Changes are coming to the Hawaiian Airlines app soon. There’s hope that it will improve significantly. After the failed Hawaiian reservation system upgrade earlier this year, the app seemed worse than ever. It has also mainly been unusable for finding the best airfares, didn’t reflect our companion fare discounts, and doesn’t do a variety of other things we’ve come to expect. In today’s article, we’ll review some of the new features that we know about, and conjecture about those we would like to see.
App not yet available despite promotion.
We did try downloading the new app with the link sent to us after entering our phone number on the Hawaiian Airlines App page. Unfortunately, the link hasn’t worked over the past two days, but hopefully, it will soon.
Using both the Delta, United, and Southwest apps, we see what’s possible.
In particular, United’s app works great for us in rerouting and repricing. We recently changed a complicated 4-flight international return trip to Hawaii on United, using two airlines, and it only took 20 seconds for the app to offer a plethora of useful options, all of which could be managed directly in the app.
On the Delta App, we’ve come to enjoy, among other features, the checked bag notification features, that keep you updated on the exact status of your luggage during your journey, including when it’s been loaded onto the plane.
Having mentioned checked luggage and tracking it within apps, we’ll add that we have never had a problem with lost or misdirected luggage on Hawaiian hundreds to thousands of flights. We definitely can’t say the same thing for Delta, so we’re especially appreciative that at least Delta has an app to let us know what’s going on.
New Hawaiian app show promise of improvement and new features.
Boarding passes will update automatically with any changes like gate information. Passes can be uploaded to Apple Wallet (Google Wallet has never been supported to date). Arrival information includes baggage claim location, a terminal map, and a portal to book Uber or Lyft. Also offered is the ability to Chat in the app with Hawaiian Airlines.
Nothing in this app update seems unusual or groundbreaking, but it is good to see that Hawaiian is moving forward now that they have upgraded their reservation system to Amadeus. We wrote in June about some of the issues with Hawaiian’s technology following that most challenging upgrade.
Please share your thoughts on how the Hawaiian Air app has worked for you and what you hope to see them add in the future. The short video below shows what’s about to change.
We’d also like to hear what you think of the apps of the other airlines flying to Hawaii.
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The Hawaiian Airlines iPhone app just doesn’t work well at all. So many issues that never seem to get resolved. I couldn’t even check in for my international flight. When I tried to scan my passport, the app completely froze. After a couple more attempts, the app crashed and shut down. Now when I try, it says I have to see an airport agent to check in. So much for technology. Hawaiian really needs to to better. Worst airline app of any I have ever used!
The HA app continues to disappoint. It has almost no features and regularly forces you to go to the website (which also has limitations compared to other airlines). The app will not keep you logged in and when it links you to the website you need to log in again. My big peeve is the inability of passengers to change flights without calling the airline and spending hours on hold. Please add this simple option.
Hi Sasha.
Stand by for a few minutes, and you’ll realize why you aren’t alone. We just had the same experience last night.
Aloha.
If you enjoy third country inept airline web sites, the Hawaiian Airlines the best in world! Not. Almost has hapless as First Hawaiian Banks revamped web site.
Look guys , love BOH , but really stop with Hawaiian Air , they are the most inconsiderable group of people, they cancel my trip from LGB to Ogg yesterday, said they would assign us to a other flight, still haven’t heard, called to hear them say all flights for the next week are cancelled, wow, Maui is trying to open, and they decided to join the government and mayor, to keep people away, it’s sad , I feel for the people who want to go back to work, but can’t because there’s no tourism,
I can’t even access a monthly breakdown of flight costs from one destination to another. at present the app is absolutely useless.
United’s app has spoiled me apparently. I don’t get out much but I flew Philippines airlines recently and I kept looking for all the info like 24hrs boarding notice etc. I don’t understand how any business nowadays doesn’t think their success is going to depend on customer user interface. It is a must and the best app wins!
i have been trying for the past week to pull up the month of Oct for a particular flight request and have been unable to do It. A call to HA reservations was no help. Service is getting worse each year. Bob D
Aloha..I have been flying Hawaiian for many years now..I have stuck with them through the years other than being priced out. Re the new app..well it failed in notification. I checked in to my flight for today Oct. 9 as usual 24 hours ahead of time, both flights and this was into Long Beach. I checked 3 x as usual to ensure still scheduled and on time which it was. Then at 9pm Oct 8 I checked and bam the main flight to LB was cancelled, not notification not email nothing which is odd. I immediatly called them and after 45 minutes on the phone was able to get a flight into LB but on Wed 11th but now have to stop from Kona to maui to hnl then to LB all within no extra charge. This was highly unusual with hawaiian and was very disappointed .
As much as Hawai’i and her people are wonderful, it’s disheartening to deal with chronic inefficiencies and dysfunction when it comes to so many things related to Hawai’i. Hawaiian Airlines is a great example, being so behind on so many things, including the app. How about WI-fi that HA has been talking about for over a year now and still nothing accomplished? I think HA is the only major airline that offers no WI-fi. If they have trouble figuring out an app, what do you expect when it comes to more complex stuff?
Until the website and customer service improves significantly
I don’t really trust or want to use the app! We will see how our
upcoming vacation flights go beginning next week.
I am already planning to fly on Alaska next spring.
Don’t forget there are thousands of owners of properties in Maui planning to return every Fall and Winter as they have done for years.Right now many are having difficulty with booking flights as airlines of necessity are cancelling flights.Maui needs them so let’s make sure they return ASAP.
HN
Will the new App allow one to change their reservation? With the lousy “upgrade” changing ones reservation through the app or website disappeared and now one has to call the reservation department. Also, before one was able to share miles through the app but that too disappeared will that return? You are lucky that Hawaiin has never lost your luggage it has happened three times. Luggage went to a different Island each time.
Hoping they put the calendar back in. We are retired and can travel any day and stay for any length of time. It was great to be able to see fares for each day at a glance and be able to select the days with the lowest fares.
The video you show about the ‘improved’ Hawaiian Air app does not reveal anything exciting. The app is always slow and it no longer allows you to add your itinerary to your calendar. I complained to Hawaiian about this and got the usual ‘sorry for inconvenience’ response and was told that feature was removed and no longer available. You also cannot change your itinerary using the app. You are forced to contact their terrible customer service department. Unfortunately I am flying Hawaiian less and less because of the continuing frustrations and no decision makers to contact on the phone. Fortunately we have alternative airlines in Hawaii that offer better service and are light years ahead with their apps.
Aloha BOH!
1st, big Mahalo for being the info hub we rely on.
2nd, heard from a solid source that Amadeus “package” was their budget, low-feature option. Can’t confirm 100%, but it explains the subpar experience.
Don’t get why HA went cheap. With Southwest now in the islands, competition’s fierce. More folks are opting for them due to a better app & smooth experience. Seems HA execs are missing the boat. Loyalty’s earned, not a given – time for HA to drop the interisland arrogance.
Hi Casey.
Thanks!
Aloha.
It’s still painful rebooking or changing flights on both app and website!
We have flown on Southwest, Hawaiian and Alaskan to and from Maui over the past several years. Due to covid we have had to cancel a few trips and Southwest offers the easiest way to see and use your travel funds. SW offers no expiration date on those funds. Hawaiian has a 6 mos expiration date from the date you made the reservation and travel funds can not be seen on the app. They require a phone call to use them and then don’t tell you if you have a balance??? I wish the app would show travel funds and I also wish that cancelled flights (Hawaiian) would show in real time with the new schedule.