Island Air
 

Does anyone have an opinion of this airline? Are the planes really small? Would Aloha Air be better?

My daughter uses them quite often from Honolulu to Kapalua/West Maui Airport. She likes them for the convenience into West Maui.

The planes are propellor, 37 passenger DeHaviland Dash 8s.

Many of their flights go into airports that are too small for large jet aircraft. These would include Lanai, Molokai & West Maui.

They also fly direct from Kauai to Maui.

Aloha Air became Island Air. Same airline.

You can book through Island Air or Aloha Airlines websites.

When did Aloha Air become Island Air ??

I just got back from Hawaii and I would say that Island Air and Aloha Air are 2 different airlines. We did an Aloha flight that was a code share with Island Air but they definitely appeared to be 2 separate entities. Island Air has only Dash 8's which are small but I've been on smaller planes. Aloha does have larger airplanes. We found them both to be just fine.

You are correct, antlori -- they are now two, separate airline companies.

The planes being used by Island Air, were at one time the small-airport planes used by Aloha Air. Aloha decided to drop those routes; thankfully, Island Air picked them up!

Sorry for the confusion.

Aloha Airlines used to run those prop flights under the name Aloha Island Air. However, they no longer do. Aloha Airlines now just runs jet service (and nothing to Lanai). If you try to book something with them to Lanai for example, they will route you to Island Air.

The smaller props planes continue to fly, but under the banner Island Air, now their own separate company.

I rather enjoy the Island Air flights, they fly low and slow (compared to the jets)and depending on where you go and where you sit they can be quite scenic. The weather is usually pretty mellow so they don't get real bumpy like the commuters planes can be on the mainland.

And, with the traffic from Kahalui to West Maui these days, flying directly to West Maui can be a time and stress saver.

i've done a lot of checking and I think Hawaiian Air is the best! and the cheapest

Actually, Hawaiian Airlines will also direct you to Island Air for flights to the smaller airports (like Lanai and Molokai). I think they may fly a jet into Molokai a couple times a day, but I'm not sure.

Most of their jet fleet only flys to the larger airports in the state.