After nearly a year-long of waiting, Alaska Airlines has announced it has completed the acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines parent company Hawaiian Holdings Inc. Alaska Air Group published a lengthy press release detailing all the changes and what they mean for customers in the future.

Pualani's New Home

Alaska Airlines announced that it officially closed its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines on Wednesday morning. This comes off the heels of the Alaska Air Group clearing the last few hurdles to get the deal legally finalized and approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). A press release was posted on the Alaska Airlines website going over an abundant amount of detail explaining what changes will take place and what travelers can look forward to. 

Following the merger, Alaska Air Group now boasts a fleet of over 350 aircraft. With Hawaiian Airlines into the fold, Alaska Airlines will manage close to 1,500 flights per day involving 141 destinations within 29 international markets. Those who like the Hawaiian Airlines branding can rest easy knowing Pualani and the other decals will not be removed from pre-existing Hawaiian-owned aircraft.

Alaska Airlines will gain an additional hub in Honolulu, which will be the airline's second-largest hub behind Seattle. The airline also has hubs in Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Portland. This Honolulu Hub allows Alaska Air Group to now maintain flights in Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and several Polynesian islands.

As far as benefits are considered, Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan and Hawaiian Airlines' HawaiianMiles will remain unchanged for the time being. Those who are HawaiianMiles members, however, can now use their points towards the Alaska Lounge at select airports. Alaska Airlines also has plans for "Hawaiian Million Milers", or customers that have earned more than a million miles with Hawaiian Airlines.

In the next several weeks, customers who have traveled with both airlines will be able to transfer their points between the two loyalty programs "at a 1:1 ratio – for no charge". If you frequently fly, this makes it easier to obtain free flights or other perks. You can also choose which program you want to collect points for regarding new bookings.

Alaska Airlines notes that a "unified" loyalty program will be announced in the middle of 2025.

Alaska will also soon debut a new travel program for Hawai'i residents. This program allows residents to fly domestically within Hawai'i at a 10% discount off one booking per quarter and a free checked luggage bag.

Newly-appointed Hawaiian Airlines CEO Joe Sprague, who was previously Regional President of Hawai'i /Pacific at Alaska Airlines, had this to say on the acquisition's closure:

“We are truly honored to join forces with Hawaiian Airlines and its 95-year history. We have much to learn from our new colleagues. I know we will be stronger together as we offer greater access and benefits both to Hawai‘i residents and guests visiting the Islands. Each airline brings incredible history, character, and strengths into this combination, with a shared passion for care of our guests, each other, and our communities.”
 

The Alaska-Hawaiian Merger Timeline

Both airlines have announced plans to merge in December 2023, and what followed was a lengthy process involving roadblocks and legal proceedings.

After several meetings with Alaska Airlines executives in February 2024, Hawaiian Airlines shareholders approved the merger. The Department of Justice conducted a formal review of the merger last August, with several key figures agreeing that this move would create healthy competition for the "Big 4" airlines, rather than create a monopoly.

The acquisition was approved by the Department of Justice on September 17, leading to Hawaiian Airlines getting new interim leadership in Joe Sprague, who had been with Alaska Airlines for 17 years as a Hawai'i and islander ambassador.
 

Following the acquisition, Alaska Airlines has become the fifth-largest airline in the United States in terms of revenue. Alaska Air Group will also assume nearly $1 billion in Hawaiian Airlines' unpaid debts.