Hawaiian Airlines is Your Best Introduction to Hawaii
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Whether you love island destinations or are hunting for something different, Hawaii is one of the most fulfilling trips you can make. The scenic beauty, comfortable trade winds, faint smell of flowers, and rich culture have made the island chain one of the most sought-after destinations in the world.
We at Vacation Countdown are based in Hawaii and know that one of the best introductions to this remarkable area is the flight itself. Hawaiian Airlines is one of many carriers that fly in and out of the islands, but it consistently rises above the rest. We travel multiple months a year and are impressed whenever we use the airline. Best of all, you don’t have to pay more for it. Flights are often reasonable, which is all part of the aloha.
Here is a quick rundown of traits you will experience when flying with this airline.
Experts at Aloha

Like other airlines, you are greeted with warm smiles, but the experience here is different. Hawaiian Airlines focuses exclusively on flights to and from the islands, so they know a lot about Hawaii and care about extending the island experience regardless of the price of your seat. For other airlines, the state of Hawaii is just one of many stops. The crew understands the appeal to Hawaii and make sure to make the flight is just as welcoming.
The airline often caters to local Hawaiian travelers, too. This makes the overall experience more personal. Since the crewmembers live on the islands, they are also excellent sources for recommending things to see and do. And they aren’t shy about helping. The crew is also open, inviting, and talkative; no pretension here.
Even the uniforms are a sign of how they stand out from the competition. They wear tastefully-designed aloha shirts, and the women wear hairpins in the theme of local flowers. This helps avoid the stuffy vibe and minimal effort show by other airlines and capture the true spirit of traveling to Hawaii.
In addition to excellent service (you will feel well taken care of), they manage to blend quality experience and friendliness together easily. They care about your journey and what they do and want to keep you smiling. You will enjoy warm vibes throughout your flight.
A Quality Flight

Like the uniforms and staff, the planes are clean and well-maintained. The seats are comfortable, and as you settle in, the seatback TV screens play music videos of local Hawaiian talent. Each video is expertly filmed in superb scenic beauty.
You will also enjoy one of the most appealing and creative pre-flight briefings you will see anywhere. A video covers each step of the brief using actual crew members and their families. Each step of the process is set in different areas of the islands and creatively ties each instruction with everyday activities in Hawaii. For example, a woman leans forward in a beach chair on a sandy beach to demonstrate how to raise an airplane seat before take-off and landing. The video is entertaining, very sweet, and memorable.
You can also browse the screen to find Hawaiian-based shows, films, and articles for a closer look at Hawaii’s offerings.
Hawaii-Inspired Food and Drinks

Continuing with the Hawaiian theme, the airline offers tasty island foods and drinks created by executive chefs. You can also taste desserts by a premier pastry chef from Hawaii. You also get a complimentary cup of POG (a blend of passion fruit, orange, and guava juice.) It’s delicious and another addition that sets the airline apart from a typical flight.
Reliability
When your timing in the islands is tight, or you plan to attend an important meeting, Hawaiian Airlines is your best option to arrive on time. Hawaiian Airlines has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for the last 15 years.
It also is a consistent carrier to Hawaii. If you have flown to and from Hawaii over many years, you have likely noticed that airlines that fly there don’t always maintain routes. They often cancel Hawaii as a destination and then try to include them again. Hawaiian Airlines, however, is an airline you can trust year in and year out.
Access to Multiple islands
Hawaiian Airlines is the largest commuter airline in Hawaii and the longest-serving airline, and with these traits come many benefits.
The airline flies to and from all three international airports: Honolulu airport in Oahu and both Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport in the big island of Hawaii. It also offers non-stop service to and from 15 mainland cities:
- New York City, New York
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Austin, Texas
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Seattle, Washington
- Portland, Oregon
- Long Beach, California
- Los Angeles, California
- Oakland, California
- Ontario, California
- Sacramento, California
- San Diego, California
- San Francisco, California
- San Jose, California
If you plan to fly to multiple islands, again Hawaiian Airlines is a good choice. It offers interisland flights running only 20 to 50 minutes, depending on the route. It flies back and forth to:
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Lihue, Kauai
- Kahului, Maui
- Kona and Hilo, Hawaiian Island
You Can Learn More About Hawaii

Want to learn a bit more about Hawaii before your flight? The airline’s website has a section devoted to educating you on each island and listing popular attractions at each location so that you can make the most of your vacation.
Special Deals
To get the best deals for interisland flights, you can sign up for email alerts from Hawaiian Airlines and get a Hawaiian Airlines credit card for miles to save you significant money.
For the lowest rates, the best months to fly are April, May, September, and October. Generally, pricing is lower on weekdays. Still, good deals pop up periodically throughout the year and can be good. Flights to California in the early $ 100s or inter-island flights for around $30.
You can also use the airline’s website to find special package deals. In some cases, the sales cover the cost of your flight entirely – even for flights from the mainland.
Your Ultimate Hawaiian Experience Begins in the Air

A Hawaiian Airlines flight is a fantastic way to experience the magic of Hawaii before you land. Like your time on the islands, your flight will be one you will remember.
