Yesterday, Alaska Airlines removed two Hawaii routes for their schedule starting soon. The flights cancelled are those from San Francisco to Kona and Sacramento to Kona. The last day for these flights is March 18 (Sacramento) and March 19 (San Francisco). The Seattle based carrier currently flies four times a week from San Francisco to Kona and the other three days it flies to Kona from Sacramento.
At the same time, however, Alaska is going to bring both San Jose and San Diego up to daily service to each of the four major Hawaii airports including Kona. “The primary reason for this change is to match the demand of our guests. It’s all about flying where our guests want to go, and when they want to go there…. In addition to San Jose and San Diego, we also serve Kona from Oakland and Seattle and have seasonal service from Anchorage and Portland.” — Daniel Chun, Hawaii Director of Sales, Alaska Airlines.
Alaska has been and remains a highly regarded and key player in Hawaii travel. Nearly 20% of their business is Hawaii and they have no plans to change that. At the same time, however, big competition in the form of Southwest Airlines is fast encroaching on Alaska’s Hawaii territory. It remains to be seen exactly how this will shake out. Certainly the Alaska routes from the Pacific Northwest are secure. Whether Alaska will continue to battle Hawaiian and Southwest in certain California markets is less certain. Those include Hawaii routes from San Diego, San Jose, Oakland and Sacramento.
It is Hawaii’s bellwether, Hawaiian Airlines, that has the most exposure to competition from Southwest Hawaii flights. They will undoubtedly feel the impact, as these three airlines compete for our business and we see perhaps the lowest fares ever offered to Hawaii.
This all adds up to making 2020 the most interesting year ahead in Hawaii travel.
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The question as to whether the Southwest market will affect how Alaska will manage its routes may be telling in the notification they emailed me last week. I made my annual reservation to Maui in July — direct flight from Sacramento departing at 10:00am, with a return flight departing at 11:40am. Been booking these flights for many years. They rescheduled my departure time out of Sacramento to 7:00am, and my return time out of Kahului to 4:35pm — 3 hours earlier to go over and 5 hours later to come back. The new flight times cost me an extra day for car rental which I booked early and got a good rate. Now I have to make a new reservation at higher rates. The Alaska agent said those are now the only times for direct flights between Sacramento and Maui. Because of the extreme differences in the times, he offered me 1,000 miles or $100. Very disappointing, especially after the restructuring of their fee schedules.
Thanks so much for your extensive information on Hawaii airlines and flights. We have difficult to get and hard-won reservations at a military facility on Kauai from April 18-27, 2020. Since Southwest does not show flights currently past April 13, when is the best time to search for flights with AA or Hawaiian or others in advance of our trip? Do you think Southwest will be connecting from DFW to Hawaii any time soon? Thank you for your help.
Hi Diane.
First, no on Southwest in the near future. Best pricing will be end of this year to February or so next year. Price Target is $550 with a fast connection.
Aloha.
any word on routes out of Ontario?
really hoping those become available.
thank you!
Hi Ivan.
We are unaware of any plans for Hawaii service from Ontario.
Aloha.
Hi,
When do you think it’s best to book a flight from Seattle
to Kona? I’m traveling from Seattle May 2nd, 2020 departure
returning May 9th, 2020.
Thank you,
Rhonda
Really enjoy your site.
Hi Rhonda.
Thank you. Best pricing may be about 90 days in advance of your May travel dates. Watch for low $300’s (1-stop) to mid $400’s (nonstop).
Aloha.
When do you think the best time to book flights from Oakland or San Francisco to Honolulu given the southwest Airline entry into the market?
Thanks,
Hi Rick.
It depends on when you are flying. Please check this. https://beatofhawaii.com/cheap-flights-to-hawaii-when-to-buy/
Aloha.
oh no, we are building a ticket for next spring with miles. any news about SF or Oak/Maui routes? Thanks, Ane
Hi Ane.
We don’t have any further information on SF or Oakland at this time.
Aloha.
“Certainly the Alaska routes from the Pacific Northwest are secure” – well, they pulled out of Bellingham in June of this year, with no plans on returning.
So very sad about the Alaska cancellation from Sacramento to Kona. We love their product in so many ways between these two cities…sigh…
Perfect. The quest for $99 fares will get you less competition, and, as a result, $699 fares. Enjoy it; you asked for it.
Agreed! Everyone in Hawaii better enjoy those $29 interisland fares. Southwest is now routinely charging $99 on shorter routes now (not very much of a low cost carrier).