Austin airport gets first nonstop flight to Hawaii in 2021

If you're in need of a vacation, the Aloha state could be your next destination. Hawaiian Airlines announced it will start having non-stop direct flights from Austin to Honolulu.

Starting April 21, Austin will become the first south-central city in the country part of the Hawaiian Airlines network. The airline will fly from AUS to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport twice weekly all year long. According to the companies website, the flights will takeoff Wednesday and Fridays at 10 a.m. and Thursdays and Sundays at 10:10 a.m.

It is no surprise that Hawaiian Airlines has chosen Austin as one of the cities to provide nonstop service to Honolulu. Without a nonstop flight, Austin was the third largest city with an unserved domestic market in air travel from Hawaii.

Due to the pandemic, air travel around the world has significantly gone down. Passenger traffic is still way down from last year at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, but the airport could start seeing a change in traffic as more get comfortable flying into the new year with a COVID-19 vaccine almost ready for distribution.

In a news release by Hawaiian Airlines, AUS executive director Jacqueline Yaft said the airport is hoping to provide an easy service to passengers.

"Even though this year has had unprecedented impacts to the airline and airport industries, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport remains committed to providing the best service we can to our passengers," Yaft said. "We know that many Central Texans will be eager to travel next year and we are excited to offer an easy and convenient way for them to explore Hawai'i."

Travelers to Hawaii must have a negative COVID-19 test prior to arrival. Anyone arriving in Hawaii without a negative result is subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Tickets to Honolulu are already on sale, so Austinites can pack their bag and start planning their perfect 2021 vacation.