Maui air tour tips

Will you get airsick on a small plane tour over Maui?

You might: guests describe air currents over the mountains bouncing the plane, and a few got airsick.

One guest on the 90-minute flight wrote: "I will caution those who [...] have a tendency to have airsickness to take something, before going up." Another called the plane "INCREDIBLY bumpy". Others had an easy ride; a guest on the Circle Island flight who "occasionally get[s] air sick" said the pilot made sure that guest stayed comfortable the whole way.

The CDC's motion sickness advice applies here: eat small amounts, limit alcohol and caffeine, drink water, and look at the horizon. Its list of medicines includes Dramamine and scopolamine, many of which cause drowsiness, so ask a doctor first.

What should you wear on a Maui air tour?

Dark, comfortable clothes and shoes you can climb into a small plane with.

Dark tops reflect less in the window. Air Maui asks every Complete Island passenger to wear dark clothing for exactly that reason. One plane guest's advice was simple: "Wear comfortable clothes and shoes." The flights require full mobility, so skip anything that makes stepping up into the cabin awkward.

For the doors-off helicopter the rules are stricter: closed-toe shoes or ankle-strap sandals, no flip-flops, no hats or sunglasses, long hair tied up. One guest warned that a loose bun ended up "completely matted".

How do you take good photos through the window?

Hold the lens close to the glass, shoot away from the sun and keep your phone settings simple.

The 60-minute and Haleakala listings mention non-tinted windows. Pressing the phone almost flat to the window kills most reflections, and a dark sleeve helps. Glare is the big complaint on the helicopters: one Complete Island guest wrote that "the windows had glare, so the media package is worth it", and another found rear-seat shots distorted.

Take a few frames, then put the phone down. The view is the point.

Why do they ask for your weight?

Small aircraft are loaded by weight and balance, so the plane listings ask for each passenger's weight in pounds at booking.

The Maui Plane Rides listings do not publish a weight limit; they ask for the "accurate weight of EACH passenger". The helicopters are stricter. Air Maui sets 230 lbs per passenger on the doors-off flight and 240 lbs on the Complete Island flight, with extra-seat rules for combined weights, and warns that under-stating weight can mean cancellation at check-in with no refund. Maverick charges an extra seat above 275 lbs, paid on the day.

What time of day is best for an air tour?

Morning, early in your trip: if clouds or wind scrub the flight, you still have time to rebook.

A morning slot leaves you the rest of the day, and the rest of the week, if clouds or wind scrub the flight. On Haleakala, the National Park Service warns that conditions can change quickly. The 5 Island flight is booked 59 days ahead on average, so do not leave it to your last morning. Whale season runs from November through April, according to NOAA's humpback whale sanctuary.

Want the whole county from your own cabin? The 90-minute flight takes 2 to 5 travelers over five islands.

★ 5.0 · 90 minutes · from $536

Explore the 5 Island private flight → Tour details

Can kids fly on a Maui air tour?

On the plane, yes: the listing sets no minimum age, but every traveler pays the adult rate.

The doors-off helicopter starts at 10, the Hana gyrocopter at 12, and the Complete Island helicopter takes infants under 24 months on a lap. The CDC notes that motion sickness is more common in children aged 2 to 12, so plan snacks and a window seat. For the price side, see Maui private flight prices.

Where do you check in, and when should you arrive?

At the Maui Plane Rides spot by the Private Aviation gate on Eena Street, Kahului Airport, at the time you booked.

The listing says no early check-in is needed: arrive at your booked time. Follow the Maui Plane Rides signs, pass the tall control tower, take the first left and park. A guest mentions clean restrooms before and after the flight. Air Maui asks you to call 808-877-7005 at least 72 hours ahead for your check-in time, and Maverick needs an original photo ID for everyone over 18.

What if something is not right on the day?

Speak up before take-off: about the headset, your seat or the route.

A few guests wrote about hearing other radio traffic in their headphones, a cabin they felt was worn, and a pilot who asked them for five-star reviews. You owe nobody a rating on the spot, and a tip is optional. If the weather looks heavy, call Maui Plane Rides on 808-800-6394; on Viator you can cancel free up to 24 hours before.

Frequently asked questions