James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in...
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Hawaiian Airlines will be adding a new flight from Oakland to Kona, as well as adding a second daily frequency from San Francisco to Honolulu. The addition of these flights represents significant demand to the Hawaiian Islands as tourists flock to these destinations following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
New Oakland (OAK) to Kona (KOA) Service
This route was last operated in 2016, and while it isn’t a new route, it is the reintroduction of a route once served:
- Depart Oakland (OAK) 8:10 a.m. — Arrive Kona (KOA) 10:40 a.m.
- Depart Kona (KOA) 11:55 a.m. — Arrive Oakland (OAK) 8:10 p.m.
The flight to Oakland is unique in that there aren’t a ton of daytime services from Hawaii to the mainland. Many flights are operated as red-eyes to maximize aircraft utilization, so to have a flight that arrives in the evening is perfect for those who don’t enjoy sleeping on planes.
This flight will operate from June 15 through September 6, right in the middle of peak season when students aren’t in school and families typically vacation.
Hot Tip: Learn more about Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles loyalty program, as well as how to earn and redeem miles, in our detailed guides!
Additional San Francisco (SFO) to Honolulu (HNL) Service
Hawaiian will be adding a second daily service from San Francisco to Honolulu from May 15 through August 1:
- Depart San Francisco (SFO) 7:00 a.m. — Arrive Honolulu (HNL) 9:30 a.m.
- Depart Honolulu (HNL) 8:45 a.m. — Arrive San Francisco (SFO) 5:50 a.m. (+1)
Not many flights to Hawaii leave the mainland so early, so this departure at 7:00 a.m. allows you to get down to Honolulu just after breakfast, freeing you up to enjoy much more of a full day.
Hot Tip: Check out our ultimate Hawaii travel guides to Oahu, the Big Island, and Lanai, as well as Maui and Kauai, with top activities, beaches, hotels, and restaurants recommended by island.
Aircraft
Both flights will be operated by an A321neo with 16 recliner first class seats, 44 Extra Comfort seats, and 128 main cabin seats. While neither of these new flight additions will be operated with flat-bed seats, Hawaiian’s recliner seats are known for generous legroom and comfort.
Final Thoughts
Hawaii is a tremendously popular tourist destination, and these new flight additions will allow more passengers to visit the islands and also have a choice of times for departure and arrival. Hawaiian Airlines is known for its terrific service onboard, so seeing the carrier expand its presence on the mainland is certainly welcome.
Featured Image Credit: Hawaiian Airlines
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About James Larounis
James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in dozens of travel publications.
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