For mainland travelers dreaming of Hawaiian beaches, volcanoes and palm-fringed sunsets, getting there from the Upper Midwest and New England is about to become significantly easier. Delta Air Lines has unveiled plans for new nonstop service between Minneapolis–St. Paul and Maui, along with the return of nonstop flights between Boston and Honolulu, dramatically shortening the journey from two of the United States’ snowiest regions to the islands’ warm shores. The expanded service, scheduled to begin in December 2026, is part of Delta’s largest-ever Hawaii schedule and promises more convenience, more comfort and more choice for winter and spring break travelers.

Delta’s Growing Hawaii Network from the Mainland

Delta has steadily been building its presence across the Hawaiian Islands, using its mainland hubs to funnel leisure travelers toward sun destinations during the cold-weather months. The airline already operates an extensive portfolio of nonstop routes to Hawaii from cities such as Atlanta, Detroit, New York–JFK, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Seattle, connecting the U.S. mainland with Honolulu, Maui, Kona and other gateways.

In recent years, Delta’s strategy has centered on using the winter and early spring peak to deploy widebody aircraft on domestic leisure routes, offering an international-style onboard experience to passengers heading for the beach. The latest expansion follows that playbook, but at a larger scale. By next winter season, Delta expects to be operating its most robust Hawaii schedule to date, adding new routes, increasing frequencies, and upgauging aircraft on key services to meet surging demand for long-haul leisure travel.

This renewed focus on Hawaii reflects shifting travel patterns that emerged after the pandemic, as more Americans prioritize meaningful vacations, extended stays and multi-generational trips. For Delta, the islands represent a reliable cold-weather destination that can absorb larger aircraft and support premium cabins, making routes like Minneapolis–Maui and Boston–Honolulu especially attractive additions.

New Minneapolis–St. Paul to Maui Route: A Direct Winter Escape

The headline addition for Midwestern travelers is the launch of new nonstop service between Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport and Maui’s Kahului Airport. Beginning December 19, 2026, Delta plans to operate the route daily during peak holiday and spring break periods, before shifting to five-times-weekly service through the core winter season.

The flights will be operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft, a widebody jet typically used on international routes, outfitted with Delta One lie-flat business-class seats, Premium Select, Comfort+ and Main Cabin. This marks a significant upgrade for Minnesotans and Upper Midwest residents who have historically relied on at least one connection to reach Maui, often routing through West Coast hubs.

For Minneapolis–St. Paul, Maui has long been a coveted but underserved market. Airport officials have noted that Kahului ranks as the largest unserved nonstop destination for MSP, with hundreds of passengers making the trip via connections during peak winter months. The new direct service is expected to draw travelers not just from Minnesota, but across the broader Upper Midwest, who can now connect in Minneapolis for a single-flight journey to Hawaii’s second-busiest airport.

How the New Route Complements Existing MSP–Honolulu Service

The addition of MSP–Maui doubles Delta’s nonstop Hawaii offerings from its Twin Cities hub. The airline already operates year-round nonstop service between Minneapolis–St. Paul and Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Oahu, giving travelers a direct route to Hawaii’s capital city and its world-famous Waikiki Beach.

With Maui joining Honolulu as a nonstop option, Minnesota-based travelers gain meaningful flexibility in how they structure their island escapes. Those seeking a mix of city energy, history and classic beachfront resorts can opt for Honolulu, while travelers craving a more resort-focused or nature-oriented experience may gravitate toward Maui, known for its winding Road to Hana, Haleakalā National Park and luxury enclaves in Wailea and Kāʻanapali.

The deployment of widebody aircraft on both routes underscores Delta’s commitment to positioning Minneapolis–St. Paul as a true long-haul leisure gateway. For MSP, which has earned repeated accolades for passenger satisfaction in the mega-airport category, the expanded Hawaii schedule reinforces its role as a key connecting hub for travelers from surrounding states looking for one-stop access to the Pacific.

Boston–Honolulu Returns: Reconnecting New England and Oahu

On the opposite side of the country, Delta is reviving a high-profile route that once captured attention as one of the longest domestic flights in the airline’s network. Starting December 19, 2026, Delta will bring back seasonal nonstop service between Boston Logan International Airport and Honolulu, restoring a direct link between New England and Hawaii’s capital after a hiatus.

The Boston–Honolulu route will operate daily during the peak late-December travel period, then transition to four weekly flights through the remainder of the winter season. As with the new Minneapolis–Maui service, Delta plans to operate the flights with Airbus A330-300 aircraft, offering a full suite of premium and economy products suitable for the approximately 11-hour journey.

For Boston travelers, the return of Delta’s nonstop to Honolulu simplifies what has often been a time-consuming trek involving connections at major West Coast or mountain hubs. With the reinstated route, New Englanders heading to Oahu for holidays, honeymoons, or family getaways can once again enjoy a single, overnight-style flight that delivers them directly to the islands without a domestic layover.

Boston has emerged as one of Delta’s most strategically important focus cities in recent years, with the airline investing in international routes to Europe and building out domestic connectivity. Adding back Honolulu fits within this broader strategy by giving Boston-area travelers a marquee long-haul leisure option alongside transatlantic services.

The Boston–Honolulu route also carries symbolic weight. At over 5,000 miles, it ranks among the longest domestic flights operated by a U.S. carrier, highlighting just how far Delta’s network can stretch within the United States. The service transforms Hawaii from a multi-stop, all-day journey into a more manageable single segment, particularly attractive for families and couples who prefer to settle in, sleep, watch a few movies and arrive ready to explore.

New England has a sizable population of travelers who plan extensive winter getaways to escape cold, snowy weather. The direct flight helps Boston compete more effectively with New York and other East Coast cities as a gateway to Hawaii, while reinforcing Delta’s presence in a market where competition among major carriers is intense.

Onboard Experience: Widebody Comfort from Gate to Gate

Both the new Minneapolis–Maui and returning Boston–Honolulu routes benefit from the use of long-haul widebody aircraft. The Airbus A330-300 offers a markedly different experience from standard domestic narrowbody jets, with multiple cabins, wider aisles and a more spacious feel that can make the 10 to 11-hour journey significantly more comfortable.

At the front of the aircraft, Delta One suites provide lie-flat seating, enhanced privacy features and upgraded dining, catering to premium leisure travelers and frequent flyers willing to pay extra or redeem miles for comfort. The Premium Select cabin, positioned between business class and economy, offers more generous legroom, wider seats and an elevated service experience for those seeking a step up from standard Main Cabin without the cost of a lie-flat bed.

In the back, customers in Comfort+ and Main Cabin still benefit from seatback entertainment screens featuring Delta Studio’s library of films, series and music, along with access to fast, free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members via Delta Sync on many Hawaii-bound aircraft. For families and groups, the ability to stream, work or stay in touch in real time can make the long flight feel shorter and more relaxed.

What This Means for Travelers Planning a Hawaii Trip

For travelers in Minnesota, New England and surrounding regions, Delta’s expanded Hawaii schedule unlocks new possibilities for how and when they plan their island getaways. Nonstop options from Minneapolis–St. Paul and Boston reduce total travel time, cut down on the stress of tight connections and missed flights, and make it easier to coordinate travel for large groups or multi-generational families.

Because these routes are scheduled to begin in December 2026, the first wave of travelers will likely be booking for peak holiday travel, early 2027 winter escapes and spring break trips. Those considering these flights should expect strong demand for premium cabins and school-holiday dates; booking early, especially for Delta One and Premium Select, will be key to securing preferred dates and seats.

Travelers who live outside the immediate catchment areas of Minneapolis and Boston can also benefit. With both airports serving as connection points in Delta’s domestic network, a traveler from the Dakotas, Wisconsin or northern New England can route through MSP or BOS and still enjoy a single onward flight to Hawaii, rather than cobbling together multiple segments across several airlines.

Looking Ahead: Hawaii as a Cornerstone of Delta’s Leisure Strategy

Delta’s decision to launch new nonstop service from Minneapolis–St. Paul to Maui and to restore Boston–Honolulu fits into a larger trend of major U.S. airlines doubling down on Hawaii as a centerpiece of their winter leisure portfolios. By aligning high-capacity widebody aircraft with peak-season demand, the airline can keep planes productive when transatlantic demand dips and maintain a strong year-round network balance.

For travelers, this translates into more choice and often more competitive fares, as airlines vie to attract sunseekers with convenient schedules, upgraded cabins and attractive vacation packages. Delta’s partnership with its vacation subsidiary allows customers to bundle flights with hotels, transfers and activities, simplifying the planning process for a Hawaii trip that might span multiple islands and a week or more in duration.

As December 2026 approaches, travelers in Minneapolis, Boston and beyond can expect Hawaii to feel a little closer. With new nonstop flights from the snowy Upper Midwest and New England’s coastal cities, the journey from winter chill to tropical warmth will soon be as simple as boarding a single aircraft, settling in and watching the Pacific come into view.