Pleasant launches new airline service from Seattle.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1994-- Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays began its own scheduled airline service with American Trans Air (ATA) to Hawaii from Seattle Nov. 17.

The 362-passenger, L-1011 aircraft with Pleasant's company logotypes on its sides departed SEA/TAC at 9 a.m., non-stop to Maui, continuing on to Honolulu. The new operation is expected to expand the Hawaiian market as well as have a positive impact on the local economy.

Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays is the largest travel company to Hawaii, having sent well over 3 million visitors to the islands. American Trans Air is the nation's tenth-largest airline, which has flown more than 6.1 billion passenger miles in the last ten months -- an increase of 25.7 percent over the same period last year.

The Hawaii flights depart at 9 a.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays to Maui, then on to Honolulu. The aircraft will go non-stop to Honolulu on Sundays at 8:55 a.m. Feeder airline flights with Alaska and Horizon airlines are also available to connect from 30 cities throughout Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

Seeing off the inaugural flight Thursday was Ed Hogan, founder, owner, chairman and chief executive officer of Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays, and some of his senior management team.

Hogan said: "This new service will expand the market to Hawaii and offer convenient and affordable travel to America's paradise -- Hawaii. The local economy will also benefit from increased travel and the associated expenditures of the vacationers -- everything from clothing to film to luggage to suntan lotion.

"Additionally, we have hired staff to service this operation and the travel-agent community, and we are conducting a massive marketing effort to introduce the program, which creates more commerce in the Pacific Northwest."

Hogan noted that Pleasant will be investing nearly $11 million in the first year in Seattle and Portland, Ore. Portland service begins Nov. 19. During the first six months of operation, Pleasant will add 42,000 seats to Hawaii from the two cities.

Airfare from Seattle to Honolulu or Maui is only $299. Add-on fares are free on Horizon Airlines from Spokane, Billingham, Yakima, Wennatchee, Port Angeles and Boise, with other cities as low as $50 when purchased with holidays that include airfare and hotel.

Through Dec. 18, Pleasant is also including a choice of free parking or complimentary shuttle service to the airport. The first seven nights' parking are free, and a special $5.50-per-day reduced rate is available for extra days at V.I.P. Airport Parking near the Seattle/Tacoma Airport.

For Puget Sound-area residents, free Shuttle Express "Door-to- Door Hawaii" service to and from SEA/TAC is an alternative to the complimentary parking with holidays that include airfare and hotel.

Seven-night air-and hotel-inclusive holidays begin at $399 to Honolulu and $549 to Maui from Seattle through Dec. 18. Prices are per person, double occupancy and include accommodations, transfers in Honolulu and daily car rental on Maui, flower lei greeting and much more.

For more information and reservations, call your local travel agent or 800/2-HAWAII (800/242-9244).

CONTACT: Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays, Westlake Village

Ken Phillips, 818/991-3390, ext. 6264