Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330 receiving a nice farewell. Photo from Hawaiian Airlines.
This past week, Hawaiian Airlines launched another new route to its network: Honolulu to Auckland, New Zealand. The new service will use their 294-seat Airbus A330-200.
The new service will be three days a week; Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Honolulu (HA 445) and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from Auckland (HA 446). This new route makes Hawaiian the only US carrier to serve Auckland.
’œWe have been delighted by the interest in our new service, both here at home and in New Zealand,’ said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO. ’œThe deep cultural connections between our islands and the islands of Aotearoa make New Zealand a natural destination for Hawaiian and for our singular brand of authentic Hawaiian hospitality.’
Hawaiian Dancers celebrate the New Zealand flight. Photo from Hawaiian Airlines.
’œThe United States is a vital market for New Zealand leisure and business travel, and is a key focus for our marketing efforts given the significant potential for growth that exists,” Tourism New Zealand’s Chief Executive Kevin Bowler stated.
This is the first of three new services announced to launch this year, along with Sendai, Japan and Taipei, Taiwan. In the last couple of years the airline’s aggressive expansion has included numerous routes to Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Tahiti, American Samoa and increased service to Australia.
The inaugural flight of HA 445 was celebrated with gate side festivities that included Hawaiian music and hula, a performance honoring the Maori culture and a traditional Hawaiian blessing
Hawaiian Airlines Maori Dancers during inaugural celebration. Photo from Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines has also announced that it plans to move up its Portland to Honolulu Airbus A330-200 launch date as it is taking earlier than expected delivery of new aircraft. The route is currently flown using a Boeing 767. Portland can now expect the A330 to start service on April 20th, which is about three weeks early.
The airline has been in the process of replacing their aging Boeing 767-300’s and has also announced orders for the Airbus A321neo as they continue their rapid expansion across the Pacific.
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This story written by…Brandon Farris, Correspondent.
Brandon is an avid aviation geek based in Seattle. He got started in Photography and Reporting back in 2010. He loves to travel where ever he has to to cover the story and try to get the best darn shot possible. |