Hawaii is one of the most coveted vacation spots for Americans--as one of the 50 states, it offers the wonder and relaxation of the tropics without the language barrier or need for a passport. But it is the year-round summer temperatures and stunning waterfalls, beaches and mountains that keep vacationers from the mainland--the Hawaiian term for the continental United States--coming back year after year. The catch however, is that the cost of flights can be prohibitive. If you play your cards right, you can find cheap flights, especially if you are willing to do the legwork.
Check flight prices during different times of the year. Seasonality is one key to finding a cheap airline flight to Hawaii. Flights in the late spring--April and May--can be significantly cheaper than those during the peak tourism months of November to March. The problem with traveling to Hawaii during the months that are normally thought of as off-season is that this archipelago some 6,000 miles southwest of the West Coast is a popular travel destination year round. Visitors continue to travel there in large numbers off-season as well, so they can drive the prices of flights up during the summer and fall. But if your travel dates are flexible, compare the price of fares at different times of year on multiple airline and travel websites--you may find a difference in the price of several hundred dollars.
Be persistent. If you have time to plan ahead, begin to check the price of fares online months in advance and continue to check them regularly. A round-trip fare to Honolulu International Airport from New York City in January, for example, may cost upwards of $1,000 when checked one year in advance, whereas a seat on the same flight in January can cost as low as $450 when checked three or six months in advance. Last minute fares can provide a bargain as well if you are willing to make travel plans with short notice. Flights from the West Coast can be as cheap as $250 if you research fares on different airlines and at times of year, but cost closer to $400 and upward on average.
Check other airports. Check the rates for flights at airports outside of the major city nearest to where you live. New York City, for example, has three major airports--John F. Kennedy, La Guardia and Newark, with flights to Hawaii leaving from all three. The San Francisco Bay Area has flights to Hawaii leaving from airports in nearby Oakland and San Jose. If you live far from a major transportation hub, check the rates of flights from airports in several cities--the more airports you check, the more likely you are to find deals on flights to Hawaii.
