Sarah, thanks for the offer:
BDL or EWR to LIH 8/3 returning 8/17.
If EWR need departure late morning or noon and return on 8/18 in afternoon (not late evening).
The best I can see at the moment is on Orbitz $1021 per person EWR to LIH (Continental/AA).
By the way, is 45 minutes too short to change planes at LAX? I am looking at AA ariving at LAX at 6:17 am and there is a Continental flight leaving for Cleveland/BDL at 7:00 am.

Hi Lza just give me until this evening never saw my name on a post heading.

45 minutes is not too short at most airports but I did have a problem one year in LAX when there was not trolly to get you to next flight. 45 minutes is definatley not enough time at HNL for connecting flight. Would not space 45 minutes with two different carriers unless one arranged details. Same airline is just much more willing to accomodate you if there is a screw up.

sure you don't want to stay in on the West coast the night before the 3rd, Friday? That way you don't have to worry about the reliabilty of flights connecting

If your flight connections are arranged thru one airline and the connection is "legal" according to their minimum connection times, then I wouldn't worry about it. I onced had Delta book me a on a short connection thru Frankfurt and when the first flight was delayed, they ended up accomodating me in business class. However, if you're booking thru 2 separate airlines and you miss your connection, you'll be at the mercy of the second carrier.

During high season can be another issue, airlines frequently overbook. I was detoured through London adding on an extra 5 hours to my flight when I originally had a confirmed seat on a Milan to Newark 2 thanksgivings ago.

Another friend was picking up a flight think it was BA to Scotland. His flight was cancelled or he was bumped. Think he was bumped because I don't recall any strikes and it was typical August weather no storms . He was sent first to DETROIT (!!!) from JFK than to London then up to Scotland. He was going for a long weekend so needless to say his plans were ruined.

We can't fly out on Friday night because of work/camp commitments. The flights connecting problem I had was on the return. I checked AA and Continental and could get a decent price from BDL to LIH ($985 total) but two different airlines so I wouldn't want to take a risk. Orbitz will not show it because it probably is not a legal connection (I think they may require at least an hour).

I have made 40 minutes connections but only under the advisement of one airline agent handeling both legs. I was in a mad dash one year connecting with two different carriers at LAX once a mistake. You never know what gate you will be at. I was atleast by myself would not want to put my p's through that. Will look for you later.

I am also looking on Orbitz but with a download from sidetrack every search is augmented with a sidestep comparison which often also offers other times or airlines not on Orbitz.

that was www.sidestep.com

Thanks, Sarah.
I got sidestep the other day. It is pretty neat (but the fares are what they are).
The funny thing is on AA website:
LAX to LIH is $685 per person
BDL to LAX is $275 per person
but the cheapest BDL to LIH is $2079
Go figure!
Of course the separate connections require you to leave and arrive at some ungodly hours, but still...

That is what I am finding also.

no need to respond if I am repeating what you are seeing yourself we are bound to repeat here. HA goes for $710. through airline directly depart Lax 12pm connect in HNL in Lih about 4:49 returning you are in Lax at 5:45. This of course means you have to change your east west coast connection to something in the early morning to make that 12pm flight.

5:45 am on return

Lza all the connections are making my head spin might even do more for you on the actual day of travel. I would pay a bit more if it does not hurt you too much and take the easiest flight possible. Connecting and waiting to land for a connection can be taxing. I guess I am a wimp. I get a racing heart just vying for that carry on luggage space. So funny I could lift a car with that anxiety. Nephew thought I was super woman last summer when I chucked 6 pieces of carry on luggage in about 30 seconds. BROTHER IN LAW WAS MOVING TO SLOW AND I SAW THE NEED FOR SPEED or loss of space. Go Aunt Sarah you are really strong, I remember hearing.

I would go down to Newark take the direct flight and buy coupons in Honolulu for a Lihue connection. Should remember that lines and security check points are going to hold things down in places and all airports are different. No problem in Newark or D.C this year but had a problem in Pittsburgh of all places.

Will keep looking but remember if you have not how members in your group will cope with all the connections. I know a number of people on the east coast who can only think of the long horrible flight they had to Hawaii. They were the ones with 4 hour layovers and different carriers to find and connect with. Just a thought if you did not already have it. I will keep looking.

Return Flight
U.S airways 8/3 BDL (flight #757 connecting with flight# 321) depart 725 arrive in Lax 12:49 stop over phl

Return on 8/17 or 8/18 dep lax 10:10am flight 757 connecting Phl arrive BDL 9pm $288 Total

Itinerary Total - US$ 288.50 Flight Fare Rules
1 adult at USD 288.50

7:25am Depart Hartford, CT (BDL)
12:48pm Arrive Los Angeles, CA (LAX) Aug. 3
US Airways flight 1268 / 21 Connection in Philadelphia, PA View rules

10:10am Depart Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
9:00pm Arrive Hartford, CT (BDL) Aug. 18
US Airways flight 12 / 966 Connection in Philadelphia, PA

so tired miss you info on not wanting to use separate carriers. UGH!

Have you tried travel-hawaii.com?
I was checking on IAH to HNL and it was cheaper than getting tickets directly with Continental. I've never used them before.

Cathy

I used travel-hawaii.com last August for our tickets and found them to be reliable, honest, helpful, and (best of all!) the most affordable.

Sarah, thanks so much for trying to find something for me. I found exactly what you are seeing so at least I know I am not missing something. I'll check travelhawaii.com and then if they don't offer something better, I think I will go with the EWR-LIH flight with just 1 connection going in and 2 coming back. It seems most convenient with flight times that are decent.
What is the airline policy if prices go down? Will they give an adjustment or credit for future travel for the difference?