Hawaiian Airlines to Begin Service Between Hawai'i and the Cook Islands

Travel between the U.S. Mainland and Rarotonga made easy with a Honolulu connection

HONOLULU, Nov. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hawaiian Airlines will connect the Hawaiian Islands with the Cook Islands starting in May 2023 with a weekly flight between Honolulu (HNL) and Rarotonga (RAR). The service, which launches May 20, in time for the U.S. summer travel season, will provide travelers from Hawaiian's 15 U.S. Mainland gateway cities convenient one-stop connections to the Cook Islands.

"We are delighted to grow our South Pacific network by offering our guests access to the Cook Islands, an archipelago that shares Hawai'i's Polynesian roots and natural beauty," said Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO. "This service greatly expands travel opportunities between the Cook Islands and the United States, thanks to our well-timed connections and robust network, including service between Hawai'i and eight California cities."

"As a 93-year-old destination airline committed to sustainability, Hawaiian Airlines is a perfect partner for the Cook Islands," said Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. "We welcome this timely announcement from Hawaiian Airlines, as we look to rebuild our tourism industry and strengthen access to our northern hemisphere markets. Inbound tourism is a key economic driver for our nation, and to reach our potential we need access from the larger international markets. Hawaiian's Honolulu-Rarotonga service connects us to Los Angeles, the Pacific Northwest, and many other large U.S. Mainland cities."

Ticket sales for the Honolulu-Rarotonga service will begin Dec. 7 on HawaiianAirlines.com and other third party distribution channels. Flight HA495 will depart Honolulu at 4 p.m. on Saturdays and arrive in Rarotonga at 10:25 p.m. the same day. The return flight, HA496, will depart Rarotonga at 11:35 p.m. on Sundays with a 5:50 a.m. Monday arrival in Honolulu.

Guests will enjoy Hawaiian's award-winning onboard hospitality in the comfort of its Airbus A321neo, the most fuel-efficient and quietest aircraft of its kind. It features 16 luxurious leather recliners in the Premium Cabin, 45 Extra Comfort Premium Economy seats, and 128 Economy seats. Textiles and other materials throughout the cabin pay homage to traditional Hawaiian crafts including bark cloth (kapa) and fishing nets. Other details range from sand-inspired wall panels to Hawaiian language signage and LED mood-lighting evoking Hawaii's soothing sunrises and sunsets. Guests will enjoy access to wireless streaming entertainment, USB outlets, and large overhead stowage space.

Hawaiian previously served the Cook Islands from 1987 through 1993. Learn more about the Cook Islands by visiting https://cookislands.travel.

Hawaiian^® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 18 years (2004-2021) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation and consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawaiʻi. In 2022, the carrier topped Travel + Leisure's 2022 World's Best list as the No. 1 U.S. airline and was named Hawaiʻi's best employer by Forbes. 

Now in its 94th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaiʻi's biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 130 daily flights within the Hawaiian Islands, daily nonstop flights between Hawaiʻi and 15 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as service connecting Honolulu and American Samoa, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Tahiti.

The airline is committed to connecting people with aloha by offering complimentary meals for all guests on transpacific routes and the convenience of no change fees on Main Cabin and Premium Cabin seats. HawaiianMiles members also enjoy flexibility with miles that never expire. As Hawai'i's hometown airline, Hawaiian encourages guests to Travel Pono and experience the islands safely and respectfully.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com. Follow Hawaiian's Twitter updates (@HawaiianAir), become a fan on Facebook  (Hawaiian Airlines), and follow us on Instagram (hawaiianairlines). For career postings and updates, follow Hawaiian's LinkedIn page.

For media inquiries, please visit Hawaiian Airlines' online newsroom. 

At the center of the Polynesian triangle, in the South Pacific the Cook Islands consist of 15 islands scattered across 850 square miles. The Cook Islands are located in the same time zone as Hawaii, with the same distance south of the equator as Hawaii is north of the equator. The islands range from low coral atolls to the mountainous Rarotonga. The main island of Rarotonga is 20 miles in circumference with one main coastal road that circles the island, making exploring the island easy and simple to navigate.

The Cook Islands offer a range of boutique accommodation options located around the island including resorts, hotels, private villas and holiday homes.  With its natural beauty, warm welcoming people, and relaxed pace of life the Cook Islands offer a holiday paradise where there is an abundance of activities to see and do.

In the Cook Islands, you will not find traffic lights, food chains, or buildings taller than a coconut tree. You will find unforgettable authentic experiences and culinary delights conveyed through the Kia Orana spirit of its people - where you are treated like a friend coming home.

In recent years awareness of the Cook Islands has been boosted by many international awards including Lonely Planet's Top Country to visit 2022, World Travel Awards Oceania's Leading Island Destination 2022 and Global Traveler Leisure Lifestyle Awards, Best Island Pacific Rim 2022 for the seventh consecutive year. Learn more about the destination by visiting https://cookislands.travel and by following us on Facebook or Instagram

SOURCE Hawaiian Airlines