Hawaiian Airlines is planning to start Honolulu-Sydney service, becoming the second US carrier (after United) and fourth carrier (after United, Air Canada and Qantas) to serve Australia directly from the United states.

However, for most travelers on Australia-US business, this option is no better than any other carrier’s one-stop service (such as Air New Zealand via Auckland).

First, it will be one-stop service from the US mainline. Second, it will be offered only four days a week. Third, it will be service with 767 aircraft which are generally less preferred than 747s flown by United and Qantas.

This small uptick in capacity, offering one more option to and from Australia, may be most valuable from an award redemption standpoint. Hawaiian has several airline partnerships, and a vacation award from the US to Hawaii for a stopover and on to Australia is quite appealing.