Enough time for connecting flight?

Question

Would 45 minutes be enough to get from one plane to another?

My flight home from OGG leaves at 12:15pm but I'll be flying in from HNL that morning. There is a flight from HNL to OGG that lands at 11:30am leaving me 45 minutes to get off one plane and board another. Both are Hawaiian Airlines and I'd be traveling with carry-on only.

There are earlier flights from HNL to OGG but either it's higher for mileage redemption or I'd be sitting at OGG for 3.5 hours.

Answer

In general, 45 minutes for a connection at OGG (Kahului Airport) between two Hawaiian Airlines flights could be tight but is usually doable, especially since both flights are on the same airline and you're only traveling with carry-on luggage. However, there are a few factors to consider to ensure that you make your connection smoothly:

Same Terminal Connections: Hawaiian Airlines generally operates both inter-island and mainland flights from the same terminal at OGG. If both your incoming and outgoing flights are in the same terminal, the walk between gates should be relatively quick. However, if you need to change terminals (which is uncommon for Hawaiian Airlines), it could take longer.
Carry-On Only: Since you're only traveling with carry-on luggage, you won’t need to worry about waiting at baggage claim, which is a big advantage. This should give you a little more time to make your connection.
Flight Delays: While 45 minutes is technically enough, the real challenge could come if your flight from HNL (Honolulu) is delayed. Hawaiian Airlines is usually good about keeping their inter-island flights on time, but delays can still happen, especially in busy travel periods. If your HNL-OGG flight arrives late, you may not have enough time to catch your next flight.
Boarding Process: Keep in mind that flights often board 30-45 minutes before departure. If your HNL-OGG flight lands at 11:30 am, you would need to get off the plane, go through the airport, and board your 12:15 pm flight quickly. Hawaiian Airlines is generally good at handling tight connections, but it’s always helpful to notify the gate agents about your connection if you’re running short on time.

Here are a few tips to make the most of your 45-minute window:

Sit Near the Front: If possible, try to sit near the front of the plane on your flight from HNL to OGG to ensure that you're one of the first passengers off. This can save precious time.
Be Ready to Move: Once you land at OGG, move quickly through the airport. OGG isn’t a large airport, so it should be fairly easy to navigate, but it’s still important to be proactive and alert to gate changes.
Check Flight Status: Keep an eye on your flight status in case there are any changes or delays. You can also check with Hawaiian Airlines staff upon arrival to confirm if your connection is on time or if there are any updates.

While 45 minutes is tight, it's often enough time for inter-island connections at OGG, especially on Hawaiian Airlines, which typically has short connection times between flights. However, if you’re concerned about the risk of a missed connection or just want to be safe, you could opt for an earlier flight from HNL, even though you’d have to wait longer at OGG.

In any case, it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. Hawaiian Airlines tends to be accommodating with rebooking in the event of a missed connection, especially if both flights are on the same airline.

Enough time for connecting flight?

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