From May 20, 2023 Hawaiian Airlines will launch one weekly flight between Honolulu and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. The new route also offers convenient one-stop connections via Honolulu to the Cook Islands from Hawaiian’s 15 U.S. Mainland gateways.
On Wednesday (November 30, 2022), Hawaiian Airlines announced the launch of once weekly service between Honolulu (HNL) and Rarotonga (RAR) in the Cook Islands from May 20, 2023. Customers traveling from Hawaiian’s 15 U.S. gateway cities will also enjoy convenient one-stop connections via HNL to Rarotonga. Flight HA495 will depart HNL at 16:00 on Saturdays and arrive in Rarotonga at 22:25, while the return flight, HA496, departs RAR on Sundays at 23:35 and arrives in HNL at 05:50 on Mondays (all times local). Ticket sales on the Honolulu-Rarotonga route will open on December 7, 2022 on the airline’s website and other third-party distribution points.
In today’s announcement, Hawaiian Airlines’ President and CEO, Peter Ingram, said,
“We are delighted to grow our South Pacific network by offering our guests access to the Cook Islands, an archipelago that shares Hawai‘i’s Polynesian roots and natural beauty. This service greatly expands travel opportunities between the Cook Islands and the United States, thanks to our well-timed connections and robust network, including service between Hawai‘i and eight California cities.”
Also commenting on the new service, the Cook Islands’ Prime Minister, Mark Brown, added,
“As a 93-year-old destination airline committed to sustainability, Hawaiian Airlines is a perfect partner for the Cook Islands. We welcome this timely announcement from Hawaiian Airlines, as we look to rebuild our tourism industry and strengthen access to our northern hemisphere markets. Inbound tourism is a key economic driver for our nation, and to reach our potential we need access from the larger international markets. Hawaiian’s Honolulu-Rarotonga service connects us to Los Angeles, the Pacific Northwest, and many other large U.S. Mainland cities.”
The route will be operated with a quiet and fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo, where guests will enjoy Hawaiian’s award-winning onboard hospitality. The aircraft features 16 luxurious leather recliners in Premium Class, 45 Extra Comfort Premium Economy seats and 128 Economy Class seats. Guests will also enjoy LED mood lighting, and access to wireless streaming entertainment, USB outlets and large overhead bins. The aircraft cabin details also pay homage to traditional Hawaiian crafts such as bark (kapa) cloth and fishing nets, sand-inspired cabin wall panels and Hawaiian language signs. Hawaiian airlines previously offered service to the Cook Islands from 1987 through 1993.
Hawaiian® Airlines, Hawai’i’s hometown airline, has been the number one U.S. carrier for on-time performance for the past 18 years (2004-2021). The carrier has been in business for 93 years and is Hawaiʻi’s largest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian Airlines offers approximately 130 daily flights within the Hawaiian Islands and daily nonstop service to 15 U.S. mainland gateways. Additionally, the carrier connects Honolulu with American Samoa, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Tahiti and the Cook Islands (from May 20, 2023). Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA).
Source: Hawaiian Airlines