(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070326/LAM061 )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040827/LAF044LOGO )
Highlights of the new features at HawaiianAirlines.com include:
- A state-of-the-art vacation planning tool allowing travelers to quickly
customize an entire itinerary -- a first in the airline industry.
- A new 'dollar-mile toggle' letting customers see a flight's cost in
dollars or miles in a single booking path -- another first in the
industry.
- Automatic application of special discounts for frequent flyers and a
display of their current mileage balance on every page.
- An evocative design showcasing the beauty of Hawaii.
Hawaiian has broken new ground with the website's vibrant Trip Planner, which lets visitors create personalized itineraries to Hawaii or mainland gateway cities served by Hawaiian. Developed by industry innovator Home&Abroad;, this content rich, easy-to-use tool provides a comprehensive search and purchase function offering the leading hotels, rental car agencies, and activity providers alongside travel information from Frommer's Travel Guides and Amazon.com.
Hawaiian's President and CEO Mark Dunkerley said the new site's intuitive interface, user feedback and interactivity make it the leading airline site in the current trend toward unprecedented levels of functionality known as 'Web 2.0.'
"We already had a highly rated website. This new launch and its next-generation features reaffirm Hawaiian's leadership in airline e-commerce. We're offering an entirely new approach to planning and booking travel that raises the bar for other airlines."
He added that Hawaiian will be introducing other new features in the coming months, including:
- Single-screen view of the lowest fares or mileage awards over a
three-month period.
- Purchasing roundtrip airfare by combining dollars and mileage awards.
- Booking hotel and car awards online using mileage awards.
- Purchasing upgrades online.
- Making reservation changes online.
- Customer content, ratings and reviews.
Hawaiian's new website is building on its predecessor's most popular features, including:
- Single-screen view of flight and fare availability over a seven-day
booking period.
- A personalized ticketing feature making repeat travel bookings fast and
easy.
- An exclusive three-tiered award structure and combinable one-way
mileage awards giving frequent flyers unprecedented control and
flexibility in using their miles.
Dunkerley said the site is also innovative for its destination-focused visual design. "Hawaii is who we are. Our customers expect a unique Hawaii travel experience when they board our aircraft and we wanted a website that delivers on that brand as well as our service does."
Hawaiian's new website is the product of teamwork between its marketing and IT professionals and some of the leading forces in consumer technology. The site was created by frog design, one of the world's leading strategic-creative consulting firms.
"By examining the needs of Hawaiian Airlines customers, we were able to redefine the way they book their vacation travel and create a truly immersive experience," said Mark Rolston, senior vice president of creative for frog design. "Hawaii is such a unique and iconic destination, so it was crucial for us to incorporate a design language that could reflect this and leave a lasting impression both of the beauty of the islands and the quality of the Hawaiian Airlines brand."
Hawaiian developed the site's backbone in conjunction with Microsoft.
"Hawaiian Airlines' site is an innovative example of the power of Web 2.0 technologies finding new expression," said Chris Capossela, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Business Division Product Management Group. "While many customers appreciate Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007's personalization capabilities for internal scenarios, Hawaiian uniquely draws on SharePoint Server's strengths as an external web content management platform to customize their brand experience through their website, so that their customers experience Hawaiian's brand in a unique and personal way."
About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines, holder of a record 36 consecutive months as America's most punctual airline, has consistently led the nation's carriers in on-time schedule performance and fewest misplaced bags in 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: HA; PCX). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com.
SOURCE Hawaiian Airlines
Keoni Wagner of Hawaiian Airlines, +1-808-838-6778, Keoni.Wagner@HawaiianAir.com