It seems that when there are special airfare deals to Hawaii, it’s usually from the West Coast. Just last week, I shared that you can fly Los Angeles to Honolulu for $213 roundtrip. (By the way, those fares are still valid.) Now, I’m happy to report that some airlines have woken up to smell the Kona coffee and are offering deals beyond the West Coast. Here are some super deals that I would advise you snap up as soon as possible.
- Charlotte (CLT) to Honolulu (HNL) is $307 roundtrip including taxes and fees. This extra special fare is valid on Delta (and Northwest). I found these special fares throughout 2009 with the only exceptions being around Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years holidays.
- Houston (IAH) to Honolulu (HNL) is $294 roundtrip including taxes and fees. This extra special fare is valid on Delta (and Northwest). I found these special fares throughout 2009 with the only exceptions being around Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years holidays.
- Washington Dulles (IAD) to Honolulu (HNL) is $396 roundtrip including taxes and fees on American, Continental, Delta, and United. The dates of travel vary by airline, but Continental and United extend this deal through June 25, 2009.
To get the best deals, use an airfare search engine and indicate that your travel dates are flexible. Here are some flight search tools that I regularly use.
When you are comparing prices, make sure you know whether taxes and fees are included so that you are comparing apples to apples.
Just based on my own observations and experience, I have to wonder is an airfare war might be looming. I obviously don’t have a crystal ball, but I think airfare guru Rick Seaney does. I recently asked Rick what his fare predictions are for Hawaii for this summer, specifically beyond June. Rick’s response was, “All about demand, and now isn’t good, expect more discounts.” Yippee!
Now, I have to add one more little word of advice. Please do not wait to book these low fares to Hawaii. As quickly as they pop up, they can evaporate. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen over and over again. Just like a Krispy Kreme doughnut, you should grab ‘em while they’re hot. 😉
Sheila Beal
3 comments
So true about the low air fare deals. Here today, gone to Maui!
I used to work at an airline. Yes – People set the prices and people are not perfect. Human Guesswork is all part of the process.
The folks on the pricing committee would see a problem and sometimes “Over Correct”. Then – They would watch the result… If it sold too fast, they would assume they made a pricing error, shut it down and try to yield it back up again.
It can sometimes cause a short chain-reaction. Other airlines see a big price decrease with the competition and quickly react – or over react.
The airlines work as fast as they can with pricing issues. These types of things happen in real-time all day long.
Mmmmmm… Donuts… 😉
That reminds me. The only Krispy Kreme in Hawaii is right nest to the airport in Maui.
and yet I can’t find anything decent for a one way from Cleveland to Hilo, Hawaii near the end of August.
@ Dave – I pictured some elaborate algorithm setting airfares instead of human guesswork. Thanks for sharing that insider’s view of reality.
I didn’t know that Maui had the only Krispy Kreme. I have noticed the shop by the airport. Speaking of Krispy Kreme trivia…did you know that the company started in North Carolina?
@ Christian – I hope something turns up for you. In case you’ve not already done so, sign up the free alerts from Kayak.com.