Image via Wikipedia I read some news about Alaska Airlines. It states that Alaska Airlines' new Portland-Maui nonstop flight expands traveler options to the islands and deepens the rivalry between the Seattle-based carrier and Hawaiian Airlines.
Until July 3, Hawaiian Airlines had offered the only nonstop between PDX and Maui. Alaska Airlines began with three flights weekly, and initiates daily service Aug. 7.
It said that having another airline come into the market will make prices more competitive. If Alaska comes in with lower rates, it will force Hawaiian Airlines to lower their rates as well.
The Portland flight is part of a big move by Alaska into the Hawaii market. Alaska Airline will have 59 flights a week between the mainland and four Hawaiian islands this fall.
The airline's expansion into Hawaii comes at a time when visits to the islands are dropping. Through the first five months of 2009, Hawaii visits were down 10.5 percent from the same period in 2008, according to state tourism data. The number of visitors to Maui dipped 18.5 percent from a year ago.
But because airlines overall have cut their flight offerings to Hawaii, planes are actually slightly more full than they used to be. That estimated load factor, stood at 85.4 percent through May this year, compared with 84.2 percent for the same period in 2008.
In addition to the two Maui flights, nonstop service between Honolulu and PDX is available on Hawaiian and Northwest, a Delta subsidiary. Despite the Hawaii tourism numbers falling, some travel agents in Portland report that leisure travel to Hawaii is up.
Some of the passengers recently want to travel in the summer but not to the Caribbean, because it's hurricane season, and don't have enough time off to go to the South Pacific, so they choose Hawaii.
Travel professionals hope the Alaska Airlines flights, which currently start at $214 each way (plus fees), will motivate more Portland-area travelers to head to Maui. Nonstop flights from PDX to Maui last nearly six hours.
That direct flight is just essential for visitors who want less hassle.
So, I recommended that having a plan for vacation is really not a bad idea.
Happy Vacation!
Until July 3, Hawaiian Airlines had offered the only nonstop between PDX and Maui. Alaska Airlines began with three flights weekly, and initiates daily service Aug. 7.
It said that having another airline come into the market will make prices more competitive. If Alaska comes in with lower rates, it will force Hawaiian Airlines to lower their rates as well.
The Portland flight is part of a big move by Alaska into the Hawaii market. Alaska Airline will have 59 flights a week between the mainland and four Hawaiian islands this fall.
The airline's expansion into Hawaii comes at a time when visits to the islands are dropping. Through the first five months of 2009, Hawaii visits were down 10.5 percent from the same period in 2008, according to state tourism data. The number of visitors to Maui dipped 18.5 percent from a year ago.
But because airlines overall have cut their flight offerings to Hawaii, planes are actually slightly more full than they used to be. That estimated load factor, stood at 85.4 percent through May this year, compared with 84.2 percent for the same period in 2008.
In addition to the two Maui flights, nonstop service between Honolulu and PDX is available on Hawaiian and Northwest, a Delta subsidiary. Despite the Hawaii tourism numbers falling, some travel agents in Portland report that leisure travel to Hawaii is up.
Some of the passengers recently want to travel in the summer but not to the Caribbean, because it's hurricane season, and don't have enough time off to go to the South Pacific, so they choose Hawaii.
Travel professionals hope the Alaska Airlines flights, which currently start at $214 each way (plus fees), will motivate more Portland-area travelers to head to Maui. Nonstop flights from PDX to Maui last nearly six hours.
That direct flight is just essential for visitors who want less hassle.
So, I recommended that having a plan for vacation is really not a bad idea.
Happy Vacation!
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by Liana Tan
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