Hawaiian Airlines Announces Expansion Of Tahiti Service

HONOLULU, September 14, 1999 -- Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. (AMEX and PCX: HA) will expand its service between Honolulu and Tahiti in December with the addition of a second weekly round trip flight, complementing its current Saturday/Sunday schedule with a Wednesday/Thursday flight.

"The time is right for added lift to Tahiti," said Paul Casey, Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO. "Between our new charter service in partnership with Renaissance Cruises and the opening of the new Outrigger Tahiti Hotel, there is a resurgence in interest in Tahiti as a destination and we're moving to help grow the market. This new flight will offer travelers added flexibility in choosing their length of stay and will significantly enhance our ability to promote Tahiti as a destination," he said.

Starting December 15, 1999, Hawaiian Flight 481 will depart Honolulu on Wednesdays at 5:40 p.m. and arrive in Papeete, Tahiti at 11:10 p.m. Return Flight 482 will depart Papeete Thursdays at 12:05 a.m. and arrive in Honolulu at 5:35 a.m.

The announcement follows Hawaiian's August 31, 1999 inauguration of new nonstop charter service between Los Angeles and Tahiti under an exclusive two-year, $70-million agreement with Renaissance Cruises.

"This is another step in Hawaiian's controlled growth strategy, and represents a significant commitment to building market demand for Tahiti. We are pleased to be introducing new services that will increase Tahiti's accessibility from the rest of our system, and vice versa," Casey said.

The new Tahiti flight will be operated with aircraft from Hawaiian's fleet of 12 wide-body McDonnell Douglas DC-10 jets and will offer the same award-winning onboard service featured throughout the Hawaiian Airlines system. Hawaiian's DC-10s offer 34 seats in First Class and 270 seats in Coach Class.

For booking and fare information, consumers may contact their local travel agent, consult Hawaiian's Web site (www.hawaiianair.com) or call Hawaiian Airlines Reservations at one of the following numbers:
Mainland U.S. / Canada: 1-800-367-5320
Neighbor islands in Hawaii: 1-800-882-8811
Oahu: 838-1555
Tahiti: 4215-00

Founded in Honolulu in 1929, Hawaiian Airlines is Hawaii's longest-serving and largest airline. The nation's 12th largest carrier, Hawaiian was recently rated third in Travel & Leisure magazine's 1999 ranking of the Top 10 Domestic Airlines (September issue). Hawaiian's all-jet interisland fleet of 15 McDonnell Douglas DC-9 aircraft provides award-winning service on 140 flights daily among the islands of Hawaii. Hawaiian also operates a fleet of 12 McDonnell Douglas DC-10 widebody aircraft on 14 flights a day between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. Its DC-10 South Pacific service links Honolulu with American Samoa and Tahiti.