Did you know you could flight-see Oahu on a bi-plane and you can also see it via a high-performance glider.
 Air Tours - Airplane Tours Oahu |
 Hawaii Expedition and Adventures - Visit Father Damiens Molokai |
| Interisland Airways - Air Tour of Oahu and Molokai |
| Island Seaplane Service - Air Tours of Oahu |
| Makani Kai Air Chartrs - Kalaupapa Tour |
| The Original Glider Rides - Glider Rides of Oahu |
| Helicopter
Tours and Rides in Oahu |
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to Helicopters Tours in Oahu |
Oahu Air Tours and Airplane Flights
Air Tours of Oahu by Airplane are a great way to see the island and are a great value!
Most people tend to think about Oahu as simply Honolulu and Waikiki, but it is much more. Like the other Hawaiian Islands, much of Oahu can only truly be seen from the vantage point of an air tour above. Not only do we provide helicopter air tours of Oahu, but we also have fixed-wing airplane tours, seaplanes and glider rides as well.
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Tom Barefoot's Travel Forum - Oahu Air Tours |
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Hawaii Air Tour - Hawaii Airplane Tours |
The discussion will occasionally come up regarding the relative performance and enjoyment of an airplane air tour over Oahu as compared to a helicopter tour. There are some distinct differences but many don't realize many of the positives that come up on the side of Oahu air tours by airplane.
First of all, will you see the island as well from an air tour airplane flight Certainly, you will fly over the exact same areas on your fixed-wing air tour. You won't be missing any of the areas you might see otherwise. As far as actually being able to see the spots below from your airplane tour, there is no question that these aircraft are designed for sightseeing and usually have the wings above the viewing windows to give a greater view of the scenery below and the windows themselves are often enlarged for better viewing. Although helicopters have the ability to hover which airplane tours do not, this actually makes fairly little difference as it has been my observation on many of the helicopter flights of Oahu that the helicopter air flights simply go on at a steady pace and rarely uses their hovering capabilities to actually stop in mid-air to view a single location, although this can and does happen.
I can honestly say that of the many photos that I have taken from the air on air tours, you would have a hard time discerning whether I had taken the photo from an airplane air tour or from a helicopter.
For all intents and purposes, flying over Oahu on a fixed-wing air tour or a helicopter are both going to give you the "lay of the land" and you'll have essentially the same impression of the beauty of the island below on either.
The one big difference you will notice about your flight on an air tour by airplane is that the pricing will be substantially less. Your time in the air will usually be longer as well even at the reduced price point. If price is a concern for you, you should consider the airplane air tour option if only for this reason.
In addition to the more traditional airplane air tours offered on Oahu are also air tour flights by seaplane that take-off and land on the water and glider rides in which large gliders are towed into the air by another airplane and then allowed to drift in the thermals and air currents in the North Shore area before landing at an air-strip at Dillingham Airfield.
Tom's Tips - Air Tours and Airplane Flights on Oahu
The low "stall-speed" of many of the air tour airplanes allow the aircraft to fly very slow providing a longer view of the areas below
Many island tours will fly back to Honolulu from the North Shore on the same trajectory as the squadrons of aircraft flown by the Japanese when they bombed Pearl Harbor. This provides a sobering view of that moment in history that will live with you for the rest of your life.
I had never before flown on a sea-plane and taking off from Keehi Lagoon was quite an experience.
Wow! Glider flights are amazing. I wish we had them on other islands of Hawaii other than just Oahu.
Air Tours and Air Plane Rides in Oahu - Options Below:
Hawaii Expedition and Adventures Hawaii Expedition and Adventures offers a scenic air tour and informative ground tour of the original Leper Colony. They are devoted to bringing people who are truly interested in knowing about the history of Kalaupapa and the legacy of the work that Father Damien left behind. Tour is conducted in one of the old school buses escorted and narrated by one of the residents of Kalaupapa. To visit Kalaupapa and Kalawao today is truly a unique experience. ……(more info) | Price Range: (From: $329.90 - To: $329.90) |
Interisland Airways Interisland Airways offers a narrated flight seeing tour of 2 Hawaiian Islands: Oahu and Molokai. Their private 30 passenger Bombardier Shorts Aircraft is specifically designed for aerial observations. …(more info) | Price Range: (From: $284.90 - To: $284.90) |
Island Seaplane Service The Island Seaplane Service offers a unique way to see the island of Oahu from the air: by seaplane. During the beginning days of tourism in Hawaii PanAm flew its famous "China Clipper's" from the mainland to Hawaii and landed in the gentle waters of Keehi Lagoon on the outskirts of Honolulu. Those days have long been over but the romance of those days is alive and well again when you take a flight via seaplane on the Island Seaplane Service. There is something quite different on these flights…(more info) | Price Range: (From: $139.90 - To: $254.90) |
Makani Kai Air Chartrs Makani Kai Air Charters is a full service aviation company that has been providing air charter and air tours. Located at the Honolulu International Airport. They fly a Nine Passenger Piper Chieftain. The aircraft feature air conditioning, custom leather interiors and extra large windows for premium viewing. All the seats face forward. They also provide free transportation to and from Waikiki hotels. They are available for The Kalaupapa Experience over to Molokai, a tour of Father Damien's Leper Colony and it's history or for Private Charters.
…(more info) | Price Range: (From: $321.90 - To: $321.90) |
The Original Glider Rides The fixed wing Original Glider Rides offer a fantastic soaring glider ride up on Oahu's North Shore. Now here’s something exciting, different and worthwhile! The view of Oahu’s North Shore in sensational on these fixed wing aircraft, and breathtaking and thrilling from the seat of a high-performance bubble-topped glider. Glide effortlessly on the wings of the wind as you enjoy this remarkable experience. This is a personalized adventure allowing for only yourself and your pilot guide or the…(more info) | Price Range: (From: $95.00 - To: $265.00) |
Helicopter Tours on Oahu Helicopter and air tours are undoubtedly the most spectacular way to see the island of Oahu. Most people think of Oahu as just Honolulu and Waikiki but its scenic North Shore and beautiful Koolau and Waianae mountain ranges are truly spectacular. Our favorite Oahu tours are the full island which include a return to the heliport in the valley between the two mountain ranges in the same path that was taken by the Japanese when they bombed Pearl Harbor. Other helicopter tours on Oahu include an evening flight which highlights the Honolulu city lights. | Price Range: (From: $43.90 - To: $6,879.90) |
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Air Tours and Fixed Wing Flights in Oahu - Air tours on Oahu are a bit more exciting than you might think. For one, Oahu is somewhat smaller than the other islands so it's the perfect size for the one hour tour. Also, there is so much to see in a small area that you always have a constant and interesting visual out your window. On other islands you often have to travel miles over similar terrain but on Oahu the new views just never stop happening. You're choice of aircraft also varies on Oahu. Not only do we have your choice of helicopter, either doors on or doors off, but we also have a fabulous seaplane ride and the glider rides over the North Shore.
