Are Alaska And Hawaiian Airlines Partners? | Flight Connections

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are not currently airline partners in a formal alliance, but they do have a unique, evolving relationship.

Navigating airline relationships can often feel like deciphering a complex map, especially when you’re looking to combine travel plans across different carriers. For many travelers eyeing destinations from the frosty peaks of Alaska to the sunny shores of Hawaii, understanding how these two prominent airlines interact is key to a smooth journey.

Understanding Airline Partnerships

Airline partnerships come in various forms, from simple interline agreements to deep codeshares and full-fledged global alliances. These arrangements allow airlines to extend their reach, offer more destinations, and provide reciprocal benefits for their frequent flyers. Alaska Airlines is a member of the Oneworld Alliance, connecting its passengers to a vast global network of carriers. Hawaiian Airlines, by contrast, has historically maintained an independent status, forming individual agreements with select airlines rather than joining a large alliance.

Presently, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines do not share a formal partnership that allows for seamless mileage earning or redemption across both programs, nor do they have extensive codeshare agreements in place. Their operational relationship has been distinct, with each airline serving its primary markets and customer base independently.

The Historical Connection and Evolving Dynamics

While not formal partners, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines have long operated in complementary markets. Alaska Airlines has a strong presence along the West Coast and routes to Alaska, while Hawaiian Airlines dominates travel to and within the Hawaiian Islands. This geographical arrangement meant they historically coexisted without significant direct competition on many routes.

There have been limited interline agreements allowing travelers to book itineraries that include segments on both carriers, especially for baggage transfers. However, these were not comprehensive partnerships offering loyalty program reciprocity or widespread codesharing. The dynamic between these two carriers has recently shifted significantly with a major announcement that points towards a much deeper integration in the near future.

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Loyalty Programs: Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles

Each airline operates its own distinct frequent flyer program, offering different ways to earn and redeem miles. Alaska Airlines boasts its Mileage Plan, highly regarded for its value and diverse earning opportunities through Oneworld partners and other non-alliance carriers. Hawaiian Airlines offers HawaiianMiles, which focuses primarily on flights to and from Hawaii, as well as inter-island travel, with a select few airline partners for earning and redemption.

As of now, there is no direct reciprocity between Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles. This means you cannot earn Alaska Airlines miles when flying on Hawaiian Airlines, nor can you redeem Mileage Plan miles for Hawaiian Airlines flights, and the same applies in reverse. Travelers typically need to choose which program to credit their flights to based on the operating carrier.

Mileage Earning and Redemption

• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: Miles are earned on Alaska Airlines flights, Oneworld Alliance member flights, and flights with other specific airline partners. Redemption is possible across this network.
• Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles: Miles are earned on Hawaiian Airlines flights and flights with a limited number of partners such as Japan Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. Redemption is primarily for Hawaiian Airlines flights.

Loyalty Program Overview

Feature	Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan	Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
Primary Alliance	Oneworld Alliance	Independent
Earning Partners	Oneworld airlines, various non-alliance partners	Select partners (e.g., Japan Airlines, Virgin Atlantic)
Redeeming Partners	Oneworld airlines, various non-alliance partners	Select partners (e.g., Japan Airlines, Virgin Atlantic)
Elite Status Tiers	MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K	Pualani Gold, Pualani Platinum
Current Reciprocity	None	None

The Proposed Acquisition by Alaska Airlines

A significant development occurred when Alaska Airlines announced its intent to acquire Hawaiian Airlines. This proposed acquisition marks a pivotal moment for both carriers and for travelers flying to and from the Hawaiian Islands. The transaction is currently undergoing regulatory review by government authorities.

If approved, this acquisition would bring Hawaiian Airlines under the umbrella of the Alaska Airlines Group. The stated goal is to preserve the Hawaiian Airlines brand while integrating operations, potentially creating a more unified travel experience. The estimated timeline for completion depends on the regulatory process, but it is a multi-stage review that can take time.

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Potential Benefits for Travelers Post-Acquisition

Should the acquisition receive all necessary approvals, travelers stand to gain from several enhancements. A combined entity could offer an expanded route network, particularly strengthening connections between the West Coast and Hawaii, and improving inter-island access. This could mean more direct flight options and more convenient connections for those traveling from various points across the mainland.

A unified loyalty program or at least full reciprocal earning and redemption between Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles is a key potential benefit. This would allow travelers to consolidate their miles and enjoy elite status benefits across a much broader network. Passengers could also see improved baggage handling, with seamless transfers on connecting itineraries booked under a single ticket, rather than needing to re-check luggage between separate airlines.

Current vs. Proposed Future Travel

Aspect	Current Status (Pre-Acquisition)	Proposed Future (Post-Acquisition)
Ticketing	Separate tickets often needed	Single ticket for combined routes
Baggage Transfer	Manual re-check usually required	Automatic transfer on combined tickets
Mileage Earning	Separate programs	Unified program or reciprocal earning
Route Network	Distinct, some overlap	Expanded and integrated network
Lounge Access	Separate policies	Potential for shared access policies

Navigating Your Journey: Current Best Practices

Until any acquisition is finalized and integrations are complete, travelers planning trips that involve both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines should book separate tickets for each leg. This approach requires careful planning to ensure adequate connection times, especially if you need to retrieve and re-check luggage. Baggage allowances and fees will apply separately for each airline’s segment of your journey.

When booking separate tickets, allow at least three to four hours for connections, particularly if you are changing terminals or airports, or if you anticipate any delays. Always confirm the baggage policies for each airline directly on their respective websites before departure. Check-in procedures will also be separate; you will need to check in for your Alaska Airlines flight and then separately for your Hawaiian Airlines flight.

Future Outlook and What to Watch For

The proposed acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines by Alaska Airlines represents a significant shift in the airline landscape for travel to and from Hawaii. This process is subject to regulatory approval, and the timeline for completion is not fixed. Travelers should monitor official announcements from both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines for updates on the acquisition status and any changes to their operations, loyalty programs, or route networks.

Once approved and integrated, the combined entity could offer a more cohesive travel experience for many, making trips to the islands more streamlined. For now, understanding their current independent operations and planning accordingly ensures a smoother journey.