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Hawaiian Will Launch the Longest Domestic Flight in the US

Sept. 14, 2018
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3 min read
Hawaiian-a330 - image by Tomas Del Coro/Flickr
Hawaiian Will Launch the Longest Domestic Flight in the US
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Hawaiian Airlines already had one of the longest domestic flights in the US with its nonstop service between New York (JFK) and Honolulu (HNL). Now, the airline has announced its launching a flight that goes even further --and that's all within the United States.

Hawaiian will begin flying between Boston Logan (BOS) and Honolulu on April 4, 2019, operating an Airbus A330-200 on the new route. The flight clocks in at nearly 5,100 miles each way — about 100 miles longer than its New York flight. It'll be the first nonstop flight between Boston and Hawaii, and it's the largest US market without nonstop service to the state.

The route will operate 5 times a week in both directions:

  • HA89 Boston (BOS) 8:55am Departure → Honolulu (HNL) 2:35pm Arrival
  • HA90 Honolulu (HNL) 1:45pm Departure → Boston (BOS) 6:00am (+1) Arrival

Boston to Honolulu is blocked for 11 hours and 40 minutes of flight time and the return is scheduled for 10 hours and 15 minutes in the air.

Hawaiian has two aircraft in its fleet that could handle such a distance, the wide-body A330-200 or Boeing 767. The carrier went with its newer A330 that holds 278 passengers in a two-class configuration. There are 18 lie-flat first class seats laid out in a 2-2-2 formation.

In the back of the cabin, you'll find 260 coach class seats (68 are extra legroom "economy comfort" seats) laid out in a 2-4-2 formation.

TPG review's editor Nick Ellis flew both products on the nonstop between JFK and HNL and enjoyed each experience, but said you likely won't be wowed in economy. Both flights received high marks for friendly and attentive crew members.

Hawaii's CEO Peter Ingram told the Boston Globe that prices won't be much higher than competitors even though it's the only nonstop option — that's because its catering to leisure travelers and not business people with an expense account. The airline is celebrating the new route with promotional fares for $617 round-trip prices in coach and $1776 in business, both of which appeared to be available after searching on Google Flights.

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Ingram said the airline's success on the JFK route led to them setting up shop in Boston.

“That was the time we got serious about expanding into the eastern part of the US,” said Ingram. “We see Boston as a terrific opportunity. We’re also encouraged by all the growth in long-haul and international services in Boston in recent years. It gives us the confidence about the market . . . to have the opportunity to grow.”

Hawaiian is a partner with JetBlue, so you can use TrueBlue points on the carrier. The redemption values vary from 1 to 2 cents per TrueBlue point — which usually has a fixed value of about 1.3-1.4 cents each.

Hawaiian's mileage program is also a transfer partner of the American Express Membership Rewards, although you likely won't get the most value out of your points with the carrier.

Featured image by TOMAS DEL CORO

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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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.