Continental Airlines has announced new daily nonstop service to Hilo, Hawaii, from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and once-weekly service to Hilo from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) beginning June 9, 2011.
The new flights complement Continental’s and United’s existing service to Hawaii. United, which has served the islands since 1947, and Continental collectively provide more mainland service to Hawaii than any other carrier from their hubs at Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Houston, Chicago and Newark/New York.
Daily flights from Los Angeles will depart at 5:00 p.m. and arrive at 7:40 p.m. Returning flights will depart at 8:55 p.m. and arrive at 5:15 a.m. the next day. Flights from San Francisco will depart on Saturdays at 4:20 p.m. and arrive at 6:40 p.m. Returning flights will depart at 9:20 p.m. on Saturdays and arrive at 5:20 a.m. on Sunday mornings.
“The addition of the two routes is welcome news for Hawaii Island and the entire state, and a result of the momentum established by our tourism industry to lead Hawaii’s tourism recovery,” said Mike McCartney, Hawaii Tourism Authority president and CEO. "Based on initial Hawaii Tourism Authority projections, the flights could bring nearly 40,000 more visitors to the island and generate $50.6 million in direct visitor spending and $5.52 million in tax revenue"
Continental will utilize a 160-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the new routes, with 16 seats in first class and 144 seats in economy.
For more information about the airlines, see www.united.com and www.continental.com.