Hawaii's airlift scene just gets better and better: In the wake of Hawaiian's announcement of nonstop New York-Honolulu service, United Airlines announced today that it will begin daily year-round service between Washington/Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Honolulu (HNL) on June 7, two days after the New York flights begin. This will be the only nonstop service between the two points, and the flights will operate using Boeing 767-400 aircraft.
United, the largest carrier between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii, connects the state with eight mainland cities, as well as Tokyo, Guam and Majuro.
Mike McCartney, President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, said that the news is great for Hawaii's visitor industry. "The new daily route will [provide] an estimated $135 million in visitor spending and $14 million in tax revenue to Hawaii’s economy annually," he said in a statement. "Coupled with the recent establishment of Hawaiian Airlines’ new flight connecting Honolulu and New York City, the routes will help to provide much needed access from the Hawaiian Islands to the East Coast. Air access to Hawaii is essential for a successful visitor industry and the HTA continues to work with our airline partners to ensure there is sufficient airlift to support demand for travel to the Hawaiian Islands."
