Retro holidays in vogue as Aussies combine Hawaii with US mainland
The “retro” holiday option of combining Hawaii and the US mainland is making a big return, as Australians seek to maximise their time in North America. Hawaiian Airlines is experiencing an increase in bookings not only to Honolulu and Hawaii’s neighbour islands, but on to west coast destinations, or to Canada.
“It’s a real case of back to the future,” said Scott Cammell, Hawaiian’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Australia.
“Historically, Australians always flew to the US mainland via Honolulu, until the late 1980s, when new long-range aircraft made it possible to fly Sydney – LA non stop,” he said. “But now there’s a resurgence in the number of Australians combining their mainland visit with a Hawaii stopover – or their visit to Hawaii with an extension to the US mainland.
“Others are first time visitors to Hawaii, the mainland, or both, who are looking for a total American experience.
“And if you combine the number of great value-for-money US holiday deals with an Australian dollar of around 77 US cents in recent times, you can see why.”
Hawaiian Airlines operates three weekly Boeing 767 flights from Sydney to Honolulu, connecting with services to neighbour islands and nine US mainland ports – Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Through a recent agreement with Canadian carrier Harmony Airways, Hawaiian also offers joint fares from Australia to Honolulu, then on to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton or Victoria.
In addition, Hawaiian is strengthening its presence in Australia, having recently become the first US-based carrier in Virgin Blue’s Velocity loyalty programme, enabling Velocity members to earn and redeem loyalty points on Hawaiian Airlines flights.
Those staying in Honolulu can be lazing on Waikiki Beach or on a shopping spree by early afternoon, while passengers continuing to other destinations can connect easily with flights to Hawaii’s neighbour islands, or onward services to all nine mainland ports served by Hawaiian.
Mr Cammell said there was growing interest in mainland destinations including San Francisco, San Jose and San Diego, as well as the ever-popular Las Vegas, as Australian travellers sought different locations to explore on the US mainland – or different ways to get there.
For more information about Hawaiian Airlines visit www.hawaiianair.com.au, or about Hawaii see www.hawaiitourism.com.au
Chitra Mogul
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025