I have got to stop looking at airline rates to Hawaii. Doing so just depresses me. But I just can’t seem to help myself. I’ve subscribed to several travel sites that automatically send me updates on ticket prices for the dates that I am planning to travel home… and the news is not good.
With record-breaking fuel prices and the recent demise of several carriers servicing the islands things are not looking sunny for my trip to the “Aloha State.” What’s more, from now until at least September, airlines have scheduled 14% fewer seats than last year between the mainland and Hawaii. And because there are fewer available seats carriers will be raising prices.
Studies show the average ticket purchased through March 31 for summer travel to Hawaii cost 9% more than last year, and that’s excluding taxes and fuel surcharges. The news on surcharges is even more disheartening. For instance, this week Delta announced it would be increasing its fuel surcharge on Hawaii fares to $65 each way. Now imagine if you are a family of four traveling to and from Hawaii—your looking at shelling out $520 in fuel surcharges alone.
That’s bad news for travelers working with a tight budget. And even worse if you planned to spend your honeymoon in Hawaii after tying the knot this summer in say… California. Round-trip tickets from Los Angeles to Honolulu during the months of July and August are running from about $700 to $1,100 each. Compare that to a year ago when the average roundtrip ticket cost just $600.
It’s highway robbery as far as I am concerned. Since Aloha stopped passenger service on March 31 and ATA pulled out of the islands on April 3 ticket prices have gone through the roof. Adding insult to injury is the fact that other airlines, such as Hawaiian, Continental and American, have reduced service to and from Hawaii.
If there is a bright side to the airline price gouging the Hawaii Tourism Board just approved a $3 million increase to its North American promotions budget, which means it can now offer reduced vacation packages that you might see advertised on travel websites such as Expedia.com and Hotels.com.
The reduction in the prices for hotel rooms might service as incentive for some visitors to the 50th State, but we stay with my parents while we’re in town (we are fortunate, yes). I just need for the price of the airfares to come down so I can get home in time for Christmas.
For more ways to save during your next trip to Hawaii consider reading the following blogs:
Affordable Accommodations in Hawaii
Hot Hotel Deals in Hawaii for 2008
Cruising the Pacific on a Ribcraft
Traveling To Hawaii—With Your Pet
Hawaii–Visiting the Big Island’s Best Waterfalls
Hawaiian 101: “Was that Mauka or Makai?”
Adventure Travel–Swimming With Sharks
Adventure Travel–A Trip to the “Valley of the Kings”
Visiting the World’s Largest Outdoor Shopping Center
Destination: Hawaii–A Great Family Beach
Visiting Hawaii’s “White Mountain”