Hawaiian Airlines today announced it will restart service between Tokyo’s Haneda airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International airport, operating three flights 29 October through 4 November, before restarting regular weekly service on 22 November.
The airline will gradually return to its original thrice-weekly schedule in March 2024.
Hawaiian Airlines currently flies its Airbus A330-200 aircraft from Hawaii to Japan with 278 seats, including 18 business class lie-flat seats, 68 extra legroom economy seats and 192 regular economy seats.
Hawaiian, which first launched Haneda-Kona service in 2016, suspended flights in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We’re very pleased to bring back our convenient nonstop service between Tokyo and Hawaiʻi Island as we continue to restore our Japan network to meet increasing demand,” said Takaya Shishido, Japan country director at Hawaiian Airlines.
By 13 March, the airline’s Japan capacity will be 59 per cent above summer 2023 levels. Hawaiian currently offers daily service between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International airport (HNL) and Tokyo’s Haneda and Osaka’s Kansai airports; six-times-weekly service between HNL and Tokyo Narita airport; and thrice-weekly service between Honolulu and Fukuoka airport.
Separately, Hawaiian Airlines earlier this week started ticket sales for its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner services.
The 787-9s will eventually form the backbone of the airline’s long-haul flying.
First, however, Hawaiian Airlines will the 787-9s between Hawaii and San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX).
Hawaiian’s new flagship aircraft will debut 15 April with daily service between Honolulu (HNL) and San Francisco through 14 May, followed by select flights between Honolulu and Los Angeles starting 14 May, and Maui (OGG) and Los Angeles from 15 May.
The 300-seat aircraft features Hawaiian’s newest premium product, Leihoku Suites (garland of stars): 34 suites with lie-flat seating, an 18-inch in-flight entertainment screen, personal power outlets, wireless cell phone charging and direct aisle access. Set in a 1-2-1 configuration with doors, the suites offer privacy or a shared experience with combinable double suites.
“Our 787’s uniquely Hawaiian design and comfort, paired with the award-winning hospitality of our crew, will create an unparalleled experience for our guests on their travel to the islands,” said Avi Mannis, chief marketing officer at Hawaiian Airlines.
In developing its Leihoku Suites, Hawaiian became the first airline to partner with Adient Aerospace – a joint venture between Boeing and Adient, a world leader in automotive seats.
Hawaiian is scheduled to receive the first of 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in January, with additional deliveries planned through 2027.