No traveler wants to get stuck waiting for a late flight. However, hours-long wait times have plagued Hawaii over the past few months.
According to administrators at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu and Kahului Airport in Maui, travelers should plan for three hours between the arrival of their flight and their connecting flight.
In recent months, 15% of flights experienced delays. Between 2016 and 2021, just 7% to 8% of flights into and out of Hawaii had a delay.
Staffing issues account for most of the delays, note airline industry analysts. Scheduling difficulties compose a significant proportion of the remaining delays.
Japan plans to restore direct-to-Hawaii flights soon, which may exacerbate the flight delay problems. The increase in air traffic will affect the Hawaiian Islands’ two major international airports.
While delays run rampant in the transcontinental and intercontinental flights to and from Hawaii, inter-island flights have also experienced higher than normal delays.
Travelers to Hawaii noted that long TSA lines affected their ability to reach the terminal on time for their flights. Midday and evening comprise the longest TSA wait times.
Recent travelers suggest that visitors bring bottled water and something to do in case of delays.
Peak travel season in Hawaii begins in December and extends through March. The winter holiday season attracts many visitors to the Hawaiian Islands.
Guests also arrive in Hawaii for the annual whale watching, which takes place just before most colleges and universities take spring break. Surfers and beach goers alike flock to Hawaii each year in March for the break from classes.