Delta Airlines is expanding its Hawaii presence with new flights starting in October between Honolulu and Tokyo International, aka Haneda (HND). The airline also announced that it contributed $250,000 to the American Red Cross and immediately delivered supplies to Hawaii to support those affected by the wildfires in Maui.
The new service will be daily between Tokyo International and Honolulu International airports. This route was previously planned but delayed due to Covid. The Tokyo Haneda airport is the closest to downtown, just over 18 miles from the city center. Narita, on the other hand, is 50 miles from downtown.
It’s great to see that Delta has interest and sees more potential in Hawaii flights, both domestically and internationally, as is made evident by this new widebody daily service. It will be on the airline’s Boeing 767-300ER, which offers lie-flat business, premium economy, and economy cabins.
Delta is also planning on upgrading its onboard service with chef-curated meals (food on Delta has been one of our big complaints), in addition to build your own ice cream sundaes and more in the business cabin. Both Western and Japanese cuisine options will be featured in all three cabins.
“As travel demand gradually recovers in Japan, we decided to add the new Honolulu service to our HND network, our commitment to both markets remains strong. Customers will enjoy more options and destinations from Haneda, with Delta’s unparalleled premium experience on the ground and in the air.”
Victor Osumi, Delta’s Managing Director and President – Japan.
Delta Flight 180 will depart Haneda daily at 9:00 p.m. and, crossing the international dateline, will arrive in Honolulu at 8:55 a.m. the same day. Delta Flight 181 will depart Honolulu at 2:00 p.m. and arrive Haneda at 6:45 p.m. the next day.
I don’t know how this is new? These flights have been bookable for awhile… Delta is flying this one and prolly Portland to haneda to avoid losing their slots allocated
I hear many companies have donated money to the American red cross for maui victims, I just hope all that money ends up in the hands of those people that need it desperately. From what were being told is that the American red cross hasn’t even made a presence in maui, let alone help the fire victims.
Delta has the worst Mileage program on the planet. Their miles are almost worthless…..often referred to as “Sky Pesos” by those that know mileage programs.
I just did a quick look at the required mileage for a 1 way business class seat HND to HNL and it was anywhere from 165,000 to over 200,000 Delta miles plus other costs! Laughable!!
The Japanese are well aware of the high prices in Hawaii. The cost of plane fare, food, hotel, rental cars etc. are keeping them away. Only the truly wealthy are traveling to Hawaii. Today’s US$/Japanese Yen rate is 146 which makes travelling to the US, let alone Hawaii tough. Also, the Japanese government is encouraging domestic travel which makes more sense to most Japanese.
Now there is a premium select option? From my calculations that makes at least 7 levels of seating! Isn’t it enough to have first class, and then just one class for the rest of us who are traveling by airplane?!
This flight may not last. Haneda is slot controlled and despite Delta asking the DOT to allow them to transfer this slot to another US to Japan route, they were told to use it or lose it. United and American have both requested the slot to use elsewhere if Delta didn’t fly it.
Poor Maui. During emergencies some people aren’t thinking straight. Telling people not to come is what’s heard. It will be awhile before Maui can get tourists back because of the first comments. Hope they can hang on till then.
I landed at Narita one time, and the pilot said “Welcome to Narita Airport, serving Narita Japan.”.
There is a city of Narita, patronized by air crews.
Haneida is much closer to Tokyo, served by a local train.