Say hello to 'Quokka' from Qantas

Qantas’ third Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will be named after one of Australia’s cutest native animals, the quokka.

Unique to Australia and largely found on Rottnest Island off the coast of Perth, quokkas are described as the happiest animal on Earth and are even known to enjoy a selfie with tourists.

Quokka was among the most popular suggestions in a national poll of more than 60,000 entries to name the airline’s fleet of eight Dreamliners.

Qantas International CEO Alison Webster said the quokka and the Flying Kangaroo would make a great team to help entice international visitors to Western Australia, especially as Perth and London will be linked non-stop for the first time.

“Our direct flights between Europe and Australia start in March, so naming our third Dreamliner after a native animal unique to WA seems very fitting,” she said.

“There may be some head scratching moments when people see the name of this aircraft at airports around the world, but a quick internet search will make them immediate quokka converts, and might even encourage them to take a trip,” said Ms Webster.

Hainan Airlines Heading To Brussels - New Non-Stop Service

Hainan Airlines will officially launch a non-stop service between Shenzhen and Brussels on March 20th 2018. Following the launch of the Beijing=Brussels and Shanghai Pudong=Brussels services, this will be Hainan Airlines' third direct flight from China to Brussels. The route increases the number of options for travellers flying between China, Belgium and other countries across Europe.

The route will be serviced by a Boeing 787 deluxe wide-body aircraft, with two round-trip flights weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The service's business class features spacious and comfortable cabins, 180-degree adjustable lie-flat seats, BOSE headsets and Bvlgari toiletry bags. Passengers in all classes will have access to an exclusive on-demand entertainment system and a gourmet selection of Western and Oriental meals.

In 2017, Hainan Airlines was listed among the Top 10 SKYTRAX carriers, becoming the first mainland Chinese airline receiving this honour. It has not had a major accident in its 25 years of operation. In the future, the airline will continue to offer high-quality aviation services, providing travellers worldwide with more convenient and safe travelling experiences.

Allegiant's results

During the week Allegiant Travel Company reported preliminary passenger traffic results for December, fourth quarter and full year 2017. 

So close to disaster..... a lucky escape for 168 people on PC8622

Only in the cold light of day can it be clearly seen what a lucky escape the passengers and crew of the Pegasus Airlines Boeing 737-800  had when the aircraft skidded off the runway at Trabzon Airport. 

Early indications seemed to point at a bird strike for the cause of this '"- a runway excursion incident" as Pegasus called it, although a full investigation is already underway. A retired air crash investigator told us that it didn't seem likely to be as a bird-strike incident as the aircraft appeared to be going at a relatively low speed as it exited the runway and slid down the cliff. 'Had it been going faster, some break up of the fuselage would be expected, increasing the possibility of loss of life.' 

The aircraft was flying from Ankara to Trabzon, with 168 passengers and crew onboard the flight late on Saturday night.  It is believed that everyone on board was evacuated safely, and the local provincial governor, Yucel Yavuz said confirmed that no injuries were reported. Mr Yavuz said the airport was closed for several hours while investigations took place.

According to the Erdogan Government controlled Anadolu news agency, there was panic on the aircraft when it skidded out of control on the runway. "We tilted to the side. The front was down while the plane's rear was up. There was panic, people shouting, screaming," a passenger Fatma Gordu was quoted as saying.  However, from a video shown by local media, from inside the aircraft after it came to a halt, it seems remarkably relatively calm and ordered. 

Pegasus Airlines issued the following statement -

We’re sorry to report that the Boeing 737-800 type TC-CPF registered aircraft of Pegasus Airlines Flight Number PC 8622 Ankara-Trabzon flight scheduled at 18:25 UTC tonight, had a Runway Excursion Incident during landing at Trabzon Airport (13 January 2018). All 162 passengers, 2 pilots and 4 cabin crew have been disembarked safely from the aircraft. There has been no loss of life or injury to anyone on-board.

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WestJet Prepares for Global Expansion

WestJet today announced three new vice-presidents will be joining the senior leadership team. Gandeephan Ganeshalingam joins as Vice-President, Lean and Continuous Improvement, Stuart McDonald as Vice-President and Chief Technology Officer and Scott Groh as Vice-President, Crew Resources.

Stuart McDonald joins WestJet
 as Vice-President and Chief Technology Officer
CNW Group/WestJet

"I am pleased to welcome Gandeephan, Stuart and Scott to the WestJet leadership team," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "As we continue on our path to becoming a global, full-service carrier, the additional bench strength provided by our newest leaders is key to this exciting initiative."

Newsweek Names United Airlines Top Global Carrier in 2017 Green Rankings

 United Airlines ranked number one among global carriers in Newsweek's 2017 Global 500 Green Rankings, one of the most recognized environmental performance assessments of the world's largest publicly traded companies. United placed 59th among 500 U.S. brands and 100th among 500 global brands, further strengthening the company's position as a leading sustainable airline.

Newsweek's recognition of United's green initiatives follows Air Transport World (ATW) magazine naming United the Eco-Airline of the Year last year for the company's environmental leadership, innovation and action within the industry. Air Transport World has twice named United the Eco-Airline of the Year since the carrier launched its industry-leading Eco-Skies program.

Alaska Air Group reports December 2017 and full-year operational results

Earlier this week, Alaska Air Group, Inc. reported December and full-year operational results on a consolidated basis, for its mainline operations operated by subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Inc. (Alaska) and Virgin America Inc. (Virgin America), and for its regional flying operated by subsidiary Horizon Air Industries, Inc. (Horizon) and third-party regional carriers SkyWest Airlines and Peninsula Airlines.

Air Group's acquisition of Virgin America took place on Dec. 14, 2016. Operational results below include Virgin America results from pre-acquisition periods for comparison.

Icelandair Goes West to San Francisco

The smiling cabin crew of Icelandair will soon be heading to the sensational Californian city of San Francisco. This growing and popular airline have announced the return of their international service from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Iceland and beyond. The seasonal flights will begin on 1st June 2018 with four non-stop flights a week to Iceland on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and easy connections to and from more than 25 destinations in Europe.

"San Francisco will be a strong link in our network, once again, bridging Northern California with Europe. Icelandair offers our passengers more flights, more connections, and a refreshing alternative to Iceland and beyond. This new link between the Golden State and Europe will open new opportunities for not only leisure travellers but also for business, trade and foreign relations. We look forward to welcoming San Francisco aboard," said Icelandair CEO Bjorgolfur Johannsson.

Icelandair operates an exclusively Boeing fleet with 757's and 767's the service from San Francisco will be operated by one of Icelandair's Boeing 767s, featuring three cabins of service, more legroom, in-flight entertainment, and gate-to-gate Wi-Fi.

Trans States Airlines Rolls Out Massive Signing On Bonus for Pilots

Trans States Airlines has once again demonstrated its ongoing commitment to providing industry-leading pilot compensation by rolling out a $44,000 signing bonus for new hire First Officers.  The new bonus, which includes an additional $6,000 bonus for pilots with a type rating, solidifies Trans States' position among the top paying regional airlines in terms of first year compensation. 

Total first year compensation for new hire First Officers will now approach $86,000.  Pilots with airline experience who are hired as Captain Qualified First Officers (CQFOs) can fly as a First Officer or a Captain, and can expect a minimum year one compensation package of up to $90,000, with the opportunity to earn even more when flying as a Captain.  Once on property, Trans States pilots can also earn referral and mentor bonuses.

Total First Year Compensation for 

New Hire First Officers Now Approaches $86,000

"Trans States has consistently been a leader in regional airline pilot pay, and is proud to offer one of the most competitive pilot compensation packages in the industry," remarked Trans States Airlines Chief Operating Officer Fred Oxley.  "With competitive compensation and a training program that's second-to-none, Trans States is the smart choice for pilots with aspirations to fly for a major carrier.  Additionally, our promote-from-within philosophy makes Trans States the perfect fit for pilots looking for a place to build a long-term career."

Alaska Airlines receives single operating certificate from FAA

Alaska Airlines received a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today for Alaska Airlines and Virgin America, marking another significant milestone in the integration of the two airlines.

Major Integration Milestone: 

Alaska Airlines received single operating certificate today from the FAA

The receipt of a single operating certificate will not result in any immediate differences for guests when flying with Alaska or Virgin America. For now, guests will still use respective Alaska and Virgin America mobile apps, websites and airport terminals when travelling. But when Alaska and Virgin America move to a single reservations system in late April 2018, guests can expect a more streamlined travel experience, with the Alaska mobile app and website serving their travel needs.

Key achievement in the integration with Virgin America; no changes for customers

"This is a big moment for our company. We're now recognized as a one airline in the eyes of the FAA," said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines' president and chief operating officer and CEO of Virgin America. "I want to congratulate and thank the teams at Alaska and Virgin America for their tireless work to get this done on time, including Gary Beck, the executive sponsor who led this project from the beginning. The CAVOK Group was also instrumental with this massive effort. And we greatly appreciate the assistance of the FAA, the Department of Transportation and other agencies as we accomplished this major milestone."

Delta Air Lines announces December quarter and full year 2017 profit

This week Delta Air Lines reported financial results for the December quarter 2017.  Highlights of those results, including both GAAP and adjusted metrics, are below and incorporated here. 

Adjusted pre-tax income for the December 2017 quarter was $1.0 billion, despite a $60 million impact from the combination of December’s power outage at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and Winter Storm Benji.  For the full year, adjusted pre-tax income was $5.5 billion, a $621 million decrease relative to 2016.    

“Delta people rose to the challenges of 2017 to produce solid financial results, industry-leading operational reliability and strong improvements in customer satisfaction, and it’s an honour to recognize their achievements with $1.1 billion in profit sharing,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive officer.   “Looking ahead to 2018, we expect to drive solid earnings growth by growing our top line 4 to 6 percent, improving our cost trajectory and integrating our international partner network.  As a result, we are able to increase our previous full-year guidance to $6.35 to $6.70 per share due to additional benefits from tax reform.”

Delta’s operating revenue of $10.2 billion for the December quarter was up 8.3 percent or $787 million versus prior year.  Total unit revenues excluding refinery sales increased 4.4 percent for the December quarter.   

Passenger revenue increased $527 million, including $200 million from Delta’s Branded Fares initiatives.  Passenger unit revenues increased 4.2 percent, including 0.5 points from one-time revenue adjustments, on 2.3 percent higher capacity.

Cargo revenue increased 14.4 percent, driven by higher volumes and yields.  Other revenue improved 17.9 percent primarily due to higher loyalty revenue and a $150 million increase in third-party refinery sales.

WestJet reports record December load factor of 83.6 per cent

WestJet announced this week its December 2017 traffic results - the carrier scored a load factor of 83.6 percent, an increase of 2.8 percentage points year over year. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 9.8 percent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 6.0 percent over the same period. The airline flew a record 2.1 million guests in December, a year-over-year increase of 10.0 percent or approximately 190,000 additional guests.

"We are very pleased with our significant growth in traffic, as we reported a record December load factor and flew a record number of guests in December," said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. "I want to thank our more than 13,000 WestJetters for their efforts in providing our guests with a safe, caring and friendly travel experience through the extremely busy holiday season."

December 2017 traffic results

	December 2017	December 2016	Change
Load factor	83.6%	80.8%	2.8 pts
ASMs (billions)	2.754	2.598	6.0%
RPMs (billions)	2.303	2.098	9.8%
	Fourth quarter 2017	Fourth quarter 2016	Change
Load factor	82.6%	80.2%	2.4 pts
ASMs (billions)	7.659	7.253	5.6%
RPMs (billions)	6.329	5.816	8.8%
	Full Year 2017	Full year 2016	Change
Load factor	83.6%	81.8%	1.8 pts
ASMs (billions)	30.998	29.298	5.8%
RPMs (billions)	25.904	23.968	8.1%

In December, WestJet and Delta Air Lines announced an agreement to form a commercial joint venture which will offer customers access to an extensive transborder route network, world-class airline products, enhanced frequent flyer benefits, shared airport facilities and amenities, and a more seamless travel experience. The joint venture arrangement is subject to execution of definitive arrangements, board approvals and applicable regulatory approvals in Canada and the United States.

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United Airlines Offers Customers Two Free Checked Bags on Travel To/From China and Hong Kong

Starting this week, United Airlines will eliminate charges for customers' second checked bag on all routes from North America to China and Hong Kong. Currently, customers travelling from China/Hong Kong to the United States already receive two free checked bags. Fees for oversized and overweight bags will continue to apply.

"We are responding to valuable feedback from customers who are seeking added benefits when they travel to China and Hong Kong, particularly for leisure purposes," said Marcel Fuchs, United's Vice President, Atlantic and Pacific Sales. "By allowing a second checked bag at no additional fee, we aim to make the overall experience of travelling

to China and Hong Kong easier for our customers."

Porter Airlines reputation tarnished

Porter Airlines faces reputation ruin after airline staff threaten passengers who videoed a ground staff member being rude and aggressive with arrest if they didn't delete the video!

The horrendous treatment of Porter passenger occurred after a flight due to go to Porter's home base Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto from Boston was delayed for more than two hours.  A latch on the luggage door of the Bombardier Q400 aircraft wouldn't work - Porter says this was due to the frozen conditions and not a 'mechanical issue'. 

After being held in the aircraft on the ground for two hours, the flight crew ran out of allowable 'duty hours' and the flight had to be cancelled.  Passengers were transferred back to the terminal and that when things started to go awry.   Passengers claim an airline staff member forced them to delete video recordings from their phones and threatened to have them arrested if they did not comply after they filmed him being, as the passengers describe, rude and aggressive.

"There was a problem with the latch door to the luggage compartment and when it passed 10 o'clock apparently the crew couldn't fly anymore because…in their words, they would turn into pumpkins," passenger Kira Wegler told local media after she finally arrived back in Toronto three days late.

Hawaiian Airlines Carries Record 11.5 Million Passengers in 2017

 Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., welcomed a record 11,505,324 guests in 2017, a 4.1 percent increase over the previous year.  Hawai'i's largest and longest-serving airline today announced its system-wide traffic statistics for the month, quarter, and full year ended December 31, 2017.  The Company also updated its expectations for certain fourth quarter and full year 2017 financial metrics.

The record number of passengers in 2017 marks 13 straight years of growth as the Company continues to expand its network and fleet, providing travellers with more options to fly to, and within, the Hawaiian Islands than any other carrier.

Southwest Airlines Reports December Traffic

 Southwest Airlines reported its December, fourth quarter, and total year 2017 preliminary traffic statistics, earlier this week.

The Company flew 10.7 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in December 2017, an increase of 2.6 percent from the 10.4 billion RPMs flown in December 2016. Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 1.8 percent to 12.9 billion in December 2017, compared with December 2016 ASMs of 12.6 billion. The December 2017 load factor was a record for the month of December at 83.3 percent, compared with 82.6 percent in December 2016. Based on these results, the Company continues to estimate its fourth quarter 2017 operating revenue per ASM (RASM) will increase in the one to two percent range, as compared with fourth quarter 2016.

Icelandair Puts Baltimore Back on the Map

The friendly smiles of Icelandair cabin crews will soon be heading back to Baltimore-Washington International Airport!   The growing airline announced yesterday that it will be returning to BWI after a decades break!

Flight 642 will begin seasonal service on 28th May 2018, with four non-stop flights a week to Iceland on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and easy connections to and from more than 25 destinations in Europe.

It has been over a decade since Icelandair ceased operations in BWI, but there has always been a strong demand and support for the airline to once again return to Charm City.

"The time is right for Icelandair to return to BWI.  Icelandair has been in operation for over 80 years, and Baltimore has played an important role in that history. Today our network is bigger and stronger than ever, and we offer our passengers more flights, more connections, and a refreshing alternative to Iceland and beyond.  We look forward to welcoming Baltimore aboard again," said Icelandair CEO Bjorgolfur Johannsson.

SkyWest, Inc. Reports Combined December 2017 Traffic for SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines

SkyWest, Inc., earlier this week reported 151,437 block hours in December 2017, compared to 156,788 block hours in December 2016, a decrease of 5,351 or 3.4%.  The net decrease was consistent with SkyWest's fleet transition plan to improve the mix of aircraft in its fleet by adding new E175 aircraft while reducing its 50-seat jets.  

The year-over-year net change was primarily driven by approximately 9,000 additional block hours from its E175 aircraft and a decrease of approximately 14,400 block hours from its other aircraft types.   

In December 2017, SkyWest's dual class aircraft represented approximately 53% of SkyWest's total block hour production for the month compared to approximately 45% for the month of December 2016.       

SkyWest reported 1,839,779 block hours for year-to-date December 2017, compared to 1,938,492 block hours year-to-date December 2016, a decrease of 98,713, or 5.1%.  This net change was primarily driven by approximately 148,200 additional block hours from its E175 aircraft and a decrease of approximately 246,900 block hours from its other aircraft types.

SkyWest had 84,936 departures in December 2017 compared to 89,553 in December 2016, a decrease of 4,617, or 5.2%.  Additional flight statistics for December are included in the accompanying table. SkyWest has discontinued providing available seat miles (ASMs) and revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in its monthly traffic releases as ASMs and RPMs are not meaningful metrics in SkyWest's capacity purchase agreements and business model. 

Finnair opens new route to Lyon, adds long-haul frequencies to Osaka, Hong Kong, Delhi and Phuket

Finnair today announced the opening of a new winter route to Lyon, France, for the 2018/2019 winter season. Known for its gastronomy, historical landmarks and its proximity to the French Alps, Lyon is the second largest metropolitan area in France. As of December 11, Finnair will fly two weekly flights to Lyon from its Helsinki hub with an E90 aircraft. Operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays, the flights will offer smooth connections to Finnair’s Asian network. 

Continuing with its growth strategy, Finnair is receiving its twelfth A350 aircraft in 2018 and will be adding several frequencies to its popular long-haul destinations. Finnair’s route to Osaka will now become daily during the winter season with two additional frequencies on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Two additional frequencies will also be added to the Hong Kong route on Fridays and Sundays, for a total of 12 weekly frequencies. Finnair’s route to Delhi will become a daily destination during the winter season with the addition of a flight on Wednesdays and a fourth weekly frequency will also be added to the Phuket route on Mondays starting as of December 10. In addition, the schedule for Finnair’s flight to Miami will be modified so it better coincides with Finnair’s other North American departures and its connecting flights to Europe. 

Emergency landing at Warsaw's Chopin Airport

 Warsaw's Chopin Airport has been closed after an emergency landing by a LOT Polish Airlines aircraft blocks runway.

The aircraft was operating flight LO3924 coming inbound from Krakow when it landed without its nose gear descended and engaged.  There are no reports of injuries to either passengers or crew at this stage.

The Bombardier Q400 aircraft experienced problems with its nose gear and landed with it retracted. Passengers managed to escape the aircraft after it came to halt, blocking the runway at Chopin. Emergency crews from the airports' fire and rescue service were soon on the scene and no injuries are reported.. Passengers escape the aircraft which came to a halt on the runway

Lądowanie bez podwozia na lotnisku Chopina lot z Krakowa do Warszawy -koszmar!!!!! #Lot #chopinairport #warsaw pic.twitter.com/sWz1LxWU0H

— Rafał Brzoska (@RBrzoska) January 10, 2018

Secret airline has secret job to secret area, but tell no-one it is a secret

Janet aircraft at area 51

Situation vacant,  but don't tell anyone, we know the truth is out there - somewhere.

Are you looking for a cabin crew job with a difference?  Do you have a security conscious personality? Can keep things confidential?  Are you not afraid of aliens? 

If you can answer yes to all those questions, there maybe we have just the right job for you.....  it's a flight attendant position with a slight difference - it's for a pretty secretive airline!


Janet is an airline that flies from Las Vegas McCarran International Airport to various airbases around the region, including the famous Area 51, in the Nevada desert, the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale CA and Tonopah Test Range, Nevada.


According to various US websites including The Aviationist, the company is now looking for cabin crew.  Apparently the job advert - which has now been removed - states:

High School graduate or equivalent. Must pass Company operated jet aircraft Emergency Training and Initial Flight Attendant Training and maintain currency as a Flight Attendant. Must be able to effectively perform all assigned physical duties without difficulty and without assistance. Must be able to push and pull heavy hinged aircraft doors weighing up to 80 lbs. Must comply with Company specified dress code and uniform guidelines. Must possess effective oral communication skills, including good public speaking abilities. Possess basic math knowledge and basic computer skills. Must qualify for and maintain a top secret government security clearance and associated work location access. Possess a current State issued driver’s license.

So maybe, if you can find it,  you can apply for the job and maybe you'll be one day working for Janet airlines, which is part of the multinational AECOM group, operates a fleet of Boeing 737 -66N aircraft and five smaller Beech aircraft.  

Other secret jobs in the world include -

UK's Secret Intelligence Service (also known as MI6) Jobs

MI5 Security Service jobs

Russian Security FSB

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WestJet Encore reaches unique agreement with cabin crew members

 WestJet Encore yesterday announced its cabin crew members have reached an evergreen agreement between WestJet Encore and WestJet Encore Cabin Crew Members (CCMs).

The agreement was designed to address key concerns and feedback collected and brought forward by the WestJet Cabin Crew Association (WCCA) representing WestJet Encore CCMs. The agreement covers work rules, compensation, including guaranteed minimum hours, and career progression and guarantees an ongoing annual review of the contract.

"We are pleased to reach an agreement that is simple, fair and provides an opportunity for ongoing feedback and adjustments," said Charles Duncan, President, WestJet Encore. "We wanted to create something with flexibility built in, so we could address concerns brought forward by our team in a timely matter. This agreement highlights the benefits of leaders and WestJetters working directly together. I thank the WCCA, our WestJet Encore CCMs and the Encore leadership team for their work on this agreement and genuine commitment to our business and our people."

The agreement began January 1, 2018.

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United Reports December 2017 Operational Performance

United Airlines released it's December 2017 operational results this week, showing consolidated traffic (revenue passenger miles) increased 2.7 percent and consolidated capacity (available seat miles) increased 3.7 percent versus December 2016. UAL's December 2017 consolidated load factor decreased 0.8 points compared to December 2016.

"Last month, our incredible employees braved subzero temperatures and peak holiday loads to lead United into first place among competitors in mainline on-time departures, completion factor and on-time arrivals," said Scott Kirby, president of United Airlines. "It was the best-ever December for our operation, putting us in a great position to continue to deliver a solid operation for our customers as we head into 2018."

The company now expects fourth-quarter 2017 consolidated passenger unit revenue to be about flat compared to the fourth quarter of 2016, driven by stronger yields and better close-in demand.

Delta Air Lines was named the World’s Most On-Time Airline among mainline carriers by the aviation data and analytics company FlightGlobal, incorporating FlightStats, and is the first U.S. airline to earn the industry-leading distinction in the nine years FlightGlobal’s FlightStats has presented its OPS Awards, according to a release by the company Tuesday.

In 2017, Delta’s mainline operation saw 85.94 percent of flights arrive within 14 minutes of the scheduled arrival time, the industry’s widely used definition of on-time, according to FlightStats.1

“We are extremely proud of what Delta employees have been able to accomplish in service to our customers to drive a safe and reliable global operation,” said Gil West, Delta’s Executive Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “The results reported by FlightStats are humbling and yet another proof point that Delta employees worldwide are redefining operational excellence. Hats off to all Delta employees who come to work every day looking for ways to make meaningful improvements to the airline and continue to differentiate ourselves from our competitors.”

Hawaiian Airlines to Add Daily Long Beach-Honolulu Service

Hawaiian Airlines today announced it will begin daily non-stop flights between Long Beach (LGB) and Honolulu (HNL) in the summer, offering Southern California travellers another convenient option for direct service to Hawaii. The new route, being inaugurated May 31 out of Honolulu on Hawaiian’s new Airbus A321neo aircraft, complements the carrier’s popular daily flights at nearby Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

“Long Beach is a perfect gateway for travellers in Los Angeles and Orange County to ease into their Hawaiian vacation,” said Peter Ingram, Hawaiian’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “We look forward to welcoming our guests onboard, where they will enjoy our award-winning Hawaiian hospitality in the comfort of our newest aircraft.”

Starting June 1, Hawaiian’s Flight 69 will depart Long Beach at 8:30 a.m. and arrive in Honolulu at 11:40 a.m., giving travellers the afternoon to explore O‘ahu or connect to a neighbour island. The return flight, HA 70, departs Honolulu at 12:30 p.m. and arrives in Long Beach at 9 p.m.

Hawaiian, Hawai‘i’s largest and longest-serving carrier, is deploying a new fleet of narrow-body A321neo aircraft to provide U.S. West Coast guests non-stop flights to more islands. The airline today is celebrating its first scheduled A321neo flight, between Kahului (OGG) on Maui and Oakland (OAK), as it prepares for service between Portland (PDX) and OGG on Jan. 18, followed by flights between OAK and Līhu‘e (LIH) on Kaua‘i on April 11, and Los Angeles (LAX)-Kona (KOA) on the Island of Hawai‘i in the summer.