Private jet to Hawaii

The islands lie in the middle of the Pacific, about 9,800 km from Keflavík and 11,400-12,700 km from the main hubs of western and central Europe, and the shortest track does not cross the Atlantic and the United States but runs north-west over Greenland and Arctic Canada. Only the largest business jets, such as the Global 7500, fly that distance without landing; most trips from Europe include one fuel stop in North America. Clients come for winter sun and whale watching off Maui, the golf courses and resorts of the Kohala Coast, the surf of the North Shore, and often combine the trip with a few days in California, Vancouver or Tokyo.

Hawaii is a US state with several islands and no single airport. A private flight from abroad lands first at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu on Oahu, or clears US entry at the fuel stop on the mainland, and the same aircraft can then take the same passengers on to Maui, Kona on the Big Island or Kauai. As a broker, we compare long-range aircraft from operators in Europe and the United States and show a non-stop option next to a cheaper one with a stop.

Send the dates, the number of passengers, their nationalities and the island where you will stay, and a consultant will reply with aircraft, routing and the price for the whole trip.

Why fly to the islands by private jet

Flight times to Honolulu

Times for a Global 7500 from the price tables below, including taxi, climb and descent; non-stop where no stop is mentioned:

• Keflavík: 11:22 h, 9,777 km
• Oslo: 12:36 h, Copenhagen: 13:11 h
• Hamburg: 13:23 h, London Farnborough: 13:26 h, Amsterdam: 13:27 h
• Paris Le Bourget: 13:47 h, Frankfurt: 13:48 h
• Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Geneva and Milan: 15:33-15:52 h with one stop
• Madrid and Nice: 16:02-16:03 h with one stop, Larnaca: 17:10 h

From Iceland, Scandinavia, the UK, the Benelux countries, Paris, Hamburg and Frankfurt the distance stays within the range of a Global 7500, so it flies non-stop; from the Alps, Italy, Spain and Cyprus it also stops once. A Challenger 650 or Global 6000 always stops, typically in Seattle, Vancouver or San Francisco, and the trip from London then takes 15:42 h including the stop. These are still-air figures: strong westbound winds can add time or make the operator plan a stop even for a non-stop type.

Private jet prices to Hawaii

Prices are for the whole aircraft, one way to Honolulu, plus handling, US border and inspection fees and passenger taxes, and assume an aircraft available near the departure airport. Flights on to the other islands and parking in Hawaii are priced separately. Times in the third column belong to the first aircraft of the row.

From European cities

The Challenger 650 with one stop is the lowest fare: EUR 120,000 from Keflavík and EUR 135,000 from Oslo, then EUR 140,000 from London, Amsterdam or Hamburg. The Global 6000 stops as well but adds a cabin for up to 17 passengers with beds. The Global 7500 saves more than two hours on the northern routes and costs EUR 175,000 from Oslo and EUR 190,000 from London. From Madrid, Nice and Larnaca the Challenger 650 would need two stops, so those rows start with the larger jets.

From North America and Asia

The west coast is 3,900-4,400 km from Honolulu, within the range of a super midsize jet. From the east of the continent a Falcon 7X flies non-stop, and Tokyo is reachable without landing in all three types:

Between two US airports, such as San Francisco and Honolulu, passengers who start their trip in the United States fly with a US operator.

Between the islands

Short sectors from the neighbouring islands into Honolulu; flights from Honolulu to the islands cost the same:

From the Gulf and South-East Asia

From Singapore the Global 7500 flies non-stop in 12:29 h; from Dubai, 13,755 km away, even the largest jets stop once:

Each fare is driven by flight time, with a fixed share for positioning the aircraft and crew to the departure airport. Passenger taxes depend on the departure country: on a jet leaving France a tax per passenger that rises with distance, from about EUR 420 within Europe to about EUR 2,100 on a flight to the United States, and EUR 200 per passenger on flights from or to Italy over 1,500 km; Austria adds EUR 12 per passenger. The UK applies the higher rate of Air Passenger Duty to jets of 20 t or more with fewer than 19 seats, which includes all three types in the European table. Germany, Norway and the Netherlands (aircraft of 5.7 t or more) also tax departing passengers, Sweden does not. US customs, agricultural inspection and handling fees are listed in the quote.

Business jet price per flight hour

Heavy Jets from EUR 8,300 / hour

Light Jets from EUR 3,200 / hour

Ultra Long Range Jets from EUR 12,000 / hour

Super Midsize Jets from EUR 6,300 / hour

Very Light Jets from EUR 2,500 / hour

Long Range Jets from EUR 9,800 / hour

Midsize Jets from EUR 4,500 / hour

Turboprops from EUR 2,000 / hour

What a trip really costs

Price per person

The aircraft is chartered as a whole, so a full cabin lowers the share per passenger. Taxes and US fees come on top for each passenger:

Online calculator

For a quick figure on your own route and date, the calculator sends the estimate to your e-mail.

Honolulu and the airports on the other islands

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL, PHNL) lies on the south shore of Oahu, about 5 km north-west of downtown Honolulu and some 15 km from Waikiki. It has four runways of 2,120-3,767 m, one of them built entirely on a reef in the sea, so every long-range jet can use it with a full load. The airport is open around the clock with no curfew, and business jets need no slot; the busiest block is the morning wave of airline arrivals between about 07:00 and 10:30. Three handlers serve business aviation: Signature, Atlantic Aviation and Castle & Cooke Aviation.

US Customs and Border Protection clears private flights at any hour on 24 hours' notice. An officer usually meets the aircraft on the ramp, and the check takes about 15 minutes. An agricultural inspector also meets flights from abroad, and much of the food on board from Europe has to be removed, so catering for the return is ordered locally at least a day ahead.

Maui, the Big Island, Kauai and Lanai

Each of the main islands has its own airport for jets, and the choice of island decides the airport. Distances below are straight-line from Honolulu:

Jet fuel is listed at Kahului from 07:00 to 18:00 and at Kona from 08:00 to 17:00, and the handlers arrange it at other times; Kona airport is attended from 06:00 to 22:00. On the way out, the fuel stop is chosen for its customs as well as its fuel: Seattle Boeing Field, with a 3,050 m runway and three handlers, is a common choice, and so are San Francisco and Vancouver.

Which aircraft for the Pacific

For a crossing of 13-16 hours, ultra long range jets give the biggest margin and the most space to sleep. Holds of 5.5 m³ in the Global 6000 and Global 7500 take golf bags and diving gear for a full cabin; the Challenger 650 holds 3.3 m³. Between the islands, turboprops suit the shorter runways and cost less than repositioning the long-range jet.

Want the non-stop and the one-stop options side by side? Leave your number and a consultant will call you back.

When to go: whales, surf and holidays

Temperatures change little through the year, so demand follows holidays and events more than the weather. The trade winds keep the western and southern coasts, where most resorts are, drier and sunnier.

With a time difference of ten to twelve hours, plan a quiet first day. A midday departure from Europe lands in Honolulu in the afternoon local time, which makes the adjustment easier.

From the airport to the resorts

Empty Legs to and from Hawaii

Empty Legs are positioning flights that an operator must fly with no passengers on board. Around the islands they come up mostly on the Pacific sectors:

A sector between two US airports is flown by a US operator, and the operator sets the date and time. Tell us the direction and the window of dates at empty-legs@jets.flights.

Flying with a dog or cat

The dog or cat flies in the cabin beside you, and the operator must approve it in advance. The preparations take months, because the blood test result can take one to two months:

• Federal rules: every dog needs the CDC import form receipt, a microchip and must be at least six months old. Cats are not covered by the CDC form.
• Hawaii is rabies-free and has the strictest rules in the United States: two rabies vaccinations and a passed FAVN blood test, with at least 30 days after the test before arrival.
• Tick treatment within 14 days before arrival.
• The original documents must reach the state quarantine office at least 10 days before arrival. Then the animal can leave Honolulu airport on the day of arrival; otherwise quarantine can last up to 120 days.
• Arriving with a pet at Kona, Kahului or Lihue needs a neighbour island inspection permit, an approved vet and documents at least 30 days ahead.

Tell us the date of the FAVN test with the request, and we plan the arrival island around the pet rules.

US entry, island flights and taxes

Before departure: checklist

• Passport for every passenger and an approved ESTA or a US visa.
• Names, dates of birth, nationalities and passport numbers at least two days before, for the manifest and the Honolulu notice.
• The island and the address: Waikiki, Ko Olina, Maui, the Kohala Coast or Kauai.
• Your choice between non-stop and a fuel stop, and whether to see the west coast on the way.
• Golf bags or diving gear, which decide the hold.
• For a pet: FAVN test date, vaccination records and the quarantine office confirmation.
• The company name and VAT number, if the invoice goes to a company.

How to book a private jet to Hawaii

1. Send the dates, the number of passengers with their nationalities, the island and the address, and any stopover in California, Canada or Asia.
2. We check the operator's Visa Waiver Program status and decide where the US entry will take place.
3. You receive 2-4 options: a heavy jet with a stop, a long-range jet with a stop and a Global 7500 non-stop where the distance allows, with flight times and the price for the whole aircraft.
4. After the contract and payment, the handler notifies Honolulu, the operator files the manifest, and we book the island leg, the car and the catering for the return.
5. Arrive at the terminal 20-30 minutes before the planned take-off. In Honolulu an officer meets the aircraft, and the car or the island flight is waiting.

Our team

Charlotte McKinney

Commercial Director

charlotte.m@jets.flights

Henry Richter

Head of Aviation Department and Data Protection Officer

henry.r@jets.flights

Emma Miller

Director of Development

emma.m@jets.flights

Liam Bishop

Senior Aviation Consultant

liam.b@jets.flights

Oliver Davis

Aviation Consultant

oliver.d@jets.flights

Anna Laurent

Aviation Consultant

anna.l@jets.flights

Questions about private flights to Hawaii

• • How much does a private jet from Europe to Hawaii cost?

  • A Challenger 650 with one fuel stop costs from EUR 120,000 one way from Keflavík and EUR 140,000 from London, for the whole aircraft. A Global 7500 non-stop costs EUR 190,000 from London; taxes, US fees and island legs are added.

• • Can a private jet fly non-stop from Europe to Honolulu?

  • Yes, a Global 7500 can from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Oslo and Keflavík, in about 11-14 hours. From further south it stops once, and with strong headwinds the operator may plan a stop anyway.

• • Where does the fuel stop take place?

  • Usually in Seattle, San Francisco or Vancouver. At a US stop you clear customs there and fly on to the islands as a domestic flight.

• • Can the jet take us on to Maui or the Big Island?

  • Yes, with the same passengers it brought from abroad and a permit to proceed. For the long flight home, Kona's 3,353 m runway is better than Kahului's 2,133 m.

• • Is an ESTA enough?

  • It is, provided the operator has signed the Visa Waiver Program agreement; with any other operator each passenger needs a US visa, so we check this before proposing the aircraft.

• • What is the time difference?

  • Hawaii keeps UTC-10 all year with no summer time: 10 hours behind London in winter and 11 in summer, 11 or 12 hours behind Paris.

• • Can I bring my dog?

  • Yes, but plan months ahead: two rabies vaccinations, a passed FAVN test, tick treatment and documents with the quarantine office 10 days before arrival. Otherwise quarantine can last up to 120 days.

• • Are there Empty Legs to Hawaii?

  • Mostly between the islands and the US west coast or Vancouver, especially in winter. Write to empty-legs@jets.flights with your direction and dates.

• • Why is our catering removed in Honolulu?

  • Agricultural rules ban many foods from abroad. We order fresh catering for the return in Honolulu at least a day ahead.

• • How much luggage fits?

  • The Global 6000 and Global 7500 have 5.5 m³ holds, enough for suitcases and golf bags for a full cabin. The Challenger 650 holds 3.3 m³.

• • When is the best time to fly?

  • The weather is warm all year. Whale season runs from November to May, the holidays from mid-November to early January are the hardest to book, and May and September are usually quieter.