Hawaii Flights: Once Iconic, Now Misery

Above, a Ellison Onizuka Kona Airport boarding gate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nine years ago, I took a trip to Hawaii. The flight wasn't too bad, being only about five hours from Los Angeles.

Since then, I have read how flying to Hawaii was once iconic splendor has now become a miserable start to a vacation. 

Beat of Hawaii has posted an article on why Hawaii flights feel more uncomfortable than ever.

It begins with:

“Even though we purchased upgraded tickets, flying is not what it used to be with cramped seats,” said Ann B., a traveler who flew from the East Coast to Hawaii. Her upgraded seats didn’t help much on the eleven-hour flight.

Another reader, Engineer_Lou, added, “Airlines have removed the TV displays from headrests on long flights to Hawaii. Makes the trip harder for six hours.” And Andy C., who’s been flying to Hawaii since 1972, told us, “I can’t take the discomfort of economy, and I read that economy seats are about to get even worse.”

These aren’t isolated grumbles. Hawaii travelers, including us, are getting louder about the shrinking space, harder seats, and missing amenities that define the new narrow-body era now dominating Hawaii flights. The industry calls it optimization. Passengers call it something else.

The problem is magnified by distance, among other factors. Hawaii flights rank among the longest in the United States, equal to or longer than many transcontinental routes. Now that these journeys are predominantly on narrow-body aircraft, the experience has shifted from a once iconic, relaxing start to a Hawaii vacation into something far less appealing. For many, the flight itself has become something to face and endure rather than anticipate.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Travelers Brace As Comfort Collapse Spreads Across Airlines

Above, a Kona Airport gate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Flights to Hawaii from Los Angeles are five hours in length. At one time, wide body aircraft ruled the routes from the mainland to the islands. 

Airlines are dropping two-aisle aircraft for smaller one-aisle aircraft sacrificing comfort. Flying to Hawaii was once an enjoyable experience. No longer. People are treated like cattle.

Beat of Hawaii has posted an article on how the airlines are treating air travel to Hawaii like any other domestic flight. 

They begin it with:

Flights to Hawaii once defined aviation. There was a time when flying to Hawaii was not only a big deal for passengers but also for the airlines themselves. Pan Am, TWA, and United all built prestige around their Hawaii services. The Boeing 747 and other wide-bodies turned the Pacific crossing into a statement of comfort. Lounges, two aisles, and a sense of occasion were part of the journey.

Those days are gone. Hawaii has now been reduced to what airlines treat as another domestic run. For the carriers, it is simply a five-hour flight to manage with maximum efficiency, no different in their playbook than service to Des Moines. The sense of grandeur that once surrounded Hawaii flying has slipped away.

To read more, go here. 

They Used To Save Miles For Hawaii. Not Anymore.

Above, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. Photo by Armand Vaquer..

Airline mileage award programs used to be relatively easy. People accrued airline mileage over a year or more and redeemed them for economic travel.

One of the places they used to redeem their mileages was Hawaii. It appears to be no longer the case.

According to Beat of Hawaii:

For decades, Hawaii was the crown jewel of airline award travel within the US. It was where you redeemed miles after stockpiling them all year or longer. But increasingly, travelers are saying it is no longer worth it.

What used to be a relatively easy redemption is now a struggle. Availability is tight, prices are up, upgrades are scarce, and the experience has changed. The individuals making these claims are not new to loyalty programs. Many are longtime members who used to book Hawaii year after year. Now, they are shifting their miles elsewhere. 

Miles don’t stretch as far, and upgrades are harder to get.

Redemption levels have climbed across all programs. An economy ticket that once cost 35,000 miles round-trip now often requires 60,000 or more. Premium cabins regularly hit six figures, with little consistency or transparency. Dynamic pricing has made redemptions unpredictable and frustrating.

To read more, go here. 

Hundreds Stranded As Cruise Ship Flees Hawaii Tsunami

Above, the coastline near Hilo on the Big Island. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Russian earthquake wreaked havoc with cruise lines in Hawaii Tuesday.

A tsunami warning was issued and cruise ships left Hawaiian ports, most notably Hilo Harbor, on the Big Island stranding passengers for several hours.

According to Beat of Hawaii:

As sirens blared across Hawaii on Tuesday afternoon and evening, one of the most dramatic scenes unfolded quietly on the Big Island in Hilo Harbor. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America was forced to abandon port hours ahead of schedule due to tsunami evacuation orders. In the rush to leave, more than 300 passengers and crew members were left behind, many of whom were stranded without transportation, a place to go, or any clear sense of what would come next.

The decision to leave the port abruptly was driven by protocol. Following the 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, tsunami alerts were issued for Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast. The U.S. Coast Guard ordered vessels out of Hawaii’s ports for safety, and NCL complied.

But timing proved difficult. With sirens already sounding and traffic completely snarled across the Big Island and the entire state, hundreds of Pride of America passengers were unable to get back to the ship before it departed port. 

To read more, go here. 

Will Hawaii's $100M Tourist Climate Fee Actually Fix Anything?

Tourists to Hawaii will be levied a new tax allegedly earmarked to fight climate change.

Need I remind you that Hawaii's state government is dominated by radical leftist Democrats (like California) who love to impose more new taxes on people.

From Beat of Hawaii:

Nearly 10 million people visit Hawaii each year. Now, all of them will help fund the first-in-the-nation climate resilience fee designed to raise $100 million annually in its first and likely not last levy. This will be paid primarily by visitors as a function of an additional accommodation tax. That new law, just signed by Governor Josh Green, brings those taxes to about 19% and, for the first time, applies them to cruise ships.

Supporters call it groundbreaking, while critics call it another vague money grab. Either way, the stakes are high. The critical question is: Can this fee deliver what Hawaii says it will? It is one of Hawaii’s boldest new promises, with high stakes.

To read more, go here. 

Traps That Ruin Hawaii Vacations and Avoiding Them

Above, a hilltop view of Waikiki and Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I took a Hawaii vacation nine years ago instead of during recent years.

I have been reading on how a vacation there has gotten more expensive. Back when I went there in 2016, I didn't feel prices were any worse than anywhere else. But, times have certainly changed. 

There are some traps that can ruin a Hawaiian vacation. Beat of Hawaii lays them out and also tells how to avoid them.

They begin with:

A perfect Hawaii vacation is still possible. But more than ever, travelers find that one slip-up can sour the whole trip, whether in Hawaii or not. That’s not just a gut feeling—it’s backed by data. In a new Go City survey of U.S. travelers, 92 percent said one bad element—like poor service, delays, or surprise fees—could ruin an entire vacation. It resonates with us and it might you too.

Hawaii is clearly high-stakes travel. The flights are long, the price tags are increasingly steep, and the emotional investment is big. So when something does go wrong—even something small—it tends to hit harder than on a weekend getaway.

But it doesn’t have to. Knowing where the traps are found and how Hawaii travelers often stumble, you can design a trip that works for you, your budget, and your high expectations. Here’s how to avoid the most common vacation breakdowns in paradise.

To read more, go here. 

Waikiki May Soon Look Nothing Like You Remember

Above, Waikiki Beach near the Sheraton Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2016, I went on a vacation trip to Hawaii. The first part of it was at the Sheraton Waikiki on Oahu.

Much of the time on the beach was spent at the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon near the Hilton Hawaiian Village hotel, a favorite haunt of Elvis Presley.

It seems that Waikiki Beach has been eroding away and the powers-that-be are taking steps to restoring it. In looking over my photos of Waikiki, there's not much sand there.

According to Beat of Hawaii:

Waikiki Beach is quietly slipping away—and with it, a century of shoreline illusions. Engineered more than a hundred years ago and maintained ever since with imported sand and coastal structures, Hawaii’s most famous beach is now retreating faster than ever before. In some places, the sand is already gone. In others, walkways are simply crumbling underfoot.

Now, state lawmakers are being asked for $5 million to kickstart final plans for the latest $60 million beach rescue effort. But experts warn: if the funding stalls, so does Waikiki’s future.

To read more, go here. 

Affording Hawaii In 2025

Above, a view of Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Pretty much everything costs much more thanks to the rampant inflation we're enduring.

That also includes travel. Travel to Hawaii has skyrocketed during the past several years. People are wondering if it is too expensive.

Travel to Hawaii is more expensive, but there are ways to cutting costs. That is the topic of an article in Beat of Hawaii. 

They begin it with:

Hawaii’s soaring travel costs have left many wondering if a vacation to the islands can ever be within reach. Between rising airfare, astronomical hotel rates overall, activities, and everyday expenses, the perception is that Hawaii has become too expensive except for the wealthy. But with the right strategies, a trip to paradise can still be affordable—even in 2025. Here’s how.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Resort Fees Are Skyrocketing Again

Above, hotels in Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like that it was a good thing that I went to Hawaii when I did in 2016. Hotels and resorts are planning to hike their resort fees on stays.

Beat of Hawaii reported:

Hawaii resort fees rankle travelers and residents alike, significantly inflating the cost of a hotel stay. These charges can easily add hundreds more dollars to the bill, often covering questionably chargeable services like internet access or beach amenities that might otherwise be included in the room rate.

Combined with Hawaii’s 18% state and county accommodation taxes, plus a range of other fees labeled as everything from “conservation” to “local tax,” hotel bills can quickly surge by over 50%. That’s before factoring in parking costs, adding as much as an additional $60 per night.

Hawaii visitors often feel blindsided by how these fees are disclosed.

While the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has advocated for pricing transparency, most hotels reveal resort fees late in the booking process. On platforms like Booking.com, nightly rates have become loss leaders, luring travelers before piling on hidden costs.

Despite federal initiatives, resort fees will remain widespread across Hawaii in 2025, leaving many questioning if meaningful change is possible. Although earlier proposals inspired some hope, doubts persist about whether the industry will shift, even in the face of consumer outrage.

Hawaii resort fees now.

Resort fees in Hawaii vary significantly depending on the property. Here’s just an assortment. Since Hawaii has such a vast number of hotels, you’ll need to check. The Royal Hawaiian will increase its fee to $52 per night starting December 2024. Fairmont Orchid recently raised its resort fee to $48 per night. Hilton Hawaiian Village remains among the highest in Waikiki at $59 per night. Montage Kapalua Bay maintains its $50 per night charge, with additional costs for valet parking.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Hotel Prices Up 70%, May Stifle Overtourism

Above, the Sheraton Waikiki in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The "powers that be" in Hawaii are talking about stifling overtourism by adding fees lately.'

However, that may not be necessary since hotel room rates have risen 70% since the end of the pandemic. They may take care of the overtourism "problem".

According to Beat of Hawaii:

With the nightly cost of Hawaii hotels, the state may not need to worry much longer about over-tourism. Between high prices and the pressure on vacation rentals, the issue could become self-regulating. Regular commenter John W. said today that “Hawaii hotel prices are outlandish.” And we concur. The December numbers speak for themselves.

BOH editors will be in West Maui in February to bring you more on-the-ground coverage. What we found, no matter how hard we tried, or where we looked, was what we deemed to be just too high pricing. In the end, given the cost, we chose not to book yet, waiting until the last minute. In addition to costs, the cancellation notice and penalties were too much to feel comfortable.

To read more, go here. 

Most Uncomfortable Airliner Ever Coming To Hawaii

Above, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. Photo by Armand Vaquer..

Once upon a time, airline travel was luxurious and comfortable. These days, the opposite is true and apparently getting worse for passengers.

In recent years, I found the most uncomfortable aircraft to be the Airbus A380. Despite its large size, economy seating was the worst I've ever experienced. The flight to Japan in one was made worse by the 11-hour flight time (and 9 hours return flight).

Apparently, the new Boeing 737 Max 10 is even worse. And it is being introduced for Hawaii travel.

Beat of Hawaii posted an article on this.

They begin with:

If you thought planes couldn’t get any more uncomfortable, we have Hawaii travel news to report. An aircraft once designed to seat fewer than 100 people comfortably has now been stretched to seat 230 passengers. That sounds both good for the airlines and bad for us passengers.

Last week, Boeing reported that it had been approved to start flight tests toward certification of the 737 MAX 10, the largest and most uncomfortable 737 yet. The plane has its sights set on one location near and dear to us here: Hawaii.

To read more, go here.

Hawaii Flights: FAA News May Concern You

Above, a Boeing 757. Wikipedia photo.

When it comes to aviation, if there isn't one thing to be concerned about, it's another.

The latest comes from Beat of Hawaii over some problems found on some Boeing 757 jets.

They wrote:

We are flying from Hawaii and back in a few weeks on United Airlines. However, this week’s news, reported first by FlightGlobal, has definitely caught our attention. The reason is, we are scheduled to fly twice on these airplanes. Given how fortunate Beat of Hawaii is to have so many aviation industry folk reading, we ask whether we should be concerned or not?

FAA requires inspection for frame cracks on older 757 plane wings used on Hawaii flights.

A highly regarded plane with a great history in Hawaii flights has come under scrutiny. The Federal Aviation Administration said it will now require that Boeing 757 aircraft be inspected after airlines found cracks on 757 airplane wings.

To read more, go here. 

Amazon Prime Hawaii Travel Deals Starts Today

Above, a view of Waikiki surfers and Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Amazon Prime is in the travel business? Who'd have "thunk" it?

Well, they are and, today and tomorrow, they are promoting some Hawaii travel deals.

According to Beat of Hawaii (from yesterday):

Big Hawaii deals are poised to be featured front and center on Amazon’s upcoming Prime Day, that will take place starting tomorrow, July 11-12. We said before that Amazon would be voyaging into the world of travel. What better place to start with than Prime Day + Hawaii. And this will be the first time ever.

Priceline will be the first travel brand to offer an exclusive Prime Day deal. The site currently runs ads throughout Amazon’s portfolio of streaming and audio products.

To read more, go here. 

What Not To Pack For A Hawaii Vacation

Above, the Royal Hawaiian Center at Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since many airlines slap on surcharges on luggage weighing over 50 lbs., more people are learning the fine art of packing light.

That goes for travel to Hawaii. There are things that are unnecessary to pack as most are available to purchase in Hawaii.

Beat of Hawaii posted an article on things not to pack before leaving the mainland.

They start with:

Whether you’re the most seasoned traveler or a newbie who doesn’t think about a packing checklist for Hawaii, today’s post will help keep your luggage under control. Your editors, Rob and Jeff, use Google Docs to keep a packing list up to date for mainland travel, and even then, something is always forgotten.

What to pack for a Hawaii vacation should seemingly be pretty easy given our general lack of dress codes, casual nature, and near-constant tropical temperatures. We say, “Keep it simple” and “Less is better.” But even then, it can get weird.

Here’s what not to pack for your Hawaii vacation.

First, there’s almost nothing you can’t buy here in Hawaii if you need it, including food and medications. Second, most of it won’t cost much more than on the mainland if you shop wisely. So don’t lose sleep if you should forget something. Leave these things off the list to begin with.

To read more, go here. 

FAA Plan To Slash Hawaii Volcanoes Helicopter Tours 88%

Above, approaching a Kilauea crater by helicopter in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As one might expect, the current eruption of Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii's Big Island in Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park is drawing a lot of spectators. Along with that, demand for helicopter tours over the volcano are in high demand.

Getting a helicopter tour will be harder if a plan by the FAA and the National Park Service goes into effect. The plan is to slash tours by 88%.

Beat of Hawaii reported:

On an auspicious day when USGS just announced and shared photos (above) of the Kilauea volcano once again erupting, as seen within the Halemaumau crater, a visitors-welcome Zoom meeting will take place regarding the proposed drastic reduction in helicopter tours in the area. During the last eruption, your editors found it impossible to get a helicopter tour when they visited. With the planned reduction we imagine that tours will become far more costly too.

The FAA and the National Park Service (NPS) have issued a draft Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP) with significant proposed changes and a massive reduction in helicopter tours for both Haleakala National Park and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The issue is the overall environmental impact of the air tours, especially the constant noise helicopters create.

We have to say this is a good idea. We’ve hiked at Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park on Kauai many times,  only to have helicopters flying over us incessantly at the end of the trail.

The FAA and NPS plan is to severely limit helicopter tours at two Hawaii locations: the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island and the Haleakalā National Park on Maui. If you have any opinion on this, you are urged to comment before the June 20 deadline. More information is below.

I took a helicopter tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in 2016 and it was an enjoyable and interesting experience.

To read more, go here.

Worst-Ever Hawaii Airfares

Above, a Hawaiian vacation will cost much more just to get there. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As previously mentioned, hotels, airfares and, soon to come in October, prices for the JR Rail Pass will jump in Japan.

But Japan isn't the only destination that is gouging one's wallet. Airlines are hiking their airfares to Hawaii, which is the topic of discussion in Beat of Hawaii. 

They begin with:

If you think Hawaii hotel prices are soaring, you’d better look at what’s happening now with airline tickets. We previously reported trying to get from Hawaii to the mainland this August. Ultimately, BOH editors decided not to go to a conference rather than pay the airlines’ asking price. As editor Jeff said, “It was too insulting.” This could end up being a game of cat and mouse like we reported this past weekend on First Class Hawaii deals. We plan to keep revisiting the costs, and have alerts set that you might be doing as well.

A very rapid escalation of airline ticket prices to Hawaii has occurred over the past year or so. So it isn’t exactly new but it is decidedly unpleasant. Given that the airlines are arguably smarter and cagier than hotels, this is a bit more subtle while equally challenging. Hawaii airline ticket prices rebounded starting last year following Covid and are now, in many cases, at new highs never seen before. That’s true in all classes and across airlines, in economy, extra legroom (up to $304 more), premium economy, and business.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Airfare War Starting Up Again

Above, air passengers arriving at Kona International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the day when gasoline was way under a buck a gallon, we would see "gas war" signs at gasoline stations. Each brand of gasoline competed for the dollars of consumers by lowering prices.

A similar thing is taking place between competing airlines to Hawaii. The winner of this airfare war is definitely the consumer.

Beat of Hawaii begins with:

It seems odd to us that Hawaii would continue to have that distinction. After all, once on the ground, Hawaii is usually more expensive in every way when compared with the mainland. But not when it comes to airfares, and at least not for now when you travel interisland.

This all comes as another fare war was started today between bellwether Hawaiian Airlines and still relative Hawaii newcomer Southwest Airlines. The lowest mainland price now begins at $119 each way from the west coast, and we predict they can go lower.

If one has a vacation to Hawaii in mind, now is the time to buy airline tickets.

To read more, go here.

2023 Hawaii Travel Forecasts

Above, hotels of Waikiki and Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It appears that travel to Hawaii has recovered since the pandemic.

There was a conference held in Phoenix, Arizona last week and Beat of Hawaii has some "takeaways" from that conference on what to expect in 2023 when it comes to Hawaii and other travel.

They begin with:

Trying to figure out what will happen in Hawaii travel next year is challenging at best in these uncertain times. We attended some of last week’s Global Travel Marketing conference in Phoenix. And here are takeaways for what’s ahead in Hawaii travel that you’ll want to know, including our cost prediction.

The good news is that the Hawaii travel industry has largely recovered post-Covid, and with the exception of international arrivals, is reaching or even going beyond 2019 volumes at times. That’s what we saw in 2022, and the travel forecast for 2023 may be vastly different, be it Hawaii, domestic travel overall, or international.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaiian Airlines or Southwest Airlines?

Above, a Hawaiian Airlines jet being readied for an inter-island flight. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Six years ago, we flew to Hawaii aboard Hawaiian Airlines. The trip was uneventful except we did get served a meal, something that is extremely rare these days on domestic flights. I don't remember what we had, so it must not have been remarkable.

Since Southwest Airlines has started service to Hawaii, comparisons on price and comfort between it and Hawaiian Airlines have been popping up. The new competition between the two has produced lower fares (you just have to search for them).

Beat of Hawaii posted an article comparing Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Of the two, Southwest Airlines is the better deal. To see why, just check out their article.

It begins with:

How do you choose between these two airlines when booking flights to Hawaii? We recently flew to and from California on Southwest Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. But rather than rehash those, which you can read for yourself if you’d like (links above), the point today is to look at ways to decide which airline will better suit your needs when flying to Hawaii.

To read more, go here. 

Some Hawaii Airfares To Go Up 250% or More

Above, dancers at a Honolulu luau. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following the easing of restrictions of travel to Hawaii, some airlines, most notably Southwest Airlines, have been offering $39 airfares.

Naturally, airfares like this won't last long and common sense will tell you that they are not enough to sustain an airline. They are bound to go up. And, according to Beat of Hawaii, some will go up 250% or more.

According to Beat of Hawaii:

If you love the current $39 airfares being driven by Hawaii’s relative newcomer Southwest Airlines, and largely matched by bellwether Hawaiian Airlines, here’s our best suggestion:

Get them quick and enjoy them while you can. 

Your editors are taking our own advice and flying all over the state until the end of the year.

In many comments noted below, you’ve said you are grateful for the hugely reduced cost of flying interisland with both airlines. Frankly, who can complain about that?

But where is this heading? We looked around, and here’s what we can tell you. We compared the ten shortest nonstop routes that Southwest offers, both in Hawaii and on the mainland. The results are eye-opening.

To read more, go here.