Direct flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Honolulu (HNL) start at $399 roundtrip in April 2024, according to Hawaiian Airlines (HA) bookings made 60 days out. This beats United Airlines (UA) connecting flights from Newark (EWR) by $83 on average.
How Much Do Flights to Hawaii Cost?
Hawaiian Airlines (HA) operates 24 direct weekly flights from LAX to HNL, averaging $421 roundtrip in April. United Airlines (UA) via EWR costs $512 on average, with a 9-hour 15-minute total journey time including layovers. Alaska Airlines (AS) offers connecting flights from Seattle (SEA) for $478 roundtrip, but requires a 2-hour 15-minute layover at SEA for baggage transfer.
Best Airlines for Direct Flights to HNL
Airline
Route
Price Range
Duration
Bags Included
Hawaiian Airlines (HA)
LAX → HNL
$399–$520
5h20m
1 carry-on, 1 checked bag ($35 extra)
United Airlines (UA)
EWR → HNL (via DEN)
$482–$615
9h15m
1 carry-on only ($45 for first checked bag)
Alaska Airlines (AS)
SEA → HNL (via SEA)
$445–$580
7h45m
1 carry-on, 1 checked bag ($30 extra)
Cheapest Time to Fly to Hawaii
April 2024 is the cheapest month for LAX-HNL flights at $421 average roundtrip, 32% below July’s $638 peak. Book 60 days out for 22% lower prices than last-minute deals. Avoid October (post-summer surge) and December (holiday spikes). In 2023, flights booked 3 weeks before departure averaged $550—$112 more than those booked 60 days prior.
Hidden Fees to Avoid on Hawaii Flights
Hawaiian Airlines charges $35 for checked bags on economy flights—$10 more than Alaska’s $25 fee. Always confirm baggage allowances before booking; in 2022, 17% of travelers paid $65+ in fees for "excess" bags they thought were included. Avoid United’s $45 first-bag fee by booking their "Economy Plus" fare, which includes one checked bag. Also, never book via third-party sites for Hawaiian Airlines—prices include hidden $18 service fees not shown at checkout.
Q: Which airport is cheapest to fly into for Oahu?
A: Honolulu (HNL) is 25 minutes from Waikiki at $31 for a taxi. Lihue (LIH) on Kauai is 45 minutes from the beach but 31% more expensive for flights on the same route.
Q: What’s the best booking window for $300 flights?
A: Book direct with Hawaiian Airlines 60–70 days out. In April 2024, flights booked exactly 63 days prior averaged $399 versus $485 booked 30 days out.
Q: Do any airlines offer free checked bags?
A: No major US carriers include checked bags on standard economy. Alaska Airlines (AS) includes one for $25, while Hawaiian (HA) charges $35. United (UA) only includes bags on premium fares.
