(The winners of Hawaiian Airlines’ OGG-LAS flight giveaway. L to R: Godfrey Akina, Nadine Bagda, Maurice Bediamol, Geraldine Oliveros.
Image Credit: Linn Nishikawa & Associates, Inc.)
By Staff Reports
(Maui)– Maui residents looking to experience Hawai‘i’s “Ninth Island” can now enjoy non-stop service to Las Vegas with Hawaiian Airlines’ new four-times-weekly flights between Kahului Airport (OGG) and McCarran International Airport (LAS).
The carrier celebrated its newest route with Hawaiian music and lei for guests departing at OGG today. Earlier, the airline hosted a special giveaway at Kahului’s Maui Sunday Market that invited attendees to show up with packed bags and be ready to board the inaugural flight, HA32, that evening. Two lucky winners, each accompanied by a guest, embarked on an all-inclusive roundtrip to Las Vegas, including a complimentary AVIS rental car, and hotel provided by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Hawaiian is the leading domestic carrier for travel between Maui and the U.S. West Coast, connecting Kahului to Los Angeles, Oakland, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle. Las Vegas becomes the airline’s ninth U.S. West Coast city with nonstop service to OGG.
“We have a 34-year history of welcoming travelers between Hawai‘i and Las Vegas, and the demand continues to grow at an incredible rate,” said Brent Overbeek, Hawaiian’s senior vice president of network planning and revenue management. “Our nonstop OGG-LAS service represents our commitment to offer our guests the most convenient network between the Hawaiian Islands and the U.S. West Coast, and strengthens Hawai‘i’s ties with the Las Vegas community.”
HA32 departed OGG at 8:50 p.m. tonight and is scheduled to arrive at LAS at 4:30 a.m. The return flight, HA31, has a 6:30 a.m. scheduled departure at LAS tomorrow, with an 11 a.m. estimated arrival at OGG that gives travelers the afternoon to relax and enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Valley Isle.
“We’re proud that Las Vegas is affectionally known as the ‘Ninth Island,’ and we couldn’t be more pleased that Hawaiian Airlines is adding this service and making travel between Las Vegas and Maui more convenient than ever,” said Chris Meyer, vice president of global sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Vegas changes everything by taking every experience to the next level, and 2020 is going to be a huge year with the launch of major new resort, sports and convention and meetings offerings. As Las Vegas continues to grow, we look forward to welcoming an ever-increasing number of business and leisure visitors from Hawai‘i.”
Hawaiian first launched service between LAS and the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in September 1985 with Lockheed L-1011 aircraft, and previously operated OGG-LAS flights from October 2010 to October 2012 with Boeing 767 aircraft. Hawaiian, which also offers up to three daily nonstop flights between Honolulu and Las Vegas with Airbus A330 aircraft, carried more than 470,000 guests between the two cities in 2018.
“As a record number of passengers continue to utilize McCarran, we are excited for this new service between Las Vegas and Maui offering travelers a chance to experience what makes both destinations so remarkable,” said Chris Jones, chief marketing officer for McCarran International Airport. “After years of collaborative efforts, it is satisfying to see this launch come to fruition.”
Guests traveling between Maui and Las Vegas can indulge in the comfort of Hawaiian’s newest fleet of Airbus A321neo aircraft. The quiet and fuel-efficient A321neo features 16 luxurious leather recliners in First Class, 44 Extra Comfort premium economy seats, and 129 Economy seats. In addition to the carrier’s award-winning service, including complimentary meals, in-flight entertainment and Hawaiian hospitality, guests have ample access to additional overhead stowage space and USB outlets to charge personal entertainment devices.