Until Wednesday, Hawaiian flew an all-Boeing fleet. It is scheduled to get 10 A330-200s, including three leased aircraft, and six A350-800s.
Hawaiian Airlines Chief Executive Mark Dunkerley said “The efficiency of these Airbus aircraft will improve our bottom line and please both our passengers and crews with the improved performance and amenities.”
John Leahy, Airbus’ chief operating officer customers, boasted: “A transition for Hawaiian to Airbus widebodies is a very smart move by the airline from both economic and environmental perspectives. These planes are a step change for the airline’s performance and will be a natural fit as they expand their network around the world.”
CIT Aerospace is leasing to Hawaiian the A330-200 delivered Wednesday. Hawaiian is scheduled to take delivery of the other leased A330s in May and November, and get its first airline-ordered A330 in 2011 and its first A350 in 2017.