Hawaii

Flights Into, Around And Out Of Hawaii

Hawaii is a beautiful archipelago set in the middle of the Pacific, the world's largest ocean. People wanting to visit these islands, therefore, have two options when they want to travel to Hawaii. The wealthier among us have the option of taking an ocean liner on a cruise to Hawaii. But those of us on lower budgets - or those who want to spend all their vacation in Hawaii itself rather than on the high seas - prefer to travel by air and catch one of many flights into Hawaii.

Flights into Hawaii from overseas touch down at one of Hawaii's three international airports. The most important of these is Honolulu International Airport on Oahu, which shares facilities with the nearby Hickam Air Force Base. The second international airport that flights into Hawaii may touch down in is Hilo International Airport on the Big Island, and the third is Kona International Airport in Keahole, which is also located on the Big Island.

Hawaii has other airports that act as terminals for domestic (inter-island) flights. Travelers to Hawaii wishing to visit or stay on one of the other islands in Hawaii will probably catch a flight to one of the international airports, then catch an island-hopping flight to one of the domestic terminals.

The terminals for domestic inter-island flights in Hawaii are located in Maui (Kahului Airport), Kauai (Lihue Airport), Lanai (Lanai Airport) and Molokai (Molokai Airport). Several smaller airports within Hawaii are also able to act as terminals for flights using smaller, propeller-driven aircraft. These "commuter aircraft" flights take off and land at Lanai Airport on Lanai; Hana Airport and Kapalua Airport on Maui; Waimea-Kohala Airport on the Big Island of Hawaii; and Molokai Airport and Kalaupapa Airport on Molokai. Tourists have plenty of flights to choose from for travelling between islands in Hawaii!

Hawaii has its own domestic airlines. One is Hawaiian Airlines, which makes flights within Hawaii as well as international flights to and from many different destinations, including eight cities in the continental USA; Sydney, Australia; Pago Pago, Samoa and Papeete, Tahiti. The other Hawaiian carrier offering flights within Hawaii and to the mainland USA is Aloha Airlines.

Airline companies/carriers offering flights to Hawaii from the mainland USA include American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, ATA Airlines, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines. Flights to Hawaii are shorter than you think: a flight from Los Angeles to Hawaii takes 5.75 hours, and flights from Atlanta to Hawaii take 8 hours. Visitors to Hawaii who are citizens of the USA do not need a passport to board their flights to Hawaii, as Hawaii is, of course, part of the USA.

A number of international carriers also make flights into Hawaii, including Japan Airlines, Air Canada, Continental Airlines, Pacific (Virgin) Blue and Qantas.

All the usual boarding and in-flight safety procedures will need to be taken when travelling to Hawaii. Allow time for pre-boarding security checks when making your travel plans. If you have to wait for your flight to or within Hawaii, relax and remember the vacation in paradise that is to come.