Hello, Imua!
Southwest Airlines unveiled its newest special-painted aircraft Friday during an event at Long Beach Airport (LGB), celebrating the fourth anniversary of its first commercial flight to Hawaii.
The new Boeing 737 MAX 8 is named Imua One (after the rallying cry in the native Hawaiian language) and it’s the airline’s 14th state-themed paint job (which also includes US planes). Freedom One, flown in the US flag). However, it stands out as the first whose design does not revolve around the state flag.
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Instead, the airline worked with Honolulu-based Osaki Creative Corporation and local native artist Herman Pi’ikea Clark to develop a comprehensive design that incorporates different aspects of the culture. Hawaiian culture and values blend with the Southwest brand.
At an event attended by staff, media and officials from the city and airport, the plane flew above the runway, circled and landed to applause. Then Southwest CEO Bob Jordan gave a presentation.
Hawaiian Secretary Kordell CL Kekoa performed a blessing and dedication ceremony, while airline employees and other dignitaries placed an oversized traditional badge on the nose of the plane for a photo.
The design revolves around eight elements that “represent concepts in Hawaiian culture that also align with Southwest values,” the airline said in a press release.
According to the airline, the concepts are largely conceptual and abstract in their representation. These include:
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- Ohana (family).
- Honu (turtle).
- Aina (earth).
- Ama (support).
- Hoku (star).
- Kai (ocean).
- Lokahi (solidarity).
- Imua (forward).
The icons are arranged in stripes that stretch across the plane across a range of colors that Southwest says are meant to evoke images of sunsets – blending from yellow to red to blue. It also incorporates Southwest’s branding.
The Imua One, with tail number N8710M, is also the first aircraft in Southwest’s fleet has a new cabin designincluding power ports in each seat and larger overhead bins.
After the Long Beach event, the airline will fly a new plane to Honolulu. It will visit each island to hold a celebration for the employees – a huge morale boost as the airline continues to shake off the brand damage it has suffered over the long term. holiday season crisis.
Its fleet of 737 MAX aircraft is exceptionally well-equipped for Hawaii routes, although Southwest also operates its older, trusted 737s. In fact, the airline has developed service in 2019 and 2020 of the newer MAX.
It took time for Southwest’s Hawaii route to mature, with disruptions due to the MAX grounding and the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline currently flies to airports in five Hawaiian destinations: Honolulu, Maui, Kona, Hilo and Lihue. Flights departing from eight mainland cities:
- Long Beach, California.
- Oakland, California.
- Sacramento.
- San Jose, California.
- Los Angeles.
- City of San Diego.
- LaVegas.
- Phoenix.
Unlike other mainland airlines that fly to Hawaii, Southwest also offers inter-island service. As of April, Southwest operated 90 departures per day. Sixty of these were departures between islands, putting new pressure on Hawaiian Airlines.
