People who travel between the Hawaiian Islands are pinching themselves right now. Is it a dream? Are they hallucinating? Or, is it really true? Airfares for $19? Unbelievable! Unheard of! (Keep in mind one-way fares between the islands average $82.50.) But, the news is true and travelers in the 50th state are ecstatic. The only catch… you need to act fast. The offer is only good for a limited time.
So what is fueling this plummet in prices? The introduction of Mesa Air Group’s go! Airlines. (For more info on Mesa and the history of outrageous inter-island airfares read my previous blog.) The new inter-island carrier, which led the way with one-way fares of $39 and $29, a few months ago, just announced a $19 “Hero” fare that must be purchased by midnight September 30th and can be used for travel through February 28, 2007.
If you have ever traveled to Hawaii you know that this latest fare cut means that flying between the islands (Maui, Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai, and Molokai) will now cost less than a dinner for two at a moderately-priced restaurant. It is also cheaper than taking a cab from Waikiki to the Honolulu Airport (which averages about $30.).
Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines (the only other inter-island carriers) both have matched previous go! fare cuts. It is important to mention that both airlines are also currently embroiled in a bitter legal battle with go!. Mesa executives recently discussed the current fare drop and the legal battle with local reporters:
“If (Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines) spent less money on lawyers, they could afford to offer low prices, too. Both companies have spent tens of millions of dollars on legal fees and professional fees surrounding this lawsuit and their bankruptcies. Maybe that money would have been better spent giving people a better deal.”
They went on to say that they are not concerned about accusations that Hawaiian and Aloha have made that Mesa is pricing tickets low to force Aloha out of business:
“I’m a lot more concerned about what happens at Mesa. We have seats available and we’d like to sell them. When the plane departs, the seats have no value, and I’d rather get $19 than get nothing. And if we can introduce more people to go! as well as have people visit our Web site, all the better.”
The $19 tickets are nonrefundable, and include blackout dates. For a list of the blackout dates and for additional reservation information, click here.
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Flying Between the Hawaiian Islands Just Got Cheaper