Changes again today in Hawaii air services and this time the news is a bit rocky. Alaska Airlines is changing up their Hawaii offerings in a way which does not bode well for those of us seeking Hawaii deals.
The pressing issue is simply too much competition with Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska has been going head to head with Hawaiian on a number of routes from the Pacific Northwest, the Bay Area and San Diego, as the carrier has expanded its Hawaii services.
Alaska remains committed to Hawaii with their Hawaii flights now accounting for approximately 20% of the airline’s total business. The result of this competition with Hawaiian, however, has been unsustainably low fares in contested markets, with Hawaii deals too good for the airlines to continue. One way fares in the low to mid $100’s do not begin to cover the cost of fuel per passenger, let alone all the other expenses. Fares need to be somewhat higher in order for Hawaii flights to be profitable for both Alaska and Hawaiian.
Hawaii deal aficionados can be pleased that Alaska has ventured boldly into Hawaii flights with so many new routes. Without them, we’d see far fewer Hawaii deals than we have now. That’s especially true inasmuch as legacy carriers like United, American and Delta continue to show an overall waning interest in Hawaii air services.
And finally, if you have flights booked on the routes below, we suggest you contact Alaska to confirm your flights.
Alaska Air Hawaii flights cut
Oakland to/from Lihue and Kona.
Starting April 21, Kauai flights from Oakland will be Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday only. Kona flights from Oakland will be on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
San Jose to/from Lihue and Kona.
From San Jose, Kauai flights will operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday starting April 21. Kona flights from San Jose will be on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Hawaii flights that remain unchanged from Bay Area
For now, daily service from San Jose and Oakland to both Honolulu and Maui will continue, although competition with Hawaiian continues to create an unsustainable situation in the long term for both carriers.
More Hawaii Air changes ahead
We do not believe these changes by Alaska together with Allegiant’s recent curtailment of Santa Maria flights will be the last of Hawaii flight cuts. There will be more news on that soon so please subscribe to our free updates.
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Thank you! Can you please let me know when to expect it to happen? We’re trying to go to the Big Island in August before the school starts.
Hello,
Will there be a good deal on airlines in August? Thank you!
Hi Christine.
Xlnt question. We expect to see some lower prices, certainly in comparison with July rates. These should take effect for travel around August 15. I don’t expect sensational airfares, however, unless something changes, since the airlines have reduced inventory to better control pricing.
Aloha!
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