In September 2024, Alaska Airlines’ takeover of Hawaiian Airlines officially closed. We know that the two airlines are gradually integrating their operations, though plan to maintain two distinct brands. In the coming weeks and months, we’re going to start to notice some flight number changes, indicative of a much bigger development at the airline.
Alaska & Hawaiian align flight numbers in two step process
Airlines have two digit designator codes, which are put in front of flight numbers. As it currently stands, Alaska uses the “AS” code, while Hawaiian uses the “HA” code. This will start to change soon, as part of a drawn out process.
First, as of October 26, 2025, all Hawaiian flight numbers will transition to being in the range of 800-1299, while maintaining the “HA” code. This coincides with the start of the IATA winter season, and it represents quite the change for the airline.
There seems to be a general system with which flight numbers are transitioning, so the renumbering isn’t totally random. For example, HA10 becomes HA810, HA451 becomes HA851, HA133 becomes HA1033, etc.
This change is being made in anticipation of a bigger development in the spring of 2026. As of April 22, 2026, all Hawaiian flights will transition from the “HA” code to the “AS” code.
So, why is this being made a two-step process? When flights transition from the “HA” code to the “AS” code, they’ll be able to maintain the same flight numbers, based on the transition happening in the coming weeks. In other words, the two digit code aside, putting all Hawaiian flight numbers in the 800-1299 range means there won’t be overlapping flight numbers between the two brands.
Suffice it to say that this will be the end of an era. Hawaiian’s “HA” code has been used continuously since 1929, so it’ll have survived for close to 100 years before being retired. Obviously for those who are a fan of the brand, this will be sentimental.
This is in anticipation of a single air operator certificate
Alaska Air Group has committed to maintaining the two separate brands of Alaska and Hawaiian in the long run. The plan is for all flights touching Hawaii to have Hawaiian branding, and for all other flights to have Alaska branding.
I see some people online expressing concern about this change to the airline code, suggesting that Alaska is now backtracking on its promise to maintain two separate brands. That’s not the case at all, as this was the plan all along.
Alaska and Hawaiian are moving onto a single air operator certificate (AOC), which will allow the company to operate all planes as part of the same fleet, move them around between brands, get unified labor contracts, etc.
All flights under the same AOC have the same two digit designator, so this is exactly what we were expecting. Yes, in some ways it’ll all be a bit odd. Planes will be painted in the Hawaiian livery, announcements will welcome people onboard Hawaiian flights, yet the flight number and air traffic control communications will reference Alaska.
The spring 2026 timeline also overlaps with what we were expecting in terms of Boeing 787s getting Alaska branding, in order to build up the company’s long haul hub in Seattle. I imagine the timing will also coincide with Hawaiian joining the oneworld alliance.
Bottom line
We’re soon going to start to see some changes to Hawaiian Airlines’ flight numbers. As of late October 2025, all Hawaiian flights will move into the range of HA800-1299. Then as of late April 2026, the “HA” code will be eliminated, and replaced by Alaska Airlines’ “AS” code. This is all part of the two airlines moving onto a single air operator certificate.
What do you make of Hawaiian Airlines’ upcoming flight number changes?
