I've been keeping an eye on AllegiantAir, a low-cost carrier for west coast USA, as it completes the hop from Australia to mainland USA.
Today AllegiantAir announced Tax Day Deals. In combination with Jetstar's Easter Sale, it's possible to fly return to Las Vegas, NV for about $1250, or Fresno, CA for about $1050.
The flights I looked at were for August.
Thanks for that, I've signed up for Westjet's emails too. At the moment prices don't seem that competitive from Honolulu to Vancouver for these times.
How much did you pay HNL-YVR?
I can't find a receipt for it but from memory it was about $600 return.. So it wasn't cheap but I did get the MEL > HNL flight for about $600 return during a sale when they first began flying the route. Westjet are an average airline but they did a hilarious safety demonstration, and for that reason I would fly again.
Also, the flight to/from Honolulu… On my flight there I got an older aircraft with no tv but so much legroom it was like I was on qantas.. On the way back I got a newly revamped aircraft with about as much legroom as tiger, but I had a tv. I took sleeping pills for the flight back and I slept 7 hours of the flight which was good.
Guys, watch out for allegiant air and their charges. They are known as a ULLC due to their charge for everything mentality. Unlike Jetstar, scoot and AirAsia these guys charge for the smallest things like cabin bags to make an extra buck, these guys and spirit are known in America as some of the worst airlines service and product wise.
Also remember that connecting flights are not covered by travel insurance, so if you really want to go this route you will need to book a few nights in Honolulu. Given you are flying two LCCs they will not give any support if anything goes wrong.
To add, recently virgin had this deal which I would recommend looking out for if you want to have a stress-less (as they get I suppose) hop across the pacific.
Flew with Spirit a couple of years ago and it was quite an experience. Not saying I wouldn't fly with them again, you just need to be careful to consider all the charges you will need to pay compared to other airlines. They make Jetstar and Tiger look like full service carriers in comparison. Didn't find anything wrong with customer service or delays.
Yes, it's very much a case of buyer beware. I wasn't aware they were following the same "flying Greyhound" approach as Spirit. Thanks for the tip.
I looked into it further, Allegiant's cost for ex-Honolulu flights is US$35 for a checked bag, US$25 for a overhead-stored cabin bag. There is no fee for a small backpack or handbag under the seat in front. Jetstar's checked bag fee is $39.
My recommendation would be to buy a checked bag for return only: buy new clothes in the US and check in a cheap fabric bag to survive the flight back.
Jetstar's international flights are reliable enough, overnight in Honolulu would be enough going over, I would book a few days in Honolulu in between on the way back though.
I've been hunting for a while for that elusive <$1000 return airfare to mainland US and this is the closest I've seen, if one flies into Fresno.
My recommendation, as always, is to buy a Jaktogo and not pay any of the fees.
ONLY FOOLS PAY FOR EXTRA LUGGAGE,
CLEVER PEOPLE HAVE A JAKTOGO!!!
Good price, but I note Allegiant is an extreme LCC - baggage charges are huge and they even charge you for carry on. Thanks for the heads up though, is definitely food for thought.
EDIT - sorry didn't see the above comment - but yeah found exactly the same when I did a trial booking
Have flown Allegiant many times. Perfect for those that care less about the extras and really unless you are flying first or business every airline is basically the same experience as taking a bus.
Allegiant are a basics no frills airline, think Jetstar. Planes may have older carpet, but fly just fine.
They are an ideal airline to get to some of the smaller and less visited parts of the US (mostly the west). All connections run through Vegas and a majority of connections are also through Hawaii. A number go to LA as well.
For all ozbargain shoppers, keep Allegiant and the Hawaiian hop strategy in mind. These options with Allegiant won't show up on any of the flight deal websites either. Only draw back is the stops if wanting to go direct. I personally enjoy the layovers, whether it be Hawaii, Vegas or both.
As for where else Allegiant flyies, not a bad selection. Especially come ski season! Loads of flights to great places right near some really great mountains. They fly loads of places in Montana where there is great skiing and probably the lowest cost skiing in the US for what you get. Plus from Montana only a few hours drive North to Calgary/Banff. From Bellingham, Washington only an hour to Vancouver, two hours to Whistler. Fly into Colorado as well, that is sure to be entertaining now. Can even do Tahoe easy flying with them.
I did this once when I went to Vancouver. Jetstar then westjet to Vancouver. It was cheaper for me to do that and spend 5 nights in Honolulu than to fly via mainland us. It was great!