New routes and inaugural flights were announced today that will utilize Hawaiian Airlines‘ new fleet of planes. This isn’t just a new plane for Hawaiian but an entirely new way of doing business using smaller single-aisle planes.
The new 18 aircraft fleet, the first plane of which has already been delivered, will start to enter service starting this month. The planes feature a silver maile leaf lei around the fuselage in addition to the iconic Pualani tail image.
More New Routes, Sale, Inaugural | Hawaiian Airlines A321neo
First, the company is launching daily non-stop service between San Diego and Maui starting May 1. That route is on sale starting today from $199 each way from May 1 to 24.
Today Hawaiian also introduced A321neo service on seasonal flights. Those include service between San Francisco and Honolulu, and Oakland and Kona. Hawaiian will also be adding seasonal summer flights between Los Angeles and Maui and between Honolulu and Tokyo, supplementing existing daily service on each route.
“We are delighted to offer travelers more options to visit our islands next summer.” — Peter Ingram, HA executive vice president.
The routes announced today are in addition to four routes previously announced using the new Hawaiian Airlines A321neo single aisle jets.
The new routes have already created a stir in the industry, even before Southwest Airlines Hawaii flights begin. In addition, United Airlines Hawaii flights are set to expand significantly starting this month while Delta will start nonstop service between Seattle and Lihue in direct competition with Alaska Airlines.
Why Beat of Hawaii is excited about the new A321neo fleet.
With these planes come some of the best opportunities for improved pricing in the Hawaii air market. Specifically, these new planes allow Hawaiian to be more cost effective, and compete strategically for the first time on many existing and new routes. They will battle with both Alaska Airlines and the legacy carriers’ American, Delta and United. Those companies already use smaller, right-sized 737 and Airbus fleets. Previously, Hawaiian only flew wide-body planes which severely limited viable routes.
Other Routes That Will Feature A321neo starting this month
Hawaiian plans to have crew familiarization flights for the A321neo starting December 19. You’ll find the planes flying between Honolulu and Kauai, Maui and Kona for three days, then again for six days starting December 26. Check flights on these routes if you want to be one of the first to try out the new aircraft.
Previously announced routes on Hawaiian Airlines A321
Oakland to Maui. Hawaiian’s inaugural A321 service between the West Coast and Hawaii starts January 8 on its existing Oakland to Maui service. Check for competitive pricing on this route.
Portland to Maui. Nonstop daily service starts January 18, 2018. Check for competitive pricing on this route.
Los Angeles to Kona. Nonstop daily service starts March 11, 2018. Plane will initially be 767 until A321neo takes the route sometime next summer (not yet showing on schedule).
Oakland to Lihue. Nonstop daily service starts April 11, 2018. Check for competitive pricing on this route.
Get our updates and we’ll let you know when all of these route are on sale.
Learn more about the new Hawaiian Airlines A321neo fleet and what you can expect: Hawaiian Airlines’ New Fleet | Routes, Design, Seating, Entertainment
Updated 12/04/17.
Hello,
Lots of inquiries about flights from different cities.
So, I will add mine. Any chance in a non stop from ABQ to the islands?
Thank you,
Darlene
Hi Darlene.
We haven’t heard anything about ABQ although we know a lot of folk who travel here from there. What we can say is that it is now doable using the new planes from Boeing and Airbus.
Aloha.
Why is Los Angeles always the most expensive flight to and from the islands? Nobody will fly out of Orange County or Ontario. There is a ton of people that have to do the two hour drive into Los Angeles to come to the islands. I feel discriminated against geographically and financially!
With the new planes, will Hawaiian Airlines continue their meal service? The meals aren’t much, but we really feel a sense of aloha when you get something that other airlines don’t offer. I hope it continues.
I hope Hawaiian Airlines starts Service from Hilo to Los Angeles someday. Maybe three times a week with A321 Neo.
I see you advertise that Portland to Maui is on sale for $249. When I go to look at the airfaires, they are way higher than that. So how do you get the $249 price?
Hawaiian Airlines has a huge market in Las Vegas (the 9th island), many of which come from Maui or live on Maui and would love to have a direct flight to Vegas. The A321neo would be the perfect size plane for daily flights to Vegas and should easily be sold out. I believe at the last chamber of commerce meeting on Maui the VP of HA was bombarded with questions asking when they will bring back these direct flights and he sounded like this was a top priority.
One day I would enjoy Hawaiian Airlines flying none stop and have larger planes from Sacramento to Maui,KOA etc…But it is the evil step child to Oakland. With one flight a day out SMF is still not pulling enough traffic in.
Hi….it’s fantastic to read about the awesome deals from the West to Hawaii…. how can we get airfares close to these out of Houston, TX ? United owns the non-stop market to Hawaii and airfares are ridiculous. No Summer sales this way….
Fly out of Orange County, CA (SNA), or at least Long Beach!
Aloha used to fly out of Orange County, and since then we’ve had to make the trek to LAX to get to the islands!
Any updates as to when Southwest might start to fly to the Islands?! Just trying to figure out if I should wait to buy my tickets for March – would like to know if SW will be an option for that time frame.
Looks like the same ol destinations from the same airports. One day while I’m still alive, I would like to see a mainland flight from Hawaiian out of Hilo. If I have to go to Kona, I have plenty of better choices that will take me all over the country instead of just to the west coast. disapointed for sure. One thing I have noticed from Hawaiian though is that they are at the top for the price of tickets to the mainland. Look out otherwise new aircraft will not help you if you price yourself out of your own market.
Any word on flights from Chicago to Kona? I’ve always wanted to fly on HA, but no flights from ORD.
Hello! Will there be any flights to or from Kansas City, MO (MCI) anytime soon? My family and I are flying to Honolulu in November for a wedding out of KC.
Hi Jennifer.
There will be nothing new from MCI unfortunately. You have a lot of choices, so check fares and connecting flight/layover duration.
Aloha.
Very anxious to see the upcoming additional flights