The intent, United said, is to give Hawaii residents a break and to boost traffic in a normally flat period. The low fares apply only to flights originating in the islands.
Starting at $249 for a round trip from Honolulu to either Los Angeles or San Francisco, the fares are good for travel through Dec. 18. The lowest fare previously available on those routes was $312.
Tickets must be purchased at least two days before travel to the West Coast and at seven days before travel farther inland. Also, the low fares are capacity controlled, meaning a limited number of seats on each flight will be available at the low price.
"We believe a reduction in our fares for Hawaii-originating passengers makes economic sense as a vehicle to stimulate travel during the traditionally quieter fall season," said Norm Reeder, United's managing director-Hawaii.
The fares are available on off-peak days, which United defines as Mondays through Thursdays. There are no holiday blackouts.
The fare to West Coast points other than Los Angeles or San Francisco is $299. On peak days, Fridays through Sundays, the West Coast round-trip fares are $30 higher.
Bigger savings are available on flights to the continental interior and the East Coast. For example, United's lowest posted Honolulu-Atlanta round-trip fare is $479, down from the previous low of $782; A new Honolulu-New York fare of $499 is down from the previous low of $756.
Weekend fares to the Midwest and beyond are $120 higher per round trip than the off-peak fares.
Other airlines had not matched United's move early today.
United said that under new rules governing the nation's computer reservations system, it is unable to say how long the sale will last. For now, there is no posted last day to purchase.
David Fuller of International Travel Service Inc. said travel agents' computers listing the new fares this morning showed there are restrictions on seat availability and travelers could find themselves restricted to certain flights on the San Francisco route.
However, the new fares are available on all Los Angeles flights, he said. Travelers to points beyond the West Coast will not be able to make stopovers on the way at those fares, Fuller said.
But they are definitely good prices for Hawaii residents, he said. "It's a good deal."