We're planning a trip to Hawaii for the month of Feb.2009. I just checked the airfare and...wow! I'd like flights with no more than 2 layovers and the prices are up about $400 each from last year. I know that no one can predict for sure, but any input on whether to hold off for a while or book now, expecting them to go even higher?

Forecasts are for fuel prices to continue to escalate. I believe airfares will be higher in 11 months.

However, during an 11 month period, the airlines will have promotions.

Your risk/reward factor is a wide spread.

If you use a travel agent who is knowledgeable about your local carriers, they might have an opinion about timing of seasonal discounts.

Unlikely fuel will go down. Get used to the prices. The one thing you have going - with US economy and $ down, many people cut back on leisure travel and HI is leisure market. So you might find some deals, but not for a few months.

Current predictions are that mainland fares will come down later in the year ( fall is usually the slower season), so wait until later to buy.

http://starbulletin.com/2008/04/06/news/story04.html

It would be helpful to know exactly where you were planning on flying from to make the 2 layover more realistic.

We're flying from Madison WI to Honolulu. Last year our flights were from Madison to MSP and on to Honolulu. Coming home it was Honolulu to Frisco to MSP and finally, Madison. Can't for the life of me find fewer stops on the way home. We usually fly NWA and last year were able to upgrade return flight to 1st class, using miles.