One of its first long-haul routes, Hawaiian Airlines launched its nonstop service between Honolulu and Sydney 20 years ago.
Since then, millions of Aussies have enjoyed the carrier’s flights to Hawaiʻi – at times, it felt like everyone was Honolulu-bound, right?
The five-times weekly Sydney service, Hawaiian’s longest international flight at 8,152 kms, has also been a vital link for Aussies travelling to the U.S. mainland.
According to the airline, over the past decade, one in four Sydney travellers have used Hawaiian’s connections in Honolulu to reach 16 U.S. mainland cities. That equates to a lot of passengers.
Starting this summer, the Hawaiian experience will be further enhanced by new complimentary high-speed Starlink wi-fi on the carrier’s A330 fleet.
The airline also plans to bring its newest flagship aircraft, the B787 Dreamliner, Down Under in the future.
City celebration
Last week, Hawaiian Airlines marked its big anniversary with events in Sydney, bringing together airline employees and the local travel industry.
At a gathering for employees, partners, friends and family in downtown Sydney, Hawaiian Airlines Managing Director of International and North America Sales Andrew Stanbury said, “Our Sydney-Honolulu route has always been a special one to serve and connect two very special places to live and visit”.
“For decades, Hawaiʻi has never stopped winning over the hearts of Aussies, and we know that because of their love for the islands, they also hold a particular place in their hearts for Hawaiian Airlines,” he added.
“For that, we are grateful, and it keeps us motivated to put our best foot forward for Australia.”
Beach bash
In a heartfelt tribute, 20 Hawaiian employees from Honolulu, Sydney, and Auckland wore their purple Team Kōkua shirts to honour the legacy of legendary Hawaiian waterman Duke Kahanamoku.
In January 1915, Kahanamoku surfed at Freshwater Beach, sparking Australia’s passion for surfing. Today, Freshwater Beach symbolises the strong ties between Hawaiʻi and Australia.
Hawaiian’s Team Kōkua joined the community group Friends of Freshwater and the indigenous group Bush to Bowl for a ceremony at the Duke Kahanamoku statue at Freshwater Beach.
The event included a traditional smoking ceremony, a Hawaiian chant and remarks on Kahanamoku’s significance. As a final gesture, staff adorned the statue with a lush red carnation lei.
Afterwards, Hawaiian presented a donation to Friends of Freshwater to support their community efforts.
The team then worked with local volunteers to clean up parkland and walkways near the statue.
The day concluded at Freshwater Surf Lifesaving Club, where Duke’s original hand-carved surfboard is displayed.
Fresh fleet
Earlier this year, Hawaiian Airlines added the first B787-9 aircraft to its fleet with two more of 12 Dreamliners on order due by the end of 2024.
In February Hawaiian also became the world’s first major carrier to offer SpaceX’s Starlink technology, deploying the high-speed, low-latency inflight internet aboard a Honolulu-Long Beach flight on one of its Airbus A321neo jets.
Late last year, Alaska Airlines announced its intention to purchase Hawaiian Airlines in a move that will see the two brands operate as a combined company.
