Flying to Hawaii

[NJHalo]

Starting to plan next summer's vacation. I want to do my usual trip to southern California, but would like to take another week and continue on to Hawaii.

 

What is the best/easiest way to do this? What airline/airport works best?

 

[nate]

I am not much help since the last time I went there was 15 years ago with my parents...

 

Only thing I can say is that the big island is pointless.

[deepdrive]

Sleep on a park bench while you're there and you might be able to get a free flight back.

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

I've never seen direct flights from John Wayne or Long Beach and we flew out of LAX.  As far as airline recommendations I don't really have any because I don't have specific airlines I target.  I use travel sites and go for the best deal possible.  I went to O'ahu last year and heading to Kauai later this year.  Waikiki was fun but I'm looking much more forward to going to a less popular spot as it had elements of it that reminded me of SoCal.  

[St1ck]

I would say LAX probably works best. 

[Amazing Larry]

I've never seen direct flights from John Wayne or Long Beach and we flew out of LAX.  As far as airline recommendations I don't really have any because I don't have specific airlines I target.  I use travel sites and go for the best deal possible.  I went to O'ahu last year and heading to Kauai later this year.  Waikiki was fun but I'm looking much more forward to going to a less popular spot as it had elements of it that reminded me of SoCal.  

United flies direct from John Wayne to Hawaii.

[katrinab]

I love Hawaiian airlines

they are a bit pricier than most, but the airplanes are bigger, you have more room, and they offer free meals

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

United flies direct from John Wayne to Hawaii.

 

Don't doubt you but after doing a couple searches a few weeks out and a month out I didn't see anything direct from John Wayne to Honolulu.  Maybe it's to another airport/island.

[AngelsLongBall]

Depends on what you want to do in Hawaii.  Like mentioned, the big island is pointless, unless you want to just cross it off your list for seeing an active volcano flow.  Oahu is over commercialized, but is something you should do once (Waikiki, North Shore, etc).  IIRC, I read somewhere that Waikiki has the densest tourist population in the U.S.  Kauai is the most laid back, not a ton of sight-seeing outside of Poipu and Princeville.  It is also the lush jungle wonderland that you read about in books, and has the highest elevation of the islands.  Maui is my favorite, as it has the best mix of golf, touristy stuff, and relaxing stuff (beaches, bike rides, etc).

[NJHalo]

Don't doubt you but after doing a couple searches a few weeks out and a month out I didn't see anything direct from John Wayne to Honolulu.  Maybe it's to another airport/island.

 

Would love United from John Wayne. I have lots of FF miles with them/Continental

[NJHalo]

Depends on what you want to do in Hawaii.  Like mentioned, the big island is pointless, unless you want to just cross it off your list for seeing an active volcano flow.  Oahu is over commercialized, but is something you should do once (Waikiki, North Shore, etc).  IIRC, I read somewhere that Waikiki has the densest tourist population in the U.S.  Kauai is the most laid back, not a ton of sight-seeing outside of Poipu and Princeville.  It is also the lush jungle wonderland that you read about in books, and has the highest elevation of the islands.  Maui is my favorite, as it has the best mix of golf, touristy stuff, and relaxing stuff (beaches, bike rides, etc).

 

I should have mentioned it is Oahu. We are going to the Disney Vacation Resort there (Aulani). We are members in Florida, and want to try this one out.

 

Did Maui on the honeymoon and loved it.

[Angel Dog and Beer]

I would stay away from Allegiant Air.  I took it from Santa Maria to Honolulu last October and it sucked. Took off 35 mins late, landed 1 hour late. From the research I did after the fact, it seems that is a pretty common occurrence. Because of that, I missed my connection to Kauai.

 

The seats don't recline, there's no TV's, no movies, no free snacks (must buy everything), no magazines, and they charge for all bags (except personal carry-on bag). It's a discount carrier that gives you bare minimum service and amenities.  If that's what you want, that's what you get.

 

Have fun at Aulani, the place looks nice.

[NJHalo]

I would stay away from Allegiant Air.  I took it from Santa Maria to Honolulu last October and it sucked. Took off 35 mins late, landed 1 hour late. From the research I did after the fact, it seems that is a pretty common occurrence. Because of that, I missed my connection to Kauai.

 

The seats don't recline, there's no TV's, no movies, no free snacks (must buy everything), no magazines, and they charge for all bags (except personal carry-on bag). It's a discount carrier that gives you bare minimum service and amenities.  If that's what you want, that's what you get.

 

Have fun at Aulani, the place looks nice.

 

Allegiant has a bad reputation around here too. They offer lower prices to Florida out of some secondary airports, but if there is any kind of problem, you are stuck.

[Brandon]

I think Larry is right. It's been a few years, but we flew out of John Wayne and directly over to the big island. While there we took a small plane to Maui for a day.

[gotbeer]

I'd fly out of LAX.  Most of the major airlines fly there, along with the Hawaiian ones.  

 

The key to LAX is to time your flights so you don't have to drive to and from there during rush hour.