United Continental Launches Service to Hilo

United Continental Holdings yesterday (June 9) launched a daily non-stop service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hilo, Hawaii (ITO). In addition, it will begin once-weekly nonstop service to Hilo from its San Francisco hub from tomorrow (June 11). The flights, operated by Continental Airlines, are the only non-stop service to Hilo from the US mainland and complement the airline's existing service to four other cities in Hawaii: Honolulu, Kahului, Kona and Lihue.

"Together, United and Continental have served Hawaii for more than six decades, and this new non-stop service provides our customers with more extensive access to the islands," said Jim Compton, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of United Continental Holdings. "We are excited to strengthen our presence in the Hawaiian community and are proud to be the only carrier to offer non-stop service to Hilo from the mainland."

United has served Hawaii since 1947 and – from its hubs at Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Houston, Chicago and New York/Newark – provides more mainline service to the islands than any other US carrier. Continental is utilising a Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the new routes, with 16 seats in first class and 144 seats in economy.