non-reving to Maui

First time non-reving to Maui (OGG) in June with family. I have passes on ATA. Four of us total. Should I buy full fare tickets or try non-reving? Does anyone know what loads are like in the middle of June out of Phoenix to OGG?

I don't know about non-reving to OGG but I do know that summer travel in/out of Hawaii can be hard. Can you get to Hnl? If so it might be easier and then you can buy confirmed tickets to OGG on HA or Aloha airlines for cheap. Good luck and I hope you enjoy OGG

I must agree that non-reving to HA especially in the summer can be difficult. I do not work for ATA but have non-reved on my own airline and other airlines to Hawaii many times to give you some tips. If possible, try flying on offpeak days on midweek days like Tues, Wed, Thurs (Thurs can go either way--good or bad). I have found OGG is not quite as bad as HNL. ATA is a small airline with not that many employees to compete with so that works to your advantage. Other airlines like UA, AA, DL, NW, CO, US/HP their is a large employee pool base trying to non-rev to Hawaii. Not only are employees trying to non-rev but their eligible travelers like spouses, parents, children, plus guest passes are also trying to non-rev. Believe me I know this all to well. Also, are you set on leaving from PHX? ATA also serves Hawaii from LAX, LAS, OAK. Another tip is if you cannot get directly to OGG, then ask ATA how their HNL flight for standby travel. If they should tell you HNL looks better than OGG then try to get to HNL. Nowadays you can get a inter-island flights on Hawaiin, Aloha or GO! Airlines (Operated by Mesa) for $30 or less. Last year, I got bumped 2x going to HNL from PHX on HP. I finally decided to fly on HP to LIH, then booked Aloha to HNL for $30. It costed me a little, but a I got there. Good luck and have fun in Hawaii. Also, when you book your hotel, you may want to ask about "bump" protection. Do not pre-pay your reservation for hotels or car rentals as you are not guaranteed getting there.

Thanks for the good info, I appreciate all of it!

travel on HA to the islands OGG is the eaiser one to get on over HNL any day. Though as noted in the summer it can be hard anyway you look be prepared to jump around the west coast on day of for whatever looks open.

I also happen to have some passes on ATA that I hope to use sometime this year. Good to know ATA has fewer employees to compete with (Thanks, skyfly!). I have actually never been to Hawaii even though I'm on the West Coast. So, coming from a newby non-rev-er to the islands, when are the best times of the year to try this? I think right now is low season, and I'm guessing September or October is also considered low?

Thanks in advance, and this is a great board!

In my humble opinion June is not a good time to try space-a to anywhere in Hawai'i! The big problem with June is that school is letting out and people are off on their first trips of the summer. June is right up there at the top of Hawai'i's most traveled months list. High load factors, high occupancy rates at hotels resulting in a scarcity of interline room rates. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

Randy - What is your thought on space a the first week of May....

p.s. speedbird, yes you are correct. September, after the Labor Day dust settles, into October are by far the best times to get to and from Hawai'i. That's also true for full fare paying pax, the very best deals are found during this time.

In addition, January, after New Year's dies down, into early February are good times as well.

Hi wn94!

Early May should be okay, Easter's long done and school is still in session. As I've long said, if flight loads from your particular hub don't look good, then get thee to LAX! - with a couple of backup passes. In general LAX has more flights to the islands than most of the airports in the U.S. combined.

And, if loads don't look good to your destination of choice, don't be particular on where you go. Just hop on the first flight to anywhere in Hawai'i. There's almost always enough inter-island flights to get you onward to where you want to be. In years past we have had to fly into OGG before continuing on to HNL.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by wn94:
Randy - What is your thought on space a the first week of May.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

WN94 in checking, the Friendly Skies are wide open May 1 - 10. to/from HNL or OGG.
WN has UA benefits http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif check out the ORD-OGG non-stop or ORD-HNL non-stop.

ATA is starting service to KOA, the big island on June 7th. I would guess their loads might not be full yet since it is a new schedule. You could non-rev to KOA or ITO and then inter-island to OGG...inter-island confirmed is pretty cheap right now.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Posted February 05, 2007 04:59 PM
First time non-reving to Maui (OGG) in June with family. I have passes on ATA. Four of us total. Should I buy full fare tickets or try non-reving? Does anyone know what loads are like in the middle of June out of Phoenix to OGG?
Posts: 2 | Registered </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


HA from PDX or SAN to OGG frequently has seats. Get some domestic passes to PDX, and you should be okay.