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Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., Hawaii’s largest and longest-serving airline, is headquartered in Honolulu and operates its primary hub at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), with a secondary hub at Kahului Airport (OGG). Founded on January 30, 1929, as Inter-Island Airways, it became Hawaiian Airlines in 1941 and has provided over 90 years of continuous service. The airline serves 32 destinations, including 16 U.S. mainland cities, six international destinations in Asia and the South Pacific, and inter-island routes connecting Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. Carrying approximately 12 million passengers annually, Hawaiian Airlines is renowned for its authentic Hawaiian hospitality, industry-leading punctuality, and commitment to sustainability. A subsidiary of Alaska Air Group since September 2024, Hawaiian operates independently while integrating loyalty programs with Alaska Airlines. It holds a Skytrax Four-Star rating and has led U.S. carriers in on-time performance every year since 2004, per U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) data.
Hawaiian Airlines began as Inter-Island Airways, a subsidiary of Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company, launching sightseeing flights over Oahu on October 6, 1929, with a Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker. Scheduled services started on November 11, 1929, using Sikorsky S-38s from Honolulu to Hilo via Molokai and Maui. Renamed Hawaiian Airlines in 1941, it introduced Douglas DC-3s, some operating until 1968. The 1950s brought modern Convair 340s, and in 1966, McDonnell Douglas DC-9 jets revolutionized inter-island travel. From 1973, the airline’s logo featured Leina’ala Drummond, Miss Hawaii 1964 and a former flight attendant, symbolizing its cultural identity.
The 1980s marked significant expansion with Lockheed L-1011s for mainland routes like Honolulu–Los Angeles, competing with major U.S. carriers. In 1986, Hawaiian entered international markets with one-stop services to Australia and New Zealand via Pago Pago, American Samoa, and grew its charter and military transport business. The 1990s saw financial struggles, with a $2.4 million loss in Q1 1997 due to high fuel costs, but the airline maintained a 50% inter-island market share. In 2007, Hawaiian signed a $4.4 billion deal for 24 Airbus aircraft (A330-200s and A350-800s, later switched to A330-800s), with A330 deliveries starting in 2010. The 2014 launch of ‘Ohana by Hawaiian, a regional subsidiary using ATR 42s, ended in 2021 due to pandemic-related inter-island travel declines.
In 2022, Hawaiian became the first major U.S. airline to offer SpaceX Starlink Wi-Fi, free on transpacific flights, with installation completed on its Airbus fleet by September 2024. In 2023, it introduced Leihōkū Suites on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, enhancing premium travel. The September 2024 merger with Alaska Airlines, valued at $1.9 billion, created the 10th-largest U.S. airline, with plans for a combined loyalty program in 2025. In 2024, Hawaiian added routes like Honolulu–Salt Lake City and Kahului–Sacramento, reinforcing its mainland network.
Hawaiian Airlines operates a fleet of 62 aircraft: 24 Airbus A330-200s, 18 Boeing 717-200s, 19 Airbus A321neos, and one Boeing 787-9, with 11 additional 787-9s on order. The fleet’s average age is 10 years, with A330s and 787-9s serving long-haul routes (e.g., Honolulu–Boston, Honolulu–Tokyo), A321neos handling medium-haul mainland flights (e.g., Los Angeles–Kahului), and 717s dedicated to inter-island routes. Each aircraft bears a unique Hawaiian name inspired by native birds, plants, or constellations, such as Nene (goose) or Hōkūle‘a (star). The 787-9s feature fuel-efficient GEnx engines, reducing emissions by 20% compared to older models.
The airline operates 150 daily flights, including 90 inter-island and 60 mainland/international services. Honolulu (HNL), handling 21 million passengers annually, is a key transpacific hub, while Kahului (OGG) supports Maui’s tourism. Hawaiian serves 16 U.S. cities (e.g., Austin, Boston, Las Vegas, New York), six international destinations (e.g., Sydney, Tokyo, Papeete), and four Hawaiian islands. Codeshares with Japan Airlines, Korean Air, and American Airlines expand connectivity to 100+ destinations. Cargo services transport 50,000 tons annually, focusing on perishables like pineapples and flowers, with inter-island express options.