Hawaiian Airlines launching 4 new routes to 3 new cities
Come 2021, Hawaiian Airlines will offer even more gateways from the mainland to Hawaii.
The Honolulu-based carrier announced Tuesday that it will add three new dots to its route map next year, two of which are particularly noteworthy.
The first, Orlando, will be the first nonstop service from Florida to Hawaii. Beginning March 11, Hawaiian will fly its Airbus A330-200 on the 4,757-mile journey from Honolulu (HNL) to Orlando (MCO). Hawaiian's A330s are outfitted with 18 lie-flat biz seats in a 2-2 configuration, as well as 68 Extra Comfort seats and 192 standard coach seats.
The nearly nine-hour route will be operated twice weekly. Hawaiian explains that Orlando is one of the largest markets for Hawaii travel without a nonstop flight. Orlando will become the carrier's third-longest domestic flight, after Boston (BOS) and New York (JFK).
Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter for more airline-specific news!
More on the new Hawaiian routes: Lie-flat first-class seats on new Hawaiian Airlines routes available from 40,000 miles
The carrier also will add Ontario, California (ONT), to its route map beginning March 16. The five weekly flights headed for HNL will be operated by the Airbus A321neo, with 16 first-class recliners, 44 extra-legroom coach seats and 129 standard economy seats.
Ontario will complement the carrier's existing Southern California service from Los Angeles (LAX) and Long Beach (LGB), the latter of which will see a new daily flight to Kahului, Maui (OGG), beginning March 9.
And finally, on April 21, Hawaiian will begin operating another new route, this time to Austin (AUS). Austin will become the carrier's 16th U.S. destination and its first in Texas — and the south-central region of the U.S.
Like Orlando, the flights will be operated by an Airbus A330-200 on a twice-weekly basis. In explaining the rationale for flights to Austin, Hawaiian cites that Hawaii is a popular destination for Texans, particularly those from Austin, which is one of the fastest-growing U.S. metro areas.
Flight review: Hawaiian Airlines A330 First Class BOS-HNL
According to Department of Transportation data accessed via Cirium, Austin was the third-most-popular point of departure for travelers flying from Texas to Hawaii in 2019. Dallas was first and Houston was second — thanks in part to the nonstop flights to the Aloha State operated by American Airlines and United Airlines, respectively.
The addition of flights to Florida and Texas comes amidst one of aviation's biggest downturns in recent history. While the West Coast to Hawaii market gets even more saturated with mainline carriers and Southwest, Hawaii's namesake airline is clearly trying to experiment with some new U.S. markets.
The full flight schedules are below, but it's interesting to note that the Austin flight is a daytime flight in both directions. Additionally, the Orlando flight will have the plane sitting on the ground for over 25 hours between turns, quite poor aircraft utilization.
Related: Southwest Airlines adds new Hawaii route, connects Sarasota and Savannah to its ‘hubs’
The new flights are already on sale. Fares to Orlando start at roughly $250 for a one-way coach ticket and $1,500 for a one-way lie-flat business-class pod.
For now, award availability remains quite good in coach. You can redeem 30,000 HawaiianMiles for a one-way coach ticket. Saver-level business-class awards, however, are harder to find. Some dates are available starting at 40,000 HawaiianMiles each way, with other dates topping out at 130,000 HawaiianMiles each way.
You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards directly to Hawaiian at a 1:1 ratio. While Hawaiian doesn't belong to any major alliance, the carrier does have some frequent flyer partnerships with various airlines, including JetBlue and Virgin Atlantic.
New Hawaiian flight schedules:
Long Beach (LGB) — Kahului, Maui (OGG)
- HA 72 OGG-LGB 12:45 p.m. — 8:05 p.m.
- HA 71 LGB-OGG 8:35 a.m. — 12:35 p.m.
Orlando (MCO) — Honolulu (HNL)
- HA 86 HNL-MCO 5:15 p.m. - 7 a.m. (+1)
- HA 85 MCO-HNL 8:15 a.m. - 2:05 p.m.
Ontario (ONT) — Honolulu (HNL)
- HA 74 HNL-ONT 1:05 p.m. -- 9:35 p.m.
- HA 73 ONT-HNL 9:05a a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Austin (AUS) — Honolulu (HNL)
- HA 82 HNL-AUS 10 a.m. — 10:10 p.m.
- HA 81 AUS-HNL 10:10 a.m. — 1:30 p.m.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.