Hawaiian Airlines made this announcement:

Hawaiian Airlines, a part of Alaska Airlines, today unveiled an investment plan of more than $600 million over five years to comprehensively enhance the experience for guests traveling to, from and within the islands by modernizing airport spaces, upgrading technology and retrofitting aircraft interiors, while expanding community and sustainability work across Hawai‘i.

Hawaiian Airlines’ Kahuʻewai Hawai‘i Investment Plan will improve the guest experience from booking to the day of travel and provide airport and in-flight teams with modern tools and spaces to welcome travelers with their award-winning Hawaiian hospitality. Investments will also help Hawaiian advance lower emission technologies and programs promoting regenerative tourism, culture and conservation.

• Major airport renovations include improved lobbies, gates and amenities at Honolulu, Līhu‘e, Kahului, Kona and Hilo, plus a new premium lounge in Honolulu.
• The airline will update its app and website, offering better travel planning and self-service features, and invest in new technology for employees.
• The carrier is investing in a refreshed onboard experience with upgraded widebody Airbus A330 interiors, while offering enhanced rewards and exclusive benefits to loyal Hawai‘i residents.

Kahuʻewai signifies fresh water bursting forth as a metaphor for vital resources. Much like water that flows and nurtures, the investments will deliver benefits across Hawaiian Airlines and communities in Hawai‘i today and for a long time to come. 

Airports: Starting this year through 2029, Hawaiian Airlines will renovate lobbies and gates in Honolulu, Līhu‘e, Kahului, Kona and Hilo to improve passenger flow and comfort, with bright, elegant open spaces and better seating and amenities like increased power charging. In Honolulu, Hawaiian’s busiest hub, the airline will build a spacious 10,600-square-foot premium lounge at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1 – setting a new standard of preflight comfort.

Technology: This spring, Hawaiian Airlines will launch an updated, modern app and website with improved functionality to simplify travel planning, booking and trip management with self-service features like changing flights and redeeming award travel on global partners. The airline is also investing in new technology to support employees in their critical roles across the operation. Full functionality of these tools – and a significantly smoother guest experience – will be possible once Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines share the same passenger service system and Hawaiian Airlines joins the oneworld alliance, both scheduled for late April. 

Aircraft: Hawaiian Airlines’ fleet of widebody Airbus A330s, based in Honolulu, will undergo a full interior upgrade, starting in 2028, with new seats, carpets, lighting, first class suites, and a premium economy cabin. Guests will also enjoy a Bluetooth-enabled in-flight entertainment system with high-definition seatback screens and an extensive movie and music library, along with fast and free Starlink Wi-Fi. The airline is also acquiring three of its A330 aircraft oƯ lease to support the future of this fleet in its service across the Pacific. 

Loyalty: Later this year, Hawaiian Airlines will reward Hawai‘i residents who are members of its popular Huaka‘i by Hawaiian loyalty program with a 50% bonus on Atmos Rewards points and status points earned on Neighbor Island flights, adding to exclusive kama‘āina benefits that include a free checked bag, 10% or 20% quarterly discounts when flying within the state, and monthly systemwide deals. 

As part of its community and sustainability initiatives, Hawaiian is expanding a partnership with business accelerator Mana Up through an investment in its Mana Up Capital II fund to help more local companies scale for the global market. Hawaiian has featured more than a dozen local retailers in the food, fashion, beauty and home and art sectors in its onboard service since becoming Mana Up’s official airline sponsor in 2017.  

Hawaiian last month announced it is investing in locally produced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce flight emissions and support agriculture in partnership with Pono Pacific and Par Hawaii, and that it would be the first airline to take deliveries of Hawai‘i-made SAF later this year. The airline is also working to advance innovative lower-emission options for short-haul air service with an investment in hybrid-electric propulsion developer Ampaire and increasing use of electric ground service vehicles at Honolulu airport. 

Finally, the airline will be providing grants to nonprofit organizations promoting cultural programs, environmental preservation and perpetuation of native Hawaiian art and language through the Alaska Airlines | Hawaiian Airlines Foundation, a newly integrated 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to these efforts in their two namesake states. 

The Hawaiian Airlines’ Kahuʻewai Hawai‘i Investment Plan is part of Alaska Air Group’s Alaska Accelerate strategic plan to deliver on the combined airline’s vision of connecting guests to the world with a remarkable travel experience rooted in safety, care and performance. 

In honor of Thanksgiving, Hawaiian Airlines posted this story:

The company of friends and family is what makes the festive season warm and bright. For Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717 Captain Wailani W., helping people reunite across the Neighbor Islands during the holidays is more than just part of the job — it’s a way to honor the spirit of community and togetherness that defines life in Hawai‘i.

Born and raised on Oʻahu, Wailani has proudly piloted Hawaiian’s Neighbor Island routes since 2022 — a decision that has kept him close to the people and places he loves most.

“Sometimes when I’m flying, I think about being a kid and taking the DC-9 to visit family on the other islands. Now, as a 717 pilot, I take a lot of pride in helping kamaʻāina (residents) and local families make similar travel memories — especially during the holidays.”

During the Thanksgiving travel period, we’ll operate over 140 Neighbor Island flights daily, as early as 5:30 a.m. and as late as 9:30 p.m., to ensure our guests reach their Hawaiʻi holiday destination with ease.

While our local network helps bridge the Neighbor Islands and Hawaiʻi’s remote communities year-round, that connectivity carries even deeper meaning during the holidays.

“On the 717, we take a lot of pride in serving guests from all over by providing them with a safe and comfortable Neighbor Island travel experience so they can be with loved ones for life’s most important shared moments,” Wailani explained.

“There’s definitely a stronger sense of togetherness onboard this time of year, and it reminds me how special and unique our Island home is,” Wailani added. For him, every Neighbor Island trip is more than just another flight — it’s an opportunity to welcome every guest with aloha and keep Hawaiʻi connected.

“We’re all ʻohana at Hawaiian Airlines, and weʻll welcome every passenger this Thanksgiving as a part of that ʻohana.”

Wailani’s Hawaiʻi holiday travel tips

Plan for spotty weather and stay flexible

This time of year is ānuenue (rainbow) season, with frequent passing showers and crisp mornings. Higher elevations can also bring cooler temperatures. Pack appropriately and embrace Hawaiʻiʻs unique winter charm.

Give yourself extra time

Holiday travel means busier airports. Give yourself some extra time by checking in and paying for any bags on our mobile app and website before arriving at the airport.

Kamaʻāina, don’t forget about your Huakaʻi by Hawaiian perks

Huakaʻi by Hawaiian members enjoy a free checked bag – inclusive of surfboards, golf bags and other sports equipment – on Neighbor Island flights, as well as exclusive travel deals.

Show aloha always

Be kind and courteous to our employees – from gate agents to flight attendants – and, most importantly, to one another.

• Starting today, guests can ask a crewmember for one of four exclusive trading cards designed in partnership with Hawaiian Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).
• In an industry first, we’re launching digital cards representing the 66 Hawaiian Airlines aircraft. Every design is unique and inspired by the name given to each aircraft before it entered service.
• Our youngest guests can also now score a pair of clippable Keiki Wings from a flight attendant during their next Hawaiian Airlines flight.

Exclusive inflight collectibles are making a splash across our Hawaiian Airlines fleet today — including a new set of pilot trading cards, a first-of-its-kind collectible digital card program and clippable wings for our youngest guests.