United Airlines announces Mele Kalikimaka fares
By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer
United Airlines launched its annual Mele Kalikimaka fare sale yesterday for those traveling from Hawai'i to the Mainland in December. But as troubled airlines have struggled to make profits in recent years, the holiday sales have become less of a bargain.
Sample roundtrip fares on United Airlines: Honolulu to Los Angeles $404 Source: United Airlines
United is promoting a $404 round trip from Honolulu to Los Angeles as one of the sample holiday specials. Hawaiian Airlines yesterday was offering a round- trip to Los Angeles in November for $314 and in December for $427, according to cheaptickets.com.
Mele Kalikimaka prices
Maui to San Francisco $446
Honolulu to New York $572
Honolulu to Chicago $540
Kona to Phoenix $460
Kaua'i to Las Vegas $460
Frequent holiday fliers may remember that a few years ago, a holiday flight to the Mainland was at least $100 less.
In 1997, the Honolulu to Los Angeles sample fare was $299 on United. That increased to about $349 in 1998, then $378 in 1999 and $388 in 2001.
"It's not that low," said Rachel Shimamoto, vice president of Travel Ways in Honolulu. "I don't think it's a bargain," and in some cases the holiday sale prices are higher than regular fares.
Travel agents said other Mainland airlines have matched the United fares.
Because late December to early January is one of the busiest times of the year for Hawai'i's tourism industry with Mainlanders spending the holidays in Hawai'i, the airlines use Mele Kalikimaka fares to fill airplanes with locals on the way back to the Mainland.
Hawaiian Airlines has not decided on its Christmas fares yet, according to a spokesman.
Aloha Airlines has its own special to any of the cities it flies to on the Mainland with fares of $418 from Honolulu and $460 from the Neighbor Islands plus taxes and fees, said spokesman Stu Glauberman. Aloha's fares are available on a one-day advance purchase.
The holiday fares jumped up last year, with Hawaiian offering fares starting at $458, for example.
Travel agents say Mele Kalikimaka fares to some cities are higher this year than last year.
Still, Shimamoto expects to field plenty of calls from Hawai'i residents, including many who wait for the holiday specials to appear before making their holiday plans.
United's sample roundtrip fares this year include:
- Maui to San Francisco: $446
- Honolulu to New York City: $572
- Honolulu to Chicago: $540
The fares do not include taxes and fees. They are valid for flights departing Hawai'i between Dec. 3 and Dec. 27, and returning between Dec. 28 and Jan. 12. Tickets must be purchased at least seven days before travel and require a three-day minimum stay.
The specials are for a limited number of seats.
