Hawaii’s longest domestic flight, a nonstop journey spanning over 5,000 miles, will be discontinued in April by one of the two major airlines serving the Boston to Honolulu route. Delta started flying this route three months ago and is already calling it quits.
Even featuring Shake Shack burgers was not enough for Delta to compete with Hawaiian Airlines, which began flying from Boston in 2019. This unexpected decision leaves travelers with just one option and raises concerns about the viability of this and other ultra-long routes to Hawaii.
The challenge of operating Hawaii’s longest route.
This flight was ambitious for Delta and speaks to insufficient demand for two airlines to cover the route. From the outset, the route faced logistical and financial hurdles.
To retain profitability, ultra-long domestic flights require careful route planning and high demand across both economy and premium cabins. While initial excitement surrounded Delta’s launch, sustaining the operation proved a more significant challenge.
Why this Hawaii flight disappeared.
Delta initially planned to suspend service during the off-season, with flights scheduled to resume later in the year. However, a recent update we confirmed shows that the scheduled return has been removed, casting doubt on whether the route will ever operate again.
Several factors likely contributed to this decision.
Operational costs were a primary consideration. Maintaining a nonstop flight of this length is expensive and requires significant resources and aircraft availability.
Fuel costs alone make it difficult to justify without strong revenue streams. This spring, fares on the route dropped as low as $249 each way, arguably not enough to cover fuel and other costs.
Competition may have played a role. Hawaiian Airlines continues to serve this route and has built a presence in the market. Splitting demand between two carriers may have made profitability difficult, which may be enough to keep Alaska/Hawaiian operating on that route. Time will tell whether they will continue to serve Boston from Honolulu.
Demand fluctuations also matter. While nonstop flights are convenient, many travelers opt for one-stop options that provide flexibility in pricing and scheduling. Seasonal shifts in demand also make year-round service challenging to sustain.
The last airline standing is also offering $249 fares.
Despite increased competition and falderal in recent months, Hawaiian is committed to maintaining the service. Earlier this year, it announced additional flight frequency during peak travel months, signaling some confidence in long-term viability.
However, history suggests that airfare tends to rise when a competing airline exits a Hawaii route. Without a second airline in the market, travelers may see fewer $249 discount fares and reduced availability of award seats for those using frequent flyer miles.
A route once poised for competition.
Just months ago, this route was the stage for a high-profile battle between two airlines, each trying to win over Hawaii travelers. In November 2024, Beat of Hawaii reported on Delta’s entry into the Boston–Honolulu market, a direct challenge to Hawaiian Airlines’ dominance on the longest domestic flight in the U.S.
Both airlines marketed their competing Airbus A330 offerings at the time—Delta with its Delta One Suites and premium economy, and Hawaiian with its island-inspired service and extra-legroom seating. Delta even introduced Shake Shack burgers in its premium cabin, which made headlines but raised questions about whether novelty offerings could sway loyalty in the ultra-long-haul Hawaii market.
What travelers should consider next.
For those who relied on this flight, the immediate impact is clear—fewer options and a likely shift in pricing dynamics. However, alternatives still exist.
Don’t wait to book ahead to secure the best airfares before pricing changes. One-stop routes remain another option. Several airlines offer connecting flights that allow for more flexibility in pricing and scheduling. Travelers using airline miles should book soon, too.
Could Delta Air Lines return to the route?
While this appears to be a final decision, airlines have been known to re-enter markets when demand and competitive conditions change. A future return is possible if strong passenger interest or a strategic shift occurs, such as Alaska/Hawaiian exiting the route.
For now, travelers hoping for a nonstop flight on this route can rely on Hawaiian Airlines for their travel needs.
Comments welcome!
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Hawaiian airlines isn’t offering the Boston to Honolulu direct flight anymore either.
My Google notifications just updated me with future flights
Hawaiian HA 89
Boston to Honolulu
Hawaiian HA 90
Honolulu to Boston
It seems to only be available on certain dates; it’s looking like it’s moving to being only offered in the summer, not daily as it had been.
HA offers non-stop HNL flight from JFK. LGAs short (7,000′) runways preclude fully-loaded A330s from operating there.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was DL’s plan all along to bump HA outta BOS, given the viciousness of airline competition & their hubris and it failed. Otherwise I would think their market analysts were sharper than that…
Hawaii is a heavily oriented leisure market, and I know if I was starting my vacation, I could be seduced by the aloha of a “Pualani” beckoning me aboard from her perch on the tail ! Not even a Shake Shack ‘boiga’ could compete with that allure. Maybe there is some hope for us obese & diabetic Americans that we’ll have one less temptation on that air route ( although HA’s economy fare isn’t any improvement either ) …lol…
I bet Hawaiian Airlines is celebrating at least for right now. Less competition means they can do whatever they want with pricing.
The reality is, airlines have to prioritize their most profitable routes. If this one wasn’t making money, it was only a matter of time before one or both pulled the plug. One down, one to go.
I booked this flight since the fares are incredibly cheap. Maybe too cheap to be sustainable by any airline though. Wouldn’t bet on this route sticking around.
This just reinforces how unpredictable Hawaii flight options can be, which is becoming more so. It seems like flights are changing all the time and Alaska is in the process of consolidating more of these. One year there’s expansion, now the next year it’s all pullbacks. Makes me wonder what’s next.
I flew this route once, and it was brutal in economy. I’d rather have a layover and stretch my legs than be stuck in a narrow seat for that long on either airline!
Not surprised to see this happen. These very long domestic flights are tricky unless there’s really enough demand. I wonder if Hawaiian will increase prices now that there’s no competition. Likely.
As a Boston resident I nearly had a heart attack when I read the title, fearing, what I have been for months had come true. Thank God it isn’t Hawaiian leaving.
How far have we fallen from the good old days of air travel. “Delta even introduced Shake Shack burgers in its premium cabin.” Sheesh.
I find the Boston choice odd for Delta. Boston is not a big market and its position means connecting travelers would likely be backtracking on the initial flight. LGA-HNL could be good but I doubt it would be possible without a refueling stop.
Not surprised it happened but am surprised they did it this quickly… same thing happened when DAL jumped into the JFK market after HA built it up. Pretty sound reason why Alaska has maintained that ultimately all their flights to Hawaii will be “Hawaiian Air”….. it’s a very strong marketing advantage wherever they fly.
Delta choosing Boston provides the People of New England with what they have never had. The ability to fly direct instead of driving to NY and/or taking flights with 1, 2 or even more stops. It isn’t the starting location that Delta is having issues with, it is the competition. Hawaiian Air gets people in the Aloha spirit from the start and no other airline can capture that mystique.