Airlines Flying to Hawaii: Compare Baggage Rules and Routes 

In 2026, seven major airlines fly to Hawaii Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United, Delta, American, Southwest, and JAL. Hawaiian and Alaska now operate under one company after merging in 2024. Nonstop routes serve Honolulu, Maui, Kona, and Kauai from 20+ U.S. mainland cities, with baggage fees ranging from $30 to $55 per checked bag depending on the carrier and route.

Hawaii remains one of the most sought-after destinations for American travelers, and 2026 has brought a meaningful expansion of routes to match. According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, January 2026 alone saw 4,271 nonstop domestic flights to the islands, filling 919,538 seats a notable increase over the prior year. Hawaii seasonal capacity is now growing 3% year-over-year, and up to 6% during peak holiday periods.

What’s changed most, though, is the airline landscape itself. A major merger, new routes from cities that have never had direct Hawaii service, and a sweeping revision to baggage fees across nearly every carrier mean that booking a Hawaii flight in 2026 looks very different from even two years ago. Getting this wrong can cost a family hundreds of dollars in unexpected bag fees alone.

Which Airlines Are Flying to Hawaii in 2026?

Seven major airlines currently serve Hawaii in 2026: Hawaiian Airlines (now part of Alaska Air Group), Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Japan Airlines (JAL). Together, Alaska and Hawaiian alone operate more than 250 daily flights to, from, and within the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaiian Airlines: Are Hawaiian Airlines Still Flying?

Yes Hawaiian Airlines is still flying and remains the dominant carrier for both mainland-to-Hawaii and interisland routes. The airline completed its merger with Alaska Air Group in September 2024 and began operating under a single FAA certificate in May 2026. All flights now carry the Alaska Airlines (AS) flight code, though Hawaiian retains its own branding and website.

Key updates for 2026:

• HawaiianMiles ended October 1, 2025, converting automatically into Atmos Rewards the joint loyalty program now shared with Alaska Airlines
• New routes added: Honolulu to Boise (BOI) and Spokane (GEG), operated under the Alaska brand, launched December 2026 as the only nonstop service from Idaho and Eastern Washington to Hawaii
• Las Vegas Honolulu increased from 3x to 4x daily during peak winter and spring periods
• Auckland service suspended due to high fuel costs and soft demand; Honolulu continues nonstop service to Osaka, Tokyo, Sydney, Papeete, and Pago Pago
• Hawaiian joined the oneworld alliance, adding connections to nearly 1,000 global destinations

Alaska Airlines: What New Hawaii Routes Did Alaska Add in 2026?

Alaska Airlines expanded its Hawaii footprint significantly in 2026, becoming the only carrier offering nonstop flights from Boise and Spokane to Honolulu. Both routes operate on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

These additions, combined with California flying increases, push Hawaii seasonal capacity up 6% during peak periods for the combined Alaska-Hawaiian group. The combined airline posted a 93.62% on-time arrival rate in July 2025.

United Airlines: Which Hubs Does United Fly From to Hawaii?

United Airlines offers nonstop service to Hawaii from several major mainland hubs and consistently runs over 6,800 daily seats from the U.S. mainland to the islands. Key routes include:

• San Francisco (SFO)  Honolulu, Maui, Kona, Kauai
• Los Angeles (LAX)  Honolulu, Maui, Kona
• Denver (DEN)  Honolulu, Kona

United is often the best option for travelers east of the Rockies who want to reach Kona (KOA) without connecting through Honolulu.

Delta, American, and Southwest: What Hawaii Service Do They Offer in 2026?

Delta Air Lines serves Honolulu, Maui (OGG), Kauai (LIH), and Kona from its Atlanta, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Salt Lake City hubs. Delta is one of the few airlines with year-round nonstop service to all four major Hawaiian airports.

American Airlines operates from Dallas (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Phoenix (PHX), and Chicago (ORD) to Honolulu and Maui. American increased frequency on several West Coast–Hawaii corridors in 2026.

Southwest Airlines remains a competitive option for West Coast travelers, though its Hawaii presence has narrowed. The airline cut roughly 30% of interisland capacity between 2025 and 2026 and ended free checked bags for visitors in May 2025. The standout new addition: a Las Vegas (LAS) to Hilo (ITO) nonstop launching August 6, 2026 the first mainland nonstop to Hilo Airport since 2023.

JAL (Japan Airlines): Does JAL Still Fly to Hawaii?

Yes. JAL operates nonstop flights from Tokyo Narita (NRT), Tokyo Haneda (HND), and Osaka Kansai (KIX) to Honolulu (HNL). For travelers coming from Asia, JAL economy class includes two free checked bags at 23 kg (50 lbs) each, making it significantly more generous than U.S. domestic carriers on international routes.

Which Island Can You Fly to Directly from the Mainland?

Nonstop mainland flights serve four major Hawaiian airports: Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu, Kahului (OGG) on Maui, Kona (KOA) on the Big Island, and Lihue (LIH) on Kauai. Hilo (ITO) gains its first mainland nonstop in three years when Southwest launches from Las Vegas in August 2026.

*New Alaska Airlines routes launching December 2026

Tip for Big Island travelers: Kona and Hilo airports sit about 90 minutes apart on opposite sides of the island. If your itinerary spans both coasts, fly into one airport and out of the other it eliminates a redundant drive on departure day.

What Are the Baggage Fees for Hawaii Flights in 2026?

Checked baggage fees for Hawaii flights in 2026 range from $30 to $55 for the first bag, depending on the airline and route. No major U.S. carrier currently offers free checked bags to Hawaii Southwest ended that benefit for visitors in May 2025. International carriers like JAL remain an exception for flights originating abroad.

Mainland-to-Hawaii Checked Bag Fee Comparison

Real-world cost example: A family of four on United, each checking one bag round-trip, pays $400 in bag fees alone before touching a hotel or activity. The same family on Hawaiian (with an Atmos Rewards account) pays $240 on interisland legs, and holders of the Hawaiian Airlines credit card may avoid fees entirely on qualifying fares.

Special baggage on Hawaiian Airlines:

• Surfboards: $200 each way on mainland routes; $35 on interisland
• Golf clubs: Counted as standard checked baggage
• Military personnel: Up to 5 free bags at 70 lbs each on official orders
• Infant/child items: One car seat and one stroller checked free

How to Find Cheap Flights to Hawaii in 2026

The optimal booking window for cheap Hawaii flights is 40–50 days before departure. According to CheapAir’s analysis of 917 million airfares, the single best day to buy is 42 days out; Google Flights data points to 43 days. Both converge on the same conclusion: book 6–7 weeks ahead for the lowest domestic fares.

Additional strategies that consistently reduce costs:

• Fly midweek. Google Flights data shows Monday–Wednesday departures run approximately 13% cheaper than weekend flights on the same routes.
• Target shoulder seasons. Mid-April through May and September through October consistently show the lowest fares and thinnest crowds. Avoid Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break entirely if price is the priority.
• Compare total trip cost, not just the fare. A $350 Southwest fare with two checked bags at $45 each actually costs $440 often more than a Hawaiian Airlines fare with a credit card that waives the bag fee.
• Use an airline co-branded credit card. Most airline cards cover the first checked bag for everyone on the same reservation. For a family of four on a round-trip, that’s $360 in savings on United or American alone.
• Set fare alerts. Google Flights fare trackers notify you automatically when prices drop on a specific route. Set one as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.

Typical round-trip fare ranges (last updated June 2026):

• West Coast to Hawaii: $300–$400 on sale; $500–$800 average
• East Coast to Hawaii: $700–$1,100+
• Japan to Hawaii (JAL): $500–$900

Interisland Flights: What Are the Best Options in 2026?

Three airlines operate scheduled interisland service in 2026: Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest, and Mokulele Airlines. Hawaiian Airlines carries the majority of traffic on Boeing 717 jets; Southwest uses 737s across five major airports; Mokulele flies 9-seat Cessna Grand Caravans to small airfields no jet serves.

Interisland fares rose significantly in 2025–2026. Walk-up fares hit approximately $150 one way in April 2026 (Hawaii News Now reported one Honolulu–Maui round trip exceeding $600). Book at least a month ahead for fares in the $80–$120 range.

Interisland baggage fees:

• Hawaiian Airlines: $30 first bag (or $25 with a free Atmos Rewards account), $40 second bag
• Southwest: $30 first bag, $40 second bag for visitors; free for Hawaii residents
• Mokulele: $20 first bag, $30 second bag (70 lb limit; 9-seat aircraft means packing light matters)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we fly to Hawaii now in 2026?
Yes. Hawaii has no travel restrictions as of 2026, and flights operate normally across all four major airports: Honolulu (HNL), Maui (OGG), Kona (KOA), and Kauai (LIH). In January 2026 alone, 919,538 seats were available on nonstop domestic flights to Hawaii.

Which airline is best to fly to Hawaii in 2026?
For most West Coast travelers, Hawaiian Airlines or Alaska Airlines offers the best combination of route coverage, competitive fares, and inflight service. For East Coasters, United’s San Francisco or Denver connections to Kona frequently offer the fastest itinerary. JAL is the strongest option from Japan, offering two free checked bags in economy.

Which airline flies directly to Hawaii from the most U.S. cities?
The combined Alaska-Hawaiian group offers nonstop access between Hawaii and more than 20 domestic destinations, making it the broadest single-carrier option. United and Delta also cover multiple U.S. hubs with nonstop Hawaii service.

Did Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines merge?
Yes. Alaska Air Group acquired Hawaiian Airlines in September 2024. The two airlines began operating under a single FAA certificate in May 2026. Both brands remain active, with separate websites and booking flows, but all flights now carry Alaska’s AS flight code. Loyalty programs merged into Atmos Rewards on October 1, 2025.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Hawaii in 2026?
January and February have the lowest airfares, but hotel rates are higher then. For overall trip savings, mid-April through May and September through October offer the best combination of low fares, good weather, and lower accommodation costs.

How much does it cost to check a bag on a Hawaii flight in 2026?
Most major U.S. carriers charge $45–$50 for the first checked bag and $55–$60 for the second on mainland-to-Hawaii routes. Hawaiian and Alaska charge $30/$40 on interisland routes. United and American offer a small discount ($5/bag) for prepaying at least 24 hours in advance.

Does Southwest still offer free bags to Hawaii in 2026?
No not for most travelers. Southwest ended free checked bags for visitors in May 2025. The first bag now costs $30 (interisland) or $45 (mainland to Hawaii). Hawaii residents with a Hawaii address on their Rapid Rewards account still receive two free checked bags on interisland Southwest flights.

Is there a nonstop flight to Hilo on the Big Island?
As of mid-2026, Hilo (ITO) has no regular mainland nonstop service but that changes on August 6, 2026, when Southwest launches a Las Vegas to Hilo nonstop (3x weekly). Until then, reaching Hilo requires connecting through Honolulu or Kona.

Does JAL fly to Hawaii, and what is JAL’s baggage allowance?
Yes. Japan Airlines operates nonstop flights from Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Osaka Kansai to Honolulu. Economy class passengers receive two free checked bags at 23 kg (50 lbs) each one of the most generous baggage allowances on any Hawaii route.

How far in advance should I book flights to Hawaii to get the best price?
Book 40–50 days before departure for domestic routes. Research by CheapAir (analyzing 917 million airfares) identifies 42 days as the single best booking day. For international flights from Japan, Australia, or Europe, book 3–6 months out. For peak travel periods like Christmas and summer, book as early as possible regardless of origin.