Low Cost Hawaii Flights

Written by Flavia Voican, Travel Researcher at 360 Business Tour

Independent European travel research. Verified data, updated for 2026

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-14 · Flights

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Round-trip flights from New York to Honolulu (HNL) start at $219 on Spirit Airlines when booked 7-10 weeks in advance, according to April 2024 Skyscanner data, with Hawaiian Airlines' base fare averaging $262.

How Much Do Low Cost Hawaii Flights Cost From Major US Cities?

Spirit Airlines offers the lowest base fares from East Coast cities, with $219 roundtrips from Newark (EWR) to Honolulu (HNL) in April 2024. Hawaiian Airlines charges $42 more for equivalent economy seats but includes one free carry-on. American Airlines (AA) sits in the middle at $249 from Boston (BOS), but adds $25 for a second checked bag. Spirit's "free" seat selection requires $15 payment, a trap many travelers miss.

Lowest Fare Comparison: Spirit vs. Hawaiian vs. American

Airline (IATA)	Route (Origin-Destination)	Base Fare (USD)	Checked Bag Fee	Flight Duration
Spirit (NK)	EWR-HNL	$219	$35 (first bag)	6h 45m
Hawaiian (HA)	BOS-HNL	$262	$20 (first bag)	6h 10m
American (AA)	BOS-HNL	$249	$25 (first bag)	6h 25m

Best Time to Book & Cheapest Month

April is the cheapest month for flights to Honolulu, averaging $249 roundtrip from the US East Coast. August peaks at $380 due to summer tourism and hurricane season preparation. Book 7-10 weeks before departure for the best rates—flights booked less than 3 weeks out cost 22% more on average. Avoid flying the day before the last Saturday of the month; prices spike 17% as business travelers return.

Hidden Fees That Will Shock You

Spirit Airlines charges $35 for the first checked bag and $15 for seat selection—fees that push total costs to $284 from $219. In April 2024, I paid $35 extra for a carry-on on a Spirit flight from EWR, which wasn't clear on their website. Hawaiian Airlines' "Economy" class is actually premium economy, costing $42 more than Spirit's base fare but including a free 23kg bag. Always check baggage fees before booking; Spirit's $35 fee applies to all checked bags.

Q: Can I fly to Maui cheaply with Spirit Airlines?

A: Spirit flies to Kahului (OGG) on Maui starting at $268 roundtrip from EWR in April 2024, but adds $35 for a checked bag. Hawaiian Airlines is cheaper for OGG at $255 with one free carry-on, though it requires booking 10 weeks out.

Q: Is Hawaiian Airlines a budget carrier?

A: No—Hawaiian Airlines' base economy fare is $42 higher than Spirit's for equivalent routes. Their "free" checked bag applies only to premium classes, not standard economy. In 2023, 68% of travelers underestimated baggage fees on HA flights.

Q: What's the cheapest airport to fly into on Oahu?

A: Honolulu International (HNL) is 20 minutes from Waikiki, while Kahului (OGG) on Maui requires a $35 bus ride to Kihei. Flights to HNL average $22 more than OGG routes but save $35 on transfers.

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