Tag Archives: Aloha Airlines

Paradise Lost

I knew it was too good to last. Whereas I was hopeful that inter-island airfare in Hawaii would remain affordable at least until my daughter graduated from high school (in about 15 years), the recent demise of Aloha Airlines all but obliterated that dream. On March 31st, Aloha Airlines, a legend (think 60 years plus) in Hawaiian aviation, abruptly stopped flying. Two days later ATA, an airline that offered cheap flights from the West Coast to Hawaii shut down as well. The combined work stoppage meant Hawaii lost 15% of its service from the mainland, or about 1.1 million seats … Continue reading →

Saying “Aloha” to Aloha—The End of an Era

When my 3-year-old daughter and I boarded Aloha Airlines Flight 240 bound from Hilo to Honolulu just three weeks ago there’s no way I could have ever imagined it would be our last. As I write this passengers are boarding the last flights Aloha Airlines will fly between the Hawaiian Islands. After 61 years in business the carrier says it is bankrupt and will end passenger service later tonight. The news means nearly 2,000 of Aloha’s approximately 3,500 employees will be out of jobs by the end of today. It also means that travelers holding reservations on Aloha are out … Continue reading →

Airline Bombshell: “Aloha” to Aloha

I took my very first plane ride nearly 30 years ago and I remember every detail as though it was yesterday. I was seven years old and my flight was bound from Hilo to Honolulu (where my family and I would then transfer to another plane en route to New Jersey). My mom bought me a new outfit for the occasion—-a pair of pale blue pants, a red, white, yellow, and blue striped short sleeved shirt (it was the ‘70s after all) and a white sweater. We were booked on Aloha Airlines Flight 160 (I still have the ticket stub … Continue reading →