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After 37 Years, Island Air Ceases Operations Friday

Nov. 10, 2017
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2 min read
island-air
After 37 Years, Island Air Ceases Operations Friday
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2017 has been a mixed year for airline profitability. The top 5 US carriers are racking up $5 billion in profits per quarter. Meanwhile, other airlines are shutting down. Already in 2017, we have seen the end of Monarch and Air Berlin while Alitalia entered bankruptcy yet again.

Now we have news of the death of another airline: Island Air. The United partner and American Airlines interline partner operated around 450 flights per week between the Hawaiian islands. Hailed as Hawaii's second-oldest airline, it originally launched in 1980 as Princeville Airways before being renamed Island Air in 1995.

The airline will cease operations at the close of business Friday, November 10. But, if you hold an Island Air ticket for a flight after that, you have options.

First, in an honorable way of gaining loyalty, previous competitor Hawaiian Airlines is honoring all Island Air tickets from November 11 to 17:



Starting Nov. 11 through 17, Island Air guests holding a confirmed reservation to/from/via Honolulu, Oʻahu (HNL); Kahului, Maui (OGG); Kona, Hawai‘i Island (KOA); and Līhu‘e, Kaua‘i (LIH) can standby for Coach Class seating on Hawaiian’s regularly scheduled flights between the same origin and destination cities on the ticketed day of departure.

For those who want a confirmed reservation, Hawaiian Airlines is offering a special $71 (taxes included) price for Island Air ticket holders for flights November 11-17.

United is offering assistance for those with ticketed revenue or award tickets through United for flights operated by Island Air:

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If you have a ticket for a flight operated by Island Air after [November 10], please contact 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) or your local United Customer Contact Center so we can help rebook your travel or provide a refund.

United MileagePlus program is also honoring mileage claims for Island Air flights "up to 12 months after the date of their flight."

If none of those help, Island Air directs passengers as follows: "For inquiries on refunds, please contact your credit card company."

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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