Based upon the huge success of flights between Oakland and the Hawaiian Islands in 2011, both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are bringing more paradise to Oakland International Airport (OAK) by adding seats in the New Year. The two award-winning, customer-preferred airlines recognize that for business or pleasure Bay Area travelers prefer the reliability and convenience of an OAK departure.

Alaska Airlines will offer four daily nonstop flights to four Hawaiian Islands in spring 2012, using new B737-800 aircraft. Alaska is now OAK’s second largest carrier and it will launch service to Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, beginning April 10. This complements the airline’s existing daily service to Kahului, Maui, and flights to Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island, as well as Lihue, Kauai, which expand to daily service on March 12.

 

Hawaiian Airlines also flies daily nonstop service to Honolulu from OAK and will increase its seasonal nonstop service to Maui to year-round in early 2012. The double-daily B767-300 wide-body, twin-aisle aircraft offer a comfortable flight. The two flights, combined with Alaska's four, bring the the total to six peak day nonstops from OAK to the Hawaiian Islands.

 

“This spring, there will be a record 1,000-plus peak day seats leaving to the Hawaiian Islands from Oakland International,” said John Albrecht, Manager of Aviation Marketing and Communications for the Port of Oakland, which owns and operates OAK. “It is fitting that OAK, the origin point for the first transoceanic flights from North America to the Hawaiian Islands, emerges as a major gateway today. There’s no better way to begin a Hawaiian vacation than from Oakland, where travelers will enjoy easy airport access, excellent customer service and on time flights,” he added.

 

The number of airline seats to Hawaii has rebounded from the recession, and is more than quadrupled from 264 daily seats offered in summer 2008. OAK is among a select group of US airports with flights to the four major islands. Look for airline and on-airport parking promotions on our Facebook page in the weeks and months ahead.
 

The weeks between the Thanksgiving and December holiday travel periods are typically slow for air travel. At OAK we look for ways to always keep things moving, and we're pleased to offer our innovative free parking campaign designed to boost traffic and increase the custom of on-airport parking.

 

Between Thanksgiving Day and December 22, 2011, OAK is offering FREE parking in its Daily lot for those departing on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday to ANY destination. Customers receive up to 72 hours of free parking, an incredible $66 value.

 

OAK piloted a similar deal during the first six weeks of 2011 resulting in an estimated 10,000 additional passengers, which was better for business overall.

 

Even customers looking for a last minute “mileage run” to achieve airline elite status in 2012 recognize that OAK is the airport to choose with this valuable offer.

 

ACI-NA recognized OAK with a first place award in the Social Media category and second place in the Partnering With Carriers category in its 2011 Excellence in Marketing and Communications Contest for this innovative air service development and parking promotion.

 

The “Park Free” offer provides another great reason to “Park Close and Fly on Time” from the Bay Area’s most reliable airport, and is our way of saying “thanks” to our customers for flying OAK. Learn more.