Hawaiian Airlines Upgrades Aircraft

Honolulu, Hawaii based Hawaiian Airlines recently announced in a press release that they have signed an agreement to purchase of twelve Airbus aircraft. The purchase allows Hawaiian to replace aging aircraft and expand to more destinations around the Pacific Rim. The purchase is for six Airbus A330-200 wide body aircraft and six Airbus A350-800XWB extra wide body aircraft. This is the first purchase of Airbus aircraft for Hawaiian Airlines, which traditionally has purchased only Boeing planes.

Mark Dunkerley, Chairman and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines said the following at a press conference. "These aircraft will help build on our success and enable us to provide our passengers with extraordinary travel comfort. We are committed to investing in the most modern technology and operationally-efficient aircraft, and Airbus meets our needs with the A330-200 and A350-800."

Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy also spoke highly upon the newest purchase by the tropical airline. "We are very pleased that Hawaiian Airlines has chosen both the Airbus A330 and A350 to enhance their long-haul fleet. These aircraft will allow our new customer, Hawaiian Airlines, to respond efficiently to the increasing demand for travel to its business and holiday destinations, and expand to new ones in the future."

About Hawaiian Airlines: US Airways is the eleventh largest airline in the United States, and is one of three airlines offering service throughout the Hawaiian chain of islands. The airline operates flights from a hub in Honolulu and focus city in Kahului, on the island of Maui. Today, Hawaiian Airlines operates a fleet of 29 aircraft to 19 destinations, most of which are in the United States. However, Hawaiian does serve Australia, Tahiti, American Samoa and the Philippines.

About the ordered aircraft: The Airbus A330-200 is the currently the smallest member of the Airbus wide body family of aircraft. The A330-200 is able to carry 253 passengers in a three class configurations, and as many as 293 in a two class configuration. The aircraft is designed to allow for flights of nearly 7,000 nautical miles to be flown with a full aircraft, allowing Hawaiian Airlines to operate to many large cities in around the Pacific and to Europe from its tropical location. The Airbus A350-800XWB is the newest design offered by Airbus. Designed as a competitor to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the A350 is a very similar plane. Made partially of aluminum and partially of carbon fiber, the A350 will offer lower operating costs than the A330 it is designed to replace. The A350-800XWB will seat 270 passengers in a three class configuration, and 312 in a two class. The aircraft is designed to operate routes up to 8,300 nautical miles, making it possible for Hawaiian to operate to anywhere on the globe.