Hawaii - Airlines from West Coast to Hawaii Islands
 

I'm flying to Hawaii from the east coast of Canada (late summer 2014). Most flights take me to Vancouver (CA) or to Los Angeles. I can continue thru to one of the Hawaii International airports with one of the major airlines, but, are there any discount airlines that fly from LA, or Vancouver, or another west airport (San Francisco, Phoenix, San Diego, etc.?). Do they fly regularly or sporadically? I am flexible which island to fly in/out of, as I will be there for 3+ weeks and will be visiting 2-3 islands in no particular order (yet).
Any info would be welcomed

We avoid west coast US connections and the 757's that mostly fly that route. I look for a 767 or 330 for the longest leg. We often fly Chicago-HNL and stay within airport security until our 30-minute flight departs for Maui -- same on return, checking luggage through to final destination. There are good widebody nonstops into Maui from western Canada. There are good ones into HNL from many eastern US cities.

As our son lives in San Diego, we are planning to go non-stop via Alaska Air to Kauai and back from Maui directly. I may have it backwards, but it seems they only go into one and return from the other (Kauai & Maui); saves a bit of time, and when I looked for May, they were inexpensive ($200 range). As we will spend some time before & after in San Diego, it is the logical choice, but do check Alaska Air for what they offer.

I fly to Hawaii from SFO or SJC at least once a year. I ususally take Hawaiian or Alaska. Alaska can have low fares, but in the summer months that could be iffy and would depend on your dates.

Hawaiian Air flies 767s from the west coast. I wouldn't call them a "discount" airline, but like Alaska you might be able to get a lowish fare.

Are you coming from Toronto? You could fly Delta to Atlanta and then nonstop on a 330 to HNL.

Allegiant Air is considered by some to be a discount carrier, but often their prices are no less than Hawaiian or Alaska.

>>Allegiant Air is considered by some to be a discount carrier, but often their prices are no less than Hawaiian or Alaska.<<

Allegiant is usually more expensive because they charge extra for absolutely everything.

Love Hawaiian Airlines, you start to feel like you are in Hawaii when you step on the plane.

I think you could also fly to EWR and non-stop from there on United

I was trapped in the middle set of the last row on a Hawaiian 767 HNL-SEA last November. It was hellish. Hawaiian 767's have some of the smallest seats in the industry, according to SeatGuru. In-flight entertainment was also abysmal. The Airbus 300, flying over, was much better.

I always fly Hawaiian Air from Seattle... love that airline! (but not sure this really is applicable to your situation).

You can find MANY flights from Seattle on Hawaiian or Alaska to the Hawaiian Islands; I would consider it a lower stress airport than LAX...haven't flown out of Vancouver so can't compare.

when you say Vancouver (CA) would that be Vancouver British Columbia because I am unaware of a City in CA (California) named Vancouver?

CA = Canada on most of the forums . . . ;)

Did you find what you wanted, our East COAST of Canada guy?

The discount airline from Las Vegas and LAX is Allegiant. They fly to HNL and you have to sign on to their website to book flights. The other low cost flights from the west coast are from Oakland or Seattle on Alaska Airline.

ChiSue - haven't found any really special "low cost" rates yet. So instead I will focus on trying to find a long distance non-stop flight from out east, on a plane with ample seat/leg room. I might even have to try 1st Class for the 1st time ever

Thanks for the update, ECCGuy. We buy coach and use miles to upgrade to first -- tricky to snag these, and you pay to use the miles, but it is a long flight. I would rather pay to be more comfortable over two 14-hour travel days than spend the money on a couple of one-hour dinners. I can even sleep on the redeye returns on those almost-lie-flat seats in first on a 767. Going to Hawaii is supposed to be FUN, not start and end with endurance tests.