Hawaiian Airlines issued this update:

Hawaiian Airlines is reducing its April flight schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic with a commitment to continue offering its guests and cargo customers essential service within the Hawaiian Islands and between Hawai‘i and California and the U.S. territory of American Samoa.

The airline will maintain a reduced but still robust schedule of Neighbor Island flights, while bolstering all-cargo service to ensure goods continue to reach communities statewide.

“As Hawai‘i’s airline, we understand that our operation is essential to the state. We serve both guests who rely on us for important travel and the transportation of critical cargo,” said Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram. “This has been the hallmark of our mission for 90 years and our dedication to our guests remains unchanged as we look to overcome this global crisis together.”

Starting Sunday, Hawaiian’s long-haul transpacific network will consist of one daily nonstop flight between Honolulu (HNL) and Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO), and one weekly flight connecting Hawai‘i to its Pacific island neighbor of Pago Pago, American Samoa (PPG). All routes will be operated with wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft.

The California routes present cargo opportunities to help maintain service for shippers affected by the reduction in passenger flights due to the state of Hawai‘i’s mandatory 14-day quarantine for overseas arrivals in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The HNL-PPG route maintains vital service for the territory of American Samoa.

Guests traveling on Hawaiian’s Neighbor Island network will continue to enjoy convenient options throughout the day with 41 daily roundtrip flights scheduled for April. From Honolulu there will be 38 daily flights, including 13 to Maui, eight to Kona, seven to Kaua‘i, six to Hilo, and two each to Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i. From Maui there will be one roundtrip each to Hilo, Kaua‘i and Kona in addition to Honolulu service.

Hawaiian’s schedule reductions for April resulted from the state of Hawai‘i’s quarantine entry restriction and the ensuing drop off of travel to and from the islands. Hawaiian is operating its regularly scheduled long-haul flights through today before it begins suspending routes tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Hawaiian has expanded interisland cargo service to facilitate the movement of essential goods ranging from food to medical equipment and machinery.

On March 3, a fleet of all-cargo ATR 72 aircraft operated by ‘Ohana by Hawaiian began offering flights five days a week between Honolulu and Kahului (OGG) on Maui and Kona (KOA) on the western coast of the Island of Hawai‘i. The new routes add to all-cargo service launched in summer of 2018 between HNL and Līhu‘e (LIH) on Kaua‘i and Hilo (ITO) on the eastern coast of the Island of Hawai‘i.

Hawaiian also utilizes its Boeing 717 passenger fleet to carry critical, time-sensitive cargo like pharmaceuticals and Blood Bank of Hawai‘i shipments.

Hawaiian is still experiencing an unprecedented volume of calls from guests and respectfully asks that only those with immediate travel needs contact the airline for assistance. Options to reach Hawaiian’s reservations team, to make online changes to tickets, and to see a list of travel waivers are available at  Hawaiian’s COVID-19 hub.

The airline also explains how it is keeping employees and guests safe by disinfecting aircraft and airport spaces, modifying boarding processes to prevent congestion at the gate, and adjusting in-flight services such as by distributing disposable sanitizing wipes.

Copyright Photos: Elway Kibota. Hawaiian began to park planes around Honolulu International Airport (HNL). The Airbus A330s are currently occupying runway 8L (top) and the Airbus A321neos on taxiway Foxtrot (below).

Hawaiian Airlines has made this announcement:

Hawaiian Airlines, in preparation for a 14-day government quarantine order for all Hawai‘i arrivals set to begin Thursday due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has announced it will maintain its regular flight schedule through Wednesday, March 25, to allow guests to return home and to accommodate the repatriation of aircraft before finalizing significant reductions of its domestic and international passenger network.

The airline, which has begun notifying guests about the quarantine rule, has restricted passenger bookings on its network while it finalizes its April schedule. Hawaiian is committed to providing one daily nonstop flight between Honolulu (HNL) and Los Angeles (LAX) and its Thursday flight between HNL and American Samoa (PPG) in order to provide a baseline of out-of-state access. The airline will evaluate its transpacific cargo network and may provide passenger access on any additional flights for travelers willing to undergo the mandated self-imposed quarantine.

Hawaiian will also be reducing its Neighbor Island schedule – starting with the suspension of ‘Ohana by Hawaiian service between Honolulu and Kapalua in West Maui effective Wednesday – but intends to maintain a network that will continue to provide vital connectivity for guests traveling within the state. Interisland cargo service will continue uninterrupted using Boeing 717 jets and a turboprop fleet operated by ‘Ohana by Hawaiian.

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Hawaiian Airlines has announced it would adjust flight frequencies between Hawai‘i and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) at the end of March due to slowing travel demand attributed to the COVID-19 virus.

Effective March 28 through April 29, the airline will temporarily suspend flights that operate three-times-weekly between Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Island of Hawai‘i and HND, and four-times-weekly between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and HND. At the same time, Hawaiian will launch an additional daily nonstop service between HNL and HND as announced in November of last year.

“Japan is a vitally important market for our airline, and we have been looking forward to launching our third nonstop flight between Honolulu and Haneda, which offers more convenient connecting times for our guests,” said Peter Ingram, president and CEO at Hawaiian Airlines. “Unfortunately, the spread of COVID-19 beyond Asia has diminished near-term global travel demand, so we are balancing some of our Haneda capacity by suspending for about a month our hybrid service between Haneda and Honolulu and Kona.”

Below are the last flights scheduled to operate prior to the suspension (all times local):

The new Honolulu-Haneda frequency begins with the inaugural flight on March 28. HA863 will depart HNL at 12:30 p.m., with a scheduled 5:10 p.m. arrival at HND the following day. The return flight, HA864, will depart HND at 8:15 p.m. and arrive at HNL at 8:10 a.m. the same day, giving guests ample time to enjoy their first day on O‘ahu or connect to neighboring Hawaiian Islands.

Once the changes take place, Hawaiian’s Japan-Hawai‘i network of 35 weekly flights will include three daily nonstop flights connecting Honolulu and Tokyo: two flights serving HND and one flight serving Narita International Airport (NRT). The airline also offers daily service between Honolulu and Osaka’s Kansai International Airport (KIX), four weekly flights between Honolulu and Fukuoka Airport (FUK), and three weekly flights between Honolulu and Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport (CTS).

Upon restoring the suspended Haneda flights, Hawaiian will operate 42 weekly flights between Japan and Hawai‘i.

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Hawaiian Airlines has announced its decision to temporarily suspend its five-times-weekly nonstop service between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Incheon International Airport (ICN), beginning March 2 through April 30, due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in South Korea.

Flight 459 is scheduled to depart HNL at 1:10 p.m. on March 1 and arrive at ICN on March 2 at 8 p.m. Flight 460 will depart ICN at 10:00 p.m. on March 2 and arrive at HNL at 11 a.m. the same day. Service is scheduled to resume on May 1 from HNL and May 2 from ICN.

Hawaiian is assisting impacted guests by offering re-accommodations on alternative flights or providing refunds.

Hawaiian has also issued a travel waiver for guests holding tickets on Hawaiian Airlines codeshare flights departing to/from/connecting via South Korea (KR) airports. More details can be found at https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/coronavirus.

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiʻi’s hometown carrier for more than 90 years, remained the nation’s most punctual carrier in 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, marking the 16th straight year its guests have enjoyed the best on-time performance in the U.S. industry.

Hawaiian’s flights averaged an 87.7 percent on-time rate in 2019, exceeding the U.S. industry average by 6.1 percentage points.

Hawaiian has extended its on-time performance streak, which began in 2004, as it grew into a global airline that today offers a robust network of over 240 daily international, transpacific and neighbor island flights. The airline’s modern fleet of more than 60 jet aircraft provide nonstop service between Hawaiʻi and 13 gateway cities in North America – more than any other carrier – as well as an unparalleled flight schedule between the Hawaiian Islands. The airline also serves Australia (Sydney and Brisbane), American Samoa (Pago Pago), Japan (Haneda and Narita in Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, and Fukuoka), New Zealand (Auckland), South Korea (Seoul), and Tahiti (Papeete).

Last year, Hawaiian launched five-times-weekly service between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye (HNL) and Boston Logan (BOS) international airports. A fleet of fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo enabled Hawaiian to also start new nonstop flights between Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) and both Sacramento (SMF) and McCarran (LAS) international airports, as well as expanded service between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and HNL.

Next month, the airline will introduce its third daily nonstop flight between Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) and the Hawaiian Islands, several months ahead of the 2020 Olympic Summer Games.

The U.S. DOT’s monthly Air Travel Consumer Report ranking the nation’s 16 largest air carriers is available online at www.dot.gov/individuals/air-consumer/air-travel-consumer-reports.

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants are asking its management to allow its cabin crews to wear masks on flights to and from Asia. The HA crews are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants.

The flight attendants are also in contract negotiations with management (above).

The CDC issued these recommendations for flight crews:

Purpose

This guidance provides cabin crew with practical methods to protect themselves, passengers, and other crew members when someone onboard is sick with a possible contagious disease. Included are instructions to protect yourself and others, manage a sick traveler, clean contaminated areas, and take actions after flight.

When interacting with a sick and potentially infectious traveler (passenger or crew), follow the steps in this guidance to reduce the risk of onboard disease transmission. Be sure to follow your company’s policy for managing in-flight medical emergencies.

This general guidance is NOT designed for:

Non-contagious illnesses or emergencies such as chest pain, possible stroke, asthma, or diabetic complications.

Key points

• Practice routine handwashing
• Identify sick and potentially infectious travelers
• Treat all body fluids (such as diarrhea, vomit, or blood) like they are infectious
• Wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Clean and disinfect contaminated areas
• Dispose waste using recommended procedures

Since an illness is not yet known to be contagious when symptoms first appear, treat any body fluids (such as diarrhea, vomit, or blood) as potentially infectious. Once you identify a sick and potentially infectious passenger, use appropriate infection control measures.

Suspect a contagious disease when a traveler (passenger or crew) has:

1. A fever (a measured temperature of 100.4 °F [38 °C] or greater, or feels warm to the touch, or gives a history of feeling feverish) and one or more of these signs or symptoms:
   • skin rash
   • difficulty breathing
   • persistent cough
   • decreased consciousness or confusion of recent onset
   • new unexplained bruising or bleeding (without previous injury)
   • persistent diarrhea
   • persistent vomiting (other than air sickness)
   • headache with stiff neck, or
   • appears obviously unwell;

OR

2. Has a fever that has persisted for more than 48 hours

OR

3. Has symptoms or other indications of communicable disease, as the CDC may announce through posting of a notice in the Federal Registerexternal icon.

The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations [42 CFR 70.11 and 71.21] contain requirements for reporting death and illness to CDC that occur on domestic flights between U.S. states and territories, and on international flights arriving to the United States.

Protecting yourself and others

• Treat all body fluids (such as diarrhea, vomit, or blood) like they are infectious.
• Handwashing is the single most important infection control measure.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after assisting sick travelers or touching potentially contaminated body fluids or surfaces. Also, wash hands when visibly soiled.
  • Use alcohol-based hand rub (containing at least 60% alcohol) if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose with unwashed or gloved hands.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Protect yourself by using PPE, found in the universal precaution kit pdf icon[PDF – 1 page]external icon (UPK), when tending to a sick traveler. After use, PPE must be carefully removed to avoid contaminating your skin or clothing. Soiled items must be placed in a biohazard bag (or plastic bag labeled “biohazard” if biohazard bag not available).
• Always wash hands or use an alcohol-based hand rub after removing PPE.

Disposable gloves (Gloves don’t replace proper handwashing.)

• Wear disposable gloves when:
  • tending to a sick traveler
  • touching body fluids (such as blood, vomit, or diarrhea)
  • touching potentially contaminated surfaces, such as in bathrooms
• Remove gloves carefully pdf icon[PDF – 1 page] to avoid contaminating yourself or your clothing.
• Properly dispose soiled gloves in a biohazard bag (or plastic bag labeled biohazard if none available); do not reuse gloves.
• After removing gloves, wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Facemasks

• Facemasks should be considered:
  • for crew when you are helping sick travelers with respiratory symptoms such as coughing or sneezing
  • for sick travelers to help reduce the spread of respiratory germs
  • for people sitting near sick travelers (with respiratory symptoms) when the sick traveler cannot tolerate wearing a mask
• Facemasks are NOT needed:
  • for a sick traveler complaining of nausea or vomiting. This could result in choking or a blocked airway.
  • for sick travelers who can’t tolerate a facemask or refuse one. In this case, ask sick travelers to cover their coughs or sneezes.

• Minimize the number of people directly exposed to sick travelers. If possible, designate one crew member to interact with the sick traveler.
• Keep interactions with sick travelers as brief as possible. Provide a plastic bag for disposal of used tissues, air sickness bag(s), or other contaminated items.
• Encourage sick travelers to wash their hands or use an alcohol-based hand rub (if available).
• If possible, separate the sick traveler from others by 6 feet or move adjacent passengers without compromising flight safety or exposing additional passengers.
• Use infection control measures based on symptoms:

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Hawaiian Airlines has made this announcement:

Pilots interested in flying for Hawaiian Airlines can move closer to a seat in the cockpit of Hawai‘i’s flagship carrier by first joining the company as an instructor under a new career pathway.

Candidates hired through Hawaiian’s Pilot Pathway Aircrew Instructor program will deliver fleet and ground training to pilots while helping develop courses for Flight Standards & Qualification activities. After one year on the job, instructors will be guaranteed a first officer interview during the next available hiring period. Successful applicants will be added to Hawaiian’s first officer hiring pool and be eligible to transfer to a pilot position two years after becoming a Flight Standards & Qualification instructor.

“This new instructor-to-pilot pathway provides an attractive track for pilots seeking to join Hawaiian while allowing us to meet our training needs as we continue to grow the best network for travel to, from and within our islands,” said Ken Rewick, vice president of flight operations at Hawaiian Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A321neo Capt. Nathan Richards (standing) provides virtual procedures training to a pilot at the carrier’s Honolulu training facility.

Based in Honolulu, Hawaiian’s instructors will work in classrooms and advanced flight training devices. Interested candidates may learn more about the pathway program and apply here.

Hawaiian’s pilots operate a fleet of 20 Boeing 717 aircraft on a comprehensive network of more than 170 daily flights between the Hawaiian Islands. Transpacific flights connecting Hawai‘i to the U.S. mainland, Asia and the South Pacific are operated with 24 Airbus A330 aircraft. The airline also utilizes a current fleet of 16 Airbus A321neo aircraft on flights between the U.S. West Coast and Hawai‘i.

This summer, Hawaiian announced the purchase of a CAE Boeing 787-9 full-flight simulator as it prepares to welcome a new fleet of Boeing 787-9 aircraft beginning in 2021.

Hawaiian Airlines has teamed up with Moloka‘i-based brand Kealopiko to launch a new line of in-flight amenities carrying a message of sustainability. Starting Nov. 26, guests traveling between Hawai‘i and the carrier’s international and select U.S. mainland destinations will relax with amenities and soft goods adorned with coral and fern patterns that pay homage to Hawai‘i’s delicate natural resources.

The exclusive collection reflects the two companies’ shared commitment to perpetuate Hawaiian culture, care for the environment and steward island visitors. Named ‘Ēkaha – the Hawaiian name of black coral representing a thriving coral reef, as well as the bird’s nest fern, an indicator of a healthy rainforest – the line alludes to the deep, symbiotic relationship between the land and sea.

“This collaboration gave us and Hawaiian Airlines an opportunity to design a beautiful collection that also shares a significant moʻolelo (story),” said Jamie Makasobe, co-owner of Kealopiko.

Kealopiko was founded by three women passionate about sharing the rich culture of Hawai‘i, protecting the environment and operating as an eco-conscious brand. The company’s production is done in a small shop on Moloka‘i, where organic materials are sustainably dyed, cut and sewn by hand before being sold online or in its downtown Honolulu store. Each of their designs honors indigenous wildlife, language, practices, aliʻi (royalty), kūpuna (elders and ancestors), and moʻolelo (stories and history).

“Embarking on this redesign, we knew we wanted a partner who could help us tell the stories of our island home,” said Avi Mannis, senior vice president of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines. “Kealopiko is a natural fit. Their sustainable production and bold, contemporary design align with our values and complement the flight experience we want to offer our guests.”

International Business Class and JFK/BOS First Class guests will be given a Hawaiian Airlines-branded canvas clutch, available in two different colorways, with the coral print and a coconut shell button. International guests seated in Extra Comfort will receive a natural felt pouch with a wood tag engraved with the ‘Ēkaha story.

Both kits include the following amenities:

• Bamboo comb
• Comfortable socks with Hawaiian Airlines “slipper” design (international Business Class and JFK/BOS First Class only)
• Dental kit including a bamboo toothbrush with charcoal bristles and toothpaste
• Earbuds (international Extra Comfort only)
• Earplugs
• Hand and body balm, lip balm and hydrating mist from the airline’s private skincare line Lōli‘i
• Premium sleep mask
• Sample packet of Raw Elements USA reef-safe sunscreen, which Hawaiian, the sun care company’s official airline partner, introduced onboard in April 2018.
• Packet of tissues

Guests seated in the Main Cabin on international flights, First Class on North America red-eye flights, and First Class on Papeete and Pago Pago will receive a coral print kraft paper pouch with earplugs, earbuds and a sleep mask in one of three collectible, Hawai‘i-inspired designs.

All amenity kits feature eco-friendly paper packaging, furthering Hawaiian’s effort to reduce single-use plastics in its fleet and throughout its operations.

“Our partnership with Kealopiko advances our company’s progress to reduce waste, bring sustainability into our cabin, and encourage our guests to join us in taking care of our environment,” added Mannis.

In addition to designing Hawaiian’s in-flight products, Kealopiko is releasing a limited ‘Ēkaha Collection clothing line. The apparel will be available for purchase beginning on Black Friday (Nov. 29) in-store or online at www.kealopiko.com. Kealopiko will donate a percentage of the sales – with Hawaiian Airlines matching up to $10,000 – to Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo, a local nonprofit that works to advance community-based natural resource management in Hawai‘i.

“The special part of this partnership is being able to honor the elements of Hawai‘i [through the design] and also contribute to the continued work that is occurring within our communities for the well-being of our island home,” said Makasobe.