As Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines begin their transformative partnership, we’re diving into the most pressing FAQs released by Alaska and gearing up for a pivotal conversation with Hawaiian’s new CEO, Joe Sprague, of Alaska Airlines. Your concerns, questions and suggestions are driving our coverage.
Key Insights from Alaska Airlines FAQ. Alaska Airlines has addressed some important, initial concerns like booking integrations and loyalty program transitions in their latest FAQ, providing clarity on the usage of HawaiianMiles and some planned service enhancements. Read the full Alaska Airlines FAQ here.
Reader Engagement and Questions. We value your input as we approach our interview with new Hawaiian CEO Joe Sprague. What improvements do you hope for, and what concerns do you have about the changes that are about to occur? Your questions will lead our discussion, ensuring your priorities are highlighted.
Introduction to Huaka‘i by Hawaiian Program. The Huaka‘i program, tailored for Hawaii residents, has just been announced, and is intended to enhance interisland travel with benefits like quarterly booking discounts and a free checked bag, in hopes of enhancing local travel loyalty.
Upcoming Interview with Joe Sprague. We will delve into how this airline integration impacts Hawaii travelers including operational strategies, customer service, and much more in our discussion with Joe Sprague.
Please post your comments. Keep your questions coming and stay tuned for a comprehensive follow-up based on our one-on-one conversation with Hawaiian Airlines’ new leadership. We highly value your engagement as we navigate these significant changes in the Hawaii airline industry.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
I noticed Alaska uses Unified as their ground service handler (baggage people) in SEA, their HUB. If they outsource that area at their HUB, then what makes the HA baggage handler’s job safe here in HNL? They promised all contracted employees are safe. Will they encourage those employees to go work for Unified and therefore still “creating jobs “ eventhough employees want to be employed by the airline so that they can get flight benefits as an employee?
Aloha,
Have you considered developing a “pass” for Hawaiian residents at a reasonable cost that would allow frequent travel from the Islands to the west coast? ATA airlines offered a pass that was purchased for a fixed price and allowed for travel between the Islands and the mainland for a one year period. Was a great idea!!!
Aloha
Was going to try Alaska airlines at one point but checked the schedule and found all the flights-lax to buf -I wanted were going through Seattle . Never tried alaska- hope this doesn’t continue. Mahalo
Well, I fly Hawaiian because of the wide bodies A330 from the west coast. Unfortunately, I predict the “Bean Counters” of Alaska will remove these wide bodies A330 from the west coast to Hawaii flying (leisure market) and use these aircrafts on other “Money Making” routes (business market) and Hawaii will see more 737 flying. Remember, the DOT requires both airlines to keep routes with no changes, but it does not say anything about keeping the same type of aircrafts on these routes.
Will Hawaiian Airlines Premium Club membership continue with the merger of Hawaiian and Alaska?
When do the low $450.00 round trip first class fairs go into effect and is this a special promotional fair , to end when ?
My main concerns are keeping wide-body planes and Hawaii-based crews. Those two are key differentiators.
Can you do a story or post specific to Canadian traveller’s and airlines.
One of the best things about Hawaiian’s mileage plan is that you can pay for a coach ticket and upgrade to First with as little as 25K. Well worth it on a flight from SAN to OGG thru HNL and back home again for an additional 25K. The FC on the Airbus planes are wonderful, not to mention the meals and the Aloha of the Cabin Crews. I hope that this will stay the same because Alaska charges a lot more for their “Faux FC” on the smaller Boing planes they fly. Please no comments about entitlement. I’ve worked my entire. Hawaii is definitely my favorite place on the planet and one place where I can justify treating myself.
I hope they keep their A330 flights from Phoenix.
I am very concerned about the future of Hawaiian Airlines. I fly Hawaiian all the time to Hawaii and love it. The flights on Alaska Airlines to Hawaii are long flights with long layover in Seattle. I love the Airbus 330, which is my favorite equipment. When Alaska took over Virgin they made the same promises they are making here and they kept none of the promises. Hawaiian has been a great airline with great service and on time record. Please please leave them intact they way they are…!! I am a premiere member not sure I will renew this year. I fly Hawaiian even if it is more expensive, If it is all Alaska and through Seattle Hub that is a deal breaker.
Lots of promises were not kept when Alaska took over Virgin América. Will Hawaiian Airlines be kept alone as a separate company like they said it would or will Hawaiian planes like the 787 be painted in Alaska livery and be based out of SEA? Plus Alaska is “proudly all Boeing”, what happens to HA’s A330 and A321? I see Alaska turning Hawaiian into just an inter-island service.
What is the plan (if any) for the 717-200? (Phasing out, keeping for the rest of the decade, replacement aircraft types, etc)
Given Hawaiian Airlines’ anticipated entry into the OneWorld Alliance, are nonstop flights between Hawaii and Europe a realistic possibility for the future?
How will the LAX Hawaiian Air lounge experience improve?
I have close to 250,000 miles and I am hoping that I won’t be restricted as to how I can use them. Currently under the Online booking with Hawaiian air there are no blackout dates as to when we can fly from LAX or ONT. we can also pick our own seats at the time of booking…Hope this doesn’t change. I also have two credit cards with Barclay that earn me miles…will they still be honored?
I’m hopeful Alaska is sincere in keeping the Hawaiian brand and more importantly, their local expertise and connection with Hawaii. It’s a powerful marketing tool and the reason SWA failed against them inter island. More important, it gives them a huge advantage when expanding into new markets, whether it be London or Denver, the Hawaiian name would succeed where as let’s say a LHR to HNL as Alaska would have a much harder time.
Will we be able to transfer award miles to other Star Alliance members?
John,
Will my pass privileges that we given as part of the purchase of my company by Alaska Airlines extend to Hawaiian Airlines?
As a long-time Hawaiian Airlines flyer, I am very much hoping that they will keep the Hawaii-based flight crews (and branding and overall flight details too.) We have even booked with Hawaiian when it was not the least-expensive fare, to be able to start our trip with the unique experience of the local-based personnel, and without that it’s just another airline, no reason for loyalty!
As a combined entity, has Hawaiian Airlines suddenly lost their claim of no fatal accidents since 1929?
I know from Alaska Airlines past there have been loss of life and hull accidents in the past, the most infamous being the jackscrew malfunction that crashed a jet into the ocean.
That horrible accident was over two decades ago. AK has not even flown those MDs since then. It was concluded that it was a mechanical failure and was not maintained properly.
History is history. You cannot ignore it. Now that the two carriers are merged, that history follows HA since it is part of the same entity now.
Not sure what relevance bringing up a tragedy that has no bearing on today’s Alaska. Sadly the airline industry is riddled with similar stories and we enjoy a much safer industry thanks to the many lessons learned over the years. While HA is the only U S airline that existed prior to deregulation that has never lost a passenger, they were also the oldest airline once NWA disappeared into Delta. They were the last airline to survive the deregulation era without a merger.
I hope the merger benefits the people not just the stockholders
HA offers saver upgrades from coach to first class for 25k miles. AS doesn’t offer upgrades using miles, but instead elite flyers are upgraded into empty forward cabin seats. I like the assurance of knowing I have a confirmed upgrade in advance. Will the HA system change going forward?
Looks like those of us who are and have been Pualani Platinum will be taken care of from the press releases I have read.
A possible concern or question would be, I am hoping they do not change schedules so that flights from HNL to HND will end up being HNL to SEA to HND. Making SEA the hub for international westward flights for all of us in Hawaii would be a deal breaker for me.
Additionally, when will miles from both programs be combined?
You guys are doing a great job keeping us informed as to this dynamic period of Hawaii travel. Mahalo, Kelly
I just received the email below from HA as I was boarding my flight this morning to LGB. I think I going to like this new relationship.
Aloha,
When we announced Hawaiian Airlines had joined Alaska Airlines, we promised many exciting things to come. And we meant it. As one of our most valued HawaiianMiles members, having flown 1M lifetime miles, you’ve earned inaugural membership in our new Million Miler program. You’ve given us your loyalty over the years and you deserve to be recognized. Here’s what you’ll get,
starting now:
• Lifetime status • Pualani Platinum status for you, which we’ve
already activated.
• Pualani Platinum status for a household
member of your choosing.
From your very first mile to your millionth (and beyond), mahalo for your continued loyalty. Congratulations on your new lifetime status, and cheers to the many miles ahead.
I have been concerned about Alaska’s maintenance on its aircraft. Will Hawaiian continue to do its own maintenance I hope?
Aloha Rob and Jeff. Thanks for your information and for letting us send questions or concerns your way. Hubby and I are hoping for more 1-stop choices from the east coast to Kauai with a decent connection. It’s a very long haul and making stops only makes the trip longer and less desirable.
Hi Why did Hawaiian Airlines cut the luggage entitlement so severely from 2x 32 Kgs to 1x23kgs From Australia to Honolulu .We loved to holiday there to relax but also to shop .Mahalo
The Huaka’i program is a very positive initial step toward allaying concerns.
I can’t wait for Hawaiian Airlines’ migration to a reservations system that supports full web and mobile app functionality and to part ways with the useless Philippines customer support center.
The combined company, together with perks that will be offered that will drive further loyalty from residents of Hawaiʻi, those things will serve your shareholders very well, but that does not necessarily translate into a net benefit for the rest of us. We all remember that before Southwest arrived here in the spring of 2019, inter-island airfares were around $100 each way, which, adjusted for inflation, is around $123 today. It is not in Hawaiʻi’s best interests for Southwest to be driven out of the Hawaiʻi marketplace. How will you balance your shareholders’ interests with those of all who live here?
I hope this isn’t a dumb question. Will existing reservations with HA be affected or is that TBA? I already booked our annual flight to Maui in April 2025….using points. Hope it does not get changed! Thanks BOH