Alaska Airlines Commences New Kona Service

As part of its growth initiative, Alaska Airlines commences new Kona service from the Bay Area.

Last week Washington-based Alaska Airlines began its new Kona service from the San Francisco International Airport.  It’s the carrier’s 31st new route this year and started on Thursday, December 14, 2017.  The once-daily flight departs San Francisco at 11:15 am and arrives in Kona at 3:15 pm.  The return flight departs Kona an hour later at 4:15 pm and arrives in San Francisco around 11:15 pm.  Currently, the route is being served by pre-merger Virgin America A320s in a three-class configuration.

First Flight

According to Yahoo News, the inaugural flight went out with a bit of fanfare.  At the departure gate, passengers were greeted with a Hawaiian-themed breakfast and prizes.  And, upon arrival, passengers were treated to a lei greeting, a hula show, as well as goodie bags filled with products made on Hawaii Island.  On normal flights, though, Alaska’s standard buy onboard catering model will apply.  However, according to the Pacific Business News, catering for this flight (and other Alaska/Virgin flights out of Kona) will feature fresh meals by local chefs.  Specifically, the catering for this flight is likely handled by Kona-based Island Thyme Gourmet catering.  This is different, of course, then the Airline’s standard Tom Douglas (Alaska) and Dean & Deluca (Virgin) fare.

Alaska Airlines Commences New Kona Service, Final Thoughts

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, more competition is always a good thing.  And, at least for flights between Hawaii and the West Coast, competition has been heating up A LOT lately.  After all, not only is Alaska Air expanding on these routes but so too is United, and these new flights are often in addition to existing flights.  Plus, Hawaiian will be entering the market too later on next year.  And if Southwest does enter the market, then we could see some islands with West Coast-Hawaii service served by up to six airlines!  That’s an unprecedented number of frequencies, though