Nonstop/Charter Flights from Midwest to Hawaii?
 

We are traveling to Hawaii for the first time in February, 2006. Is there one central website where I could learn what Midwest cities have nonstop flights to Honolulu? We live in Indianapolis but are willing to drive to Cincinnati, Louisville, Chicago, St. Louis, etc. in order to get a direct flight? (and hopefully, a better deal.) Also, do any of these airports have charter services to Hawaii? We have a conference at a Waikiki beach hotel from 2/18 through 2/22. We have been told that Maui is the other place we should get to while in Hawaii. We plan to take a couple of days on the front or back end of our time in Waikiki to go to Maui. So, I suppose we could fly in or out of Maui as well. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

www.itasoftware.com and put in your home airport. On the pull down menu, indicate how many miles your are willing to venture from that airport.

Also, that is Presidents Week. Book as soon as possible as it is a big school break.

Just a quick check and I found $747 leaving Indianapolis on 2/11 and returning on 7/25 to Chicago. Prices were very expensive. They jumped up quite quickly to $1000.

Maybe someone else has better advice.

I know there are a couple non-stops from Chicago, and there's a non-stop from Cincy to Honolulu, but since it's on Delta I'm willing to bet it's going to be discontinued.

ATA flies out of Chicago/Midway, often has great fares.
https://www.ata.com/home.html

Why a non-stop flight?

You can get much better deals if you make it a one stop.

Continental Indianapolis to Honolulu 2-15 to 2-23 $656 stops in Houston.

Why a non-stop

Because I'd rather take one long flight that two shorter ones: I can sleep longer, have half the take-offs & landings, which I don't like, don't have to kill time in an airport, or worse, risk missing a connection.

For me, it's an easy decidion to pay more for a non-stop flight.

I can understand a non-stop from Indianapolis, but, driving or flying to any of the other cities, you risk having car problems and missing a flight.

You would also waste as much time driving as you would waiting for a connecting flight.

We feel like we have more-or-less what you are seeking for our (first) trip to Hawaii (Dec 31-Jan 6), from Louisville... taking the Atlanta-Maui nonstop on Delta (9 hours) - - it was just announced less than a month ago, and I think that is why we were able to get "first class" (business elite, in the newer 767-300ER with the 60" seat pitch, and the "advanced" seats) seats from our SkyMiles on what might normally be considered short notice for peak holiday season (got them earlier this month).

In our case, it's a less than perfect connection (depart Louisville 07:30; in ATL for 3 hours) - - but with access to the Delta Crown Room, I feel like the time will pass quickly enough.

And like you, I feel like the nonstop long flight will be easier to deal with than a change on th West Coast (we are also choosing to stay on Maui, rather than get on another inter-island flight as soon as we arrive).

The ATL-OGG flight still has mostly empty BizElite sections (i.e. paid seats) even for New Years travel (I have not had any reason to check February).

If it sounds like what you are seeking (and fits your budget, cash-wise, or SkyMiles-wise, whether coach or upgraded), you might want to move on it.

Best wishes,

Rex

ttt...