We fly American from Iowa to DFW, then straight to OGG, same coming back. The last AA flight from DFW direct to OGG is around 12:15pm, I believe. After that you have to go through LA or Honolulu (on AA). One stop from Iowa to Maui is the easiest way to make the trip. Flight 7 DFW to OGG in Feb. is usually packed full plus stand-bys and it's just a long flight, period. About 8.5 hrs, but doable. I don't know about other airlines, but if you can get to DFW to make that AA 12:15 flight, I'd say you're in business.

We also take this route to get out of the midwest as quickly as possible - I refuse to fly any connection from here through O'Hare or Denver - too much chance of being snowed in, even if we get out of Iowa ok.

We're also going to OGG in Feb. and I booked tickets last week. I'd seriously consider booking now, whatever airline you choose. I had a travel agent friend help us, and after I got over my fainting spell at the ticket price ($$!!!), she strongly advised that we book now if we really wanted to go as flights on the dates we wanted were already nearly full, at least as far as she was able to tell. I usually book Feb. Maui in March or April, but kept waiting for the price to come down, which just didn't happen.

Aloha!

Fly direct from Boston to Los Angeles or San Francisco, then to Maui from either city on United Airlines.

We've done US Air from Boston to Phoenix and then on to Maui.

Hi
Thanks all.
Yes Iowagirl. I do have AA miles but not enough for this flight so I do want to use AA if possible. Hawaiian flys to JFK but DFW sounds much better. I better book soon I guess. I thought Sept would be early enough but I will have to get on it soon I guess. Thank you all again.

Hi
This is a question for iowagirl

I checked the AA flights and will be booking this week.
You are right the seats are filling up DFW-- OGG Round trip.
What side of the plane is better to Maui (Left or Right) for the view? They have 2 seats Row 33 rt and 35 both sides. I wish I had booked sooner for row 29 or 30 as we like right after the wings to sit. On the return it is overnight so I do not care.
Thanks in advance.

You can search on kayak.com and build in your own preference parameters~specify if you want non-stop, one stop, or 2+ stops; which connecting airports you want to avoid; departure and arrival times.

Hi Kappy: we've sat on both sides over our many trips and I can't honestly say one is better. Once the pilot starts the descent, half the passengers are leaning to the left to see out the windows, the plane comes around, and then everyone leans right. I've also heard that depending on trade winds, the pilots may come in differently than their "normal" route - whatever that means. Plus, the island is so small that there's probably not more than about 10 minutes to see it all before you're on the ground.

Either way, after that long haul from DFW, we're all so happy to see paradise that no one seems to care where they are.