Alaska Air Group, Inc. announced it has completed its acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., a combination that expands guests’ access to domestic and international destinations, including through the oneworld Alliance and a vast network of global partners, and offers a remarkable guest experience through two strong brands with deep legacies serving local communities.
“This is a historic day for Alaska Airlines as we officially join with Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska and Hawaiian share tremendous pride in connecting communities with award-winning service, and we look forward to inviting more guests on board to experience what makes both brands unique. Among Alaska, Hawaiian and Horizon Air, we have more than 230 years of history flying guests and serving communities. I know we will build on that legacy and become stronger together – providing the excellent operation guests have come to expect, expanding options to seamlessly travel nearly anywhere in the world, and securing the financial stability and value that inspires investment.” sais Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines CEO.
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. Guests can book and travel with confidence knowing their trips will occur as planned with the corresponding airline.
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).
- Employ more than 33,000 people across North America, Asia and the Pacific.
Expanded Benefits for Guests
While nothing significant changes to the guest experience immediately, guests can start experiencing meaningful benefits of this combination very soon. Our complementary domestic, international and cargo networks will expand choice for guests and businesses on the West Coast and throughout the Hawaiian Islands. This will mean more destinations, seamless connectivity across the globe through oneworld partners and the benefits that come with access to the most generous loyalty program in the industry.
As the airlines are working through integration processes, guests can expect these benefits to come online in stages:
- Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles retain their full value
- 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.
In the coming weeks
- Customers will 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.
- Customers will be able to 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: We’re working on combining the best of Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles into a new unified loyalty program for our guests. We’ll have more details to share in mid-2025.
Future of the Hawaiian Airlines Brand
Honoring its rich history and deep legacy, Hawaiian Airlines’ iconic brand will continue to welcome and delight guests – on aircraft, in airports and onboard, just like it is today. Maintaining both industry-leading Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines brands will enable guests to continue experiencing the remarkable service and hospitality, operational excellence and premium products for which both airlines have been consistently recognized.
Substantial Benefits to Employees
Alaska Airlines will uphold its commitments to employees by preserving and growing union-represented jobs in Hawai‘i and providing opportunities for long-term career advancement. Workforce development initiatives from both airlines will be expanded to support future airline careers in Hawai‘i and beyond.
Honolulu will become our second largest hub and a regional headquarters with a strong operations presence and the continuation of pilot, flight attendant and maintenance technician bases.
Unwavering Commitment to Communities
Alaska and Hawaiian both maintain 90+ year legacies providing critical service to communities uniquely reliant upon air travel. This combination only strengthens that connection and investment in local communities. The combined airline will continue to advance regenerative tourism, Hawaiian language, and culture in the Hawaiian Islands by building upon Hawaiian Airlines’ and Alaska Airlines’ existing programs. Our commitments will continue to center on how we can best help build a vibrant future for Hawai‘i.
The article Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
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