Los Angeles to Hawaii...the airfare delimma.

[bugzy]

Me and my wife are heading to Hawaii for our second time and first trip to Aulani for Christmas! We couldn't be more excited. We thought that booking airfare 6+ months out would give us a better deal but checking the major carrier (Hawaiian, AA, Delta, United) it seems to vary from $2200-$3000 for a basic coach seat. We'd like extra legroom since we are both tall so there is a additional expense. I get that it's the priciest and busiest time of the year for travel to Hawaii but any suggestions help. Should we just bite the bullet or wait a few more months? Flying out 12/23 and returning 1/2/15. Thanks in advance.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

We thought that booking airfare 6+ months out would give us a better deal but checking the major carrier (Hawaiian, AA, Delta, United) it seems to vary from $2200-$3000 for a basic coach seat.

I agree that flights to Hawaii are expensive during the high-demand Christmas vacation / winter break period. But there's no reason to pay $2200 to $3000 for a basic coach seat on non-stop flights.

When I plug your dates into Kayak.com, I see basic coach roundtrips between LAX and HNL for under $1200 roundtrip. That's still high for LAX, but it's not crazy high. These flights are connections, not non-stops.

Alaska Airlines offers first class between LAX and HNL (via Seattle) for $1885. Hawaiian Airlines offers first class between LAX and HNL (via Maui) for $2039.

If you're flexible, you could wait for an airfare sale. However, if you want to fly on specific dates during a busy period, the risk is that sale fares will not be offered when you want them, and, by then, the cheapest fares available could by higher (possibly much higher) than now, as fewer seats are still available.

 

[alaska8]

Alaska flies out of various California airports. Have you checked out the web specials. Also if you sign up for their visa card you receive a companion fare coupon which allows you to purchase the second ticket for a deeply discounted amount.