AirTravel

From Baltimore/DC Area

If you are planning on traveling direct to kauai, then U.S. Air has a ticket right now that is probrably as good as it is going to get.  Here is the info:

Jan 5, 2008  Leave BWI 7:33 a.m., connect through Phoenix, arrive Kauai (Lihue, LIH) 3:16 p.m.

Jan 12, 2008, Leave LIH 11:40 p.m., connect through Phoenix, arrive BWI next day (Jan 13) 4:18 p.m.

The total travel time heading to Hawaii is just under 13 hours and just under 12 hours returning.

The price for this itinerary though usair.com is $816.10 per person total (all taxes, fees, etc.)

This price is comparable to what Scott was getting two and four years ago. Considering current fuel prices, we think it is as good as it will get.

--OR--

Our friend, Jamie, just found a great fare through Southwest and we're told that it will be available via internet the whole month of September. Here it is:

Depart BWI-OAK-LIH $379.70
Return LIH-OAK-BWI $374.80

Grand total including taxes & fees is $754.50

I would suggest talking to Southwest directly if you have any questions or trouble finding this fare.

We will be traveling though Vegas and staying for a couple days, so we will not be on this flight. 

If you are interested in first going somewhere on the west coast (Vegas, LA) for a day or two and then proceding to Kauai, Hawaian Air has the best prices from that coast to Hawaii, averaging just over $600 round trip from Vegas per person.  If you fly southwest or another budget airline and layover each way for a night, then the travel is not as long in one day, and the prices are similar. Of course that means that you will have to get a hotel somewhere for those extra nights.

Something to keep in mind, too, is that weather may be inclement in January. Should the weather look bad for travel on your intended departure date, you may want to contact your airline and try to take an earlier flight out to your half-way point or layover city. You could camp out there in a cheap hotel and check out the Grand Canyon, then fly to Kauai on your regular flight (Phoenix is not usually snowed in).  After a bad weather experience this past winter with travel, we learned that if a storm is threatening, the airlines are happy to bump you to an earlier flight if available to avoid having to play catch up on the back end.

From Southwestern MI/ Chicago

Jenny, Steph's niece, has found the following deal through Signal Travel (800-535-1070) in Niles, MI for those leaving from the Chicago area.

Jan 5, 2008  Leave Chicago/Midway 7:15 a.m. (Flight 4651), arrive Honolulu 2:45 p.m.

Jan 12, 2008, Leave Honolulu 3:00 p.m. (Flight 4650), arrive Chicago/Midway 6:09 a.m. on Jan 13, 2008.

The total travel time for this flight is 11.5 hours. An island hopper will have to be booked and taken from Honolulu to Kauai.

The price for this itinerary is $748.60 per person total (all taxes, fees, etc.). Please keep in mind that there will be an additional charge in taking an island hopper to Kauai.

If you are interested in going through a travel agent, feel free to contact Signal Travel.