You’re sitting there, scrolling through flight deals, and you see that bright orange sun logo. Allegiant Air. It’s the king of the "getting there for less than the price of a nice dinner" flight. Naturally, your brain goes to the most expensive vacation spot you can think of. You want to know if you can snag one of those $99 tickets to paradise.
Does Allegiant fly to Hawaii? Right now, the answer is no. They don't.
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But honestly, the "why" is a whole lot more interesting than the "no." It isn’t that they never tried. They did. It was a whole era that people still talk about in travel forums like it was some kind of fever dream. They flew Boeing 757s—the "flying pencils"—from places like Fresno, Boise, and Bellingham straight into Honolulu.
It was a wild time for budget travel.
The History of Allegiant’s Pacific Experiment
Back in 2012, Allegiant decided they wanted a piece of the tropical pie. They didn't just go for the big hubs like LAX. No, they did the classic Allegiant move: they targeted the smaller cities. They wanted to be the only game in town for people in places like Stockton, California, or Eugene, Oregon, who wanted to hit the beach without driving four hours to a major airport.
They bought six used Boeing 757-200s. These weren't new planes. They were workhorses that Allegiant picked up to handle the long over-water haul. For a few years, it actually worked. You could hop on a plane in Santa Maria, California, and be in Hawaii by sunset.
By 2017, the dream was dead.
The airline officially pulled the plug on its last Hawaii route—Las Vegas to Honolulu—in October of that year. Why? It basically came down to maintenance. Those 757s were getting old. They were staring down the barrel of "D checks," which are these massive, incredibly expensive teardown inspections that happen every six years or so.
Allegiant looked at the bill—roughly $2 million per plane—and said, "Thanks, but no thanks." They decided to focus on their Airbus fleet and sticking to the mainland.
Will Allegiant Ever Go Back to Hawaii?
Here’s where things get interesting for 2026. Speculation is heating up again.
Why now? Because the fleet is changing. Allegiant has been waiting on a massive order of Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 jets. These aren't the old gas-guzzlers they used to fly. These planes have the range to hit Hawaii from the West Coast. They are more fuel-efficient. They are more reliable.
Does Allegiant fly to Hawaii in 2026?
Technically, as of today, there are still no scheduled flights on the books for Hawaii. However, aviation insiders like the folks at Beat of Hawaii have been tracking the airline's moves closely. The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft they are receiving are capable of the journey, but there’s a catch.
It’s called ETOPS.
ETOPS stands for Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards. Basically, it’s a certification that says, "Yes, this plane is safe to fly for several hours over the ocean where there’s nowhere to land in an emergency." Allegiant would have to go through the rigorous process of getting their new 737 fleet certified for these over-water flights.
Is it happening? There are plenty of rumors. With the recent news of the Allegiant and Sun Country merger attempt and the general shakeup in the low-cost carrier market, the airline is clearly looking for ways to grow.
What Travelers Get Wrong About Budget Hawaii Flights
Most people think that if a budget airline like Allegiant or Southwest enters a market, the service will be terrible. That’s a bit of a misconception. When Allegiant flew to Hawaii, people loved the direct access from small towns. They didn't care that the seats didn't recline or that they had to pay for a soda. They cared about the $400 they saved compared to flying United or Delta.
The real problem wasn't the service; it was the "all-in" cost.
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- Baggage Fees: By the time you paid for a carry-on and a checked bag, that $99 fare was often $250.
- Seasonality: People go to Hawaii in the summer and winter. In the "shoulder" seasons, those planes were half-empty.
- Competition: Southwest Airlines moved into the Hawaii market in a big way around 2019. They brought the "bags fly free" model, which is a nightmare for an airline like Allegiant that relies on those extra fees to make a profit.
Current Alternatives for Budget Seekers
If you were hoping for Allegiant because you're on a budget, don't lose heart. The market has changed. You have options that actually exist right now.
- Southwest Airlines: They are the closest thing to the Allegiant model, but better. They fly from many California cities (San Jose, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego) and even Las Vegas. No bag fees, which is huge for a beach trip.
- Alaska Airlines: They dominate the Pacific Northwest. If you’re in Seattle, Portland, or Boise, Alaska often has "Saver" fares that compete with budget carriers.
- Hawaiian Airlines: They recently merged with Alaska, but they still operate under their own brand. They offer a much more "island feel" from the moment you board, often for a surprisingly small premium over the budget guys.
The Verdict on Your Vacation
If you’re looking to book a trip today, don't wait for Allegiant. There is no indication they will be selling tickets to Honolulu, Kahului, or Lihue in the immediate future. They are currently focused on integrating new aircraft and managing their mainland routes, including some high-profile exits from major airports like LAX to focus on more profitable secondary markets.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
Instead of waiting for a route that doesn't exist, do this:
- Set a Google Flights Alert: Specifically for Southwest and Alaska routes from your nearest West Coast hub.
- Check "Secondary" Airports: If you live in a place like Phoenix, check flights out of Mesa (AZA) versus Sky Harbor (PHX). Allegiant still flies into Mesa, even if they don't go to Hawaii from there. You might find a "hacker fare" where you fly Allegiant to a West Coast hub and then a different carrier to the islands.
- Monitor the 737 MAX Deliveries: If you see Allegiant finally getting their ETOPS certification for the new Boeing fleet, that is the "smoking gun" that Hawaii flights are back on the table.
The airline industry moves fast. One day a route is "never happening," and the next, a press release drops. For now, keep your lei in the closet if you're only looking at the Allegiant website.