When I’ve written about the plethora of fake reviews inhabiting TripAdvisor and other review sites, your comments have often stated that savvy shoppers can spot fake reviews. Well think again. Fake travel reviews are both widespread and highly sophisticated. In a word, it’s a huge business and no you cannot spot fake reviews: A recent [...]

While not having mentioned them before, I’ve been keeping my eyes on Richard Branson’s SFO-based airline for some time. Virgin America remains on a mission to expand their unique feel good brand, with top notch service, new planes, and other innovations. They’ve received accolades including “Best Domestic Airline” in Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards for three consecutive [...]

Right on schedule, Alaska announced a new flight today between San Diego and Honolulu. It marks the ongoing rapid expansion into Hawaii by the Seattle based carrier, which now has eighteen direct flights to the islands from the U.S. Mainland. $149 Introductory Fare from San Diego to Honolulu The new flight will operate daily starting [...]

I’m still following the proposed Hawaii service from Allegiant Travel, as well as moves by Alaska Air and Southwest. Today, Allegiant announced they’ve received approval to begin operating 757 aircraft. Prior to Hawaii, the company will use the planes on routes from Las Vegas to McAllen, Texas and Rockford, Illinois. In a nutshell, Allegiant is nearly [...]

An FAA audit just released raises concerns about Hawaiian Airlines‘ aircraft maintenance. At question is a report that their Philippine based repair center failed to meet U.S. regulations. Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) performs line maintenance work according to a follow-up press release from Hawaiian. Other sources including Associated press had indicated that the facility was [...]

It’s been a full year since we reported that Hawaii was to get direct service to Shanghai. Today the announcement became official according to the Shanghai Daily. Starting August 9 you can fly straight through on SkyTeam. It’s Delta to Honolulu connecting with China Eastern to Shanghai. This is the first ever service connecting Hawaii [...]

Japanese owned 7-Eleven recently announced plans to double its presence in Hawaii. They will add 46 stores to the existing 55 stores on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island over the next five years.  The chain which first came to Hawaii over thirty years ago has 41,000 stores nationwide. Does 7-Eleven’s Expansion Cut Into ABC Territory? ABC [...]

For our 1,000th post on Beat of Hawaii, we were hoping for a good deal to bring you. Unfortunately, it’s turned into sad news of yet another deadly crash involving an Ultralight aircraft.  Today’s fatal flight took off from Hanapepe’s Port Allen field here on Kauai. Our thoughts go first to those killed and their [...]

We learned recently that MLT Vacations has signed an agreement with United Airlines to sell bulk inventory to Hawaii. While MLT may not be a familiar brand, they are the company behind Continental Vacations, Delta Vacations, United Vacations and Worry-Free Vacations. At the same time, it appears that Pleasant Holidays is no longer selling United [...]

We recently reported the aircraft spotting of Allegiant’s first two 757′s flying in Europe for other carriers. This still unexplained situation caused us to speculate that Allegiant might not ever make it to Hawaii’s shores. You can read more about where those planes went, and why Allegiant might be changing Hawaii plans here. Since then, [...]