Hawaiian Airlines’ Mystery Flights: Tahiti-Los Angeles Route Hints at More?

Hawaiian Airlines has scheduled an unprecedented nonstop flight from Papeete, Tahiti, to Los Angeles, starting in Honolulu, this November. That comes together with another unusual flight. While this could be a one-time flight, set for November 5 and 6, it raises questions about whether it signals future expansion plans or is a standalone event.

Under its new Alaska Airlines ownership, Hawaiian Airlines may be testing the waters for a possible new market. Still, for now, we travelers and industry insiders are left wondering about what’s next. We reached out to Alaska

Hawaiian Airlines scheduled the details of this test flight with its widebody Airbus A330-200. The flight departs Honolulu on November 5 at 3:35 PM and arrives in Papeete by 9:30 PM local time. Usually, they only fly on Saturdays to Papette, but this flight is scheduled once a Tuesday. You can purchase tickets for this leg on the Hawaiian Airlines website.

The ongoing flight leaves Papeete on November 6 at 9:00 PM and arrives in Los Angeles the following morning at 6:50 AM. Their flight calendar shows service on November 6 to LAX, but when you go to purchase, no flight is available to book.

Hawaiian Airlines has not commented on whether this flight might be repeated, leaving plenty of room for speculation. It’s possible it is a charter, which seems unusual.

What does this mean for the LAX-Papeete market?

This route is competitive. Currently, it’s served by three major players: Delta Airlines, Air Tahiti Nui, and Air France. Delta operates five flights per week, Air Tahiti Nui runs four, and Air France offers three weekly flights.

Given Air Tahiti Nui’s codeshare partnership with Alaska Airlines, it’s uncertain how Hawaiian Airlines could fit into this market in the long term.

Hawaiian Airlines’ potential advantage lies in its unique Honolulu hub. Connecting Tahiti and Los Angeles with Honolulu might appeal to travelers interested in breaking up their journey with an additional tropical destination.

If Hawaiian Airlines were to offer an enticing stopover program, as they have done previously—it could bring a fresh angle to the market. However, without this kind of differentiation, it’s hard to imagine Hawaiian making a significant impact in an already established, nonstop niche market like Tahiti.

Hawaiian Airlines’ potential strategy.

There’s also speculation that this flight might be part of a broader strategy for Hawaiian Airlines under Alaska Airlines ownership. The combination of Hawaiian’s Pacific expertise with Alaska’s larger domestic network will undoubtedly open up new possibilities for a range of previously untapped routes. This one-off flight could indicate something or be simply a charter request.

We wouldn’t be surprised to see more Hawaiian Airlines connections between Hawaii and the South Pacific. Whether or not this route holds water, Hawaiian Airlines certainly has the infrastructure and fleet to expand its operations in such a way. Others have told us that Alaska/Hawaiian is better off focusing on their core Hawaii-mainland routes and not trying to compete in a seemingly already crowded market.

The U.S.-Tahiti market: small but full of potential.

While relatively small compared to Hawaii, the U.S. market for travel to Tahiti holds significant potential for growth. As noted in our recent comparison of Tahiti vs. Hawaii vacations, the two destinations can be seen as competing options for travelers seeking a tropical paradise.

However, as we clarified, each offers an entirely distinct experience. Hawaii caters to mass tourism with its extensive infrastructure, diverse activities, and proximity to the mainland. On the other hand, Tahiti draws a more niche audience looking for seclusion, luxury, and the appeal of French Polynesian culture.

Despite its appeal, Tahiti has historically attracted only a small number of visitors from the U.S. due to limited and previously expensive flight options. The number of U.S. travelers to Tahiti pales compared to those flocking to Hawaii.

This makes the U.S.-Tahiti flights a potentially unique opportunity for airlines like Hawaiian to expand into a new tropical leisure market. By connecting Los Angeles and Tahiti through its Honolulu hub, Hawaiian Airlines could tap into this largely undeveloped market and offer a new Hawaii gateway for U.S. travelers seeking the idyllic islands of French Polynesia.

As we mentioned in our analysis of Tahiti vs. Hawaii, the travel experience to Tahiti is more exclusive. With Hawaiian Airlines’ ability to offer stopovers in Honolulu, this new flight could entice more travelers looking for a combination of incredible experiences.

By potentially entering this market, Hawaiian Airlines could add competition and provide additional options, especially for those considering a dual-vacation itinerary.

Would this be a good deal for travelers?

This one-time flight reflects a unique routing, conjuring dreams for those looking to combine a Hawaiian vacation with a trip to Tahiti. The ability to fly from Honolulu to Papeete and then onward to Los Angeles (or vice versa) opens up new possibilities for savvy tropical travelers.

However, this routing might not appeal to everyone. With multiple nonstop options already in place between LAX and Papeete, some travelers may prefer the simplicity of flying directly in under eight hours without a stopover. In this case, the new flight would be a niche offering, particularly for those looking to incorporate a stop in Hawaii as part of a broader itinerary.

The bottom line on this Hawaiian flight.

At this point, it’s difficult to say whether this flight marks the beginning of a new era for Hawaiian Airlines or is simply a one-off experience. While the flight details and timing are exciting, the lack of additional scheduled flights leaves us in wait-and-see mode.

For now, this route remains a curiosity, and whether it becomes anything more will likely depend on the combined airline’s broader strategic plans under Alaska Airlines ownership. Hawaiian Airlines has the infrastructure and reputation to make such a route work, but it will ultimately come down to demand and long-term market positioning.

What do you think? Would this route make sense for Hawaiian Airlines, or will it remain a unique one-off?

Route information courtesy Aeroroutes.