Hawaiian Airlines
will be making changes to one of its popular mainland routes. Beginning in the Spring of next year, the carrier will no longer operate its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners
between Honolulu and Phoenix.

It comes as the airline has exclusively deployed the aircraft type between the two cities for the past three months. Hawaiian only has two examples of the plane, which were delivered new to the carrier earlier this year.

Leaving the Valley of the Sun

According to aviation data and analytics provider Cirium, the Honolulu-based airline will operate the 787-9 between Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
through April 15, 2025. The Airbus A330-200
will return to the route thereafter, ending a hiatus just short of 10 months.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner taking off from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

PHX was Hawaiian’s third debut destination for its 787-9 operations. The airline took delivery of its first aircraft in February of this year. On April 15th, it began revenue service between HNL and San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
.

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It comes as the carrier plans to fully equip its Airbus A330-200 fleet with Starlink high-speed WiFi by the end of this month.

When the carrier received its second 787-9, it started to operate flights between HNL and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
on May 15th. One day later, the aircraft type was also sent to PHX.

Interested in this route? Find flights between Honolulu & Phoenix right here!

Hawaiian jointly operated the 787-9 and A330-200 between HNL and PHX through June 11th. On June 12th, the 787-9 officially replaced the aircraft, operating the route daily. Since then, the operation has not changed. With 62 flights this month, the airline is offering 18,600 seats, compared to the 17,236 seats provided with the A330-200 during the same period last year.

Onboard the aircraft

The carrier’s 787-9s boast luxury and have a total capacity of 300 passengers. In the front of the cabin, there are 34 Leihōkū (garland of stars) Suites arranged in a 1-2-1 format. They are equipped with fully lie-flat seats, an 18-inch inflight entertainment screen, power outlets, wireless phone charging, and direct aisle access. The two suites situated in the center of the cabin have customizable door configurations to either offer privacy or a shared experience, transforming into double suites for couples.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787-9 premium cabin.

Photo: Hawaiian Airlines

The main cabin comprises the remaining 266 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration. 79 seats are branded as “Extra Comfort” and have more legroom. Each seat is equipped with a 12-inch seatback monitor and USB ports. AC power outlets are only available on the “Extra Comfort” seats. Hawaiian’s 787-9s are not equipped with WiFi, but the airline said it hopes to have them retrofitted by the end of the year.

Swapping out Phoenix with Maui?

Since taking delivery of the two aircraft, the airline has not yet received another example. 10 more Dreamliners are still on order. The third example is expected to be delivered by the end of the year, but the remaining deliveries will gradually occur through 2027.

It is unclear why Hawaiian will remove the 787-9 from PHX. However, Cirium data shows that the aircraft type will begin operating between Kahului Airport (OGG)
and LAX in February, complementing the existing deployment between HNL and LAX. By March, the 787-9 will be Hawaiian’s sole operator on the OGG-LAX route.

Simple Flying contacted the airline late Sunday, but a representative could not be immediately reached.

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