Could We See Nonstop Flights Between Hawaii And Europe?

Europe, a historic and culturally rich continent, draws tourists from all over the globe – and while some are just a short, or direct, flight away, Hawaiian locals struggle with the thought of making the journey across 7,000 miles of land and sea, three airports, and 20-30 hours of travel time. With the release of new, longer-distance aircraft, and recent discussions on air travel, nonstop flights from Honolulu to London may no longer be a thing of the distant future, but a soon-to-be reality.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Hawaiian Airlines announces its plans to launch nonstop flights from Hawaii to Europe using their A330neos, which are on order. CEO Mark Dunkerley hopes that these new jetliners will allow service to begin from Honolulu to London; however, the swap the carrier made in 2014 from the A350-800s – which would add another 700 miles of travel range – to the A330neo may put London at the limit for long-distance travel. The A330neo would need specific weight restrictions, and this could restrict Hawaiian from launching their proposed nonstop flights, especially after its newly redesigned business class. According to Dunkerley, it will depend on ‘what our final seating configuration is and therefore the weight of the Neo and its exact performance and statistics when it’s actually built,’ which could be as late as 2019.

Hawaiian Airlines has also been looking to add more long-distance routes, including nonstop flights to China, Canada, and the US East Coast, and are considering purchasing other types of aircraft currently on the market. Recent news of other airlines –including Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines – planning to return used A380s at the end of their lease provide an opportunity for Hawaiian to purchase aircraft suitable for long-distance travel at a cheaper price, and without having to wait for the new A330neos.

Discussion on nonstop flights from Hawaii to Europe hasn’t stopped there: the Hawaiian Tourism Authority has been in communication with Oslo Airport in Norway, with plans to launch direct flights from Honolulu to Norway via Norwegian Air. The 13-hour flight would fly over the North Pole before landing in the Islands, although this would commence using the seven Boeing 787 Dreamliners already in service.

Hawaii has also been the focus for many European travelers, especially after the release of Dr. Beach’s ‘Best Beaches In America For 2016,’ which crowned Hawaii’s Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve as number one. European airlines, including Swiss Edelweiss Air, are looking into launching direct flights from Europe to Hawaii, as well – using jetliners already on-hand. Technology is changing, and with it, our ideas about travel – what were once destinations too far to reach, will soon be just one flight away.

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