Hawaiian Airlines welcomed to Honolulu the first of 18 Airbus A321neo aircraft that will shortly begin flying between Hawai‘i and the U.S. West Coast. The airlines new fleet of single-aisle aircraft will offer more non-stop flights to more islands, starting with service to Kaua‘i, Maui, and the Kona Coast on the Island of Hawai‘i.

Not long ago Hawaiian held a blessing ceremony for its first A321neo, “Maile,” named after a vine native to Hawaii and traditionally used for lei making and celebrations. Fittingly, Hawaiian’s A321neo is adorned with a new livery featuring a silver maile lei wrapping around the fuselage as the carrier’s “Flower of the Sky” Pualani icon gazes forward from the tail of the aircraft.

“Our new A321neos are ideal for our West Coast to Hawai‘i markets. They will bring Hawaiian’s unique blend of Hawaiian hospitality and industry leading operational performance to more travelers than ever,” said Mark Dunkerley, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. “As we welcome our A321neo fleet, some of our wide-body aircraft serving the U.S. West Coast will be deployed for further long-haul expansion.”

Hawaiian’s inaugural A321neo flight is scheduled for Jan. 8 on the carrier’s existing Kahului-Oakland route. New A321neo service between Kahului and Portland will launch on Jan. 18. Hawaiian’s seasonal summer wide-body service currently offered between Līhu‘e and Oakland will resume April 11 as a daily A321neo flight. Daily service between Kona and Los Angeles launches March 11 with wide-body aircraft before converting to the A321neo in the summer.

Hawaiian Airlines. 

On Unnamed Project: The Luxury Of Hawaiian A330 Premium Cabin.