Bay Area to Hawai'i for $360 RT "all in"

United, American and Delta continue to offer a $330 fare from San Francisco to Honolulu. Valid for travel August through the first week in December. For my mileage run friends, United has routings Oakland-Denver-Honolulu for just a few dollars more.

If you want something a little more relaxing than Honolulu, flights to Maui are running about the same price from Oakland - for August and September travel on United, Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines. To purchase, click here and search using the "flexible dates" button.

A Video Tribute to Aloha Airlines (1946-2008)

Nearly two years have passed since Aloha Airlines made the sad and unfortunate announcement that after 61 years of service to the people of Hawai'i and the western mainland, all passenger flights would soon end. For the friends, 'ohana and passengers of Aloha, it was a day of sadness. Thankfully since then, many wonderful videos have been shared honoring an airline that is truly missed by many.

New Hawaiian Flight Starts Thursday

Hawaiian Airlines will start flying from Oakland to Honolulu International this Thursday. The 9am daily departure comes as a result of Aloha and ATA airlines having gone bankrupt and ending service between Oakland and Honolulu.

Passengers can make reservations for this flight at http://www.hawaiianairlines.com/

Hawaiian Airlines to launch Oakland - Honolulu Service

According to bizjournals.com, Hawaiian Airlines plans to launch its first ever Oakland to Honolulu Service beginning May 1st. The airline added the route in response to Aloha and ATA airlines sudden end to flight operations earlier this week. Both airlines operated non-stop flights to the islands from Oakland, and accounted for 5% of total passengers through the airport.

The schedule is as follows:

HA #47 Departs Oakland 9am and arrives Honolulu at 11:05am

HA #48 Departs Honolulu 130pm and arrives Oakland at 9:25pm

Tickets go on sale today, and the flight will be operated by a wide-body Boeing 767 aircraft.

ATA Airlines Files for Bankruptcy, Cancels All Flights

Breaking News
Second airline this week to cease operations
Low-fare carrier ATA Airlines said it has filed for Bankruptcy Court protection and ordered the grounding all flights as it halted operations. The last scheduled flight landing early this morning. Nearly all of the airline's 2,230 employees were let go. Meanwhile, thousands of passengers were stranded at Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago-Midway, and other airports across the U.S.

Earlier this week, citing chronic financial problems, Aloha Airlines announced the immediate end to all passenger flights. This left passengers scrambling to find new flights.

ATA airlines, which operated several daily flights from the mainland U.S to Hawai'i, blames the loss of a key military charter contract. In addition to scheduled airline service, ATA also provided charter service for the Pentagon.

ATA said passengers should seek alternative travel arrangements on their own. This morning Northwest Airlines announced that for a $100 fee, passengers confirmed on an ATA flight can standby for a flight on their airline. Southwest Airlines, which codeshared flights with ATA said they too will assist affected ATA customers.

Aloha Airlines Ends Six Decades of Island Spirit

Aloha Airlines halts all passenger service today. Meanwhile, the travel industry rushes to help passengers affected.

Since 2000, Aloha Airlines flew Bay Area travelers to the islands of Hawai'i, and reunited island residents with family and friends here on the mainland. But Aloha Airlines history, mixed with ups and downs, runs much deeper to the people of Hawai'i.

"When its first flight took off from Honolulu in 1946, the interisland carrier that would become Aloha Airlines was an underdog created by minorities determined to succeed in post-war Hawai'i...and being a passenger was like flying with a local-style party. Flight attendants served pineapple juice, sang Hawaiian songs, danced the hula and even played the 'ukulele." -Mike Gordon (Honolulu Advertiser)

"Across the Islands yesterday, Aloha Airlines employees — and their families — reacted to the news that their ailing airline was shutting down passenger service, effective today. After the initial shock, there was a range of emotions — anger, anxiety and sadness." -Mary Vosino (Honolulu Advertiser)

"This is to Hawai'i what Katrina was to Louisiana, we're very much integrated into Hawai'i." -Randall Cummings, pilot for Aloha.

"Aloha is like an 'ohana." -Coreen Dijos, customer service agent for Aloha.

"This is the one job where everybody is like a family." - Shavonn Okamura, Aloha staff

Visit the Honolulu Advertiser for special ongoing coverage including slideshows of the airlines history and video of employee reaction.

The travel industry has been quick to respond. United Airlines, and to a lesser degree Hawaiian Airlines are offering affected Aloha passengers special accommodations and/or discounts. Marriott and Aqua Hotels have invited existing guests unable to leave the island special accommodations.