Hawaiian investing millions to improve Hawaii islands customer experience
Hawaiian Airlines is pumping more than $600 million into Hawaii islands operations over the next five years.
The Kahuʻewai Hawai’i Investment Plan aims to enhance the experience by modernizing airport spaces, upgrading tech and retrofitting aircraft interiors deployed to the islands.
“Hawaiian Airlines is proud to call Hawaii home,” said Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow.
“Our Kahu’ewai Hawai’i Investment Plan represents one of Hawaiian Airlines’ largest single investments in our infrastructure, products and services in Hawaii. It reinforces our commitment to deliver safe and remarkable service that enables Hawaiian Airlines to thrive.”
Starting this year through 2029, Hawaiian Airlines will renovate lobbies and gates in Honolulu, Līhu’e, Kahului, Kona and Hilo to improve passenger flow and comfort. It will feature better seating and amenities like increased power charging. In Honolulu, Hawaiian’s busiest hub, the airline will build a 10,600-square-foot premium lounge at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1.
This spring, Hawaiian Airlines will launch an updated, modern app and website with improved functionality to simplify travel planning, booking and trip management with self-service features like changing flights and redeeming award travel on global partners.
Hawaiian Airlines’ fleet of widebody Airbus A330s, based in Honolulu, will undergo a full interior upgrade, starting in 2028, with new seats, carpets, lighting, first class suites, and a premium economy cabin.
Later this year, Hawaiian Airlines will reward Hawaii residents who are members of its Huaka’i by Hawaiian loyalty program with a 50% bonus on Atmos Rewards points and status points earned on Neighbor Island flights.
“Hawaiian Airlines’ investment is exactly the kind of long-term commitment Hawaii needs,” said Hawaii Gov. Josh Green.
Hawaiian last month announced it is investing in locally produced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce flight emissions and support agriculture in partnership with Pono Pacific and Par Hawaii, and that it would be the first airline to take deliveries of Hawai’i-made SAF later this year.
The Hawaiian Airlines’ Kahuʻewai Hawai’i Investment Plan is part of Alaska Air Group’s Alaska Accelerate strategic plan.
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