From Waikoloa and Hilo
The Big Island Spectacular starts over Kilauea and the landscape left by the 2018 eruption, passes black sand beaches and then follows the rainforest of the Hamakua Coast to the valleys of the Kohala Mountains. The version with a landing sets down at Laupahoehoe Nui, a grassy pad below cliffs, where you step out beside a freshwater pool and a waterfall. Discover Hilo is the short way to the volcano: 50 minutes over Kilauea, new lava land, black-sand beaches and waterfalls. Its listing says the flight needs good weather; if it is cancelled for weather, you get another date or a full refund.
From Kailua-Kona
Rainbow's 60-minute Hualalai flight stays on the west side: the Kaloko fish ponds, Kailua Bay, Magic Sands Beach, Kona coffee farms, Kealakekua Bay with the Captain Cook Monument and the Place of Refuge, then up to the Ka'upulehu Crater and Hualalai. The 90-minute Kohala flight adds Mauna Loa, the summit of Mauna Kea in the distance and the waterfalls of the Pololu and Waimanu valleys before circling Waipio Valley. Rainbow's 90-minute Kilauea flight heads for the volcano and the Kona coast; its listing does not name the departure point.
Volcano views and what to bring
How much glowing lava you see depends on what Kilauea is doing on the day of your flight; Blue Hawaiian's Hilo listing says volcanic activity varies hourly. Rainbow asks for warm clothing, a jacket and closed-toe shoes on its Big Island flights, and includes parking. Blue Hawaiian wants you at check-in 60 minutes before the Spectacular and 45 minutes before Discover Hilo; parking at the Hilo Heliport is extra.
