Hawaiian announces Christmas airfares

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaiian Airlines got the jump on the Christmas season yesterday by being the first major carrier to announce special fares between Hawai'i and the Mainland for the holidays.

The "Mele Kalikimaka" fares typically are lower than usual airfares and are designed to stimulate traffic out of the Islands during the holidays.

Hawaiian yesterday announced its discounted fares for travel between Dec. 3 and Jan. 13, 2003. John Happ, senior vice president for marketing and sales, said the early announcement will give residents an opportunity to "firm up those plans" for visiting family and friends.

Aloha Airlines spokesman Stu Glauberman said the company will be announcing special fares "very soon." He said the prices and timing will be different than the typical "Mele Kalikimaka" fares, but he declined to elaborate.

Aloha flies to Oakland, Burbank, Orange County, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Hawaiian said its holiday fares start at $458 for mid-week travel, with weekend travel slightly higher. Neighbor Island connections are an additional $60, and the special fares do not include taxes and other fees.

Travel must originate in Hawai'i from Dec. 3 through Dec. 30, with return flights taking place from Dec. 28 to Jan. 13. Seats are limited, and reservations must be confirmed seven days prior to travel and tickets issued 48 hours after confirmation.

The tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Hawaiian offers daily nonstop service from Honolulu to Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Seattle, Portland and Phoenix, as well as to Ontario five days a week. Hawaiian also has daily flights to Las Vegas via Los Angeles.

The airline also offers nonstop flights from Kahului, Maui, to Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco.