The integration of Hawaiian with Alaska Airlines hasn’t even finished, but pilot tensions are already boiling over—both in private and in public. A series of emails we received, together with revealing forum posts by pilots, show just how contentious things have become, especially over who will fly what routes, how much flying could be outsourced, and whether Hawaii’s identity as a hub is in danger of being sidelined.
These are not abstract technical concerns. Depending on how this fight plays out, the aircraft flying to Hawaii and the pilots at the controls could shift, potentially in ways that change who gets to fly and where those jobs are based.
Hawaiian pilots warn that their jobs and Hawaii flying could shrink.
Hawaiian pilots are increasingly expressing concern that the merger could quietly reduce their role in flying to and from the islands. It’s about the broader operating model wherein Hawaiian crews currently fly every route the airline offers. Alaska, by contrast, contracts out a significant portion of its shorter routes to regional carriers.
Pilots say that if the merged airline adopts more of Alaska’s structure, it could lead to a shift over time—fewer Hawaii-based crews, less stability for island pilot jobs, and more flying moving to lower-cost segments of the company. Hawaiian pilots want to ensure that their in-house model remains intact and that island-based flying doesn’t erode under a more fragmented system.
For travelers, that could mean changes too. More variation of this kind, with less consistency in who’s flying your plane, could mean a shift away from Hawaiian’s long-held promise of a fully island-run Hawaii flight experience.
Tension rises over widebody access and seniority.
At the heart of the conflict is a growing sense that Alaska pilots, who fly narrow-body 737s, are frustrated by the likelihood that Hawaiian pilots will retain priority over wide-body aircraft, such as the Airbus A330 and the Boeing 787, which Alaska both currently owns and has on order. (See: Breaking: Hawaiian Dreamliner Strategy Just Got Rewritten.) These larger planes are central to long-haul flights to and from Hawaii, but even more importantly, they are increasingly also used for flights between Seattle and both Asia and Europe.
Much of the tension stems from seniority. Hawaiian pilots have been flying widebody aircraft for decades, while Alaska pilots, despite often having even longer careers, have not. Some of the outspoken Alaska pilots are questioning why they may have to wait behind Hawaiian crews when the merged airline begins assigning pilots to these long-haul planes.
The process for combining the two pilot groups, known as seniority list integration (SLI), will ultimately determine who flies what. Some Alaska pilots believe they should move quickly into these newly arriving jets. Hawaiian pilots counter that their years of international flying and long-established work protections give them a legitimate claim to stay in those pilot seats.
What this means for Hawaii travelers.
This debate isn’t just about contracts and pilot rosters. For travelers flying to Hawaii, it could eventually alter some aspects of the journey’s look and feel. Will your flight still be operated by a Hawaiian pilot on an aircraft known for its Hawaii service and island culture? Or will the merged airline shift to a more mainland-centric operation, with less consistency and fewer crews based in the islands? Many suspect they already know the answer.
Hawaiian’s model keeps all flying in-house with strong protections. Alaska’s does not. One pilot wrote to us expressing concern that with Alaska pilots now making up the majority, any agreement with weaker scope protections could easily pass—erasing what has long set Hawaiian apart.
The integration is already dividing pilots.
While the public messaging from both airlines has stayed relentlessly upbeat, behind the scenes, the tone is far more tense. Pilots are debating everything from pay scales to international flying rights, and it’s quickly become clear that the integration isn’t going as smoothly as portrayed.
Several pilots have described to us a growing cultural and strategic divide. Some in the Alaska group are pushing for contract terms that benefit their side. At the same time, Hawaiian pilots are focused on defending job protections and long-haul flying rights they’ve spent decades building. A few have tried to frame this as an opportunity to improve both sides—aligning pay, scope protections, and long-term stability. But that kind of unity talk doesn’t seem to be gaining much ground. At least not yet.
For now, the split remains sharp. And what’s playing out between the pilot groups, unless resolved, could have lasting consequences for Hawaii’s future in the merged airline, just as similar tensions did in past mergers that never fully settled.
Hawaii’s role could shrink in the name of efficiency.
One of the biggest concerns expressed by Hawaiian pilots is that the merged airline could shift more flying away from crews based in the islands. Instead of Hawaii-based pilots and flight attendants operating the routes they know best, staffing decisions could be made from the mainland, where efficiency might outweigh connection to place.
Over time, that could mean fewer crews based in Hawaii, more mainland-driven operations, and less consistency on the routes that matter most to island travelers. For frequent visitors and residents alike, it raises fundamental questions about whether the distinct feel of Hawaii air travel—both in service and reliability—can survive Hawaiian’s acquisition.
What happens next?
With the joint collective bargaining agreement still being negotiated and the seniority integration process looming, the future remains murkier than the airlines are letting on based on what pilots are saying. What is clear is that pilot unrest is a genuine concern. That friction has been part of the merger from the beginning, and it has only intensified recently.
Passengers won’t see the internal battles directly. But they might start to feel the consequences in the air.
Will your next Hawaii flight be staffed by the same crews who’ve long flown these routes, or by whoever best fits into a new scheduling model?
Let us know what you think. Are you concerned about how the merger could affect who’s flying your Hawaii flights?
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It’s a merger. Things are going to change! This is big business executing big business operations. Spoiled pilots are a part of that merger. The door to the organization is not locked. You can leave anytime if you’re not happy.
Not a merger. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Absolutely !! Not a merger!!
Please everyone Hawaiian was bought out by Alaska, because of this purchase Alaska will do what anything they want period! Just the facts. Alaska will attempt to keep some of the Hawaiian Airlines culture with the purchase, no guarantees implied.
Call it what you will. The fact that people are generally afraid of change means unrest, confusion, and fear. Without change, we stay stagnant with an eventual descent to complacency. Hawaiian Airlines has found itself in a situation that is likely rooted in complacency and lack of effective leadership. The travel industry remains critical to global progression.
There is honor and pride to be recognized within the ranks of these wonderful people, many of them close friends of mine, however business models are continuously changing given market trends. This “purchase agreement” while difficult to accept given the arguments and uncertainties, will eventually be adopted one way or another. It’s business!
Alaska is junk 😳.
Why cut off the flight to New Zealand.
I came half way around the world with Hawaiin Air and Im going back home to Australia with Hawaiin Air.when I am ready for the Alaskan Air experience then I will come half way around the world again with Hawaiin Air then I will look at taking the Alaskan air experience from Seattle north.Hawaiin Air brought me to USA on Hawaiin Air aircraft,they did’nt ditch me somewhere and tell me to get on a cut price flight so they can make money elsewhere.keep that in mind fellow air travellers,it’s called loyalty.
Want Hawaii Airlines back Alaskan Airlines not as good been using Hawaii Airlines for last 21 years not happy 😢
Thank you for your service
So Hawaiian Airlines should have just continued down the path they were on to bankruptcy and liquidation?
Just to be clear, they were not on a path that had the liquidation of the airline as an option. They potentially could have gone the chapter 11 bankruptcy route , not chapter 7……big difference. People are throwing liquidation out there and it’s simply not realistic
Maybe, maybe not. Unless you were buying the airline to merge it in with another airline, a Hawaiian airline, by itself, is not sustainable. That has been proven by this, and every other Hawaiian based airline that has come and gone.
United, American, Delta were never interested, nor would the goverment approve that. Who else was in the market? Jet Blue ? They have their own problems, after largely pulling out of west coast operations. Jet Blue lacked any feeder operation.
The other airlines, LCCs, really had no interest, and probably would not be approved if you follow the Spirit/Jet Blue model disallowed by the courts.
So who is left? Outside investors who would not be paying for Hawaiian’s blue sky future. Alaska really is the best fit
It’s possible Hawiian Airlines could have gone into Chapter 11 and restructured, rather than Chapter 7 liquidation, at least at first.
The problem with that is that HA didn’t seem to be burdened with debt they couldn’t service, again, at least not now, which is the main purpose of Chapter 11. Their problem seemed to be they were taking operational losses. So unless they made the same kind of cuts and restructuring they are going through now, they would have slowly inched toward Chapter 7.
Pilots being the whiney species they are, are complaining about the kind of displacement that happens when a base closes. Nobody was shedding a tear for $150+/yr. pilots being displaced when United Airlines closed their pilot and flight attendant bases in Seattle, a particularly painful move as it was a high seniority base.
As I have said previously and continue to say, (more) changes are coming. Some of you will cheer, some of you will curse. Regardless, the wonderful employees of Hawaiian Airlines are all saddened by the demise of their proud 95 year legacy as the safest airline and arguably one of the very best airlines in America.
Yes, we will continue to have a paycheck. However, the flight schedules, destinations, and operating procedures (read: cabin service) will be changing. Dilution of the ubiquitous Aloha Spirit we exude towards our guests is inevitable as the culture and business focus of Alaska Airlines permeates throughout the acquired Hawaiian Airlines.
Despite all of that, you can be sure that the employees of Hawaiian Airlines will always have the same caring, attentive demeanor full of Aloha as we embark on this new chapter together.
Thank you to all of our loyal guests that we have had the pleasure and privilege to have onboard throughout our 95 year history. Pualani lives on.
Thanks William.
Got bumped off of American Airline flight back to Honolulu. . Alaska crew had so much aloha! It was a much better trip on Alaska!
Have heard a lot of the internal staff that live in Hawaii have been terminated. Why? Isn’t this still Hawaiian Airlines or is it Alaska Airlines?
There is inevitable duplication in “back office” tasks. Human resources. Petroleum purchases. IT. Etc
The relaxed atmosphere and Aloha Spirit have no concern or place in Alaska Airlines plans. Warm Hawaiian spirit is being compromised for ultra efficiency, which are mostly incompatible. Service to/from Hawaii will move backwards in service aboard a cramped environment on a single aisle 737 aircraft. AS has to fight DL now, and passenger Comfort and service will be the victim.
I fly to Hawaii on Alaska and it is quite comfortable. We get to airport early and eat breakfast, have Alaska CC so get 1 or 2 free check bags each depending on status. Paid with companion fare. Order meal/snack prior to flight. Book back to back window seats or extra legroom seats if have MVP status. Not that difficult to plan to be in a good mood to be on vacation. Yippee.
It’s not that the Hawaiian Airlines pilots’ jobs Could shirink. The Hawaiian Airlines pilots’ jobs Will shrink.
What they were doing before the buy-out was losing money so the most obvious course of action is “Stop doing that!”
Alaska posted a $161 million Loss in the first quarter of this year, but before purchasing Hawaiian, they were making money…hmmmm!
There’s a huge cost in merging two different companies especially with totally different work environment and culture. Alaska is also expanding it’s routes which means staffing those routes.
Let Hawaiian pilots lead. There’s no hurry to integrate. Safety first!
Well, I think Hawaiian is still losing money. They just don’t post their losses because they were absorbed by Alaska. What makes you think that, after being bought out by Alaska, Hawaiian is magically making money now?
Once the 717’s finally reach its end, I can only see Alaska contracting out SkyWest or Horizon using propellor planes for inter-island flights, as Southwest has made any jet service unprofitable. But hey, they can at least still brand it as Hawaiian Airlines…
The Embraer E2 series or the Airbus A220 are all viable replacements to the 717 when they go. The ATR72 is the only viable turboprop option right now. The Q400 is not presently produced, but may come back available. The ATR72 only has 70 seats, quite a drop from the 106 on the 717.
Meanwhile Southwest is flying 737’s between the islands.
Airbus loses money on every A220 they sell, and the backlog stretches for years. Alaska isn’t buying A220’s for interisland even if the plane were the best choice for the routes, which it isn’t.
Interisland service is going to be completely re-written.
AS/HA has only bad choices for a 717 replacement.
It would be quite a stretch to imagine either the AS or HA pilots would agree to a new joint contract that would allow interisland to be outsourced from where it is now in house.
Likewise, I’m positive ALPA won’t allow any changes that permit E195’s to be flown by contractors.
I live in Hawaii & l am concerned about the merger. Beginning to see that Alaskan will have more say over what changes will occur.
Hawaiian has more of a regional approach to these Islands 🏝 which have a tradition of serving the needs of these islands with many interconnecting flights ✈.
Alaskan has more of a worldly, mainland approach that will take away from & interrupt the inner-island concept for the sake of fairness for the merger concept and profits for the new merged airline. Traditional Hawaiian pilots could be replaced with other pilots without the traditional concept of Hawaii. The larger Dreamliner planes used for Hawaii will likely be taken for use on mainly mainland flights going to Europe & Asian destinations.
Traditional Hawaiian pilot?
The airlines’ names are:
Alaska Airlines (Not Alaskan!)
Hawaiian Airlines
Mahalo!
where do you think a majority of the “traditional Hawaiian pilots” get their experience?
Hint: on the mainland
It would be prudent for Alaska to sell the inter-island route. It doesn’t make sense to be flying 737s between the islands.
They can’t sell them because they don’t own them. Anybody can fly the routes if they can get gates.
I don’t know how many of the trades have been in a HA flight lately- I’ve seen a severe drop in customer service and aloha. I just flew a few days ago and two weeks ago. HI to mainland. Cabinet crew practically throw food and drink at you now – then the second they’re done the announce “service has concluded for this flight “. This is 1 hour into a 6 hour flight. Then they close their curtains and chat the entire rest of the trip. They do tell you if you want anything else to basically get up and get it yourself. This isn’t a one off I’ve experienced this many times in the last few months. A crew change can’t really be any worse than this.
We got the same treatment when we flew from San Diego to Honolulu in April. The trip to Tokyo and back was totally different though. But it was still not the same as before..
As a passenger all i care about it traveling on a well maintained aircraft and a happy to have the job of a flight crew member
The sad truth here is that when you board an aircraft that is painted “Hawaiian air”, you’re flying “Alaska airlines”… end of story. It’s their company to do with what enhances the bottom line. If they could fly a plane with people standing the whole way, tripling the passenger count, they would. Of course then you could choose to fly on United or……
facetious statement yes, but you get my point. It’s what the market will allow.
Sad yes, but Hawaiian was loosing millions….. the writing was on the wall…
Very concerned that Alaska Airlines and their culture will override what we love about Hawaiian Airlines. I am Not happy about so many flights having to go through Seattle. Please ensure the Hawaiian culture and Hawaii-based employees are prioritized.
Alaska has culture too, the two airlines were made for each other. Alaska did Hawaiian a favor on purchasing Hawaiian, I think of all the other airlines that could have bought Hawaiian Alaska is the best choice, because Alaska has alot of similarities!
I have been flying Hawaiian to and from Hawaii for over twenty years. I only fly other airlines if I absolutely have to. I love the Aloha spirit on Hawaiian. As a resident of Kauai we rely heavily on our Hawaiian Airlines. We want our planes flown by local people, many of whom we know. I also do not want my flight to be outsourced to some small impersonal airline. We don’t have a lot of travel options here on Kauai, so please don’t take away our airline and our staff and the Aloha spirit we love.
How on earth did Hawaiian not expect to become a subsidiary to a larger carrier? Surely Hawaiian pilots and crew did not expect business as usual? This merger will eventually dilute what Hawaiian built over decades; it will become a regional carrier to Alaska’s global reach. Pilots and crew must have known this was coming and, if not, they do now.
I am retired from American Airlines with 30 years. I have been through 3-4 mergers/accusations. HA people get over it Now. Alaska bought you. Not for the people or routes. AS bought your planes to advance Alaska’s growth plans. Employees are just fluff. As my supervisor at AA would say “Safeway is hiring “. If you are unhappy other airlines might hire you.
Stop with the Merger talk! It was an Acquisition period! Hawaiian was going bankrupt. Alaska threw Hawaiian a lifeline and bought them out. All $1.9 billion worth of debt. If Alaska didn’t Buy Hawaiian, Hawaiian would be bankrupt right now. Tourism in Hawaii is tanking. Let that sink in! So, Hawaiian pilots have no say in the type of airplanes they want to fly. Alaska owns You! They own your airplanes, and their pilots should be able to fly whatever they want. Maybe Alaska’s MEC should staple the Hawaiian pilots on the bottom of the seniority list. That’s only fair. Too bad, so sad…
Sorry but HA pilots have the training for long haul planes and routes. They shouldn’t be put at the bottom of seniority.
Sorry, but Alaska pilots can do the same too. Anyone can be trained to fly the heavies and do long haul flying. The Hawaiian pilots rose up the ranks flying prop planes then jets. You honestly think Alaska pilots aren’t capable of flying the A330s and B787s? Let’s revisit this topic in a year.
They aren’t at the bottom.
Growth is going on. Much of that growth is the Seattle market. All sorts of new international flights.
If a Hawaiian pilot wants to change bases, he/she will certainly have that option.
Unfortunately Hawaiian employees are lucky to have a job, Alaska is treating you very well , they bought Hawaiian and are the owners now. Really nothing else needs to be sugar coated
The respective unions, ALPA for the pilots and AFA for the flight attendants, already have in place procedures for how seniority lists are combined for an acquisition or merger. AAG, Alaska Airline Group, has no role to play in that process.
Okay. So when the next acquisition happens and Big Daddy Delta swoops in and Scoops up Alaska, how are you gonna like it when the Alaska pilots get stapled to the bottom?!
This is always a possibility, its life and unfortunate for the ones being bought out. This buyout is the best outcome considering the alternative!