Honolulu is the capital of the US state of Hawaii. Nestled in the Pacific Ocean, it is a popular tourist destination worldwide. Home to the state’s flag carrier, Hawaiian Airlines, the carrier serves more direct services to and from the state than any other airline.

The airline is the tenth-largest commercial airline in the United States by passengers carried and is a recent subsidiary of the Alaska Air Group. Operating predominantly from HNL, the airline also has a secondary hub from Kahului
, on Maui.

Honolulu Airport & Skyline View

Photo: SvetlanaSF | Shutterstock

Utilizing its fleet of Airbus A321neo
, A330-200, and Boeing 787-9
aircraft enables Hawaiian Airlines
to offer a network of unique destinations around the Pacific, including multiple destinations in the United States. However, have you ever considered venturing further into the Pacific Ocean the next time you visit Hawaii? What other exotic destinations can you name that are served with direct services from Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)?

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Cook Islands

Rarotonga International Airport (RAR)

Hawaiian Airlines
launched a direct connection between Honolulu and Rarotonga
last May. The first flight arrived with 120 passengers onboard on May 22, and the return service departed the following Sunday with 90 confirmed passengers. The Hawaiian A321neo can carry up to 189 guests onboard.

Travelers on the route are shuttled on the A321neo, the most fuel-efficient aircraft available of its kind. It features 16 seats in the Premium Cabin, 45 Extra Comfort or premium economy seats, and 128 in the economy. The cabin interior pays tribute to traditional Hawaiian culture and crafts, while the aircraft also has wireless streaming, USB outlets, and generous overhead storage.

The Honolulu-based carrier once served the route between 1987 and 1993. However, the Cooks have been without the connection since. Air New Zealand
once connected Rarotonga to the mainland USA at LAX. However, this was axed during the pandemic, and the airline has noted it doesn’t intend to resume the service anytime soon.

hnl-rar

The service to the Cook Islands is served once a week and follows the below schedule:

  • HA495 departs from Honolulu at 16:00 and arrives at Rarotonga at 22:25. This flight operates southbound on Saturdays and has a block time of six hours and 25 minutes.
  • HA496 departs from Rarotonga at 23:30 and arrives in Honolulu at 05:40 the next day. This flight operates northbound on Sundays and has a block time of six hours and ten minutes.

You may notice that over 24 hours, the aircraft remains on the apron in Rarotonga
; this enables the operating crew a full day’s rest before operating the return service.

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French Polynesia

Papeete International Airport (PPT)

From one paradise to another, Hawaiian Airlines connects Honolulu to Papeete, in French Polynesia. Hawaiian Airlines route to Faaʻa International Airport (PPT) is another service operating once a week and provides the perfect island-hopping itinerary for those who enjoy lying by the beach or exploring new cultures.

Given that Hawaiian Airlines has multiple destinations in Japan and mainland United States, it also provides accessible one-stop itineraries for those coming from further afield.

HNL-PPT

For its service to Papeete, the Airbus A330-200
provides capacity for up to 278 passengers onboard, spread across three cabins, including 18 business class, 68 in the main cabin preferred, and 192 remaining in the main cabin. Looking to book a ticket? The schedule is outlined below:

  • HA481, departing Honolulu at 15:40, arriving in Papeete at 21:30. This flight operates southbound on Saturdays and has a block time of five hours, 50 minutes.
  • HA482 departs Papeete at 23:30 and arrives in Honolulu at 05:20 the next day. This flight operates northbound on Saturdays and has a block time of five hours and 15 minutes.

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Hawaiian Airlines’ commitment to the route adds a second medium-haul Airbus service within the Pacific, complementing the current

Aircalin A330neo
service that connects Papeete and Noumea. These two services are one of just three that serve the small island nations in the Pacific Ocean, with Pago Pago, American Samoa, the remaining link as below:

American Samoa

Pago Pago International Airport (PPG)

Hawaiian Airlines connects Hawaii to American Samoa twice a week.

Pago Pago
is the capital of the unincorporated South Pacific territory. Hawaiian Airlines serves (PPG) twice weekly onboard its Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

hnl-ppg

This route serves as a vital link for American Samoa to remain connected to the United States, and its flight timings are optimized to make the most of connections into the wider HA network from HNL. The airline’s schedule is outlined below:

  • HA465 departs Honolulu at 16:35 and arrives in Pago Pago at 21:20. Operating southbound on Monday and Thursday, the flight has a block time of five hours and 45 minutes.
  • HA466 departs Pago Pago at 23:20 and arrives in Honolulu at 05:50 the following day. This flight operates northbound on Monday and Thursday, with a block time of five hours and 30 minutes.

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Already explored these three destinations? Hawaiian Airlines also provides flights further around the South Pacific, including Auckland Airport
(seasonally), and Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
(year round). Alternatively, you can reach Fiji via Kiritimati or Apia on select dates throughout the week with Fiji Airways
.

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