Every flight brings guests closer to earning one of the airline industry’s most coveted honors: Million Miler status. Hawaiian Airlines’ Million Miler program celebrates the globe-trotting loyalty members who achieve this impressive distance-based milestone with a commemorative bag tag crafted from metal salvaged from a retired Hawaiian Airlines aircraft, lifetime Pualani Platinum* status, and the privilege of extending Pualani Platinum status to a household member.

 

In 2025, 23 HawaiianMiles members have finally met or surpassed the million-miles flown mark — the equivalent of circling the globe 40 times — and were inducted into a select group of 885 Million Milers (about 0.04% of all members).

Kauaʻi resident Elizabeth Goyne Freitas turned Million Miler this year by flying to destinations like Los Angeles — her preferred stopover on long-haul European adventures — or non-stop to Sydney, Australia. For Freitas, flying with Hawaiian Airlines, no matter the destination, is a must.

“Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of traveling with friends, family and even solo. One thing remains constant: the incredible sense of community on every Hawaiian Airlines flight,” Freitas explained. “The camaraderie between passengers and crew always makes every flight feel like an extension of our island home.”

Freitas has taken approximately 1,008 trips** with Hawaiian Airlines. Twenty years ago, when she first joined HawaiianMiles*, she would’ve laughed at the thought of ever reaching Million Miler status. Yet today, she’s sharing her favorite travel memories and planning her next epic journey.

“One of my favorite travel memories was my first trip to Australia in 2008. I had saved up miles for a Premium Cabin upgrade, and I was beyond excited—like a kid in a candy store! But just as I was about to board, I hit a snag: my passport didn’t meet the six-month validity requirement. Hawaiian Airlines handled the situation with professionalism and kindness, guiding me through it so I could still make my trip,” she recalled. “When I finally boarded, the flight attendant welcomed me with a warm smile and a refreshing drink, making me feel truly special with that simple act of genuine hospitality.”

 

For Freitas, Hawaiian Airlines’ service, grounded in hoʻokipa (hospitality), keeps her flying with Pualani time and time again.

Many cherished memories also began on Hawaiian for Oʻahu resident Stephanie Faletagaloa. Her love for travel took root during business trips and flourished when she turned her focus to visiting bucket-list destinations. Nearly 15 years later, Faletagaloa is still jet-setting to places she once only dreamed of visiting, often with her friends who call themselves "The 808 Sistahs.”

‘Ohana (family) is everything to Faletagaloa. When she's not collecting passport stamps, she’s attending weddings, graduations, birthday celebrations and family milestones from California to Massachusetts. But family is never far from her journey.

“I have a cousin who works for Hawaiian Airlines in American Samoa, my best friend is a guest service agent in Honolulu, and I often travel with my family and friends. I’ve met so many amazing employees and made lifelong friends from all over the world. To me, flying on Hawaiian Airlines means being with ʻohana,” said Faletagaloa.

Since Faletagaloa joined HawaiianMiles in 2002, she has taken 468 Hawaiian Airlines flights.** She was inducted into the Million Miler program in January 2025.

Faletagaloa and Freitas have no intention of slowing down; they’re committed to exploring the globe with Hawaiian Airlines and now with Alaska Airlines. Here are some of the travel tips they’ll be carrying with them along the way:

• Break up long flights with a stopover. It makes all the difference!
• Stay hydrated and invest in a solid travel pillow.
• Triple-check international entry requirements and the expiration dates on your travel documents.
• Strike up a conversation with a flight attendant, when they are not too busy, and listen to their stories and advice.
• Bring a lightweight jacket for airports and airplanes — no matter the destination.
• Always be kind to others — employees, fellow travelers, etc. Blessings often return in unexpected ways.
• Most importantly, fly with an airline that makes you feel at home.

HawaiianMiles members can see how close they are to being a Million Miler program by referencing the lifetime mileage tracker in their monthly mileage e-statement or by contacting the HawaiianMiles Service Center.

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*This summer, Hawaiian and Alaska will move to a combined single loyalty program with even greater benefits. HawaiianMiles elite members can now status match with Alaska’s Mileage Plan and use their Mileage Plan number when flying a oneworld® partner to receive a variety of privileges, including priority check-in, access to international first and business class lounges (depending on tier), preferred boarding, fast track through security, baggage benefits and more. HawaiianMiles members are encouraged to link their accounts to start taking advantage of these enhanced benefits.

**This figure represents revenue flights only and doesn’t include award travel. Thus, the actual number of flights flown is likely greater.