Inter-Island travel in Hawaii: How much time?
 

Hi,
We will be in Hawaii in August for our honeymoon. Will most likely be flying from HNL to KOA to OGG. How much of the day do inter-island flights take up? How far in advance should we get there before our flights out? Thanks!

We used to be able to fly non-stop between various islands, but no more. :-(

Heightened security has resulted in the 2 major inter-island carriers (Hawaiian Air & Aloha Air), now having to stop at HNL before continuing on. Thankfully, this rarely requires a change of planes.

For purely inter-island flights, you must check in a minimum of 60 minutes prior to departure. All flights are "open seating", but early will hopefully get you to the front of the line.

Friday and Sunday afternoon/evening, and Monday morning flights are "commuter time" for islanders who live on one island, but work on another (yes, there are folks who commute by air here!), and those flights seem to always be full.

Actual flight time from HNL to any of the outer islands is mere minutes.

60 minutes prior is the minimum to arrive...We've been seeing longer and longer lines recently, and they won't let you cut just because you're going to miss your flight!

The nice thing is that if you do come early and there are seats on an earlier flight, the clerks will often switch you to that one.

Its about 20 minutes flight time HNL to Maui or Kauai, 45 to the big island.

Used to be so easy to commute. Now you waste 3 to 4 hours each way. sigh.....

This discussion is helpful, I had similar questions. Can anyone give me the inside scoop on flying to the West Maui airport instead of the main one? I know Island Air has a number of flights from Honolulu to this smaller airport daily.

Marcia

So every single flight will have to stop in HNL? (I'm going from Maui to Kauai).

This is a good thread, we were going to go Monday morning, but we'll wait until later morning or afternoon.

How early should we book? We still have 4 months til the trip.

~Amelie

How does stopping in Honolulu have anything to do with heightened security?

Reply to amelie,
It looks like there is one flight ~9AM on Hawaiian Airlines that is non-stop OGG to LIH.
Only two jet airlines operate on this route www.alohaairlines.com and Hawaiian airlines.

Here is link to HA flight schedule, be sure to check your dates to see if the non-stop is available on your travel date:
http://www.hawaiianair.com/flightinfo/schedules/
:S-

Thanks John, I will look at the websites now :)