Hawaiian Airlines will launch Honolulu-Auckland services next year aboard Airbus A330 aircraft rather than the Boeing 767s it had planned to use.
The carrier claimed the switch was in response to strong advance bookings, though it also coincided with an announcement of promotional sale fares on the route. Hawaiian is due to begin flying to Auckland three times a week from March 14 next year.
Hawaiian’s A330s seat 294 passengers across two classes – 30 more than its 767-300ERs. The A330s also feature in-seat entertainment systems.
“It was always our intention to step up to larger aircraft once our services were established and the market was supporting us,” Peter Ingram, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Hawaiian Airlines, said in a statement. “We are delighted that six months ahead of our first flight from Auckland ticket sales already are strong enough to justify upgrading.
