Top 10 Busiest global Routes of Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines (HA) primarily focuses on inter-island and domestic service, yet its international network is a growing, vital component of its global operation.

As of June 2025, the airline connects Honolulu to nine major international cities in Northeast Asia, Oceania, and the South Pacific.

These routes are not just essential for inbound tourism; they also support cultural and economic relationships between Hawaii and the broader Pacific.

Led by Tokyo, Osaka, and Sydney, Hawaiian Airlines boasts a focused but powerful international footprint in terms of frequency, demand, and decades-old ties to these foreign cities.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Hawaiian Airlines’ Busiest Routes

Hawaiian’s largest long-haul market by far is Japan, with three of its busiest routes. Leading the way is the Tokyo Haneda–Honolulu route, which sees 124 monthly flights, offering nearly 35,000 seats and more than 132 million available seat miles (ASMs).

The route itself accounts for a significant share of Hawaiian’s long-haul traffic and reflects high demand for travel in both directions.

Followed by Honolulu–Osaka Kansai, which sees 62 monthly flights and over 70 million ASMs, and Honolulu–Tokyo Narita, a less busy route with just 23 flights but still over 24 million ASMs.

Rounding out the Japan network is the Fukuoka–Honolulu route, which sees 26 monthly flights and more than 31 million ASMs. Hawaiian Airlines has a loyal Japanese customer base, supported by codeshare agreements, in-language product, and strong brand recognition in the market.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Northeast Asia: Consistent Presence in Korea

Beyond Japan, Hawaiian Airlines’ strongest connection to Asia beyond Japan is South Korea in the form of the Honolulu–Seoul Incheon flight. It operates 45 times monthly and contributes over 57 million ASMs.

It’s a valuable part of Hawaiian’s Asian network and is utilized by leisure travelers and by the sizable and growing Korean resident and student population in Hawaii.

This route continues to be robust, supported by the increasing popularity of Hawaii among South Korean tourists and the expansion of marketing partnerships that promote awareness in the Korean travel market.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Australia: High Capacity, Strong Performance

Among non-Asian destinations, the Sydney–Honolulu service is a significant highlight with 46 monthly flights, equivalent to 23 round-trip flights and nearly 13,000 seats. In ASMs, it offers over 64 million, making it Hawaiian Airlines’ third-busiest international route.

This ancient connection between Hawaii and Australia is important both for holiday travel and family visitation. Hawaiian’s Airbus A330-200 fleet, deployed on this route, offers both range and comfort for the punishing 10+ hour flight.

With Australian demand for Hawaii bouncing back strongly post-pandemic, this route has returned to pre-COVID levels of strength.

Hawaiian Airlines also connects Honolulu to the farther reaches of the South Pacific. Smaller in size but strategically important are the Honolulu–Tahiti and Honolulu–Rarotonga routes. Tahiti service, operated 10 times monthly, offers nearly 7.6 million ASMs.

These routes are unique among U.S. carriers, offering passengers rare access to Polynesia without going through Australia or New Zealand. They also enhance Hawaiian Airlines’ position as the bridge of Pacific cultures.

Photo: ca350 | Flickr

One Unique U.S. Mainland Link

The anomaly in this list is the Tokyo Narita–Seattle route. While operated by Hawaiian Airlines, it does not touch Hawaiian soil. Its service rationale is strategic fifth freedom rights or wet-lease arrangements, allowing Hawaiian to pick up demand between Japan and the U.S. mainland.

It is a high-volume link with 39 monthly frequencies and over 51 million ASMs, if peripheral to the Honolulu-focused core network.

While Hawaiian Airlines lacks a broad international network compared to major U.S. legacy carriers, its routes are well-directed. The airline’s strong point is connecting Honolulu with high-demand Asian and Pacific markets.

By offering regular frequencies and high capacity to Japan, South Korea, Australia, and parts of Polynesia, Hawaiian complements its domestic and inter-island flights with international service.

Further down the line, the addition of Boeing 787 Dreamliners can unlock new long-haul destinations or bring more efficient service to existing routes.

For now, though, Hawaiian Airlines’ international strategy remains one of quality, not quantity, serving key markets with consistency, reliability, and aloha.

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