Twenty airlines from eight countries fly to Hawaii in 2026. That is more international connectivity than most Americans realize — and more domestic competition than the islands have ever seen. Whether you are flying from Los Angeles or London, Manila or Melbourne, budget economy or lie-flat first class, someone operates a route to get you here.

This guide covers every airline serving the Hawaiian Islands, which airports they fly to, what the onboard experience is like, and how to get the best deal — including the points and miles sweet spots that most travelers miss.

US Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines

These are now one company. Alaska Air Group completed its $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines in September 2024, and the final system merger happens on April 22, 2026. Together, they control roughly 40 percent of all traffic between the mainland and Hawaii.

The brand split is simple: if a flight touches Hawaii, it carries Hawaiian Airlines branding. Everything else is Alaska Airlines. In practice, this means the Boeing 717s hopping between islands still wear the Pualani flower, and the A330 widebodies crossing the Pacific from the mainland still feel like Hawaiian flights. But behind the scenes — one reservation system, one loyalty program (Atmos Rewards), one operating certificate.

Hawaiian-branded nonstop cities: Austin, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Los Angeles, New York JFK, Oakland, Ontario, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle. Plus Tokyo Haneda and Narita, Seoul Incheon (via Seattle on 787), Sydney, and Auckland (seasonal).

Alaska-branded nonstop cities to Hawaii: Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle.

Hawaii airports served: All five — HNL, OGG, LIH, KOA, ITO.

Aircraft: Airbus A330-200 (long-haul, lie-flat first class), Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (lie-flat suites with doors, now flying Alaska-branded international routes), Airbus A321neo (West Coast mainland), Boeing 717-200 (inter-island, 19 aircraft).

What stands out: Hawaiian is one of the only US carriers offering complimentary hot meals in economy on mainland-Hawaii flights, including wine service. Whether this survives the full Alaska integration remains to be seen. The combined airline also offers Starlink satellite Wi-Fi across the fleet. Full merger details here.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest entered Hawaii in March 2019 with $49 introductory fares that permanently altered the competitive landscape. They have since become the second-largest carrier on inter-island routes and continue expanding mainland service.

Nonstop mainland cities: Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, Las Vegas, Phoenix. New for summer 2026: Ontario and Hollywood Burbank to Honolulu, plus Las Vegas to Hilo (three times weekly).

Hawaii airports served: All five — HNL, OGG, LIH, KOA, ITO.

Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX on all Hawaii routes.

What stands out: Southwest famously offered two free checked bags on every flight, but that policy changed in May 2025 — some passengers now pay for checked luggage. Hawaii residents with Rapid Rewards numbers still get two free bags on inter-island flights. No first or business class. Complimentary snack boxes on Hawaii flights. The Companion Pass (more on this below) is one of the best deals in aviation for couples flying to Hawaii.

United Airlines

United has been quietly building the most aggressive mainland hub network for Hawaii flights, with Denver emerging as a surprisingly powerful gateway.

Nonstop mainland cities: Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Orange County/Santa Ana, San Francisco, Washington Dulles.

Hawaii airports served: HNL, OGG, LIH, KOA.

Aircraft: Boeing 777-200 and 777-300ER (Denver and San Francisco hubs — these are widebodies with United Polaris lie-flat business class), Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner (Chicago), Boeing 757-200 (Denver-Lihue).

What stands out: Denver has become a major Hawaii hub with multiple daily widebody flights to Honolulu, Maui, and Kona — convenient for travelers from the Mountain West and Midwest connecting through Denver. Important 2026 change: economy passengers on flights over 1,190 miles must now preorder fresh meals 5 days to 24 hours before departure. If you do not preorder, no fresh meal is available onboard. Premium cabins still get hot meals automatically.

Delta Air Lines

Delta is running its largest Hawaii schedule ever for winter 2026-27, with aggressive expansion from hubs that no other airline serves nonstop to the islands.

Nonstop mainland cities: Atlanta, Boston (returning December 2026, seasonal), Detroit (expanding to daily from November 2026), Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul (new Maui nonstop launching December 2026 — the first-ever Upper Midwest to Maui service), New York JFK (expanding to daily from April 2026), Salt Lake City (seasonal), Seattle.

Hawaii airports served: HNL, OGG, KOA.

Aircraft: Airbus A330-300 (long-haul from Atlanta, Detroit, Boston, Minneapolis), Boeing 767-300 (JFK, Salt Lake City, some LA routes). All widebody routes feature Delta One lie-flat seats.

What stands out: Delta is the best option from the eastern half of the United States. Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Boston nonstops mean travelers from the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast can reach Hawaii without backtracking to the West Coast. Every widebody route has lie-flat Delta One seats available.

American Airlines

American operates fewer Hawaii routes than its competitors but covers two important hubs that others miss.

Nonstop mainland cities: Phoenix (17 flights per week, year-round), Dallas-Fort Worth (14 flights per week to Honolulu, plus seasonal Maui and Kona service), Los Angeles.

Hawaii airports served: HNL, OGG, KOA, LIH.

Aircraft: Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner on Dallas-Fort Worth routes (with Flagship Business lie-flat seats), narrowbody on some Phoenix routes.

What stands out: Dallas-Fort Worth is the only major non-West Coast hub with extensive year-round Hawaii nonstop service from a legacy carrier — valuable for travelers from Texas and the South. American’s AAdvantage Web Specials occasionally offer lie-flat first class to Hawaii for as few as 45,000 miles one-way.

Airlines from Japan

Japan has the strongest international air connection to Hawaii, with three carriers operating a combined 40+ weekly flights. Hawaii has been a top vacation destination for Japanese travelers for decades, and the route network reflects that.

Japan Airlines (JAL)

JAL operates the largest international schedule to Hawaii, with 22 nonstop flights per week from Tokyo Narita to Honolulu. Additional routes include Narita to Kona, Tokyo Haneda to Honolulu, and seasonal Nagoya to Honolulu service (increasing to daily during summer). Aircraft include Boeing 787-8, 787-9, and 767. JAL offers First Class, Business Class with lie-flat Apex Suites, Premium Economy, and Economy. JAL is a oneworld alliance member.

All Nippon Airways (ANA)

ANA flies the most spectacular aircraft on any Hawaii route — the Airbus A380 “Flying Honu” (sea turtle), with three of these double-decker giants dedicated exclusively to the Tokyo Narita to Honolulu route. The A380 carries 520 passengers across four classes: eight private First Class suites with closing doors, 56 lie-flat Business Class seats, 73 Premium Economy seats, and 383 Economy seats. ANA operates 21 weekly flights to Honolulu. If you have never flown an A380 and want to experience one, this is one of the few remaining routes worldwide. ANA is a Star Alliance member and has a partnership with Southwest for through-ticketing via Honolulu to neighbor islands.

Zipair Tokyo (JAL subsidiary)

Zipair is the budget option from Japan — a low-cost subsidiary of JAL flying Boeing 787 Dreamliners from Tokyo Narita to Honolulu three times weekly. The standout feature is the ZIP Full-Flat lie-flat seat available from approximately 95,000 yen one-way (roughly $630 USD) — one of the cheapest lie-flat fares to Hawaii from anywhere. Standard economy starts from 35,000 yen one-way. No frills: checked bags, meals, and entertainment are all extra.

Airlines from South Korea

Korean Air

Seven nonstop flights per week from Seoul Incheon to Honolulu on Boeing 787 Dreamliners. First Class, Prestige (Business) lie-flat, and Economy. Korean Air is a SkyTeam member. Note: the Korean Air and Asiana Airlines merger is in progress, which will eventually consolidate these into one carrier.

Asiana Airlines

Five nonstop flights per week from Seoul Incheon to Honolulu on Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Business Class (lie-flat) and Economy. Star Alliance member. Asiana’s future as a separate brand depends on how the Korean Air merger proceeds.

Air Premia

The budget alternative from South Korea. Air Premia flies Boeing 787 Dreamliners from Seoul Incheon to Honolulu four to seven times per week. Lower fares than Korean Air or Asiana, with a focus on economy and premium economy. Air Premia received four 787s from Korean Air as an antitrust condition of the Korean Air-Asiana merger.

Airlines from the Pacific

Air New Zealand

Nonstop from Auckland to Honolulu, approximately 28 flights per month with a flight time of about 8.5 hours. Air New Zealand offers Business Premier (lie-flat), Premium Economy, and Economy. The airline is a Star Alliance member. Fares from Auckland start around NZ$790 round-trip in shoulder season. This is the primary connection for New Zealand travelers to Hawaii and connects through to the US mainland.

Qantas

Five to six flights per week from Sydney to Honolulu on Airbus A330-300 or Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Qantas offers First Class, Business Class (lie-flat), Premium Economy, and Economy on this route. Oneworld alliance member with a partnership with Hawaiian Airlines. Flight time is approximately 10 hours. Honolulu serves as a convenient stopover point for Australians traveling onward to the US mainland.

Fiji Airways

One to two flights per week from Nadi to Honolulu on widebody aircraft (A330 or A350). Flight time is roughly 6.5 hours. Business Class and Economy. This is the only direct connection between Fiji and Hawaii, useful for travelers combining a South Pacific island-hopping itinerary with a Hawaii visit.

Airlines from Canada

Air Canada

Up to 14 nonstop flights per week (two daily) from Vancouver to Honolulu on Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy. Star Alliance member. This is the primary Canadian gateway to Hawaii.

WestJet

WestJet serves more Hawaiian airports from more Canadian cities than any other carrier. Nonstop service from Vancouver to all four major islands (HNL, OGG, LIH, KOA), from Calgary to three islands (HNL, OGG, KOA), and from Edmonton to two (HNL, OGG). One-way fares from approximately C$186. This coverage makes WestJet the go-to carrier for Canadians wanting to fly direct to a neighbor island without connecting through Honolulu.

Airlines from Southeast Asia

Philippine Airlines

Five nonstop flights per week from Manila to Honolulu — the only nonstop connection between Southeast Asia and Hawaii. Boeing 787 or A330 aircraft with Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy. Flight time is approximately 9.5 hours. One-way fares from around $1,090 USD. For the large Filipino community in Hawaii and for travelers connecting from elsewhere in Southeast Asia, this is an essential route.

Inter-Island Airlines

Three airlines fly between the Hawaiian Islands. Our full inter-island guide covers this in detail, but here is the overview:

Hawaiian Airlines dominates with roughly 170 daily flights on 19 Boeing 717 jets serving HNL, OGG, LIH, KOA, and ITO. Southwest Airlines operates inter-island service between the same airports with competitive pricing and (for Hawaii residents) free checked bags. Mokulele Airlines (operated by Southern Airways Express) flies nine-passenger Cessna Grand Caravans to smaller airports including Molokai, Lanai, Kapalua (West Maui), and Hana (East Maui) — places the jets cannot reach.

Which Airlines Fly to Which Islands

Not every airline serves every island. Here is the quick reference:

Honolulu, Oahu (HNL) — All 20 airlines. Every carrier serving Hawaii flies here.

Kahului, Maui (OGG) — Hawaiian/Alaska, Southwest, United, Delta, American, WestJet, and inter-island carriers. No Asian or Pacific airlines fly direct to Maui.

Lihue, Kauai (LIH) — Hawaiian/Alaska, Southwest, United, American, WestJet (from Vancouver). Fewer options than Maui, but enough West Coast nonstops to avoid Honolulu connections.

Kona, Big Island (KOA) — Hawaiian/Alaska, Southwest, United, Delta, American, JAL (from Narita), WestJet. The Big Island’s west coast resort area.

Hilo, Big Island (ITO) — Hawaiian/Alaska, Southwest only from the mainland. Closest airport to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Volcano House.

Which Airlines Offer Lie-Flat Seats to Hawaii

Ten airlines offer lie-flat seats on Hawaii routes. This matters on a five-hour flight from the West Coast and matters even more on a 10-hour flight from the East Coast or an 8-hour flight from Tokyo.

• Hawaiian/Alaska — A330 First Class (mainland routes), 787 Dreamliner suites with doors (international routes from Seattle)
• United — Polaris Business on 777 routes from San Francisco and Denver
• Delta — Delta One on all A330-300 and 767-300 Hawaii routes (ATL, JFK, BOS, DTW, MSP, SLC, SEA)
• American — Flagship Business on 777/787 from Dallas-Fort Worth year-round, Phoenix seasonally
• JAL — First Class and Business Apex Suites on 777/787 from Tokyo
• ANA — First Class suites with doors and Business Class on A380 Flying Honu from Tokyo
• Korean Air — Prestige Business on 787 from Seoul
• Qantas — Business Class on A330/787 from Sydney
• Air New Zealand — Business Premier from Auckland
• Zipair — ZIP Full-Flat on 787 from Tokyo (the budget option, from ~$630 USD one-way)

The most affordable lie-flat option is Zipair from Tokyo. The most luxurious is ANA’s A380 First Class suite. For domestic flights, Delta One offers the most consistent availability since every Delta widebody route to Hawaii includes lie-flat seats.

Which Airlines Include Free Meals on Hawaii Flights

A five-hour flight to Hawaii crosses a meal period. Whether you eat for free depends entirely on which airline you chose:

• Free meals in all cabins: Hawaiian Airlines (mainland routes), JAL, ANA, Korean Air, Asiana, Air Premia, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways
• Free meals in premium cabins only: United (economy must preorder 5+ days ahead or go hungry), Delta, American, Alaska
• No meal service: Southwest (complimentary snack box), Zipair (buy onboard)

Hawaiian Airlines’ complimentary economy meals on mainland routes — including wine — remain a rarity among US carriers. Whether this survives the full Alaska integration is the question everyone in Hawaii is asking.

How to Book Hawaii Flights with Points and Miles

The points-and-miles landscape for Hawaii flights has shifted dramatically in the past year. Several beloved sweet spots have been killed, but new ones have emerged.

The Best Sweet Spots Right Now

Air France/KLM Flying Blue for Delta flights. This is the single best value play for Hawaii in 2026. Book the exact same Delta flights using Flying Blue miles instead of SkyMiles, and you will pay dramatically less — roundtrip to Hawaii from 48,000-58,000 Flying Blue miles versus 50,000-130,000+ through Delta directly. Flying Blue miles transfer 1:1 from Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou, and Capital One. This works because Flying Blue prices Delta partner awards on a different (cheaper) chart than Delta prices its own flights.

Atmos Rewards for inter-island flights. The new Alaska/Hawaiian unified program charges just 4,500 Atmos points for a one-way inter-island hop — significantly cheaper than the old HawaiianMiles pricing. West Coast to Hawaii starts at 12,500 points one-way in economy.

American AAdvantage Web Specials. AA occasionally offers economy to Hawaii from 12,500 miles one-way and lie-flat first class for 45,000 miles one-way. These are unpredictable flash sales, but when they appear, they are among the best deals in the sky.

Southwest Rapid Rewards. Dynamic pricing means points track the cash fare. At roughly 1.3 cents per point, a $260 one-way fare costs about 20,000 points. When cash fares go on sale, point prices drop proportionally.

Dead Sweet Spots to Avoid

Three formerly excellent strategies no longer work:

• Turkish Miles&Smiles for United. This was the legendary 10,000-mile one-way economy to Hawaii. As of December 2025, it was devalued to 25,000 miles — a 150% increase. No longer a sweet spot.
• United Excursionist Perk. This let you add a free inter-island hop on a multi-city award booking. United killed it on August 21, 2025. Inter-island segments now price separately at around 7,500 miles.
• Delta SkyMiles on Hawaiian Airlines. The Delta-Hawaiian partnership ended June 30, 2025. You can no longer book Hawaiian flights with SkyMiles.

Companion Deals for Couples and Families

Southwest Companion Pass is the best deal in aviation for couples. Earn it by accumulating 135,000 qualifying points or flying 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. Once earned, your designated companion flies with you for just $5.60 per one-way segment (taxes only) for the rest of that year plus the entire next year. That is up to 24 months of buy-one-get-one-free flights on every Southwest route, including Hawaii. For a couple doing two roundtrips to Hawaii per year, the savings easily exceed $1,000.

Alaska/Atmos $99 Companion Fare is available annually to holders of the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature card (requires $6,000 annual spend). Your companion gets a roundtrip economy ticket for $99 plus taxes — approximately $122 total. This works on both Alaska and Hawaiian flights within North America, including all Hawaii routes. One companion fare per year, so use it on the most expensive route for maximum value.

Credit Card Transfer Partners

The four major transferable points currencies each have different strengths for Hawaii bookings:

• Chase Ultimate Rewards — Transfers to United, Southwest, Flying Blue (for Delta), British Airways (for AA/Alaska), Singapore KrisFlyer (for United). The most versatile for Hawaii.
• Amex Membership Rewards — The only major program that transfers directly to Hawaiian/Atmos (1:1). Also transfers to Delta, Flying Blue, British Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer.
• Citi ThankYou — Transfers to Flying Blue (for Delta) and Singapore KrisFlyer (for United). Fewer partners but the ones it has are useful.
• Capital One — Transfers to Flying Blue, British Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, Aeroplan. Solid coverage.

The Best Airline for Every Situation

• Best for budget from the West Coast: Southwest (watch for sales) or Hawaiian/Alaska (promotional fares)
• Best for luxury: ANA Flying Honu A380 First Class from Tokyo, or Hawaiian A330/787 lie-flat from the mainland
• Best for families: Southwest (Companion Pass, family boarding, no change fees) or Delta (free seat selection for families)
• Best for couples: Southwest (Companion Pass) or Alaska (annual $99 companion fare)
• Best for points redemptions: Flying Blue miles on Delta, or AA Web Specials when available
• Best from the East Coast: Delta (nonstops from ATL, JFK, BOS, DTW, MSP) or American (nonstop from DFW)
• Best from the Midwest: United via Denver (widebody service) or Delta via Minneapolis/Detroit
• Best from Japan: ANA A380 for the experience, Zipair for the budget
• Best from Australia/NZ: Qantas from Sydney, Air New Zealand from Auckland
• Best from Canada: WestJet (serves all four islands from Vancouver)
• Best for inter-island hopping: Hawaiian Airlines (170 daily flights between islands)

Plan Your Trip

Getting to Hawaii is the easy part. Choosing which island to fly into, when to book, and where to stay is where the real planning begins. Explore our hotel guides by island:

• Oahu Hotels — from Waikiki to the North Shore
• Maui Hotels — Wailea, Ka’anapali, and Kapalua
• Kauai Hotels — romantic Poipu and adventurous North Shore
• Big Island Hotels — Kohala Coast resorts and volcano country

This article is part of our Flying to Hawaii series. Read more: The Complete History of Flights to Hawaii | What Happened to Hawaiian Airlines | Inter-Island Flights Guide | Best Time to Book