Hawaiian Airlines Launches San José-Honolulu Nonstop Daily Service

HONOLULU –- “Do you know the way to San José …”

Hawaiian Airlines does, today launching nonstop daily service between San José and Honolulu in traditional island style, complete with Hawaiian music performers, hula dancing, an authentic Hawaiian blessing, and fresh flower lei for departing passengers on the inaugural flight. The San José Fire Department paid tribute with a water cannon salute as the jet left the gate.

Hawaiian is the only carrier offering nonstop service between San José and Hawaii.

Participating in today's inaugural flight ceremony was San José Mayor Ron Gonzales and Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Mark Dunkerley, who were joined by several top officials from the airline and Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport.

“Direct service to Honolulu will be good for the residents and businesses of San José and Silicon Valley,” said Mayor Gonzales. “We're a major economic center on the Pacific Rim, and Hawaiian's new service from our airport will strengthen our valuable trade and cultural ties with the entire Pacific region.”

Upon arriving in Honolulu, passengers on the inaugural flight were welcomed with more Hawaiian music and fresh flower lei.

Hawaiian's Flight 45 will depart Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport daily at 9:40 a.m. local time and arrive at Honolulu International Airport at 11:55 a.m., leaving plenty of time for travelers to conveniently connect to one of Hawaiian's flights to the Neighbor Islands, or enjoy the rest of the day on Oahu.

The return Flight 44 will depart Honolulu International Airport daily at 1:25 p.m. and arrive at Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport at 9:30 p.m.

Dunkerley promised San José travelers a flight experience that honors Hawaii's culture. “We're providing not just greater travel convenience to Hawaii for the South Bay, but also the uniquely special brand of service that Hawaiian offers. Hawaii is a remarkably incredible place of culture and beauty, and we've used that as our inspiration to provide the best air service available to the islands,” said Dunkerley.

San José travelers will be treated to Hawaiian's distinctive “Hawaii Starts Here” in-flight hospitality program, which showcases the culture, music, cuisine, tropical beauty and people of the islands. Essentially, their visit to Hawaii begins once they step aboard. The in-flight hospitality includes complimentary meals designed by award-winning Chef Beverly Gannon of Maui, a co-founder of the renowned “Hawaii Regional Cuisine.”

Hawaiian's service has been rated as the best of all domestic airlines to Hawaii for the past seven straight years by Travel + Leisure magazine. Travelers will also appreciate Hawaiian's industry-leading customer service, highlighted by the nation's best record of on-time performance for the past 21 consecutive months, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Hawaiian will operate the route using its state-of-the-art Boeing 767-300ER wide-body, twin-aisle aircraft that comfortably seats 260 passengers (18 First Class; 242 Coach Class).

San José is the fifth gateway city that Hawaiian offers daily nonstop service in California, and the ninth city in the Western U.S. overall.

About Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines, the nation's number one on-time carrier, is recognized as one of the best airlines in America. Readers of two prominent national travel magazines, Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, have both rated Hawaiian as the top domestic airline serving Hawaii in their most recent rankings, and the fifth best domestic airline overall.

Celebrating its 76th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaii's biggest and longest-serving airline, and the second largest provider of passenger air service between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more U.S. gateway cities than any other airline. Hawaiian also provides approximately 100 daily jet flights among the Hawaiian Islands, as well as service to Australia, American Samoa and Tahiti.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (AMEX and PCX: HA). Additional information is available online at HawaiianAirlines.com.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, which are based upon current expectations and estimates and involve material risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.