Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to Solomon Islands

Direct flight routes to Solomon Islands

Direct flights to Solomon Islands from Australasia are limited but regular services exist.

• Brisbane (BNE) to Honiara (HIR) – Solomon Airlines – 3h 15m


• Sydney (SYD) to Honiara (HIR) – Solomon Airlines – 4h


• Port Vila (VLI) to Honiara (HIR) – Solomon Airlines – 2h 15m


• Port Moresby (POM) to Honiara (HIR) – Air Niugini – 2h 45m

Layover/stopover options

Brisbane International Airport (BNE) serves as the primary connecting hub for Solomon Islands flights. Solomon Airlines uses BNE as their main international hub, with typical connection times of 3-4 hours. The airport offers excellent facilities and overnight accommodation options.

Port Moresby (POM) functions as a secondary hub through Air Niugini connections. Average layover times are 4-6 hours, though facilities are more basic compared to Australian airports. Immigration-free transit is available for international connections.

Nadi International Airport (NAN) offers connections via Fiji Airways, with typical layovers of 5-7 hours. The airport features a dedicated transit hotel and good shopping facilities.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command premium prices but offer significant time savings. Multi-stop options through secondary hubs can reduce costs by 20-40% but add 6-12 hours to total journey time.

Tips and recommendations

• Midweek flights often offer better availability and lower fares than weekend services.


• Brisbane connections provide the most reliable schedules during wet season (November-April).


• Book at least 60 days ahead for direct flights as they operate with smaller aircraft and fill quickly.


• Consider routing through Port Moresby if traveling from northern Australia, as connections are often better coordinated.


• Many carriers offer free stopover programs in hub cities, effectively giving you two destinations for the price of one.

• Solomon Airlines’ direct flights from Brisbane offer the most convenient access, operating four times weekly with reasonable fares around AUD 650-750 return. Their Airbus A320 features a comfortable 32-inch pitch in economy, making the 3-hour journey more pleasant than smaller aircraft alternatives.
• Consider routing through Port Moresby with Air Niugini, which often offers lower fares than direct flights and provides good connections from Sydney, Brisbane, and Cairns. Their modern Boeing 737s feature entertainment systems and a generous 33-inch seat pitch, though layovers in Port Moresby can extend travel time significantly.
• Virgin Australia’s partnership with Solomon Airlines allows booking through their Velocity program, offering significant points earning and redemption opportunities. Booking through Virgin can also provide better cancellation policies and often includes free seat selection.
• For travelers from New Zealand, the most economical route is usually flying Air New Zealand to Brisbane then connecting to Solomon Airlines, with total return fares typically around NZD 1,200-1,400. This routing offers superior comfort on the long-haul segment with Air New Zealand’s modern aircraft.
• Watch for seasonal fare drops during February-March, when Solomon Airlines often discounts flights by up to 25% to counter lower demand during the wet season. Despite occasional weather disruptions, this period offers the best value for budget-conscious travelers.

1. Ignoring alternative routes via Port Moresby Many travelers only look for direct flights to Honiara from Brisbane while routing through Port Moresby on Air Niugini can often be cheaper and offers more schedule flexibility.
2. Booking too close to Solomon Islands’ peak season Flights during July-August and December-January can be significantly more expensive due to visiting expatriates and holiday travelers, yet many tourists fail to book at least 3-4 months ahead for these periods.
3. Not checking aircraft type on connecting routes Some connections to Henderson International Airport use smaller aircraft with strict baggage limits, but travelers often assume the same allowance as their international flight from Australia or New Zealand.
4. Missing the last flight connection in Brisbane Since most flights to Honiara operate only few times per week, missing the Brisbane connection due to a tight layover from other Australian cities can result in days-long delays.
5. Overlooking early morning arrival requirements Many travelers don’t realize that Henderson International Airport has limited operating hours and strict security procedures, requiring arrival at least 3 hours before early morning international departures.

Solomon Airlines

Best for: direct flights from Brisbane, Australia to Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Solomon Airlines operates regular direct flights from Brisbane to Honiara with their Airbus A320. Serves 1 departure airport. While their Economy Class product is basic, they provide complimentary meals and beverages. Seats offer standard legroom with 30-31 inch pitch. Passengers appreciate the friendly cabin crew and efficient 3-hour direct service, though inflight entertainment is limited to overhead screens.

Virgin Australia

Best for: modern aircraft and superior inflight entertainment options.

Operating from 3 departure cities (Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne) with connections through Brisbane to Honiara. Their Boeing 737s offer comfortable Economy seats with 31-inch pitch and personal device streaming entertainment. Passengers rate their meals higher than competitors, and the airline consistently receives positive reviews for customer service. Most connections involve reasonable layover times in Brisbane.

Air Niugini

Best for: extensive network connecting multiple Australasian cities to Solomon Islands.

Serves 4 departure airports (Brisbane, Sydney, Cairns, and Port Moresby) with connections through Port Moresby. Their Boeing 767 and 737 aircraft offer decent Economy Class comfort with 32-inch pitch. Full-service meals are provided, though their quality receives mixed reviews. Layovers in Port Moresby can be lengthy, but the airline maintains good on-time performance.

Qantas

Best for: reliability and comprehensive frequent flyer benefits.

Operates from 3 major cities (Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne) with codeshare connections to Honiara. Their Economy Class provides 30-31 inch seat pitch with high-quality entertainment systems. Passengers consistently praise their meal service and professional crew. While most routes require a connection, their extensive network offers good flexibility with flight times and competitive fares.

Smart routing through regional hubs

Travelers from Australia and New Zealand to Solomon Islands can often save significantly by leveraging regional APAC carriers instead of booking direct flights. This strategy requires understanding the hub-and-spoke system of Pacific aviation.

Key money-saving routes

1. Book separate tickets with Air Niugini through Port Moresby, often cheaper than direct flights to Honiara
2. Use Solomon Airlines‘ partnerships with Virgin Australia for combined fares
3. Consider Fiji Airways connections through Nadi, especially when departing from New Zealand

Timing and flexibility tips

Mid-week departures via regional carriers typically offer better rates. booking 2-3 months ahead through regional airlines’ own websites, rather than global booking engines, can unlock special regional fares not available elsewhere.

Additional savings opportunities

Join regional frequent flyer programs like Air Niugini’s Paradise Club or Fiji Airways’ Tabua Club. These often provide better value for Pacific routes than major alliance programs and offer exclusive regional discounts.