In a move which will lift industry spirits in the runup to Christmas, Hawaiian Airlines has confirmed it will resume its five-times-weekly service between Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) and Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) from 15 December 2021.
Hawaiian, which suspended the route in March 2020 due to travel restrictions
imposed at the onset of the pandemic, will welcome Australians back to the islands with its signature Hawaiian hospitality in time for the Christmas/New Year holiday season.
“We are thrilled to reconnect Hawaiʻi and Australia and have been encouraged by the public’s response to Australia’s national vaccination program, enabling the reopening of borders,” Andrew Stanbury, Hawaiian Airlines’ regional director for Australia and New Zealand, said yesterday in announcing the resumption of services.
“Hawai’i is a hugely popular holiday destination for Australians, and we know many people have been keenly waiting to visit Hawaiʻi again,” Stanbury added.
“We are looking forward to safely welcoming our guests back on board to enjoy the authentic hospitality that we know our guests love, and have missed.”
Starting on 15 December 2021, HA452 will depart Sydney on Tuesdays and Thursday through Sunday at 9:40 p.m. with a 10:35 a.m. scheduled arrival in Honolulu, allowing guests to check in to their accommodations and begin exploring O‘ahu, or connect to any of Hawaiian’s four Neighbor Island destinations.
Services from Honolulu to Sydney will operate as HA451 departing HNL on Mondays and Wednesday through Saturday at 11:50 a.m. and arrive at SYD approximately 7:45 p.m. the next day. Schedules have already been loaded and can be inspected on: https://www.hawaiianairlines.com.au/
Hawaiʻi Governor David Ige last week welcomed back visitors beginning 1 November 2021now that public health efforts have reduced the incidence of Covid-19 in Hawaii to among the lowest in the US. Hawaiian Airlines last month also launched a new in-flight video encouraging visitors to Travel Pono (responsibly) by enjoying Hawai‘i safely and responsibly.
In addition to convenient nonstop flights to Hawai‘i, Australian travellers flying on Hawaiian Airlines also regain access to the carrier’s extensive US domestic network, allowing them to seamlessly continue their travels to 16 U.S. mainland gateways – including new destinations in Austin, Orlando, and Ontario, California – with the option to enjoy a stopover in the Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaiian will continue to operate the SYD-HNL route with its 278-seat, spacious wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft, which features 18 Premium Cabin lie-flat leather seats, 68 of its popular Extra Comfort seats, and 192 Main Cabin seats. Australian travellers will enjoy an industry-leading free checked baggage allowance of 64 kilos per person (two free bags weighing up to 32 kilos each), island-inspired complimentary meals, beers and cocktails.
Currently, international entry requirements for the state of Hawaiʻi remain to be announced. Hawaiian hopes the state of Hawai‘i will align its requirements with US government rules effective 8 November 2021, which require international arrivals to show proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test taken within three days of departure

Hawaiian Airlines A330 on Reef Runway, principal runway at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and the world’s first major runway constructed entirely offshore.
for Hawaii.
International rules continue to evolve, and travellers are encouraged to stay updated via official government channels as they prepare for their trip.
Hawaiian commenced SYD-HNL service in May 2004 and maintained its position as a leading destination carrier for travel from Australia to Hawaiʻi. The carrier’s three-times-weekly service between Brisbane Airport (BNE) and HNL, which launched in November 2012, currently remains paused.
As well its generous luggage allowance, Hawaiian Airlines is renowned for its punctuality. Hawaiian has led all US carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 17 years (2004-2020) as reported by the US Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawaiʻi.
Edited by Peter Needham