The Hawaii Express
Encyclopedia
The Hawaii Express was a scheduled passenger airline
that operated flights between Los Angeles, California
and Honolulu, Hawaii
. It was nicknamed "The Big Pineapple" and started service with one Boeing 747
aircraft, featuring a unique and detailed paint job with a mango-colored tail and a rainbow-colored stripe down the side.
Founded by Michael Hartley, who would later go on to found Air Hawaii
and CheapTickets
, flights began on August 20, 1982. The Vice-President of Operations was William Traver. Since the airline wanted to hire personnel with airline experience, the employment ad which ran in the airlines section of Los Angeles Times
newspaper classified ads in the spring of 1982 listed previous 747 qualification as a requirement. The airline's original crew members included fifteen pilots, most of whom were from the recently-bankrupted Braniff Airlines based in Dallas, Texas
, while the original fifty flight attendants were furloughed from various major legacy airlines in the United States. Four of those fifty flight attendants served as permanent pursers/First Flight Attendants. All crew members were based at Los Angeles International Airport
with maintenance and gate facilities provided by TWA
.
Hawaii Express switched to two McDonnell Douglas DC-10
aircraft in May 1983, although for a while they operated both the 747 and DC-10. The Hawaii Express suspended flights on December 20 of that year and filed for bankruptcy the following day.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
that operated flights between Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
and Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
. It was nicknamed "The Big Pineapple" and started service with one Boeing 747
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
aircraft, featuring a unique and detailed paint job with a mango-colored tail and a rainbow-colored stripe down the side.
Founded by Michael Hartley, who would later go on to found Air Hawaii
Air Hawaii
Air Hawaii was a scheduled passenger airline providing service between Honolulu and the U.S. West Coast cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco. The airline advertised its service as "High Class. Low Fares." Founded by Michael J...
and CheapTickets
CheapTickets
CheapTickets is an online travel services company focusing on the leisure market, offering airline tickets, hotel and Vacation rentals, rental cars, customized vacation packages, and cruises...
, flights began on August 20, 1982. The Vice-President of Operations was William Traver. Since the airline wanted to hire personnel with airline experience, the employment ad which ran in the airlines section of Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
newspaper classified ads in the spring of 1982 listed previous 747 qualification as a requirement. The airline's original crew members included fifteen pilots, most of whom were from the recently-bankrupted Braniff Airlines based in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, while the original fifty flight attendants were furloughed from various major legacy airlines in the United States. Four of those fifty flight attendants served as permanent pursers/First Flight Attendants. All crew members were based at Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
with maintenance and gate facilities provided by TWA
Twa
The Twa are any of several hunting peoples of Africa who live interdependently with agricultural Bantu populations, and generally hold a socially subordinate position: They provide the farming population with game in exchange for agricultural products....
.
Hawaii Express switched to two McDonnell Douglas DC-10
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engine widebody jet airliner manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. The DC-10 has range for medium- to long-haul flights, capable of carrying a maximum 380 passengers. Its most distinguishing feature is the two turbofan engines mounted on underwing pylons and a...
aircraft in May 1983, although for a while they operated both the 747 and DC-10. The Hawaii Express suspended flights on December 20 of that year and filed for bankruptcy the following day.