This week Hawaiian Airlines has celebrated 20 years of flying between Honolulu, Hawai’i and Sydney, Australia.
This article will cover the details surrounding Hawaiian Airlines’ latest milestone and what this means for the U.S. carrier.
Hawaiian Airlines Sydney Anniversary
Back on May 17, 2004, Hawaiian Airlines began its nonstop service between Honolulu International Airport (HNL) and Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD).
At the time, this was one of the carrier’s first long haul routes using their Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. Their Boeing 767-300ER had 252 seats, broken down as 18 First Class and 234 Coach Class, in a 2-3-2 configuration.
The route first started out as a four per week service, operating the outbound on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Departing at 9:30 p.m. and arriving into Sydney at 10:55 a.m.
The return flight operated on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Departing at 1:30 p.m. and arriving back into Honolulu at 7:30 p.m.
Joshua Gotbaum, trustee for Hawaiian Airlines, said back in 2004, “We’re thrilled about bringing Hawaiian Airlines’ award-winning service and the world’s greatest vacation destination to Australia’s travel market. Our service is designed with the traveler in mind, with convenient departure and arrival times and easy connections.”
Governor Lingle also said, “Our tourism liaison has been working closely with the airline industry to increase seating capacity to the Islands, and today’s announcement by Hawaiian Airlines is welcome news.”
“Having another airline offer direct service to Sydney will give travelers more options and provide greater opportunities for our visitor industry to expand the Australian visitor market.”
The Sydney Route Now
This service his since increased to now five weekly, using the carrier’s 24 Airbus A330-200 fleet. Which have a total of 278 seats, 18 First Class and 260 Coach Class.
The outbound service operates on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. As flight HA451 departing Honolulu at 12:45 p.m. and arriving into Sydney at 19:45 p.m.
The return service operates on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. As flight HA452 departing Sydney at 9:40 p.m. and arriving back into Honolulu at 11:25 a.m.
However, the Airbus A330-200 is set to be removed from this route. This is because Hawaiian Airlines plans to operate its new flagship Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
Finally, Andrew Stanbury, Managing Director of International and North America sales at Hawaiian Airlines, says, “Our Sydney-Honolulu route has always been a special one to serve and connects 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. For that, we are grateful, and it keeps us motivated to put our best foot forward for Australia.”
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