86 thoughts on “Three Airlines Fast-Chopping Hawaii Routes In Shakeup”
Linda S
Longtime Alaska Bay Area to Lihue flyer. I’m at wits end. First Alaska stopped flights out of Oakland. Now its impossible to find an Alaska nonstop to Kauai anywhere in the Bay Area. Flying out of Seattle is unacceptable. I don’t understand. Those flights were full, and brought in a lot of revenue.
I am so disappointed that Alaska Airlines pulled their OAK-OGG nonstop. Alaska completely pulled all Non Stops from Oakland. I would rather have my fingernails pulled out than fly Southwest Airlines (saving money just isn’t worth the absolute torture of a Southwest flight, not kidding!) so I’ve had to change over to Hawaiian Airlines direct OAK-OGG. Hawaiian has a nice service but its fares and mileage are much more expensive than Alaska Airlines. Alaska, please come back to OAK!
I actually Love flying Southwest, so much so that I will gladly take them over any other airline! Their seat pitches are better and I actually have a shot at getting an exit row seat without having to pay a king’s ransom for it!!
We were loyal frequent customers on the Alaska to Maui direct flights from Sacramento and pray they will reinstate them. I always felt Southwest would probably bail at some point because the flights I was on were never full. Alaska please bring back the flights from SMF to OGG
I cancelled my Alaska Air CC after they removed the non stop from Sacramento to Maui. Hope they bring it back so Hawaiian doesn’t have a monopoly and prices get even higher
It’s doubtful, however, is there a slight chance that with Hawaiians resentful remarks about tourism has made a lasting impact? Be careful what you wish for, reduced tourism will be coming sooner than expected! I believe that profit motivation is driving these changes and could tighten the belt on the entire process of flying to Hawaii. Until I am ready to book another Hawaii Vacation I’m just going to sit and watch, should be an interesting time for everyone.
We invested in a Maui condo in large part because of Southwest’s significant entry into that market. I am very disheartened by the contraction. It feels like a bait-ans-switch. Southwest is making a huge mistake going so all-in on interisland flights. Travelers want nonstop directly to the outer islands!
We did too. I have a large family with many little ones now I worry it will be too hard for them to even visit us. I was comforted with the fact that I could fly back relatively quickly in an emergency. Now I just don’t know.
Most likely that pent up demand thing is coming to an end. The price rises were just too steep for most people to live with and airlines don’t like to fly empty planes.
Aloha
A few times we were booked on a wide body, United, and due to snow and ice storms incoming flights never landed on time. Imagine 17 people on the entire plane, First Class had Ten Passengers while Seven People had the Rest of the Plane. Pulled up the seat arms and had a Wonderful Sleep most of the way to Oahu!
We used to fly directly from Portland to Lihue and back, but that flight was canceled and we had to fly to Seattle and change planes recently, which gives Alaska another chance to lose our luggage, although they didn’t.
They have eliminated most of the direct flights to Maui, also, which is sad. Direct flights to both islands and back were always full before.
BOH, do you think that will change in the future once this mass of tourists flooding Hawai’i calms down, or is this a permanent thing? We’ve been going to Kaua’i for years and have never seen it so crowded. Our family who lives there said it was famine before, but now it’s feast, with some unintended consequences.
Not sure which change you’re asking about? The consolidation flights or the elimination of the PDX-LIH nonstop. If it is that flight, then it will be back at least starting the end of November.
We’ve never taken a non-stop to Kauai. No matter whether we left from LA, Las Vegas or Phoenix (our usual for the last # of years), we always had a stopover in Honolulu. We actually enjoy it – it breaks up the sitting and gives us time to have lunch (on the way over) or breakfast (on the way back). We’ve never missed a non-stop so we won’t miss it now! (We’ve always flown Hawaiian since about 1997.)
I agree the stopover was nice when we did fly Hawaiian now it is a plane change in Las Vegas still a full day in each direction and more leg room on Southwest.
This has more to do with airline staffing than lack of business. Just look at all the airline complaints this summer. Do you want bad service or good service? Unfortunately until the staffing issues subside,Hawaii won’t be the only area to suffer.
Still disappointed that Alaska pulled out of Oakland. Neither SFO or SJC is convenient from where we live. We took many flights on Alaska from Oakland to Kona. SWA does not have convenient times, nor the same in-flight experience as Alaska.
Echoing all the Sacramento to Hawaii comments. It’s so convenient to fly out of Sacramento and it looks like all of the nonstop flights are gone. We have a toddler amd it’s silly for us to drive down the the bay area and stay in a hotel to be up super early. My question is can Honolulu airport handle being a hub for all the layovers?
HNL has been an international hub for decades (almost since inception actually), it can handle a few extra mainland flights – especially with the newly expanded interisland terminal, interisland flights are once again plentiful.
We always fly Hawaiian Air. They have always been on time and have a great crew. Until a few years ago it was a common thing to land in honolulu then shuttle to Maui. We are now spoiled and hope Hawaiian Air benefits from the loss.
I have to laugh. Hawaiians wanted less tourists. Airlines are listening. Hawaiians don’t want you there. Find other places to go. They will be happy. You will be happy. The Airlines will be happy to cut more routes. Once again, good luck Hawaii. Your economy thanks only you.
Do you really think that airlines care about Hawaii tourism? The carriers are in the game for the $$$. The route cutbacks are because of cost saving measures Only!
We have a flight scheduled from Los Angeles to Kauai in the beginning of September. After reading above, I called the airline and was told, that route has Not been canceled. I guess only time will tell. Thanks.
Longtime Alaska Bay Area to Lihue flyer. I’m at wits end. First Alaska stopped flights out of Oakland. Now its impossible to find an Alaska nonstop to Kauai anywhere in the Bay Area. Flying out of Seattle is unacceptable. I don’t understand. Those flights were full, and brought in a lot of revenue.
I am so disappointed that Alaska Airlines pulled their OAK-OGG nonstop. Alaska completely pulled all Non Stops from Oakland. I would rather have my fingernails pulled out than fly Southwest Airlines (saving money just isn’t worth the absolute torture of a Southwest flight, not kidding!) so I’ve had to change over to Hawaiian Airlines direct OAK-OGG. Hawaiian has a nice service but its fares and mileage are much more expensive than Alaska Airlines. Alaska, please come back to OAK!
I actually Love flying Southwest, so much so that I will gladly take them over any other airline! Their seat pitches are better and I actually have a shot at getting an exit row seat without having to pay a king’s ransom for it!!
Hawaiian hasn’t canceled Long Beach-Maui…still out for sale through 2023
We were loyal frequent customers on the Alaska to Maui direct flights from Sacramento and pray they will reinstate them. I always felt Southwest would probably bail at some point because the flights I was on were never full. Alaska please bring back the flights from SMF to OGG
Try flying interisland that takes 4 hour for a 20 min flight.
I cancelled my Alaska Air CC after they removed the non stop from Sacramento to Maui. Hope they bring it back so Hawaiian doesn’t have a monopoly and prices get even higher
Portland to Kona on Alaska is gone. Not sure when/if it will return.
Still shows available non stop for me in March 2023
I suspect two of the three airlines will merge in the near future.
It’s doubtful, however, is there a slight chance that with Hawaiians resentful remarks about tourism has made a lasting impact? Be careful what you wish for, reduced tourism will be coming sooner than expected! I believe that profit motivation is driving these changes and could tighten the belt on the entire process of flying to Hawaii. Until I am ready to book another Hawaii Vacation I’m just going to sit and watch, should be an interesting time for everyone.
We invested in a Maui condo in large part because of Southwest’s significant entry into that market. I am very disheartened by the contraction. It feels like a bait-ans-switch. Southwest is making a huge mistake going so all-in on interisland flights. Travelers want nonstop directly to the outer islands!
We did too. I have a large family with many little ones now I worry it will be too hard for them to even visit us. I was comforted with the fact that I could fly back relatively quickly in an emergency. Now I just don’t know.
Most likely that pent up demand thing is coming to an end. The price rises were just too steep for most people to live with and airlines don’t like to fly empty planes.
Aloha
A few times we were booked on a wide body, United, and due to snow and ice storms incoming flights never landed on time. Imagine 17 people on the entire plane, First Class had Ten Passengers while Seven People had the Rest of the Plane. Pulled up the seat arms and had a Wonderful Sleep most of the way to Oahu!
We used to fly directly from Portland to Lihue and back, but that flight was canceled and we had to fly to Seattle and change planes recently, which gives Alaska another chance to lose our luggage, although they didn’t.
They have eliminated most of the direct flights to Maui, also, which is sad. Direct flights to both islands and back were always full before.
BOH, do you think that will change in the future once this mass of tourists flooding Hawai’i calms down, or is this a permanent thing? We’ve been going to Kaua’i for years and have never seen it so crowded. Our family who lives there said it was famine before, but now it’s feast, with some unintended consequences.
Mahalo.
Hi Nancy.
Not sure which change you’re asking about? The consolidation flights or the elimination of the PDX-LIH nonstop. If it is that flight, then it will be back at least starting the end of November.
Aloha.
We’ve never taken a non-stop to Kauai. No matter whether we left from LA, Las Vegas or Phoenix (our usual for the last # of years), we always had a stopover in Honolulu. We actually enjoy it – it breaks up the sitting and gives us time to have lunch (on the way over) or breakfast (on the way back). We’ve never missed a non-stop so we won’t miss it now! (We’ve always flown Hawaiian since about 1997.)
I agree the stopover was nice when we did fly Hawaiian now it is a plane change in Las Vegas still a full day in each direction and more leg room on Southwest.
This has more to do with airline staffing than lack of business. Just look at all the airline complaints this summer. Do you want bad service or good service? Unfortunately until the staffing issues subside,Hawaii won’t be the only area to suffer.
Still disappointed that Alaska pulled out of Oakland. Neither SFO or SJC is convenient from where we live. We took many flights on Alaska from Oakland to Kona. SWA does not have convenient times, nor the same in-flight experience as Alaska.
Changes on everything now is the norm. My burning question is what is it Really like flying from LAX to HNL on Southwest? I can’t imagine.
It is better than coach on Hawaiian or American.
Do they have at least a business class section or premium economy?
We did twice and it was fine.
Echoing all the Sacramento to Hawaii comments. It’s so convenient to fly out of Sacramento and it looks like all of the nonstop flights are gone. We have a toddler amd it’s silly for us to drive down the the bay area and stay in a hotel to be up super early. My question is can Honolulu airport handle being a hub for all the layovers?
HNL has been an international hub for decades (almost since inception actually), it can handle a few extra mainland flights – especially with the newly expanded interisland terminal, interisland flights are once again plentiful.
We always fly Hawaiian Air. They have always been on time and have a great crew. Until a few years ago it was a common thing to land in honolulu then shuttle to Maui. We are now spoiled and hope Hawaiian Air benefits from the loss.
I have to laugh. Hawaiians wanted less tourists. Airlines are listening. Hawaiians don’t want you there. Find other places to go. They will be happy. You will be happy. The Airlines will be happy to cut more routes. Once again, good luck Hawaii. Your economy thanks only you.
Do you really think that airlines care about Hawaii tourism? The carriers are in the game for the $$$. The route cutbacks are because of cost saving measures Only!
We have a flight scheduled from Los Angeles to Kauai in the beginning of September. After reading above, I called the airline and was told, that route has Not been canceled. I guess only time will tell. Thanks.
Hi Sue.
The last nonstop flight is September 5 in both directions. It has been canceled.
Aloha.
Hmm. That’s interesting. Guess we got lucky, we fly on September 5th!!!