Is a Hawaii Airfare Battle Beginning? Following the merger, American Airlines slashed First Class Hawaii fares to $483 each way.
The ink wasn’t even dry on Alaska Airlines’ now-finalized acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. We knew well that this was never going to sit comfortably with the competition, particularly legacy carriers like American, Delta, and United. While the deal will reshape air travel in Hawaii and the Pacific region, it’s already generating ripple effects.
American tells Alaska Airlines, “Not So Fast.”
American Airlines is among the first to respond, and they did so with a noteworthy move: offering what may be one of the lowest first-class fares to Hawaii in years. This comes on the heels of the Alaska/Hawaiian deal’s conclusion, which has left other airlines scrambling to reassess their position in Hawaii’s highly competitive market.
American Airlines’ first strike: A play for premium travelers.
American Airlines, known for its more conservative approach to Hawaii than some competitors, primarily serves the islands from major U.S. mainland hubs like Los Angeles, Dallas, and Phoenix. Historically, its focus has been less on aggressive pricing and more on offering reliable service to its loyal Hawaii-bound leisure and business travelers.
However, within hours of the Alaska-Hawaiian merger finalization, American’s reaction was clear: they dropped the price of in-demand first-class seats on Hawaii-bound flights, signaling a potential pricing war ahead. The exact fare cut is significant enough to catch regular travelers’ attention; first class tickets priced in the $1,100 to $1,600 range have now been slashed by American.
Today’s next lowest first class airfare is $1097 on select dates from Alaska Airlines. Both American and Alaska use recliner-type first class seats on this route. The lowest round trip on Hawaiian, with the possibility of lie-flat seats, is $1499.
If this interesting Hawaii airfare deal works for you, it can be found on many dates, from October through mid-December. The best way to find availability is to use Google Flights.
While the reasons behind the move are speculation, one likely factor is American’s attempt to lure premium passengers away from the Alaska-Hawaiian tie-up. This move also suggests that American is ready to compete head-on with this newly consolidated airline by delivering strategic pricing in key fare categories, even in first class.
Legacy carriers fear the loss of Hawaii market share.
American Airlines isn’t the only carrier likely left reeling from the Alaska-Hawaiian merger. Delta and United, which both have a significant presence in Hawaii, may be rethinking their strategies. United Airlines, for example, operates one of the largest networks of flights to the islands, including direct flights from cities like San Francisco, Denver, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
These carriers, traditionally accustomed to a competitive but more predictable Hawaii airfare market, are now faced with the reality that Alaska-Hawaiian, as a combined resource with an extensive route network, will likely become a dominant force.
It’s increasingly likely that we’ll see a flurry of competitive pricing and promotions soon. As airlines seek to retain loyal Hawaii-bound travelers, more flash sales, discounted premium tickets, and aggressive economy pricing could be on the horizon.
What this means for Hawaii travelers: Will airfare deals return?
If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, this shake-up might just bring better news than you were expecting. For budget-minded travelers (and let’s be honest, that includes most of us), now could be the time to keep an eye on deals from Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, as well as their competitors.
What seemed unlikely just days ago is now within the realm of possibility: major discounts on both economy and premium cabin seats may become the norm again, as airlines seek to retain or steal each other’s market share.
Beyond pricing: What other possible changes, including routes and services?
In addition to pricing, we wonder if there won’t be more changes in service offerings and routes to and from Hawaii. Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian gives them access to the most established interisland network, and this could prompt competitors who previously code-shared with Hawaiian to introduce more direct services to the neighbor islands. Southwest had said they might now be interested in code-sharing, but we won’t even speculate about that.
Due to today’s merger completion, we might be surprised by more Hawaii airfare sales ahead. Please stand by for those.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
My hope is that more people visit Maui. They are hurting for vacationers. since the fires. Hopefully these airlines will help promote travel to the island of Maui
What, you can fly from Vancouver Canada Sale
for $390….
That’s a sale!!!!!
I could easily afford 1st at regular price from SFO to the islands but, why? It’s a 5 hour flight? Waste of money. I only fly business when going to Europe or Asia as it’s hell to be in economy for more than 5-6 hours. But, I suppose some people have money to burn or, perhaps more likely, points or upgrades.
I am concerned about inter island flights. Only Hawaiian, SouthWest and Mokulele offer inter island flights. And Molulele’s planes are small. Will there be less flights? Or will you have to first fly to the mainland to get to a different island?
Reviewing previous mergers, flights and cities have been cut.
Please keep me in
So 14% of travelers get a bonus to sit at the head of the class? Seems they’re pandering to a small percentage and leaving 86% of us at home. Sailing the Rhine instead with free airfare and half the cost of our typical Hawaiian holiday.
American Airlines does not have a first class service out of its west coast hubs – only business class. The potential for lie flat seats is zero
Congrats to both Haeaiian and Alaska on this merger! This will be a good fit for 2 very good airlines!
It’s time the first class fares to Hawaii came down from the ridiculous levels. I just flew from Bangkok to Chennai India a 3-hour trip on a 787-9 with flatbed for about $600. The plane was a 1-2-1 configuration
Included a full meal and alcoholic drinks.
Boy, I wish AA had those fares from DFW! The next year is going to be seeing a lot of jockeying around between the carriers. Maybe it’ll actually benefit the customers. Thanks for a well written, timely article Guys.
Best Regards
Hi Jay.
Thanks! We’ll keep an eye out for DFW. Both of us are heading there next week.
Aloha.
Thanks for being so on top of this and most everything else Island-wise! Any idea on how the merger will effect the previous Hawaiian – United arrangements going forward?
Thank you!!
Hi yachtscott.
Those airline agreements are on our list of questions that are about to get answered. So standby. And thanks!
Aloha.
Find out if Delta Airlines plans to do any price restructuring or how they plan to compete for passengers. Add American and United updates as being newsworthy.
Great but for how long? Price wars only seem to last short term until both reach a normal regular rate. I guess you have to decide on how the service and food options differ when all is said and done. There are a lot less first class seats available than coach-economy-economy plus options. Just might be a tactic just to fill empty first class seats. It still makes airfare 1000 dollars per person round trip when you include airport fees and taxes and booking fees. Not to mention the costly lodging fee when you get there. No matter what Hawaii still gets all their green fees, taxes, permit,entrance fees etc.
Well I think your “way over your ski’s” here, first a battle for the few first class seats on planes going Hawaii is not a battle and most of those traveler are using credit card points. The real reason is tourism is way off all over Hawaii because of the massive price increases in just about everything on the islands. West Maui is in a depression with some rental units being empty for months on end. In our resort we have units that have been empty for 5 months.
J, we can that the Mayor of Maui and the Governor of Hawaii for what has happened to West Maui. As you know, they told everyone to stay away – and people are still doing that “out of respect” for the area. What about the people who work there who rely on tips, what about the restaurants and on and on. One bad mistake after the other.
your right the mayor is asleep at the wheel and responsible for much of the damage from the fire and everything is being “slow walked” we don’t hear anything regarding front street, the harbor, the plan for the future. if it wasn’t for the federal government and fema nothing would be done. the houses that are under construction were recently permitted otherwise you out of luck