Doors on or doors off?
Doors-off flights give you open-air views and the best photos, without glare through windows. They’re louder and windier, have higher minimum ages (often 10 or older), and usually allow only a phone on a lanyard. Doors-on flights, like Blue Hawaiian’s Eco-Star, are quieter and suit kids and nervous flyers. If you’re traveling as a pair, a private flight such as Mauna Loa’s guarantees every seat is a window seat.
What you’ll see
- Nā Pali Coast: the 17-mile wall of cliffs up to 3,000 feet tall, with valleys and sea caves.
- Waimea Canyon: valleys more than 3,600 feet deep, closed to visitors on the ground as of October 2026.
- Manawaiopuna Falls (the “Jurassic Park” falls) in Hanapēpē Valley, on most routes.
- Waiʻaleʻale: the crater at the island’s wet heart, on routes that go there when the clouds allow.
Rather fly for less? Wings Over Kauai’s six-seat airplane circles the island in about 65 minutes, for roughly a third of a typical helicopter fare.
Booking tips
- Book early in your stay. Weather can cancel flights, and an early booking leaves room to rebook.
- Give accurate weights. Every operator weighs or asks, and some require an extra seat above about 230–250 pounds.
- Skip scuba diving in the 24 hours before you fly.
