VIDEO: Hawaiian launches new Maui to Vegas flight, adding 2,000 air seats per month

By Wendy Osher

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMNYGYFOCrg /] Maui residents have a new tie to the ninth-island, one of the state’s favorite destinations.  Hawaiian Airlines today introduced a direct new route between Maui and Las Vegas.  The twice-weekly non-stop service starts October 3, 2010.

Hawaiian Airlines executive vice president and CFO, Peter Ingram said the flights will use wide-body Boeing craft that will result in more than 2,000 new air seats per month.  Each Boeing 767-300 craft seats up to 264 passengers and is expected to boost visitor traffic to the Valley Isle.

File image by Wendy Osher.

“We’ve known for a long time how popular Las Vegas is with Maui residents, so we’re pleased to offer this new flight to address that demand,” said Ingram.  “At the same time, we believe the convenience of this new non-stop service will boost visitor traffic to Maui, as Las Vegas is home to so many people with strong ties to the islands as well as a busy hub for flight connections on other carriers.”

“This is great news for our community,” said Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares.  “Our residents will enjoy flying direct to a favorite destination.  Aside from being a fun vacation spot—many of our island families have relatives and friends in Las Vegas.  This new service will make it more convenient for them to stay connected.  I want to thank Hawaiian Airlines for expanding their flight service and bringing this welcomed addition to Maui,” said Tavares.

Departure from Maui will be on Monday’s and Thursdays at 8 a.m. with an arrival at McCarran International Airport at 4:35 p.m., giving travelers enough time to enjoy a full evening in Las Vegas.  The return lights depart Las Vegas on Sundays and Wednesdays at 6:25 p.m., allowing for a full final vacation day before returning to Maui.

The Maui-Las Vegas flight is the third nonstop flight that Hawaiian is adding to its schedule this year between Maui and the U.S. mainland.  Over the weekend, Hawaiian launched its first-ever nonstop flights between Maui and Oakland, adding 24,000 new air seats for the peak summer season.  And on June 17, Hawaiian is re-introducing seasonal non-stop service between Maui and San Diego for the first time since 2008, providing an additional 18,000 air seats for the summer.