Are you heading to Hawaii with kids this year? Find out how to survive the long flight without losing your mind!
This list of tips for flying to Hawaii with kids was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat it.
The flight to Hawaii with kids can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re staring down a 5-6 hour journey from the West Coast or a brutal 10-11 hour haul from the East Coast.
But here’s the thing: as a professional tourist who’s flown to Hawaii more than 40 times (and done countless international flights with my two boys), I’ve figured out what actually works.
Not the Pinterest-perfect fantasy version, but the real, tested-in-the-trenches strategies that save your sanity.
And honestly? Once you know the tricks, the flight becomes way more manageable than you think.
Book Your Flight Like a Pro (This Matters More Than You Think)
Before we even talk about surviving the flight, let’s talk about booking it smartly. Because choosing the wrong flight can make everything ten times harder.
Direct vs. Layover: The Truth
If you’re flying from the West Coast (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, LA, San Diego), direct flights are typically 5-6 hours. That’s long but doable, especially if you time it right.
East Coast families face a tougher choice. You’re looking at 10-11+ hours of total travel time no matter what. The question is whether you want it all at once or broken up.
I dove deep into this on my podcast Hawaii Travel Made Easy in episode 62, where I break down the direct vs. stopover decision for East Coast travelers.
But here’s the quick version: if your kids are under 5, that layover might save you. If they’re older and can handle screen time for hours, direct might be your friend.
When to Book
Flight prices to Hawaii are weird. They don’t follow normal patterns.
I covered the sweet spot booking window in podcast episode 63, but the short answer is: 3-4 months out for the best deals, and be flexible with your dates if possible.
Tuesday and Wednesday flights are often cheaper (and less crowded), but Saturday can be great for families because kids are already in weekend mode.
Time of Day Matters
Morning flights mean waking up at an ungodly hour, but your kids might nap mid-flight.
Red-eyes sound tempting (they’ll sleep the whole way, right?) but in my experience, kids under 10 rarely actually sleep well on planes. They just get overtired and cranky.
My sweet spot? Early afternoon departures. Kids are awake and alert enough to be entertained, but not so early that you’re dealing with meltdowns before you even board.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all these decisions, this is exactly what I help families with in my Hawaii travel consultations.
Sometimes having someone who’s done this 40+ times just tell you “book THIS flight” is worth every penny.
Pack Your Carry-On Like Your Sanity Depends on It (Because It Does)
I learned this the hard way: what you pack matters just as much as how much you pack.
The Non-Negotiables
Each kid needs their own bag. Not a cute little backpack they can’t fit anything in. A real bag.
Here’s what goes in it:
- Fully charged device (tablet, Switch, whatever they love)
- THE RIGHT CHARGER (I cannot stress this enough)
- Headphones that actually fit their ears and are volume-limited
- Water bottle or a drink you buy after security (lids are essential, trust me)
- Variety of snacks, including some they don’t normally get
- A hoodie or light jacket (planes get cold)
- One complete change of clothes (for them AND for you)
- New entertainment they’ve never seen
That last point is key. Hit the dollar store before your trip and grab some cheap activity books, stickers, or small toys. The novelty factor buys you at least an hour of peace.
My Biggest Packing Mistakes
Want to know something embarrassing?
My oldest left his phone on the plane once. We had literally just landed in Hawaii and had to turn around and go back through security to get it.
Not exactly the triumphant arrival I’d imagined.
And my youngest left his noise-cancelling headphones on a different flight. Those were expensive. Now I do a seat check before we deplane, every single time.
Pro tip: take photos of your row before you leave it. I’m serious. It’s saved us multiple times.
For my complete airplane packing list (because yes, there’s more), check out my full Hawaii airplane essentials guide.
Tech Prep That Actually Matters
Download everything before you get to the airport. Movies, shows, games, everything.
If you’re flying Alaska or Hawaiian (which are now the same company after their 2024 merger), download their entertainment app BEFORE boarding.
The WiFi on planes is spotty at best, and trying to download it while taxiing is a nightmare.
I always pack these kid-friendly headphones for younger kids and regular headphones for older ones. The volume-limiting feature is non-negotiable for little ears.
Entertainment Strategy by Age (Because 3-Year-Olds and 10-Year-Olds Are Different Humans)
Ages 2-5: Variety Is Your Friend
This age needs constant rotation. Screen time, yes, but also:
- Sticker books (the reusable kind)
- Water wow books (mess-free painting)
- Small figurines or dolls
- Magnetic drawing boards
Introduce a new activity every 30-45 minutes. It sounds exhausting, but it works.
Ages 6-9: The Sweet Spot
This age can actually handle longer activities. They’re old enough for chapter books, graphic novels, or longer movies. My kids got really into manga around this age, which is perfect for flights.
Activity books with mazes and puzzles work great. So do simple travel-sized board games.
They can also help with younger siblings, which is clutch if you have multiple kids.
Ages 10+: Let Them Plan
Older kids can pack their own entertainment. Give them the parameters (must have offline capability, must have charged devices and correct chargers, must have backup non-screen activities), then let them handle it.
My oldest now packs his Switch, downloaded Netflix shows, a book, and snacks. He’s good for the entire flight.
The Screen Time Debate
Look, if there’s ever a time to let screen time rules slide, it’s a long flight to Hawaii. I’m saying this as someone who cares about limiting screens. The flight is not the hill to die on.
My rule? Screens are unlimited on the plane, but we balance it out with active, outdoor time once we land. Hawaii is perfect for that.
During the Flight: Real Survival Tactics
Snacks Are Your Secret Weapon
Pack way more than you think you need. I’m talking a gallon bag full per kid.
I hit up our local Asian grocery store before trips and grab interesting snacks my kids don’t normally see. The novelty factor works here too.
Chewing during takeoff and landing helps with ear pressure. Gum for older kids, fruit snacks or lollipops for younger ones.
And yes, bring a few special treats. This is not the time for your strictest healthy eating rules.
The Hydration Thing
Airplane air is crazy dry. Your kids need to drink way more water than normal.
I let my kids pick out a drink at the airport because I want something with a secure lid. After too many mid-flight spills (all on me, of course), I’m paranoid about this.
Or bring a reusable water bottle and fill it after security. Just make sure the lid actually seals.
Movement Matters
On long flights, we do bathroom breaks every 90 minutes even if nobody needs to go. Just to move around.
Walking up and down the aisle, doing stretches in your seat, anything to keep blood flowing.
The flight attendants have seen it all. They won’t judge you for letting your kids stand up and stretch.
When Things Go Wrong
They will. Someone will have a meltdown. Someone will spill something. Someone will kick the seat in front of them despite seventeen reminders not to.
Take a breath. This is temporary. The other passengers have either been there themselves or they’ve forgotten what it’s like.
I once had a fellow parent offer my kids prepackaged snacks when I’d run out and they were getting hangry. People are generally kind.
Most flight attendants are incredibly helpful with families. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
I talk through more survival strategies in podcast episode 40 if you want to hear real stories and solutions.
Layover Survival (If You Have One)
Find Seating Immediately
This is crucial. Don’t wander around hoping to find a spot. Secure seating first, then explore if you have time.
Many airports now have family areas or play spaces. Use them. Let your kids burn energy.
The Layover Entertainment Bag
Save specific activities just for layovers. A new travel game, a special snack, whatever makes the wait feel less painful.
This is also when I let kids pick out something at the airport store (within reason). It gives them something to look forward to and keeps them occupied.
Recharge Everything
Devices, yourself, everyone. Find outlets. Buy coffee. Reset for the next leg.
Seating Strategy (This Actually Matters)
The Split Method
Our family splits up. One parent with one kid, the other parent with the other kid, either in rows in front of or behind each other.
This minimizes sibling fights and loud chatter. Plus, if one kid melts down, the other parent gets a break.
Aisle vs. Window
Families with young kids often prefer aisle seats for easy bathroom access. With older kids, window seats are great because they can lean against the wall and (hopefully) nap.
Middle seats are the worst. Avoid if possible.
Front of the Plane
Sitting toward the front means less engine noise, quicker boarding, and faster exit. If you can swing it, it’s worth it.
What I’ve Actually Learned After 40+ Trips
Preparation > Perfection
You can’t control everything. But you can stack the deck in your favor with good planning.
That’s why I created my free 5-day email course on traveling to Hawaii like a pro.
It covers way more than just the flight, but getting the flight right sets the tone for your whole trip.
Talk to Your Kids Beforehand
We do a family meeting before every Hawaii trip. We talk about what to expect, how long we’ll be on the plane, why it’s important to stay close in airports, and what we’re excited to do once we land.
Setting expectations helps. A lot.
I also prepare my kids that we’ll be sitting on the plane for a while before it even takes off. Boarding, taxiing, all of it takes time. Better they know that going in.
Dress in Layers
Planes go from hot to freezing and back again. Everyone needs a hoodie or jacket.
Plus, you’ll want those layers if you visit Haleakala Crater on Maui, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, or Waimea Canyon on Kauai. It gets cold at elevation.
The First Trip Is the Hardest
My kids are now pros at flying. They know the routine, they pack their own stuff (mostly), and they actually enjoy it.
Your first Hawaii trip with kids might feel chaotic. That’s normal. By trip two or three, you’ll all have it figured out.
Planning Your Arrival (Because the Flight Is Just the Beginning)
Once you land, you’ll need a car. I always book through Discount Hawaii Car Rental because their rates are consistently better than booking direct, and you can use my referral link for even more savings.
If you’re heading to Maui, check out my complete Maui travel guide for families. Going to Oahu? Here’s my Oahu travel guide. Kauai? This guide covers everything. Big Island? You need this one.
And if you’re island hopping, my Island Hopping Guide will save you hours of research.
Want to capture your Hawaii memories professionally? Book a Flytographer session and save $20 when you use my link.
Trust me, having professional photos in paradise is worth it.
The Bottom Line
Flying to Hawaii with kids isn’t always easy. But it’s absolutely doable, and it’s 100% worth it.
The key is preparation, flexibility, and remembering that this is just one day of your trip. The beaches, the adventures, the memories you’ll make? Those last forever.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by planning (the flight is just one piece of the puzzle), that’s exactly why I offer personalized Hawaii travel consultations.
As a Hawaii travel expert who’s done this dozens of times, I can help you plan every detail so you can just enjoy the journey.
Now pack those bags, load up on snacks, download all the movies, and get ready for an incredible Hawaii adventure.
Your kids might surprise you with how well they handle it. Mine certainly did.
Aloha, and happy travels!
