Hawaiian Airlines has confirmed its long-awaited return to New Zealand with the resumption of three-times-weekly nonstop Auckland to Honolulu flights from 4 July, ending a more than two-year-long suspension due to pandemic-related travel restrictions.

The carrier’s Regional Director for Australia and New Zealand, Andrew Stanbury, said the airline will continue to operate the route with its 278-seat, spacious wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft featuring 18 Premium Cabin lie-flat leather seats, 68 of its popular Extra Comfort seats and 192 Main Cabin seats.

“Hawaiian has proudly served New Zealand since March 2013 and the comeback of our Auckland gateway, after restarting Sydney service in December, completes the reopening of our Oceania market – an integral piece of our company’s post-pandemic recovery,” he said.

Stanbury said guests onboard Hawaiian’s transpacific flights to Hawaiʻi will also experience the airline’s new Travel Pono in-flight video, encouraging visitors to experience Hawai‘i safely and respectfully.

From a scheduling standpoint, flight HA445 will resume on July 2 and depart HNL on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:25 p.m. and arrive at AKL at 9:45 p.m. the next day.

Beginning July 4, HA446 will depart AKL on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 11:55 p.m. with a 10:50 a.m. same-day arrival at HNL.

“We can’t wait to welcome our Kiwi guests back on board and our July return comes just in time for those wanting to get away this winter for a much-needed tropical escape to the Hawaiian Islands and the U.S. mainland,” said Hawaiian Airlines Country Director New Zealand, Russell Williss.

“Kiwi travellers also regain access to our extensive U.S. domestic network of 16 gateways, including new destinations in Austin, Orlando, and Ontario, California, with the option to enjoy a stopover in the Hawaiian Islands in either direction,” he said.