Interesting changes in flights to Hawaii today. First, Alaska Airlines, Hawaii’s 2nd bellwether, has decided to leave one of its longtime California gateways to the islands. That as Hawaiian Airlines brings on 3 of 4 new routes last week and this. Read on for details.
Alaska Airlines cuts all Oakland to Hawaii flights.
Effective immediately, Alaska will no longer serve Hawaii from the convenient Oakland airport. We’ll miss that personally as we’ve transited to the west coast many times via Oakland. The reality is the competition was high, and the profits low. It makes sense for Alaska to focus its efforts on the Bay Area’s two other airports, from which it serves Hawaii. Those airports are San Francisco and San Jose. Passengers who had reservations to fly to Hawaii from Oakland can either opt for a refund or reschedule via one of the other airports.
Southwest Airlines is the behemoth force at Oakland Airport, including their own flights to the islands. Hawaiian Airlines continues to serve Oakland as well.
This change has been pending for some time and was not unexpected.
Three new Hawaiian Airlines routes just starting.
Hawaiian Airlines in December announced one of its largest and most significant route expansions ever. The company unveiled flights between Hawaii and Austin, Orlando, and Ontario and between Maui and Long Beach.
Long Beach to Maui flights starts tomorrow.
Served on narrow-body A321 aircraft, this flight adds to the current Long Beach to Honolulu route. As we said when it was announced, Maui is vying to be the single most important Hawaii destination.
Ontario to Honolulu starts tomorrow.
Service will be on narrow-body A321 aircraft. This route was served previously when Hawaiian flew its retired 767 fleet there. Its return has been asked for repeatedly. This is a good move and helps bring visitors from both the Inland Empire and Orange County.
Orlando to Honolulu started Saturday.
As of this past weekend, wide-body A330 service commenced to this previously unserved area. This adds to Hawaiian’s other long-haul domestic routes, New York and Boston. The flight will operate two to three times weekly.
Austin to Honolulu will start next month.
Commencing on April 21, the wide-body A330 aircraft route will be the first of the company’s flights to the area, considered one of the fastest-growing cities in the US.
Which is these routes are of interest to you?
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Debi S says
Mahalo for the update on Alaska Air. Sad to hear that they are abandoning their Oakland to Maui flights, as the Hawaiian Air schedule is not as convenient and it helped to keep prices down. Not sure why Alaska Air thinks San Jose is the better option other than there is more big $$$ money there. And San Francisco Airport? It may be big but it is a disaster to get in and out, but at least you can make big money betting that most – if not all – flights will be delayed due to fog.
Hope things begin to improve for the people of Hawaii soon.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Debi.
Thanks. Yes, there is a lot of jockeying around right now with the flights to Hawaii and it seems like there will be more ahead.
Aloha.
lisa m says
Thanks for the information, Unfortunately Alaska rescheduled our Oak to Lih flight traveling Oak to Seattle. This will cause an additional four hours of travel. This would be incredibly inconvenient with three small kids. I called and they refused to give me a refund because this was a flight I had to reschedule several times due to Covid 19. Unfortunately the only option I have is to fly out of San Jose which is three Plus hours from my home. Since they are the ones who cancelled the flight I think they should have to Refund the flight. I am really angry.
Jeanne F says
I support Hawaiian in adding new routes,expanding the market.I have met many people from Chicago,and now Orlando today,in Waikiki who are extremely appreciative for this new easier way to travel to Hawaii
Lui P. says
Aloha,
I was looking forward to the easy access of Ontario, Ca., but the prices are much higher than those of San Diego and LAX. This route will only benefit the population of Northern Riverside County and San Bernardino County, everyone else in Southern California will choose SAN & LAX over ONT. I for one always fly from SAN and make my hours drive there for it’s reliability and cheaper airfares. You’ll spend less in gas in the difference in prices.
David M says
BOH – many thanks for the heads up about Alaska pulling out of OAK. I was booked for 5/21 OAK-OGG. Alaska was able to rebook me out of SJC for the same day. Alaska says that they’re refocusing on SJC and SFO, but the flights remain much more limited than United, Hawaiian, or Southwest. It’s almost like they’re ceding the Bay Area-Hawaii market to others.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi David.
The situation in California was one we’ve seen coming for a long time. Between it being Southwest’s bread and butter and all the other competition, it makes sense for Alaska to focus where it can be most productive.
Aloha.
Mary G. says
Thank you for the update on Alaska Airlines! I’m shocked, because I just purchased tickets from Oakland to Maui for September. How would I have known? Alaska Air hasn’t notified me of this.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Mary.
It would be best to check with them. They’re usually very good about keeping travelers up to date, at least that has been our experience with them.
Aloha.
lisa m says
They did not notify me of the flight change on my itinerary for July. I just happened to look up the flight info when trying to book a rental car and noticed they had rebooked my flight from Oakland to Lihue to instead fly from Oakland to Seattle and then on to Lihue, Kauai. Needless to say i am not happy.
Steven S says
I am flying on Southwest from Oakland to Maui. I would have preferred Hawaiian Airlines, but I am using my SWA Mileage Points to fly round-trip for FREE!! Unfortunately, Southwest decided to cancel one of their non-stops to Maui and now we are forced to fly into HNL and then fly on to OGG 4 hours later! I wouldn’t mind the layover, EXCEPT, now I need to deal with TWO QR CODES from Safe Travels!!! This flight change was in addition to my American Airlines transcontinental flight being canceled too. With all this news of Airline Price Wars and 1.4 million flyers going through TSA last week, I don’t know why airlines cut flights, as it seems lots of people are now flying again. Almost worth canceling my trip outright but we want to visit Maui for one last time. Mahalo for the updates BOH!!!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Steven.
As travel resumes, we expect to see more stability in Hawaii flight schedules from all the airlines.
Aloha.
sean says
Air travel is still no where close to back to normal. Still many unprofitable routes, with low load factors. Especially in States like CA, with never ending restrictions.
Look for air travel to increase over April, when States like NY come to their senses and get rid of testing and quarantine practices. It’s not fear that is suppressing air travel and business, it is restrictive States. And we all know which ones those are and what politics they follow.
Amy F says
Ecstatic about Long Beach to Maui! I live in Orange County, CA, and hate LAX (even though we do pretty much all of our travel out of it). Anytime we can use Long Beach is welcome.
Debi S says
Hi Amy – I have to say that I envy you getting flights to Maui from Long Beach! Long Beach is a beautiful airport with easy access in and out. Have a wonderful time in Maui.
Karan M says
Please bring more Sacramento to Maui non-stop flights back!! Thank you Southwest, but additional times and reserved seating is preferred.
JohnW says
I’ll second Austin!!
Timm T says
Very disappointed to hear about Alaska pulling out of Oakland. It’s very convenient to our home in the East Bay, and Oakland is much easier to navigate than SFO. We’ve been flying to KOA from OAK for years. These flights will be missed.
Steven S says
Timm — you still have Southwest Airlines.
Debi S says
Hi Steven S –
Flying Southwest to Maui is like jamming yourself into an over-crowded subway car at peak commute hours. As far as I am concerned, a big part of the fun of travel is being comfortable, not tortured. LoL To each their own. Aloha!
Linda O says
Please and Thanks!
We had non-stop Alaska Air tkts (OAK-KOA) for 3 grandkids flying alone to meet us in Kona (they actually live near SMF). Your news is heart-stopping (almost).
Is any airline now flying non-stop from OAK to KOA?
Do you know what the best Alaska Air connection would be if we have to stick with Alaska?
SMF-LAX-KOA?
SMF-SEA-KOA?
SFO doesn’t seem to have any Alaska nonstops to KOA.
The kids really should be on a non-stop. Maybe they have to depart from San Jose if we stick with Alaska? Trying to research this online but perhaps you know. Thanks so much, LInda
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Linda.
No airline is flying that route nonstop at this time. Alaska’s fastest connection is via SEA. United has a daily nonstop from SFO to KOA.
Aloha.
Adriana G. says
Do you know if Hawaiian has any plans to fly out of Salt Lake City anytime soon?
Richard d says
Austin!!!