United Air plans
777 for Maui,
new call center
The reservations center
By Russ Lynch
should employ about 200 people
Star-Bulletin
Hawaii will see its first Boeing 777 when United Airlines puts the new long-haul jet into daily service between San Francisco and Maui on Feb. 16.
And United was expected to announce another Hawaii boost today, its plan to develop a reservations center in the islands that will employ about 200 people. Sources said the call center should open next fall.
Norm Reeder, United managing director-Hawaii, said the 352-seat 777 will replace a 251-seat DC-10 on the San Francisco-Kahului route, adding 101 daily seats.
The 777 was designed to fill a size gap between the 767 and the jumbo 747.
Meanwhile, as announced earlier, United will start an additional Los Angeles-Honolulu service on Dec. 16, using a 188-seat Boeing 767.
That will bring the airline's service on that route to five flights a day.
"Mainland traffic is up substantially. This is a huge success story," Reeder said after the service increases were announced at the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau annual luncheon yesterday.
Reeder said United is also seeing an increase in business from Asia and the whole Pacific area, which is a good sign for Hawaii tourism.
