In September 2024, Alaska Airlines’ takeover of Hawaiian Airlines officially closed. While Hawaiian Airlines is now part of Alaska Air Group, the integration is a gradual process. For example, in October 2025, we saw the airlines move onto a single operating certificate.
Despite that, the two airlines plan to keep their independent branding in the long run, with all flights to and from Hawaii getting Hawaiian branding, and all other flights getting Alaska branding. We’ve known that Hawaiian Airlines plans to join the oneworld alliance, and now we have a date for when it will happen.
The plan for Hawaiian Airlines to join oneworld alliance
Hawaiian Airlines is expected to formally join the oneworld alliance on April 22, 2026, as reported by JonNYC.
This is the same date on which the two airlines are expected to move onto a single passenger service system, which is also when the “HA” code will go away, and all flights will have the “AS” code. So the timeline shouldn’t come as a surprise, because by default, it’s sort of when the two airlines become one, aside from outward branding.
Hawaiian joining oneworld is an exciting development, and means that the alliance will be gaining yet another member airline. Both Fiji Airways and Oman Air have joined the oneworld alliance in recent months, and we know that Starlux Airlines wants to join oneworld, but it remains to be seen if it will be accepted (given the airlines that have veto rights).
It’s nice to see a bit of action at one of the global alliances, as we haven’t otherwise seen much of that in recent times.
What are the practical implications of this anyway?
Alaska and Hawaiian’s integration is a gradual process, though the two brands are making great progress. At this point we’ve seen the launch of the Atmos Rewards loyalty program, which is the combined loyalty program of the two brands.
That means that those who have historically been Hawaiian flyers are getting status with Atmos Rewards anyway, and the program participates in the oneworld alliance. In other words, those who have historically been loyal to Hawaiian can receive oneworld Sapphire and oneworld Emerald elite perks, including lounge access.
When Hawaiian joins the oneworld alliance, the biggest implications will be for those who are loyal to other oneworld frequent flyer programs. They’ll then be able to earn and redeem points, as well as take advantage of elite perks, for travel on Hawaiian branded flights. Admittedly some oneworld airlines already partner with Hawaiian, but this will definitely streamline things.
Bottom line
Alaska Airlines acquired Hawaiian Airlines in the fall of 2024. We’ve known that the plan was for Hawaiian to eventually join the oneworld alliance, but we’re now getting a sense of when that will happen. The plan is for Hawaiian to join the alliance on April 22, 2026.
The biggest implications of Hawaiian joining oneworld will be for those who are loyal to other oneworld programs, given that Hawaiian already participates in the Atmos Rewards program (which “belongs” to oneworld, for all practical purposes).
What do you make of Hawaiian joining oneworld?
