Hawaii Inter-Island Flights: Airlines, Routes & Tips

In Hawaii, airline travel is genuinely an inconvenience. TSA lines are sometimes long and slow and, in many cases, make clearing security longer than the actual flying time. However, we will have to endure until the authorities understand that we cannot drive from county to county and provide Hawaii with solutions to keep our intra-state travel smooth and quick.

However, those considering island hopping will find that even with the challenges at the airport, the experience is certainly worthwhile. This is especially true for those who want their Hawaii experience to have all the excitement of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor and still enjoy the quiet, serene setting of the Big Island and must include a visit to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

There is a handful of Hawaii inter-island flights. Each airline has different aircraft, destinations, dependability, and cost, so consider wisely before purchasing a ticket.

Hawaiian Airlines is the dominant inter-island carrier. Serving four major islands with the dependability of Mussolini's trains at the cost of an NFL ticket, Hawaiian offers Boeing 717 jets with first class and coach and pre-assigned seating. As you may have also heard, Alaska Airlines is attempting to purchase Hawaiian Airlines, and as of this writing, this merger remains undergoing a federal review.

The remaining airlines that operate between the islands are Mokulele and Southwest. 

Inter-Island Seating Suggestions

Hawaii inter-island flights' air traffic is operated in airspace to the south of the island chain with a few exceptions. Those wanting to get out their cameras and enjoy the scenic views from 10,000 feet above the blue Pacific should refer to the seating recommendations for a more camera-friendly experience.

Which side of the plane should you sit on?