Following the merger of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, new details about Hawaiian's route changes are emerging. Earlier, it was announced that Hawaiian would end the Maui-San Diego flight next year, and now, it has been reported that its non-stop connection between Austin and Honolulu will also be axed next year.
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It has been learned that Hawaiian Airlines will end its non-stop flight between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu.
The route was started in 2021 and has since then flown more than 230,000 passengers between the two airports. KXAN was the first to report the development and quoted a Hawaiian spokesperson as saying,
"As we begin the exciting work to integrate our combined networks to offer our guests more flights and connections to more cities, we are making some initial adjustments to a few routes."
Photo: Flightradar24
The airline deploys one of its Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the route. But as it embarks on a network reshuffling program, it likely wants the widebody plan freed up for another route.
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Austin airport, too, made the announcement on its official X account and confirmed that Hawaiian Airlines will exit the route in March 2025. The airport added that passengers wanting to fly between Austin and Honolulu will still have the option of taking connecting flights with five other domestic airlines that serve the airport.
Some of these connections could also be made from Alaska Airlines flights via Seattle or San Diego. Hawaiian Airlines will contact passengers booked to fly between the two cities after the non-stop flight ends in March.
Changes following the merger
Changes to routes following the Alaska-Hawaiian merger are expected as the two airlines try to optimize their offerings. The latest announcement follows reports of Hawaiian deciding to end its flights between Kahului Aiport (OGG) on the island of Maui and San Diego International Airport (SAN).
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This was a significant change in Hawaiian's network, considering the airline has been flying this route consistently for decades. Alaska Airlines also flies this route and will be the only carrier serving the two airports after Hawaiian pulls out. However, to compensate for the reduction in capacity, Alaska will add a second daily frequency between the two airports starting from June 12.
Photo: GingChen | Shutterstock
Hawaiian will also stop deploying the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner between Honolulu and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The aircraft is scheduled to fly between the two cities until April 2025, following which it will be replaced by the A330.
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In September, Alaska Airlines officially announced its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. While the two airlines will continue operating as separate brands, they will combine their loyalty programs. They confirmed that a new frequent flyer program would be launched next year and that the Department of Transportation had some conditions for the program.
Photo: Wenjie Zheng | Shutterstock
Of course, a business integration like this also impacts employees, and it was learned that more than 70 of Hawaiian's non-contract workers did not get an offer to continue with the merged company. It remains to be seen what other changes will be made as Alaska and Hawaiian continue implementing changes to their business strategies.
Related The Alaska-Hawaiian Merger: 5 Things Passengers Should Know
The merger has been approved by the DOT.
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