Alaska Airlines Acquires Hawaiian Airlines

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are joining forces to create a combined company that will maintain both airlines' strong and high-quality brands. This collaboration will be supported by a single, compelling loyalty program, which will expand options for redeeming points and miles.  Passengers of Hawaiian Airlines will gain access to booking with Oneworld partners, allowing them to redeem their miles not just for travel on Alaska but also on other Oneworld airline partners. With a fleet of 365 narrow and wide-body airplanes, the fifth-largest U.S. airline will expand its reach to 138 destinations through its combined networks and over 1,200 destinations through the Oneworld Alliance. The acquisition can potentially raise the cost of flights within Hawaii and between Hawaii and the mainland.

The city of Honolulu will become a key hub for the combined airline, offering expanded service to residents of Hawai‘i to the Continental U.S. and creating new connections to Asia and throughout the Pacific for travelers across the U.S. The commitment to Hawai‘i remains steadfast, with robust Neighbor Island air service and a more competitive platform to support growth, job opportunities for employees, community investment, and environmental stewardship. Both airlines will continue to operate under their respective names and branding.  As with any airline merger, approval will be needed.  There will be more to come on this.

Update: Hawaiian Airlines officially joined Alaska Airlines on September 18, 2024. Both airlines continue to operate as they have, and travelers will not notice any immediate changes. But we will see changes over the next 18 months. If you frequently fly Alaska (like me) or Hawaiian Airlines, be sure to keep an out for the changes.