A new Hawaii route, just in time for the holidays, is adding another option for many visitors heading to the islands this winter. That’s exciting news for Hawaii enthusiasts. Breaking a considerable hiatus in new Hawaii routes, Alaska Airlines, a seasoned 15-year veteran in Hawaii air travel that we’ve often referred to as Hawaii’s second bellwether airline, is delighted with this new offering.
This expansion brings fresh opportunities to connect with the Hawaiian Islands, departing from convenient Paine Field in Everett, Washington, to Honolulu, Oahu.
The first-ever inaugural flight from Everett to Honolulu was yesterday, November 17. Alaska plans to run the route on a daily, year-round basis. Another reason this is exciting for Alaska Airlines is because it now flies from a total of eight mainland airports nonstop to Hawaii.
“If there’s one place our guests told us again and again that they wanted to fly to from Seattle’s northern airport, it’s beautiful Hawaii. We’ve been eager to make it happen. We’ve proudly served the Hawaiian Islands for more than 15 years. This new route adds Seattle/Everett to our list of West Coast gateways to Honolulu. We’ll be ready to say aloha to our guests on this new flight this fall.”
Alaska Airlines
Earn Double Miles on Alaska from Paine Field
Travel between Paine Field (PAE) and Honolulu for this double-mile offer that ends on March 31, 2024. Applies to all destinations from Paine Field. See Alaska Double Miles for details.
The aircraft and schedule for the new Paine Field to Honolulu route.
Enjoy an early afternoon arrival in Honolulu and a less fun early morning arrival on the way home. The new route departs Paine Field at 9:10 a.m. and lands in Honolulu at 1:36 p.m. The return red-eye flight leaves Honolulu at 11:34 p.m. and arrives in Everett the following day at 7:20 a.m.
We show a mix of aircraft currently being used on the route, including Boeing 737-900 and Boeing 737 MAX 9.
What is the cost of flying between Everett and Honolulu? From $137 each way.
Demand and pricing will take some time to settle in on this particular and unique new route. The best prices we found offered round-trip flights for as little as $274 in early December. More common is $169 each way, except during peak times when rates can be significantly higher. The fares above are for basic economy, and regular economy is an additional $50 each way.
Alaska is relying more than ever on red-eye flights from Hawaii to the US mainland.
Such is the case on this new route. Also, their popular Kauai to San Diego flight, which operated from Hawaii in the afternoon for years, recently changed to an overnight red-eye flight. Since we’re about to fly on that route again and write about it, we’ll report on how well we like that change. We generally aren’t a big fan of red-eye flights. What about you?
More about this new Alaska Air Hawaii route.
Paine Field in Everett is a more convenient, upscale airport, providing an easier-to-manage experience than the bustling SeaTac airport located 38 miles south. Your editors recently endured a one-hour wait in the TSA PreCheck line at SeaTac, emphasizing the appeal of Alaska Airlines’ decision to commence flights from Paine.
Alaska Airlines has up to 30 daily flights to Hawaii, serving as a significant player alongside Hawaiian Airlines, with Alaska departures from eight gateway cities. The airline provides a range of ticket/seating options, including business/first class, extended legroom they call Premium Class, economy, and basic economy. Passengers on Hawaii flights have access to satellite Wi-Fi, available for purchase at $8. Alaska Airlines is known for better-than-average food offerings on Hawaii flights, notably featuring various fresh meal selections available for pre-order.
Are you planning to fly between Paine Field and Honolulu?
Wow. Who would have thought an Everett to Honolulu flight would be possible? It’s nice to see AS fill in its route map and not let Siuthwest chase them away like they’ve done in California.
HNL PAE changes on 1/8/2024 to a 1:15 departure landing @ 8:55
I flew Alaska on a red eye from LA to Miami when I had some credit with the airline. I upgraded to first class and it was very expensive and no lie-flat seat. I live in the bay area and will go the extra distance to SFO over OAK just to get a wide body. Just more comfortable.
akamai hawaii residents prefer red eyed flights to the mainland…first, you get a good night sleep, arrival in the morning starts your day and you save on extra day of hotel stay cost. those arriving in the evening, has an extra hotel cost upon arrival and just go to bed, waste of a day.
Alaska a “bellweather airline” to Hawai’i??? Naahhh – hardly – 15 years does not make ASA a “leader or indicator of trends” – it’s still a relative newcomer to the Islands.
And the “longest flight” from a “new airport”- Paine Field?? Naahhh … it’s only 16 miles longer than SEA-HNL; a drop in the bucket. But at least one can dodge the mess that is SEATAC.
And the ASA flights will all be B-737 variants. Does everyone realize that’s the same cabin “tube” (diameter) as the 60+ year old B-707 and 727 … in other words, it’s a Long flight in a small tube.
IMO, the airlines need widebodies on routes that lengthy, i.e., my ol’ B-747 or the modern equivalent. But “they” didn’t ask me .. (smiles and Aloha)
Hi Dickie_D.
We accept the narrow-body flights out of convenience even though we don’t much like them either.
In any event, did you and our other buddy ever meet up in person or otherwise?
Aloha.
Hello:
Yes, we did … and thanks for putting us in touch w/ each other.
BTW, you have an excellent webpage — good commentaries — and there’s always something to learn and worth reading, even for us “old sea dogs” … so
thanks for your work.
Aloha 👍
Hi Dickie_D.
Great to hear that! We thought you two would like one another, given your similar aviation backgrounds. Thanks very much for your kind words, and for being a good part of this, including nearly 100 comments over the past six years. Happy Thanksgiving!
Aloha.
It isn’t economically viable for airlines to operate wide bodies. Those have gone the way of Pan American
Hi … you’re certainly entitled to your opinion, but I beg to differ, having flown the B-747 to/from the Islands from CONUS and Asia for over 20 years and been based in HNL …
The flights were Always full and were money-makers year after year after … year. You get the picture, I am sure. Aloha
Disappointed to hear about the switch to red eye flights from Lihue to San Diego..this may push me to fly Hawaiian instead, although I guess I’ll have to connect thru Hnl?
Any other options non stop from Lihue to SD?
Hi Charlie.
That’s the only nonstop at this point. We’ll report on it goes in a few weeks.
Aloha.
Looks like the Lih San NS goes away on Jan 8
Hi John.
It goes to once weekly for a couple of months before returning again to daily.
Aloha.
Aloha, thanks to you I researched D. T. Fleming and what an incredible man and all he did for Maui. It’s too bad that they renamed the beach to Kapalua even though I know they prefer the Hawaiian names for areas. His arboretum is a wonderful story and I plan to visit next time I am in Maui. Plenty of volunteer opportunities there also. His meticulous journals are records of all the land deeds I. West Maui. They will come in handy for many families after the historic Lahaina fire. Happy Holidays to all.
Hi Debra.
Thanks. We concur. Food for another article. Happy Thanksgiving!
Aloha.
I don’t like red-eyes but didn’t have much of a choice when flying to Seattle from OGG. I too was wondering about all the shifts to red-eyes and my guess is because AS is courting/serving more customers from the east coast of the mainland. My husband sat next to someone from Boston and they had a connection soon after landing at SEA.
Maybe you guys can confirm?
Hi Rebecca.
It is that and it is also better overall fleet utilization.
Aloha.
Alaska has a 11:05 am departure arriving in Sea @ 6:54 pm along with the reset.
When I lived in Hawaii, I always preferred the “red eyes” to the mainland. Getting to the mainland early in the morning was much better than getting there in the late evening. I also didn’t waste a day of vacation. I could start my vacation after working during the day.
Red eye flights can really mess you up as you get older. The only red eye flights I will take are: widebodies with flat bed seats and preferably more than 6 hours so you get some rest. Did lots of red eyes when I was younger but no longer… The AA flight from DFW was great when they swapped 777 300 on but currently come in via Haneda on JAL 787 which was good red eye last year.
Hi Rich.
We concur about avoiding them whenever possible. There have been a few instances when that was impossible.
And thanks for 250 comments!
Aloha.
It’s never referred to as,” Hawaii’s second bellwether airline”. Never ,unless it’s someone totally out of touch with air service to the state. I shared your gem with active and retired airline staff going back as far as mid-70s and we’re still laughing.