Northwest Airlines will begin flights from Portland to Honolulu on December 15th.

New flights are always good for award redemption, as award seats haven’t been claimed yet. Perfect for that Christmas trip to Hawaii.

Aloha Airlines is adding service between Las Vegas and Honolulu and between Sacramento and Maui. Aloha is also cutting some service:

Aloha will eliminate its Phoenix service and the nonstop route between Burbank and Maui, effective September 6. Aloha also will drop short-haul service between Oakland and Las Vegas, Burbank and Las Vegas, and Burbank and Sacramento.

Remember that United miles can be used for travel on Aloha, so these two new routes are two new opportunities.

Meanwhile, Hawaiian Airlines is offering an online sale from $267 roundtrip.