide to maximizing Southwest Rapid Rewards
Best ways to redeem points and miles on Hawaiian Airlines