Hawaiian Airlines Turns 86

Iconic photos and how Wrigley's gum is part of its history.

ByABC News
November 11, 2015, 4:43 PM
In 1943 the first Hawaiian Airlines stewardesses were hired.
In 1943 the first Hawaiian Airlines stewardesses were hired.
Hawaiian Airlines

— -- This airline doesn't look a day over 85.

Hawaiian Airlines celebrates its 86th birthday Wednesday, and has shared with ABC News archival photos, advertisements and historical facts.

• The first passenger flight on Nov. 11, 1929 was a flight from Honolulu to Hilo. A one-way trip from Honolulu to Hilo was 1 hour and 40 minutes, $15, and oil cost $1.27 a barrel that year. Today, the same flight is 36 minutes, $70, and oil is around $108 a barrel.

PHOTO: n October 1929, a Bellanca monoplane offered sightseeing service for $5 per person (the original Bellanca has been restored in Oregon and is flying today).
n October 1929, a Bellanca monoplane offered sightseeing service for $5 per person (the original Bellanca has been restored in Oregon and is flying today).

• In 1929, a Bellanca monoplane offered sightseeing services for $5 per person. The original Bellanca has been restored and is flying.

PHOTO: 1952 brought the first pressurized, air-conditioned cabin service with 44-passenger Convair 340s, costing $520,000 each.
1952 brought the first pressurized, air-conditioned cabin service with 44-passenger Convair 340s, costing $520,000 each.

• In 1929, the airline carried 13,000 passengers. By 2014, that number rose to 9,900,000.

PHOTO: In 1950, the National Safety Council presented Hawaiian Airlines with a 20-year perfect safety award, the first airline in history to win this award.
In 1950, the National Safety Council presented Hawaiian Airlines with a 20-year perfect safety award, the first airline in history to win this award.

• In 1957, Hawaiian Airlines Captain Jimmy Hogg was honored when Kahului Airport used the last three letters of Hogg's last name as its airport code, OGG.

PHOTO: Interisland flights: Hawaii's first Neighbor Island jet service with 85-passenger DC 9 10s flew in 1966.
Interisland flights: Hawaii's first Neighbor Island jet service with 85-passenger DC 9 10s flew in 1966.

• On its first fight, passengers were given Wrigley’s gum to relieve ear pressure. Today, it’s the only domestic airline still serving complimentary meals.

PHOTO: In 1905, James Kennedy merged Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company with Wilder Steamship Co. to form the largest fleet of steamers serving Hawaii.
In 1905, James Kennedy merged Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company with Wilder Steamship Co. to form the largest fleet of steamers serving Hawaii.