Key Updates on the Hawaiian–Alaska Merger: What to Expect This Summer

Key Updates on the Hawaiian–Alaska Merger: What to Expect This Summer

June 21, 2025 | Scott Kobayashi

With the Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines merger moving full speed ahead, there’s a lot of noise and confusion about what’s actually happening. As we get closer to the official launch of the new combined Mileage Plan program in August 2025, here’s a simplified update to help Hawaii-based flyers understand what’s changing, what’s staying (for now), and what to expect moving forward.

1. New Mileage Program Launching This August

Come August 2025, HawaiianMiles will be officially retired, and Alaska’s Mileage Plan will become the single loyalty program for both airlines. This is similar to how Air France and KLM operate under the joint Flying Blue program, even though they fly as separate brands.

Here’s what that means for you:

• No more earning or redeeming HawaiianMiles after the switch.

• All HawaiianMiles will likely be converted into Alaska miles, though final conversion details haven’t been announced.

• If you haven’t already, you can preemptively link or transfer your HawaiianMiles to Alaska Mileage Plan if you want to get a head start.

This move should help simplify redemptions and elite benefits, especially for those flying beyond Hawaii. While it’s a big shift, it ultimately makes things easier with one mileage currency—especially as interisland-only redemptions become less of a standalone need.

I recently moved the last of my Hawaiian Miles over to Alaska Miles last week!

2. What Happens to the Hawaiian Brand and Aircraft?

For now, Hawaiian Airlines branding will remain on many of its aircraft, especially the interisland Boeing 717s, which will continue to operate under the Hawaiian name until they are eventually retired.

There’s also a chance the A321neo fleet will retain the Hawaiian livery, but some industry voices expect Alaska to retrofit those aircraft with upgraded interiors, similar to what they did after acquiring Virgin America. That means potential cabin upgrades, like:

• First class seating with 40–41” pitch

• Premium economy with 35” pitch

While these aircraft might keep the Hawaiian nameplate, the interior experience could shift to match Alaska’s in-flight product.

Hawaiian Airlines’ interisland Boeing 717s

3. HNL Is No Longer the Center of the Map

One of the biggest shifts locals will feel is the loss of Honolulu as a central hub. With the merger, Seattle (SEA)becomes the focal point of Alaska’s operations—including long-haul and international routes.

Here’s how that plays out:

• B787 international flights will be based out of SEA, not HNL.

• Hawaiian’s A330s are currently flying SEA-ANC, signaling a bigger pivot toward mainland and transpacific routes based out of Seattle.

• Future 787s will be painted in Alaska livery, even the ones originally delivered for Hawaiian.

• HNL will still see international service to Tokyo-Haneda (HND), Sydney (SYD), and possibly Osaka (KIX), but Fukuoka (FUK) is expected to be dropped.

• Flights from Hawaii to the mainland will primarily be on A321s and 737s, unless an A330 is repositioned.

While some routes will still run out of Honolulu, it’s clear the focus is shifting north.

Hawaiian Airlines & Alaska Airlines mark New Seattle-Narita Service.

4. More Changes Coming After FAA Approval

Once the FAA grants a Single Operating Certificate and the unions finalize work rules and seniority integration, expect the pace of change to ramp up fast. Alaska will have more flexibility to:

• Reassign aircraft and staff

• Consolidate route maps

• Launch new international routes from the mainland

It’s clear they’re playing the long game—positioning themselves to grow globally from Seattle, not Honolulu.

5. Hawaiian Airlines is ending 18 Partner & Transfer Programs on June 30, 2025.

If you’ve ever used HawaiianMiles to book partner flights on Japan Airlines, JetBlue, or scored a first class deal through Virgin Atlantic—this is your heads-up.

June 30 is the last day to transfer Amex points to HawaiianMiles or book with any of their 18 partner programs. After that, this sweet spot in the points game disappears for good.

This has been one of my favorite hidden hacks for Hawaii travelers and it’s going away fast. Don’t miss your chance to book before the window closes.

• Major shake-up and coming: On June 30, Hawaiian Airlines will end partnerships across multiple categories—including airlines, credit cards, and lifestyle programs.

• Airline partners affected: Popular airline partners like Virgin Australia, Virgin Atlantic, China Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, and JetBlue will no longer allow earning or redemption of HawaiianMiles after that date. All award travel must be booked by June 30, with flights completed by February 28, 2026.

• Credit card & lifestyle partners gone: A range of programs such as Foodland, Boyd, Maui Jim, Rocket Mortgage, and more—will no longer earn or redeem miles post-deadline.

• Amex Membership Rewards cutoff: American Express will stop allowing Membership Rewards transfers to HawaiianMiles on June 30—a critical channel for topping up your balance.

Our last & final time booking First Class Hawaiian Airlines seats through Virign Atlantic for 65,000 miles each en route to Tokyo.

Our Take: What This Means for Hawaii-Based Flyers

This merger has brought a lot of uncertainty, especially for longtime HawaiianMiles loyalists. But with a single mileage program launching soon and some branding continuity remaining, things are starting to settle. We are most sad about the ending of partnerships with Hawaiian Airlines, we have gotten a lot of great deals when booking flights through Virgin Atlantic. I’ll surely miss the extra miles earned from Woodland purchases.

🔑 Key takeaways:

• If you have HawaiianMiles, consider transferring or using them now.

• Expect cabin and route changes, but many Hawaii-branded flights will remain for the near future.

• Alaska is shifting long-haul and international focus to Seattle—but you’ll still be able to fly to Asia and Australia from HNL on select routes.

• JUNE 30 is the final days to transfer AMEX points to Hawaiian and it’s the end of a lot of Hawaiian Airlines sartnerships.

As always, I’ll be keeping close tabs on changes, redemptions, and the best ways to earn and use points through this transition. Stay tuned on @hawaiirewardtravel for updates and strategies.

Mahalo,

Scott Kobayashi | Hawaii Reward Travel