You Can Let Your Kid Fly a Plane in Hawaii - FULL GUIDE
If you’ve ever watched a small plane take off and thought, “That looks incredible… but also terrifying,” you’re not alone. It was the most surreal bucket list experience ever, especially when my 4 year old took control.
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re considering booking a plane ride in Hawaii, especially if you’re doing it with kids.
Where We Flew: 📍Maui, Hawaii
We flew around Maui and did a 1.5-hour flight around the entire island.
From the air, we saw:
Maui’s coastline from every angle
Waterfalls tucked deep into the mountains
The Haleakala volcano AND all the lava rock to places you can’t reach by car
The islands of: Molokai, Lanai, and Molokini Crater (famous snorkel area)
MY personal favorite: The whales, visible from above
We circled over the whales several times because it was magical seeing them from that perspective.
Who We Booked With (and What Kind of Experience This Is)
We booked with Maui Plane Rides, which offers what’s called a Discovery Flight.
That means:
You’re flying with a FAA-certified flight instructor
You can be as hands on, or hands off, as you want
This is not like the popular helicopter tours. It’s private, calm, and incredibly personal.
Pricing & Booking: What to Expect
Here’s the part everyone asks about.
Pricing (roughly):
~$599+ per plane for up to 3 people (1 hour)
~$1,400+ for up to 5 people on the larger plane
We did the 1.5-hour flight, which covered the full island and multiple surrounding islands
When you do the math per person, it’s actually comparable to other Hawaii activities. We did a Luau last time we were in Hawaii, and it was $200 per person, so this was comparable pricing.
Good to know:
You can book the same day, by calling, but we booked a few weeks in advance
They recommend flying earlier in your trip in case the weather requires rescheduling. We went in January, and the weather was perfect but on other days it was rainy, so just be mindful.
You’re not charged until after the flight (unless you no-show)
Cash payment gets a discount (about 10%) if you want to pay this way make sure you grab your cash before.
What Plane You’ll Fly In
We flew in a single engine cessna which has:
Window seats for everyone
They also have a 5-seat plane (the only one of its kind on Maui), which is great for bigger families.
Is It Safe? (The Honest Answer)
I’ll be real: there was light turbulence, and yes, it made my heart race for a second, OR maybe a lot of seconds but it was mostly smooth.
But here’s why I felt safe:
The pilot was extremely calm, grounded, and reassuring
He narrated everything: “That’s just wind. The earth and air connecting.” So even though we were up in the sky, I felt grounded
We had a safety briefing
Everyone was fitted with life vests (worn around the waist)
The aircraft is maintained under FAA regulations, just like commercial planes
His calmness set the tone for the entire flight, especially for my daughter. She was a natural with the controls.
Letting my 4-Year-Old Fly: What Parents Need to Know
This is the part that surprises people most.
They did not hesitate at all about flying with a 4 year old.
Here’s how it went:
She started buckled in the back seat
Everyone wears headsets with microphones, so you can hear air traffic and talk to each other
About 10 minutes into the flight, once she felt comfortable, she moved up
She sat on my lap and helped fly the plane, even at times the pilot had his hands off to take pictures.
She was able to steer to where she wanted to go
I also got to fly, and I have never felt so free
I’ll be honest, HB was a little scared when we first took off, but quickly she wanted to jump up front and fly herself.
The pilot was so reassuring to her, everything was at her pace, whether she wanted to come up front or not.
It felt empowering, not scary.
Motion Sickness & Comfort Tips
If you’re prone to motion sickness:
Eat light before flying we had our flight at 11:00am so we had time for breakfast before
Take medication if you usually need it
Morning flights tend to be smoother
Turn the fan inside the plane toward you and watch the horizon
We felt some bumps, but nothing extreme. It was far smoother than I expected.
Why This Is Better Than a Helicopter Tour (In My Opinion)
If you didn’t know my husband flys on helicopters for work so thats initally what drew us to the plane to change things up. Here’s why this stood out:
Private experience, you’re renting the whole plane, helicopter tours, you rent a seat, so you may be with strangers since they fly up to 6 people at a time.
Everyone gets a window seat
Quieter and more eco-friendly
You actually get to fly
Way more flexible and personal
Typically, half the cost or more off for families helicotper tours typically run $300+ per person
And if something goes wrong? Planes can safely glide. That fact alone gave me peace of mind.
Who This Experience Is Perfect For
This is ideal if you:
Want a once in a lifetime Hawaii experience
Have a curious kid who loves learning
Want something calmer than a helicopter
Value privacy and flexibility
Want to see Maui (and beyond) in a completely different way
You might skip it if:
You’re extremely sensitive to motion
You want a fully passive, no interaction tour
Final Thoughts
Flying a plane in Hawaii with our child wasn’t just an activity, it was a core memory for me (and her, of course).
It was peaceful. It was grounding 💛✈️
