This Airline May Return to Hawaii After Nearly a Decade—What’s Changed

Airline shake-ups continue to reshape Hawaii travel, and now, a familiar yet controversial name may be eyeing a return after nearly a decade away. The airline, which once offered rock-bottom fares to the islands, abruptly withdrew from the Hawaii market in 2017. But with a brand-new fleet and shifting competition, is the timing finally right for its Hawaii comeback?

Lately, this question has been popping up in travel circles. We’ve been wondering about it here at BOH. As it turns out, we’re not alone. Given its recent fleet upgrades and changes in airline competition, there is much speculation about whether Allegiant might reenter the Hawaii market. With discussions heating up, it’s time to take a closer look at whether this comeback could happen.

For travelers, this could mean more route options and lower fares. But with this airline’s past reputation for delays and service issues, will it be different this time?

Why did Allegiant go running from Hawaii?

When Allegiant launched Hawaii flights in 2012, it promised an ultra-low-cost way to reach the islands. Travelers from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Bellingham, Phoenix, Boise, Eugene, Fresno, and Stockton jumped to snag deeply discounted fares. However, the honeymoon phase didn’t last long.

The airline relied on a small fleet of aging Boeing 757s, acquired specifically for Hawaii, prone to mechanical issues and frequent delays. Passengers reported cancellations that left them stranded for days, with no backup flights available due to the airline’s limited schedule and lack of interline agreements. Unlike larger carriers with multiple daily departures, this airline operated just a few flights per week, making any disruption a major headache.

Reader Jim T recalled the nightmare of dealing with cancellations. “If any airline is offering twice-a-week service, it means you could be stranded for up to four days if a flight is canceled. With the costs of hotel rooms in Hawaii, that could be a disaster.”

Others noted the lack of in-flight entertainment, tight seating, and extra fees for nearly everything.

By 2017, the airline called it quits entirely on Hawaii, citing the retirement of its 757 fleet. But for many travelers, the writing had already been on the wall. Now, nearly a decade later, a significant shift in strategy and technology could change everything.

What’s different now?

Since leaving Hawaii, the airline has undergone a significant transformation. It has moved away from its older aircraft and invested heavily in a modern fleet.

A key difference is its large order of Boeing 737 MAX jets, which are more fuel-efficient and capable of handling longer flights. Allegiant is set to receive more than a dozen of these aircraft in 2025.

This upgrade solves one of the biggest issues from its last Hawaii attempt—unreliable aircraft. With a brand-new fleet and improved operational efficiency, Allegiant is more likely to consider serving longer-haul routes.

The timing is interesting.

If this airline does make a comeback, the timing wouldn’t be just a coincidence. Southwest Airlines, which aggressively expanded into the Hawaii market in 2019, has been scaling back in the islands.

Southwest recently announced up to a 30 percent reduction in interisland flights and has cut several mainland routes to Hawaii. In total, Southwest’s Hawaii footprint has gone down by more than 50% since it began. This shift leaves a potential opening for another player and a low-cost one to step in.

Some travelers welcome the idea. “Perhaps they will bring sanity to mainland-Hawaii airfares,” wrote reader RodW. Others remain skeptical. Christi, who flew this airline to Hawaii in the past, didn’t hold back. “Six hours in uncomfortable seats, no Wi-Fi or entertainment, crappy snacks—sign me up! We used them one time to fly to Hawaii and never again.”

Where could they fly?

If the airline returns to Hawaii, its route strategy will likely follow its past playbook. Given the large demand for Hawaii flights, cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix-Mesa could be among the first to see service.

However, one of the more intriguing possibilities that aligns with Allegiant’s thinking is the revival of flights from smaller secondary airports. In its earlier Hawaii days, this airline served cities like Bellingham, Spokane, Boise, and Stockton, offering travelers an alternative to major hubs. Some believe this model could work, especially as larger airlines consolidate their Hawaii networks.

Frequent traveler David R sees an opportunity. “The cities I envision have no nonstop service to Hawaii and, in most cases, either involve a short flight or multiple-hour drive to a connecting city. Reno, Tucson, Spokane, Albuquerque, El Paso, and Fresno could all work.”

If this airline does return, expect it to focus again on low-frequency flights with ultra-low base fares rather than daily service. That model has worked well in its mainland network and has been adopted by others, including Alaska/Hawaiian Air. However, whether it translates for Allegiant to Hawaii remains to be seen.

What Hawaii travelers might consider.

Allegiant’s possible return would be a game-changer for those hoping to see cheaper fares to Hawaii. But past issues, including last-minute cancellations and poor customer service, still linger in the minds of many.

Mike S shared a particularly bad experience. “I flew with them to Hawaii and bought their premium seat up front. When I boarded, the pilot decided he wanted my seat for his break. I objected, but they told me I needed to sit elsewhere if I wanted to get to Hawaii. Never again.”

Still, others argue that cost savings outweigh the downsides. “More trips for me,” said reader Sherri S, recalling the days when this airline offered $99 one-way fares from Fresno.

With its new fleet and a shifting Hawaii airline market, the conditions for a comeback are better than in years. Whether Allegiant has learned from its past missteps remains to be seen.

We’ll all have to stay tuned to see if Allegiant is ready to roll the dice on Hawaii once again. Your thoughts?