Hawaiian Airlines Sets New Record for On-Time Flights – 97% in July

Hawaiian Also Ranks Best in Nation in Baggage Handling and Fewest Complaints to DOT – Zero


HONOLULU -- Hawaiian Airlines set a phenomenally high standard of aviation excellence for punctuality in July, as the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reported today that 97 percent of its flights arrived on time.

In addition, Hawaiian ranked #1 in the industry for its quality of service in handling passengers' luggage, and for fewest consumer complaints with an unbeatable figure – zero.

What makes Hawaiian's performance even more remarkable is that it was accomplished during the company's busiest month to date in 2004. During July, no airline did a better job filling seats than Hawaiian with an 88.3 percent load factor that led all carriers nationwide.

“Hawaiian is proving month after month to be the best airline operating in America – by far,” said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's president and chief operating officer. “Not only are we setting records for punctuality but we are also leading the nation when it comes to baggage handling performance and the fewest number of complaints about our service.

“To accomplish this during a peak travel month is another testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees,” Dunkerley noted.

The DOT's monthly Air Travel Consumer Report placed Hawaiian at the top of the industry on-time rankings for the ninth consecutive month, dating back to November 2003 when the company started reporting monthly statistics. On-time service, according to DOT standards, requires a flight to arrive within 15 minutes of schedule.

Hawaiian's 97 percent on-time performance in July also marked the fourth straight month the company has set a new industry standard for punctuality, following record-setting on-time results in April, 94.9 percent; May, 95.2 percent; and June 95.3 percent.

Further emphasizing Hawaiian's consistency of on-time superiority, 93 percent of its flights year-to-date have arrived as scheduled – a seven-month average that is collectively better than any single month by any other carrier in 2004.

The remaining top five airlines for on-time service in July following Hawaiian were SkyWest Airlines, 84.4 percent; Alaska Airlines, 78.8 percent; JetBlue Airways, 78.4 percent; and AirTran Airways, 77.6 percent. The industry average for all reporting airlines was 75.9 percent, which is 21.1 percentage points behind Hawaiian.

Customer Service Second to None
Along with setting ever-higher standards for on-time service, Hawaiian ranked at the top in the other categories reported by DOT in July: mishandled baggage reports, consumer complaints, and flight cancellations.

Hawaiian had the nation's best record when it came to handling luggage with only 2.62 mishandled baggage reports per 1,000 passengers.

The company also topped the industry in the “Consumer Complaints Rankings” as the DOT received zero complaints from the 534,000 passengers served in July.

In addition, Hawaiian had only seven flight cancellations representing only 0.2 percent – out of its 4,445 flights during July, giving it the second-best record among all carriers.

The DOT's Air Travel Consumer Report for July is available online at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/reports/atcr04.htm.

About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines, the nation's number one on-time carrier, is recognized as one of the best airlines in America. Business travelers recently surveyed by Condé Nast Traveler rated Hawaiian Airlines as having the best in-flight service and meals of any U.S. carrier. In addition, Hawaiian is ranked as the nation's fifth best airline overall by Travel + Leisure, ahead of every other carrier flying to Hawaii.

Celebrating its 75th year of continuous service, Hawaiian Airlines is Hawaii's biggest and longest-serving airline, and the second largest provider of passenger air service between Hawaii and the mainland U.S. Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more mainland U.S. gateways than any other airline. Hawaiian also provides approximately 117 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). Since the appointment of a bankruptcy trustee in May 2003, Hawaiian Holdings has had no involvement in the management of Hawaiian Airlines and has had limited access to information concerning the airline. Additional information is available at www.HawaiianAir.com.