History of Hawaiian Airlines in Timeline

Hawaiian Airlines, headquartered in Honolulu, is the largest airline serving Hawai'i. Now a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, it ranks as the tenth-largest U.S. commercial airline based on passenger volume. The airline plays a key role in connecting the Hawaiian Islands to the rest of the world.

January 30, 1929: Inter-Island Airways Incorporated

On January 30, 1929, Inter-Island Airways (Hui Mokulele Piliʻāina), the forerunner of Hawaiian Airlines, was incorporated as a subsidiary of Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company.

October 6, 1929: Inter-Island Airways began operations

On October 6, 1929, Inter-Island Airways began operations with a Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker, offering short sightseeing flights over Oʻahu.

August 1941: Douglas DC-3s added to fleet

In August 1941, Hawaiian Airlines added the first Douglas DC-3s to its fleet.

October 1, 1941: Name changed to Hawaiian Airlines

On October 1, 1941, the company name was changed to Hawaiian Airlines as it phased out older Sikorsky S-38 and Sikorsky S-43 flying boats.

1952: Introduction of Convair 340

In 1952, Hawaiian Airlines introduced modern pressurized equipment in the form of the Convair 340 aircraft.

1959: Convair 440s added

From 1959 to 1960, Hawaiian Airlines added further Convair 440s to its fleet.

1960: Convair 440s added

From 1959 to 1960, Hawaiian Airlines added further Convair 440s to its fleet.

1964: Leina'ala Drummond Miss Hawaii

Leina'ala Drummond won Miss Hawaii title in 1964 and later became the face of the Hawaiian Airlines logo in 1973.

1965: Convair conversion

From 1965 to 1967, most of Hawaiian Airlines' Convair aircraft were converted to turbine propeller power.

1966: Jet service begins with Douglas DC-9-10

In 1966, Hawaiian Airlines initiated jet service with the acquisition of Douglas DC-9-10 aircraft, which significantly reduced travel times on its routes.

1967: Convair conversion

From 1965 to 1967, most of Hawaiian Airlines' Convair aircraft were converted to turbine propeller power.

November 1968: Final retirement of Douglas DC-3s

The last Douglas DC-3 aircraft were retired from operation in November 1968.

1973: Logo featuring Leina'ala Drummond introduced

From 1973 onwards, Hawaiian Airlines' logo featured the face of Miss Hawaii 1964, Leina'ala Drummond, who was a flight attendant with the airline.

1974: Sale of last Convairs

In 1974, Hawaiian Airlines sold its last Convair aircraft.

1976: Hawaiian Air Cargo division established

From 1976 to 1977, Hawaiian Airlines had a mainland air cargo division called Hawaiian Air Cargo based in Macon, Georgia, focusing on the United States Air Force Logair domestic cargo program. The airline also won an Air Force contract for 1976–1977.

1977: Loss of aircraft lease

In 1977, Hawaiian Airlines lost the lease of the aircraft it was using for its Hawaiian Air Cargo division and was unable to bid for the 1977–1978 Air Force contract.

1978: Hawaiian Air Cargo revived

In 1978, Hawaiian Airlines tried once more with a new batch of aircraft and operated Hawaiian Air Cargo again from 1978–1980.

1980: Hawaiian Air Cargo sold

In 1980, Hawaiian Airlines sold its Hawaiian Air Cargo operation to Zantop International Airlines.

1985: Charter services to the South Pacific begin

In 1985, Hawaiian Airlines began its first venture outside the inter-island market by offering charter services to the South Pacific using Douglas DC-8 aircraft.

1985: Acquisition of Lockheed L-1011 TriStars and launch of Honolulu-Los Angeles service

In early 1985, Hawaiian Airlines received the first two of its leased Lockheed L-1011 TriStars and launched its first scheduled operation out of Hawaiʻi: daily Honolulu-Los Angeles services.

1986: Expansion to international markets

In 1986, Hawaiian Airlines entered the new international markets of Australia and New Zealand with one-stop services through Pago Pago International Airport. The airline also aggressively grew its international charter business and pursued military transport contracts.

1986: Expansion to West Coast gateway cities

Throughout 1986, Hawaiian Airlines added additional L-1011s to its fleet and used them to open up services to other West Coast gateway cities such as San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, and Anchorage.

1987: Kapalua Airport opened

In 1987, Hawaiian Airlines opened Kapalua Airport on the west side of Maui. With its de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7 turboprops, Hawaiian had a distinct competitive advantage in the Maui market.

September 1993: Filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

In September 1993, Hawaiian Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection due to increasing financial difficulties.

1993: Kapalua Airport sold

As part of its restructuring, Hawaiian Airlines sold Kapalua Airport to the State of Hawaii in 1993.

September 1994: Exit from bankruptcy

Hawaiian Airlines exited bankruptcy in September 1994, operating a more streamlined all-jet fleet.

October 2002: Service to Phoenix begins

In October 2002, Hawaiian Airlines commenced service to Phoenix Sky Harbor airport using its Boeing 767–300 aircraft.

2002: DC-10s retired

Between 2002 and 2003, Hawaiian Airlines began to retire its DC-10s.

March 2003: Second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing

In March 2003, Hawaiian Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in its history.

2003: DC-10s retired

Between 2002 and 2003, Hawaiian Airlines began to retire its DC-10s.

2004: Investment from RC Aviation

In 2004, RC Aviation, a unit of Ranch Capital, bought a majority share in parent company Hawaiian Holdings Inc.

May 2005: Reorganization plan approved

As of May 2005, Hawaiian Airlines had received court approval for its reorganization plan.

June 2, 2005: Emergence from bankruptcy protection

On June 2, 2005, Hawaiian Airlines emerged from bankruptcy protection with reduced operating costs and restructured aircraft leases.

June 2005: Emergence from Bankruptcy Protection

In March 2008, Hawaiian Airlines launched nonstop flights to Manila, capital of Philippines. This was the airline's first major international expansion since it emerged from bankruptcy protection in June 2005.

September 28, 2005: Nonstop flights to San Jose begin

On September 28, 2005, Hawaiian Airlines began nonstop daily flights from Honolulu to San Jose, California, making San Jose the fifth gateway city in California to be serviced by Hawaiian.

May 4, 2006: Service expansion between US mainland and Hawaii

On May 4, 2006, Hawaiian Airlines expanded service between the US mainland and Hawaii in anticipation of the induction of four additional Boeing 767–300 aircraft. Additional flights were also added between Honolulu and the cities of Sacramento, Seattle, and Los Angeles.

July 24, 2007: Maintenance contract with Air New Zealand signed

On July 24, 2007, Hawaiian Airlines and Air New Zealand signed a $45 million contract for Air New Zealand to perform heavy maintenance on Hawaiian's Boeing 767 aircraft for five years.

August 2007: Seattle Seahawks partnership begins

In August 2007, the Seattle Seahawks began using Hawaiian Airlines to travel to games. Previously, the Las Vegas Raiders have been flying Hawaiian Airlines since the 1990s.

March 2008: Nonstop flights to Manila launched

May 1, 2008: Flights to Oakland begin

On May 1, 2008, in response to the closure of ATA Airlines and Aloha Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines began flights to Oakland.

February 16, 2010: Approval sought for Honolulu to Tokyo-Haneda flights

On February 16, 2010, Hawaiian Airlines sought approval from the United States Department of Transportation to begin nonstop flights from Honolulu to Tokyo-Haneda.

November 18, 2010: Nonstop service to Haneda begins

On November 18, 2010, Hawaiian Airlines began nonstop service to Haneda, Japan.

January 12, 2011: Nonstop service to Seoul-Incheon begins

On January 12, 2011, Hawaiian Airlines began nonstop service to Seoul-Incheon, South Korea.

March 31, 2011: Renovation of Honolulu International Airport check-in lobby announced

On March 31, 2011, Hawaiian Airlines announced that they will be renovating the check-in lobby of the inter-island terminal at the Honolulu International Airport.

July 12, 2011: Osaka added to network

On July 12, 2011, Hawaiian Airlines added Osaka, Japan to its network.

November 17, 2011: Additional Airbus A330-200 aircraft ordered

On November 17, 2011, Hawaiian Airlines ordered five additional Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

June 4, 2012: Flights to New York begin

On June 4, 2012, Hawaiian Airlines expanded to the east coast with daily flights to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

August 30, 2012: Application filed for Kona to Tokyo-Haneda route

On August 30, 2012, Hawaiian Airlines filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation for a nonstop route between Kona and Tokyo-Haneda.

December 3, 2012: Plans to begin flights to Taipei unveiled

On December 3, 2012, Hawaiian Airlines unveiled plans to begin flights to Taipei, Taiwan, beginning July 9, 2013.

February 11, 2013: "'Ohana by Hawaiian" announced

On February 11, 2013, Hawaiian Airlines announced a new venture in the turboprop inter-island business, "’Ohana by Hawaiian".

April 10, 2013: First destination in China announced

On April 10, 2013, Hawaiian Airlines announced its first destination in China, with service to Beijing expected to start on April 16, 2014, pending government approval.

July 9, 2013: Flights to Taipei begin

On December 3, 2012, Hawaiian Airlines unveiled plans to begin flights to Taipei, Taiwan, beginning July 9, 2013.

July 11, 2013: Codeshare agreement with China Airlines signed

On July 11, 2013, Hawaiian Airlines signed a codeshare agreement with China Airlines.

July 31, 2013: Service to Manila ends

On April 10, 2013, Hawaiian Airlines announced that it would end service to Manila capital of the Philippines on July 31, 2013.

March 11, 2014: "'Ohana by Hawaiian" service begins

Service began on March 11, 2014, to Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, with "’Ohana by Hawaiian", operated by Empire Airlines using ATR 42–500 turboprop airplanes.

April 16, 2014: Service to Beijing starts

On April 10, 2013, Hawaiian Airlines announced its first destination in China, with service to Beijing expected to start on April 16, 2014, pending government approval.