United Airlines will bolster service to Hawaii with a pair of new longhaul Hawaiian flights starting next year.
United Adds Newark – Maui Service
United Airlines will operate new nonstop service between Newark (EWR) and Maui (OGG), helping leisure customers to bypass Honolulu enroute to the Valley Isle. The 4,903 mile flight will augment United’s existing nonstop service between Newark and Honolulu.
The new route will start in Summer 2021 and utilize a Boeing 767-300ER, operating four times weekly. The 767 will not be the high-density business class variant, but will feature 30 seats in United Polaris business class in a 1-1-1 configuration. Schedules have not been announced yet.
United Adds Chicago – Kona Service
United Airlines will add new nonstop service between Chicago (ORD) between Kona (KOA), bolstering United’s daily nonstop from Chicago to Honolulu and seasonal nonstop between Chicago and Maui.
The new route will start in Summer 2021 and utilize a Boeing 787-8, operating four times weekly. Schedules have not been announced yet.
United’s Hawaii Longhaul Strategy
Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco currently service as United’s primary gateways to Hawaii’s outer islands. These two new longhaul routes will not just provide convenient nonstop options for local travelers, but also allow many travelers in smaller East Coast and Midwest cities to reach the outer islands far easier than before.
CONCLUSION
Although the new routes are almost a year away, I am positive both will perform very well. With surplus aircraft due to diminished international service on traditional business routes, perhaps we will see more longhaul Hawaiian routes in the months to come.
> Read More: United Airlines Adds International Service To Ghana, India, Nigeria, South Africa
image: United Airlines
I am still surprised United hasn’t shifted to more high J premium aircraft on these routes. It always seems that first class sells out faster and stronger than economy on the long haul Hawaii routes.
Probably a lot of points burners on the once a year trip.
These typically are the domain of LHR/ZRH flights from EWR/ORD
+Africa/India https://hub.united.com/2020-09-09-united-airlines-holdings-extends-leading-commitment-to-diversity-in-the-board-room-2647532321.html
Hope United at least restores proper meal service on these long haul Hawaii routes. A snack box for first for these long flights is insufficient, IMO.
As for why United does not use a more premium configuration… I have wondered that myself. A LOT of high end leisure travel on these routes from people who are willing to pay for the better flight. I for one will not sit in economy for that long of a flight
Agreed on both points.
HAHAHAHA, as if Hawaii will be open by them, starting to think we’re locked down until Ige is ousted. I have no faith anymore.
2nd thing, 20 bucks says we’ll get the 767 that still has the crappy business class seats, not the updated 767’s.
I am excited to hear about the nonstop options from Chicago. I think they will be very popular. That said, United needs to feed passengers on this flight. The flight is similar in duration to a flight to Europe. We took the nonstop flight to Maui earlier this year. Decided to upgraded to first class on the way there which was fantastic. On the return there were no vegetarian meals left for purchase by time they got to our Economy Plus seat. My husband is strictly vegetarian. The only way to guarantee to be able to eat is to pack food which is very inconvenient with a large group and no way to keep items temperature safe.