Aukai La’amaikahiki performs a traditional Hawaiian blessing for the inaugural Alaska Airlines flight from Bellingham to Honolulu. (Photo by Lyle Jansma)
Friday marked the launch of Alaska Airlines’ newest route, connecting Bellingham International Airport (BLI) in Washington with Honolulu International Airport (HNL). The ticketing and boarding area were thoroughly decked out for the event, emphasizing a distinctly Hawaiian theme. Representatives from the Port of Bellingham, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and Alaska Airlines spoke following a traditional Hawaiian Kahu blessing. “With roots in the Pacific Northwest spanning many decades, we’re delighted to kick off Bellingham’s first-ever nonstop service to Hawaii,” said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of marketing.
Jordana Collison and her companion Chris Maslovich traveled across the border from British Columbia for the flight. Jordana remarked, “Bellingham is great! It offers a fast, quick, small airport with no hassles. I love it.” When asked if they were excited Chris responded “I am very excited, this is going to be the most wonderful trip I have been on in my life!”
The new flight is operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin. Inflight service will include Hawaiian-themed meals-for-purchase in the main cabin for between $6 and $7, along with a complimentary Mai Tai, a passion-orange-guava blend juice, Mauna Loa macadamia nuts and “Hula Blend” coffee, a custom recipe for Alaska Airlines created by Seattle’s Best Coffee.
The new service was announced not long after rumors began to surface that Alaska competitor Allegiant Air was planning on running HNL service from Bellingham with their soon to come 757’s. Allegiant and Alaska are already pitted head to head on their BLI to Las Vegas service. This latest addition will compliment Alaska’s said Vegas service and Horizon’s five daily flights to Seattle-Tacoma.
