Alaska Airlines' inaugural flight from Seattle arrived in the islands on Friday afternoon.

To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the airlines began its daily non-stop flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Honolulu.

"It's just a new chapter in our airline and we're just so excited to be bringing the northwest and the state of Alaska to the Hawaiian Islands," Alaska Air Vice President of Sales and Marketing Steve Jarvis said.

"Not only are we here for a special occasion for Alaska Airlines, but our son is just returned from iraq and he's coming here to greet us. So we're just glad for Alaska Airlines that they were able to bring us here," Spokane resident Kathie Nelson said.

Native Alaskan dancers greeted departing passengers for the flight back to Seattle.

Non-stop service to Lihue begins in two weeks and Anchorage to Honolulu in December.