Hawaiian Airlines celebrates 90 years of flying:

Ninety-years to the day since two Sikorsky S-38 amphibian aircraft took off from Honolulu’s John Rodgers airport, introducing the islands to commercial aviation, Hawaiian Airlines held festivities in the air and on the ground to thank customers and the local communities who supported its evolution from pioneer interisland carrier to global airline.

The airline began its 90^th birthday celebration by holding a plane pull fundraiser at the Castle & Cooke Aviation Hangar on Lagoon Drive, near the former John Rodgers airport site where hundreds of onlookers gathered on Nov. 11, 1929 to witness then-named Inter-Island Airways inaugurate scheduled passenger flights between the islands. Some 2,000 people representing Hawaiian Airlines and corporate teams throughout Honolulu competed in the daylong charity event that raised $33,000 for the nonprofit Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii.

At 9:35 a.m., at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Hawaiian delighted guests aboard HA1111, a commemorative flight replicating the airline’s first service from Honolulu to Hilo on the Island of Hawai‘i, with a stop on Maui. Flight attendants wearing vintage Hawaiian Airlines uniforms from the 1960s through the ‘90s welcomed 128 guests onboard the Boeing 717 aircraft, signaling a surprise flight back in time.

“The foresight of our founder Stanley Kennedy to introduce Hawai‘i to commercial aviation forever changed the way we travel across our archipelago for leisure and business,”  said Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram. “Today we honor Stan’s legacy and join with our employees to say ‘mahalo nui loa’ to our community and our guests in a fun and creative way.”

HA1111

During the roughly 35-minute flight between Honolulu and Kahului, crew members entertained guests with historical company facts and milestones:

• Sightseeing Tours: Prior to launching scheduled commercial air service in Hawai‘i, Inter-Island Airways offered $5 sightseeing tours over O‘ahu aboard a six-passenger Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker monoplane with a fabric covered metal frame and wooden wings. It was how Kennedy, a Honolulu-born World War I Navy pilot, got residents accustomed to flying. The Bellanca is still a part of Hawaiian’s fleet, providing flights to employees, their families and retirees.
• 14 hours: The approximate time it took to travel between Honolulu and Hilo on ships operated by Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company, which had served Hawai‘i for half a century prior to founding its subsidiary, Inter-Island Airways. The first Sikorsky flights between Honolulu and Hilo, stopping on Maui, lasted three hours and 15 minutes, and today, the same trip takes about one hour aboard Hawaiian’s jets.
• 13,043 passengers: Carried by Inter-Island Airways in its first calendar year of operation in 1930, including 10,367 passengers on neighbor island flights, and 2,676 passengers on Bellanca tours. Last year, Hawaiian welcomed nearly 12 million travelers within the islands and between Hawai‘i and its U.S. mainland and international gateway cities, averaging some 30,000 guests daily.
• A Cargo Pioneer: In 1942, a fleet of three Sikorsky S-43s began transporting cargo throughout Hawai‘i with the first U.S. Cargo certificate. Today, Hawaiian carries not only mail, but as many as 92,000 tons of goods throughout its neighbor island and transpacific network.
• Wahine Takeover: In 1979, Hawaiian celebrated the first scheduled commercial U.S. flight by an all-female crew, who operated a Short SD-330 aircraft from Honolulu to Moloka‘i. Approximately 3,500 women represent nearly half of Hawaiian’s workforce today.

Prior to arriving on Maui, guests on HA1111 received a copy of the Nov. 11, 1929 Honolulu Star-Bulletin newspaper along with their beverage service. The headline announced, “Inter-island Air Service Starts,” and quoted Kennedy as saying, “The air is now yours. The Inter-Island Airways looks upon this occasion with a great deal of pride as the pioneer in commercial aviation in Hawai‘i.”

The in-flight festivities concluded with flight attendants handing each guest a birthday card with a gift of 90,000 HawaiianMiles – the equivalent to two roundtrip flights between Hawai‘i and the U.S. mainland or up to 12 neighbor island flights – before they arrived to a lei greeting and music performances by Hawaiian employees at Kahului

Those who weren’t aboard HA1111 this morning may still join Hawaiian’s anniversary celebrations online during the final week of the company’s five-week-long  Social Media Sweepstakes awarding 90,000 HawaiianMiles and a Heritage Prize Pack to each weekly winner. The last sweepstakes began today at noon HST and ends at 11:59 p.m. HST on Sunday, Nov. 17.

The Plane Pull

The Great Hawaiian Plane Pull revived charity plane pull competitions of the 1980s with a nod to aviation history. It drew 68 teams of 12 people who spent the day pulling one of Hawaiian’s 115,000-pound Boeing 717 jet for a chance to win more than 1 million HawaiianMiles. Team “Wide Body,” representing Hawaiian Airlines’ contract services, clinched the grand prize after taking just over six seconds to pull the aircraft 12 feet.

More importantly, participants raised $33,000 to Hawaiian’s longtime environmental nonprofit partner, Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii. The organization inspires local communities to care for coastlines through fun, hands-on beach cleanups, while providing educational programs, waste diversion services and public awareness campaigns.

“Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii is honored to be a beneficiary of the Great Hawaiian Plane Pull and grateful to the many organizations who jumped at the opportunity to participate in this unique and fun way to support our mission,” said Rafael Bergstrom, executive director of Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii. “Their generous support will continue to help us expand our educational outreach across the Hawaiian Islands, clean remote beaches, inspire students and community members alike to find innovative solutions to turn off the tap on plastic pollution, and allow us to share our story across the world. Through support like this, our impact is reaching new heights as we have removed half a million pounds of debris from our shorelines while engaging nearly 100,000 students and volunteers in protecting our coastlines. Mahalo Hawaiian Airlines for creating such an amazing event and honoring Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii on your 90^th birthday.”

Plane pull competitors represented a wide range of industries and sectors, including AIO, Airport Terminal Services, Alaska Airlines, Avis, Bank of Hawai‘i, Bishop Museum, Brave Hawai‘i, Budget, Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, Delta Airlines, Flying Food Group, Hana Hou! Magazine, Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, Hilton Grand Vacations, HMS Host, Hyatt Hotels, Japan Airlines, KYA, Marriott Hotels, Outrigger Hotels, Pae Aina Communications, Pacific Air Cargo, Par Hawai‘i, Polynesian Voyaging Society, SAS Services Group Inc., Stryker Weiner & Yokota Public Relations, United Airlines, and Worldwide Flight Services. Hawaiian Electric Company, The Honolulu Star- Advertiser, Hawai’i Gas and Hawai’i News Now also provided cash sponsorships or in-kind support.

Teams and spectators enjoyed live music by top Hawai‘i entertainers, ‘ono food from local vendors, complimentary reef-safe sunscreen by Raw Elements USA, and educational displays and activities by Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet some of Hawaiian’s first female flight attendants who flew in the airline’s Douglas DC-3 fleet during the 1940s and ‘50s, and take a selfie next to the plane that started it all with sightseeing tours, the Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker.

Hawaiian Airlines kicked off 90-years-of-service celebrations last Nov. 11 with a company-matched giving campaign that raised more than $187,000 for four local charities in appreciation of the community support that has helped fuel the company’s expansion over nine decades. As a destination airline that each year introduces millions of visitors from across the Pacific Rim to Hawai‘i’s unparalleled beauty, the carrier also commemorated its birthday by raising environmental awareness through several anniversary-themed beach cleanups, including one last month at South Point on the Island of Hawai‘i and in many of its international gateway cities such as Tokyo, Sydney and Auckland.

All above photos by Hawaiian Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., today reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2019.

“Our team did a fantastic job this quarter, demonstrating once again that Hawaiian Airlines is the carrier of choice for guests traveling to, from and within the Hawaiian Islands,” said Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO. “In the face of heightened competition, we delivered strong financial results and made significant progress towards accomplishing the strategic priorities that we established at the beginning of the year.  As we enter the home stretch of 2019, we look forward to continuing to execute our proven formula for generating value for our guests and our investors.  I extend my thanks, as always, to my 7,300 colleagues for their tireless efforts to deliver award-winning, authentic Hawaiian hospitality every day.”

Statistical information, as well as a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables.

Shareholder Returns, Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company returned $25.7 million to shareholders in the third quarter through share repurchases of $20.0 million and a dividend payment of $5.7 million.

On October 18, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 12 cents per share to be paid on November 29, 2019 to all shareholders of record as of November 15, 2019.

As of September 30, 2019, the Company had:

• Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $745 million

• Outstanding debt and finance lease obligations of $782 million

Third Quarter 2019 Highlights

Leadership and People

• Appointed Robin Kobayashi as interim Senior Vice President of Human Resources.

Operational

• Ranked #1 nationally for on-time performance year-to-date through August 2019, as reported in the U.S. Department of Transportation Air Travel Consumer Report, adding to its record of 15 consecutive years as the most punctual airline.

• Implemented Amadeus’ Departure Control Flight Management to optimize load planning and improve operational efficiency.

Products and Services

• In September and October, launched sales of Main Cabin Basic fares in all North American markets, enhancing Hawaiian’s product portfolio with a fare option that appeals to the most price-conscious travelers.

Routes and Network

• Received final U.S. Department of Transportation approval to operate one additional daily nonstop flight between Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) and Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) starting in March of 2020.

• Announced service for three new routes with its A321neo fleet:

◦ Four-times-weekly service between Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) and Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport (LAS) beginning December 15, 2019

◦ Thrice-weekly nonstop service between Honolulu (HNL) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) starting January 7, 2020, supplementing existing daily A330-200 service

◦ Seasonal winter service between Maui (OGG) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from December 14, 2019 through January 5, 2020, supplementing existing daily A330-200 service

Fleet & Financing

•     Took delivery of two Airbus A321neo aircraft, increasing the size of its A321neo fleet to fifteen aircraft.

•     Entered into two Japanese Yen-denominated debt financings, collateralized by four Airbus A330 aircraft and two Airbus A321neo aircraft.

•     Extended the leases on three A330 aircraft, enabling cost savings while maintaining fleet flexibility for future growth.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Outlook

The table below summarizes the Company’s expectations for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2019, and the full year ending December 31, 2019, expressed as an expected percentage change compared to the results for the quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2018, as applicable.

(a) See Table 4 for a reconciliation of GAAP operating expenses to operating expenses excluding aircraft fuel and non-recurring items.

(b) Fuel cost per gallon estimates are based on the October 10, 2019 fuel forward curve.

(c) See Table 3 for a reconciliation of GAAP fuel costs to economic fuel costs.

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft photo library:

Hawaiian Airlines has begun sales of Main Cabin Basic fares in select North American markets, offering guests a new option to book the carrier’s lowest fares while still enjoying authentic Hawaiian hospitality.

Hawaiian’s Main Cabin Basic fare product is initially being offered on select, nonstop flights between Honolulu and three of its 13 U.S. mainland gateway cities – Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Jose – for travel beginning Oct. 21. This new product is designed for guests who prefer to forgo standard Hawaiian travel services such as advanced seat selection and the ability to upgrade in exchange for the most affordable fares.

Guests choosing Hawaiian’s Main Cabin Basic fare will be able to select a seat when checking in for a flight, or they will be assigned a seat at the gate, and they will retain their Main Cabin benefit of a complimentary carry-on bag and one personal item. HawaiianMiles members will continue to earn a mile per mile flown.

Main Cabin Basic complements Hawaiian’s suite of products by providing an additional fare option to better serve its guests’ needs and preferences when traveling to and from Hawai‘i. Hawaiian also offers Main Cabin, Extra Comfort and First Class fare products, including a premium lie-flat experience on board its Airbus A330 aircraft and luxurious recliners on flights on board its Airbus A321neo aircraft.

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Hawaiian Airlines has made this announcement:

Maui residents visiting Hawai‘i’s adopted “ninth island” will be able to fly straight to the popular Nevada destination when Hawaiian Airlines inaugurates its newest narrow-body Airbus A321neo aircraft route later this year.

The airline announced that it will begin four-times-weekly service between Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) and Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport (LAS) on December 15.

The airline today also announced the start of sales for two other new A321neo routes — thrice-weekly nonstop service between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) starting Jan. 7; and seasonal winter service between OGG and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from Dec. 14 through Jan. 5. The new flights complement existing daily nonstop service offered on each route with wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft.

Kahului (OGG) – Las Vegas (LAS)

Honolulu (HNL) – Seattle (SEA)

Kahului (OGG) – Los Angeles (LAX)

Hawaiian first launched Honolulu-Las Vegas service in September 1985 with Lockheed L-1011 aircraft, and previously operated OGG-LAS flights from October 2010 to October 2012 with Boeing 767 aircraft. Hawaiian, which today offers up to three daily nonstop flights between Honolulu and Las Vegas with A330 aircraft, carried more than 470,000 guests between the two cities in 2018.

In other news, Hawaiian Airlines has confirmed plans to increase service between Tokyo and Honolulu in the summer of 2020, after receiving final U.S. Department of Transportation approval to operate one additional daily nonstop flight between Haneda Airport (HND) and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).

Hawaiian has significantly invested in the Japan-Hawai‘i market since it launched daily Haneda-Honolulu flights in 2010 and became the first U.S. airline to serve the Tokyo airport. In 2016, Hawaiian added additional flights at Haneda, serving Honolulu four times a week and Kona three times per week. That same year, the carrier also commenced daily flights between Tokyo’s Narita airport and Honolulu.

Hawaiian, which today operates a leading 31 weekly nonstop flights between Japan and Hawai‘i with wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft, will further expand its network on Nov. 26, when it begins four weekly flights between Fukuoka and Honolulu. The airline also offers flights between Hawai‘i and both Kansai International Airport in Osaka and New Chitose Airport in Sapporo.

All photos by the airline.

According to this report by Beat of Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines has been asked by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) management to move from overcrowded Terminal 5 in order to accomodate the consolidation of American Airlines. According to the article, this will put HA at a disadvantage since it be asked to move to the Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC). Read the full story.

According to LAWA:

Phase 1 (MSC North Project) of the MSC Program is the construction of the northern portion of the multi-story MSC facility and associated improvements. The MSC North Project will improve the terminal operations, concessions facilities, and overall passenger experience at LAX. The facility is designed to serve both domestic and international traffic. The MSC North Project will provide LAWA with the flexibility to accommodate demand for aircraft gates while modernizing other terminals at LAX and reduce reliance on the West Remote gates.