Alaska, Delta unveil 2 new — and unusual — routes to Hawaii
It seems like now is the time to start thinking about your winter beach vacation, as two U.S. airlines just announced some interesting new routes to Hawaii.
Both Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines announced new Hawaii routes Friday, but these aren't your typical flights to the Aloha State.
Alaska's new Paine Field-to-Hawaii route
The first new Hawaii route will connect Paine Field (PAE) in Washington with Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu. It'll be operated by hometown carrier Alaska Airlines using a Boeing 737.
This new daily, year-round route will commence Nov. 17, just in time for the start of the winter holiday season. Tickets are already available for purchase on Alaska's website, and they start at just $149 or 12,500 Mileage Plan miles each way.
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Alaska's new Seattle-to-Honolulu route will be the first (and only) Hawaii service from Paine Field.
Paine Field first reopened to commercial operations in March 2019 as an alternative for people living north of downtown Seattle. Prior to that, Paine Field had been closed to commercial traffic for decades.
Until March 2019, residents in Snohomish County and the surrounding areas had to drive nearly 40 miles south to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to fly out of the region.
Of the major U.S. airlines, only Alaska and United Airlines set up shop at Paine Field. However, United discontinued PAE flights during the pandemic, so Alaska has since had a monopoly at the airport.
Paine Field first started commercial service in 1939 before being converted to military use during World War II. Efforts to return the airport to commercial service started in earnest during the 1980s. Not until 2015, with a new public-private partnership, did those efforts start to become a reality.
Other than Alaska Airlines planes, you'll find plenty of Boeing jets around Paine Field. That's because Boeing builds many of its planes there, and they take off from PAE on their first flight.
Interestingly, Alaska used to serve Hawaii from Bellingham International Airport (BLI), located about 75 miles north of Paine Field. Those flights ended in April 2019 and haven't returned.
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Perhaps Alaska feels like Paine Field's catchment area will support the new Hawaii service better than Bellingham's did back in 2019.
Delta's new Minneapolis-to-Maui route
Delta will launch the other new Hawaii route. This one flies between its hub at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui. The new 3,917-mile route will debut Dec. 16 and will operate daily on a winter-seasonal basis through March 31, 2024.
This long-haul domestic route will be operated by a three-cabin Boeing 767-300ER, featuring 26 Delta One lie-flat pods, 29 extra-legroom Comfort+ seats and 171 standard economy seats.
This Mineappolis-to-Maui route will join Delta's existing daily route from MSP to Honolulu. It will give locals based in the Twin Cities more nonstop warm-weather destinations. It'll also expand Delta's Hawaii portfolio with a new route to Maui for those looking to connect through MSP.
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Delta's new flight will be available for sale June 10. Delta shared news of this new route with TPG after it was first reported by Thrifty Traveler.
The new Delta route is interesting since it builds on existing flights to Honolulu, which is typically considered Hawaii's main gateway. Delta seemingly believes there's enough demand from locals and those connecting through Minneapolis to support two daily Hawaii flights from the Twin Cities.
Only time will tell how these new routes fare, but one thing is certain: There are now more options to escape the cold this winter with a beach vacation in Hawaii.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 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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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- 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.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $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.
- Terms Apply.