Hawaiian Launches Flights to Australia's "Sunshine State"

Only U.S. Carrier Serving Brisbane, Australia

HONOLULU, Nov. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hawaiian Airlines today continued its expansion into new international markets, with the launch of nonstop service to Brisbane, Australia, capital city of the State of Queensland.
Passengers of today's inaugural flight departing Honolulu enjoyed a festive island-style send-off, featuring live Hawaiian music and hula, a traditional Hawaiian blessing by Kahu Richard Kamanu of Kaumakapili Church, and fresh flower lei upon boarding.
Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's president and CEO, commented, "Brisbane is our second gateway city in Australia and the accessibility and convenience we are offering into an entirely new region will make it far easier to go and experience the vast appeal of this beautiful country. Likewise, Australians have a great affinity for the charms of Hawai'i and we see these new flights providing our state's visitor industry with a tremendous boost."

Hawaiian also offers nonstop daily flights between Sydney and Honolulu using its 294-seat, wide-body, twin-aisle Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Only U.S. Carrier Serving Brisbane
Hawaiian is the only U.S. carrier serving Brisbane, giving travelers in Hawai'i and throughout North America a convenient new travel alternative for experiencing the scenic beauty of Queensland – Australia's "Sunshine State."

Capt. Todd Mihara flashes a "shaka" sign, signaling 'all clear' from the cockpit of Hawaiian Airlines' inaugural flight to Brisbane, Australia moments before departure from Honolulu this morning. Below the cockpit window is a commemorative image of the Southern Cross in tribute to the pioneering flight between Hawaii and Brisbane in 1928, piloted by Australian aviators Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm. (PRNewsFoto/Hawaiian Airlines)

 Centrally located on Australia's east coast, Brisbane is the gateway to a host of appealing sites and attractions for visitors to enjoy, including the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, world heritage listed rainforests, the iconic Outback territory, and the renowned leisure destinations of Australia's Gold and Sunshine Coasts.

Brisbane also serves as a key hub for onward travel throughout Australia. Capitalizing on this, Hawaiian has timed its flight schedule for travelers to connect with same-day flights to and from throughout Queensland and other states via an interline partnership with domestic carrier Virgin Australia.

Hawaiian's Brisbane-Honolulu service is benefiting Hawai'i's visitor industry by adding 41,000 new air seats to the market annually, generating an estimated $79 million in visitor expenditures and $8.6 million in tax revenue for Hawai'i, according to the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.