I have been trying to get multicity flight from Mobile, AL (MOB) to the Big Island (KOA) - then Hilo (ITO) to Kauai (LIH). It either costs an arm & a leg ($1,6+++ [Expedia]) or the airline says those airports are not on their list (Delta).

My question is this, would I do better getting a flight to/from Kona (KOA), and just book the interisland flights separately myself? Is this what most of you do?

I checked with Kayak and farecompare.com

I really want the most direct route I can get ( not through HNL if at all possible).

If you have experience with this, please chime in, as I'm getting frustrated.

Have you tried itasoftware.com? It makes it easy to look at multi-segment flights.

Absolutely, do it seperately. I don't know how much air service there is to the islands from Mobile,(and to which islands) so I can't speak in specifics, but if I'm understanding you correctly, I would try to get a flight from MOB to KOA with an open jaw return from LIH. (You may have to go through HNL, but it will probably be cheaper to do it this way, than seperately for this part of your ticket.)

Then, I would book my inter-island flight (ITO to LIH) seperately with either Aloha or Hawaiian. They often have sales and you can get these flights pretty inexpensively.

I'm not sure when you're going, but I'm figuring you should be able to get everything for less than $800-900....

Delta doesn't do those inter-island routes, so try Sidestep.com to see which of the local carriers work best for you, and try to fly Delta into one island and out another as mentioned above.

Go! Airlines is offering $19 inter-island flights at the moment.

I would get the best deal to the BI than return from Lihue. The interisland flights would probably be much cheaper to do yourself. I'm not sure they offer a direct flight to Lihue from the BI w/o stopping at either Maui or Oahu.

OSB,Delta doesn't operate between Atlanta and Kona any longer. We usually book our flights direct through Delta, and then book our interisland flights directly thru Aloha or Hawaiian.

Yes, book interisland flights separately. From your itinerary it looks like you're not taking any connecting flights which is good... if you were you'd have to allow much more time between flights in case of delays.

If the open jaw flight MOB-KOA return LIH-MOB is too expensive you could look at MOB-KOA-MOB as this might save some $$ but cost you some island time....

OSB, I've been playing around and it appears to me you may have some good luck with American Airlines flying out of Mobile and then from Lihue back to Mobile. Both times changing planes in Dallas and Los Angeles.

You still would have to do the interisland from KOA or Hilo to LIH on your own, but that wouldn't be very costly.

Girlfriend, we leave in 8 more days....count em........E I G H T !!

We fly from the east coast and almost always find it much cheaper and better connection times to fly into HNL and then book separate inter-island flights. We typically can find flights into HNL for under $500 and then grab inter-island sales for under $50 or use 5000 United miles for RT inter-island on Aloha Air. You can usually check your baggage all the way through to your final destination depending on the airline and which agent you get. That saves handling your baggage in HNL. If you've never been to Oahu this also gives you the option of checking out the island for a day or two before catching your inter-island flight.

dfarr: We've been to Oahu, so I'm trying to save as much time as possible for BI and KA this trip.
However, I didn't realize that an airline would send your bags on to another island than the one you were to end their flight with. I'll keep that in mind, to at least ask.

holly: Thanks, I have already checked with that search engine as well.

Icuy: Yes, I'd seen that $19 rate - one reason I asked this question. Also, they are new and I think I remember reading about some problems. Hope they have it all worked out by now!

Thanks all, for the encouragement/info!

iceeu2: Don't forget your promise to get that tiara from iamq for me!
I know you've GOT to be excited! I can't WAIT to hear all about it!
When shall we expect you to be back on board here?

Well, OSB, unfortunately the lap top is going to have to accompany us on this trip....so, I may check in from time to time just to say naninanibooboo, don't you wish it were you?

Did you find a great flight yet?

I take it this means all is well with DH and DM? Hope so.

i'2

Let's just say I'm think'in possitive!

I worked today, so have not finalized anything yet.

In checking the iflygo.com, Aloha and Hawaiian air, none have cheap flights for May 16th. Aloha and HA = $73 and Go = $78. But the first two state connections in HNL, whereas I'm unclear on Go...it appears to be direct KOA to LIH, but in the 'stops' box, it lists '1'.

If it's direct, I may pay that. But, I think I could wait to see if there's another'sale'.

Also, will register for their clubs to see if that gets me a better rate.

The other interisland carriers have been matching Go's fares for the most part. Aloha, Hawaiian and Island Air which we enjoyed quite abit aside from the luggage restrictions.

I mis-spoke. That is ITO to LIH.

hulajake: What were the luggage restrictions on Island Air that you didn't like and how do they compare to the others?

I didn't make our interisland flights until about a month ago and was able to get in on $29 deals. Just keep checking.

Also, how much earlier than the flight do you have to arrive for these inter-island flights? Are they all the same or do they differ?

icee, did you 'join the clus)'?

er, uh, excuse me...that's clubs.

olesouthernbelle....This trip we're going through HNL because we can get to Kauai 4 hours faster than the connections we can get directly into Lihue. For us it is worth paying the inter-island fee and getting there at a decent hour.

On Island Air you are limited to fifty pounds between two bags pp however you can handcheck a bag if it is heavier and avoid any penalty. They are also partnered with some of the major carriers like Delta or AA and you maybe able to check your bags all the way through. Secruity in the Island Air terminal is usually a pretty short line and goes fairly quick still I would allow an hour before.