Hawaiian Airlines' new 787-9 Dreamliner takes flight
Kapuahi (HA12) taking off from the runway at HNL
Hawaiian Airlines celebrated a significant milestone in its 94-year history this month with the inaugural flight of its new 787-9 Dreamliner. Aircraft N781NA, named Kapuahi (a star known as Aldebaran in Western astronomy), took flight from Honoluluʻs Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) for San Francisco (SFO). The carrier’s first 787-9 passengers received a fresh lei and were welcomed with live music and hula by the Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders.
Kapuahi, which was revealed in February during a formal blessing ceremony in Honolulu, will operate Hawaiian Airlines’ nonstop, daily Honolulu-San Francisco flights until May 14, when it will join Hawaiian’s second 787-9, N780NA, to begin dedicated service between Honolulu to Los Angeles (LAX) starting May 14, and Honolulu to Phoenix (PHX) on May 15.
“Today marks an incredible achievement for all of us at Hawaiian Airlines and I’d like to thank all of our teammates, Boeing and our many partners for helping us make this moment possible,” said Peter Ingram, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, on the day of the inaugural flight. “Our 787-9 is a true flagship product that, when paired with the award-winning hospitality of our crew, will provide guests with an unforgettable Hawaiʻi travel experience.”
Passengers on the HA12 were also among the first to watch the carrierʻs new inflight safety video, in which 57 cast members, all Hawaiian Airlines employees and family members, share important safety information from locations throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
Aboard the 787-9, passengers were immersed in an island-inspired design in a cabin that reflects Hawaiʻi's beauty through form, texture and soothing sunrise and sunset lighting, the press release said. The 34 Leihōkū (garland of stars) Suites feature lie-flat seating, an 18-inch inflight entertainment screen, personal power outlets, wireless cell phone charging and direct aisle access.
Set in a 1-2-1 configuration with doors, the suites offer privacy or a shared experience with combinable double suites. The starlit ceiling was inspired by the constellations that guided early Polynesian voyagers.
The 787-9 Main Cabin consists of 266 Collins Aerospace Aspire seats with ergonomically contoured back and armrests and features a 12-inch seatback monitor with USB-A and USB-C charging ports. Main Cabin passengers can also select from 79 Extra Comfort seats to enjoy more legroom and access to AC power outlets.
Hawaiian is scheduled to have three 787-9s by the end of the year, with the remaining deliveries occurring through 2027.
