HONOLULU, May 1, 2007 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- Hawaiian Airlines is taking in-flight
dining to new heights with the airline industry's first "tasting menu" for its
First Class customers.
Modeled after the popular dining style found in high-end restaurants,
Hawaiian's onboard tasting menu lets customers create their own meal by
pairing choices from a range of sumptuous entrees designed in collaboration
with award-winning Hawaii Regional Cuisine Chef Beverly Gannon.
Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's president and CEO, commented, "People want
greater control over their travel experience. That's why we're giving
customers more choices in every aspect of their travel on Hawaiian, from
booking online to checking in for flights, and now with their dining in First
Class."
Dunkerley added, "We were already getting rave reviews for Bev Gannon's
onboard artistry. Our new tasting menu will set us further apart from the
rest of the industry. With other carriers resorting to selling in-flight
meals or eliminating them altogether, we saw this as an opportunity to further
distinguish Hawaiian's quality of service."
For lunch and dinner, First Class customers select three of five entrees
to create their meal. Twenty entrees have been designed for the tasting menu
and will be used in different groupings systemwide to ensure constant variety,
even for Hawaiian's most frequent customers.
Hawaiian is complementing its new tasting menu with a refreshing
Pomegranate Passion beverage created exclusively for the airline, along with
mochi ice cream for dessert.
For breakfast, First Class travelers will select two of three entrees and
also receive a fresh plate of assorted fruits.
One of each entree is prepared for every First Class customer on every
flight, ensuring that all customers will receive their first choice of three
entrees. The extra food provisions for each flight will allow Hawaiian's
flight crew to also enjoy the entrees for their meal.
Hawaiian has also introduced new noise-canceling headsets in First Class
to further enhance the quality and value of its premium product.
Chef Gannon, Hawaiian's executive chef and owner of two acclaimed Maui
restaurants, Hali'imaile General Store and Joe's, gives Hawaiian's new menu a
unique flair inspired by the islands, with entrees like Hawaiian Crab Cake
Tantalizing "Taste of the Island" with a Zesty Pineapple Salsa, Rock Shrimp
and Lemon Pepper Ravioli with Creamy Sun Dried Tomato-Basil Sauce and
Tri-Pepper Garni, and Chicken Tandoori served with a tangy Makhani Sauce and
Sultana Basmati Rice Pilaf.
"For years, Hawaiian has been raising the standard for in-flight dining to
a quality people expect when going to a restaurant," said Chef Gannon. "Our
new tasting menu gives travelers the flexibility to tailor their First Class
dining to their own tastes and lifestyle choices. It makes their travel
experience that much more enjoyable."
Airline caterer Gate Gourmet developed the tasting menu concept for
Hawaiian and is working closely with Chef Gannon and Hawaiian's in-flight
department on the catering and presentation of the new service.
Keith McGrath, Gate Gourmet's vice president of customer services, said,
"Hawaiian wanted to offer a truly unique and special meal for its First Class
customers and we're proud to have created a collaborative solution that meets
their needs."
Hawaiian introduced the new tasting menu March 1st on its San
Francisco-Honolulu route and has been phasing the service into its eight other
West Coast routes, as well as those serving Sydney, American Samoa and Tahiti.
The new service will be offered systemwide in May.
For Coach Class passengers, Hawaiian continues to offer complimentary meal
service, also designed by Chef Gannon, with a choice of three entrees on all
transpacific flights.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian is the nation's top-ranked airline for service in the 2007
Airline Quality Ratings. Hawaiian also led America's carriers in on-time
performance for 2004, 2005 and 2006, including a record 36 consecutive months
from November 2003 to October 2006, and in fewest misplaced bags for 2005 and
2006 (as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation). Consumer surveys
by Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and Zagat all rank Hawaiian as the
top domestic airline serving Hawaii.
Now in its 78th year of continuous service in Hawaii, Hawaiian is the
state's biggest and longest-serving airline, as well as the second largest
provider of passenger air service between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii.
Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more U.S. gateway cities than
any other airline (nine), as well as service to Australia, American Samoa and
Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides approximately 100 daily jet flights among the
Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
(Amex and PCX: HA). Additional information is available at
HawaiianAirlines.com.
SOURCE Hawaiian Airlines
Keoni Wagner of Hawaiian Airlines, +1-808-838-6778,
Keoni.Wagner@HawaiianAir.com