Alaska Airlines Completes Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, See What’s Next

Alaska Airlines Completes Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines

Alaska Air Group today announced it has completed its acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. The news comes after the merger passed the DOJ review and just yesterday received DOT approval with some important conditions.

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines now begin the work to secure a single operating certificate with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which will allow the two airlines to operate as a single carrier with an integrated passenger service system.

In the interim, the airlines will continue to operate as separate carriers with no immediate changes to operations and will maintain separate websites, reservation systems and loyalty programs until later in the integration process. 

New Combine Airlines

As of today, Alaska Air Group’s airlines/subsidiary airlines:

• Fly nearly 1,500 daily flights to 141 destinations including 29 international markets in the Americas, Asia, Australia and the South Pacific. This expanded network feeds the more than 1,200 destinations available through the oneworld Alliance;
• Maintain hubs in Seattle, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, San Diego and Anchorage, with Honolulu becoming the second largest behind Seattle;
• Operate a fleet of 350 aircraft, which includes 2 Boeing 787, 24 Airbus A330, 18 Airbus A321neo, 235 Boeing 737, 19 Boeing 717, 44 Embraer E175, and 8 dedicated freighters (3 Boeing 737-700, 2 Boeing 737-800 and 3 Airbus A330); and
• Employ more than 33,000 people across North America, Asia and the Pacific.

Effective today:

• Your Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles retain their full value: Your hard-earned miles in both loyalty programs are secure and more valuable than ever.
• Alaska Lounge members get more access: Alaska Lounge members and guests can enjoy Alaska Lounge locations when flying on Hawaiian.
• Celebrating Hawaiian Million Milers: Hundreds of flyers have accrued more than one million miles or more flying Hawaiian Airlines. We’re acknowledging our appreciation for their business with new benefits.

In the coming weeks:

• You’ll soon be able to transfer miles between Alaska and Hawaiian loyalty accounts to redeem award travel: Later this month, you’ll be able to seamlessly transfer miles between Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles at a 1:1 ratio – for no charge. For example, if you have miles in a HawaiianMiles account and you want to redeem for a flight on Alaska or an Alaska global partner, simply transfer the miles to your Mileage Plan account at no charge and book your award travel at alaskaair.com.
• Buy tickets for flights on both airlines on both websites: You’ll be able to buy tickets for most Hawaiian flights on alaskaair.com and buy tickets for Alaska flights on hawaiianairlines.com starting this month. Soon we’ll offer the option to purchase Hawaiian international flights to destinations such as Japan, South Korea and Australia on alaskaair.com.
• Introducing a new travel program just for those who live in Hawai’i: Called Huaka’i by Hawaiian, meaning voyage, it will include unique discounts and benefits exclusively for Hawai’i residents. Huaka’i members will enjoy exclusive benefits when traveling interisland, including 10% off one booking per quarter and a free checked bag. Huaka’i members who are Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard cardmembers will receive even more, with 20% off one interisland booking per quarter and their existing credit card benefit of two free checked bags. Plus, members will receive access to exclusive, network-wide deals each month. In the coming weeks, Hawai’i residents will receive an email with a link to sign up for a free membership.

In the coming months:

• Earn miles on both airlines: You’ll be able to accrue Mileage Plan miles or HawaiianMiles when flying either airline.
• We’ll offer expanded redemption opportunities: In early 2025, you’ll be able to redeem your Mileage Plan miles directly on all Hawaiian flights including international destinations. And you’ll be able to combine Hawaiian flights with Alaska or partner flights when redeeming your miles.
• Match your status across programs: If you’re an elite flyer with Alaska or Hawaiian, you’ll be able to link your accounts to automatically enjoy equivalent status on the other airline. If you have elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) in both programs, your status will be based on the highest tier you qualify for based on your combined EQM total.

Longer term benefits:

• Elite Reciprocity: Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles elites will enjoy select elite benefits when flying on either airline.
• A single, industry-leading loyalty program across both brands: The two airlines are working on combining the best of Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles into a new unified loyalty program for our guests. More details will come in mid-2025.