It was nicknamed "The Big Pineapple" and started service with one Boeing 747-100 aircraft, featuring a unique and detailed paint job with a mango-colored tail and a rainbow-colored stripe down the side.

All crew members were based at Los Angeles International Airport with maintenance and gate facilities provided by TWA.

Hawaii Express acquired two McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 aircraft from World Airways in May 1983 to replace the 747.

The aircraft were configurated and repainted at the World Air Center at Oakland International Airport.

The Hawaii Express suspended flights on December 20 of that year and filed for bankruptcy the following day.