thanks mesa for starting a fare war. a fare war is just what our industry needs. GO home

bizjournals.com
Fare war! Hawaiian and Aloha post $39 fare
Thursday March 23, 3:37 pm ET


Aloha Airlines posted $39 one-way interisland fares Wednesday night. Hawaiian Airlines matched the offer within 30 minutes.
Aloha, declaring that it was rolling back the clock, unveiled "Funbird Fares" for travel between Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, Kona and Hilo, during the period June 9 through Sept. 30, if purchased from now through Apr. 7. The name refers to Aloha's 1960s semi-psychedelic design, which the airline said it will bring back on at least one of its jets.

Hawaiian, in matching the fare, said it would begin selling seats at the $39 price after 5 p.m. Thursday.

"For 60 years, Aloha has been part of the fabric of Hawaii, and Hawaii's people know us as part of their family," said CEO David Banmiller. "We're rewarding their loyalty."

"Our customers have always been able to rely on us for the best possible fares," said Hawaiian CEO Mark Dunkerley in matching the new ticket price.

Orange was the "in" color when Aloha rolled out its new Boeing 737 aircraft in 1969. The Funbird design featured a spray of bright yellow, gold and orange plumeria on the plane's orange tail, a swath of orange across the fuselage and the name Aloha in bold orange letters. Legend has it that the president of Boeing was appalled by the design but it was an instant hit with the flying public. Aloha ordered orange Flower Power uniforms to go with it.

Aloha, originally known as Trans-Pacific Airlines, will mark its 60th anniversary on July 26. But behind the fun retro campaign is a serious effort by Hawaiian, Aloha and Island Air to solidify their positions before the Mainland carrier Mesa Air launches interisland service this summer.