In September 2024, Alaska Airlines’ takeover of Hawaiian Airlines officially closed. While Hawaiian Airlines is now part of Alaska Air Group, the two airlines are still on separate operating certificates. For that matter, the two airlines plan to keep their independent branding in the long run, with all flights to & from Hawaii getting Hawaiian branding, and all other flights getting Alaska branding.
We’ve known that Hawaiian Airlines plans to join the oneworld alliance, though the timeline has been up in the air a bit. Fortunately there’s some positive news, as we’re getting more of a sense of when this will happen.
The plan for Hawaiian Airlines to join oneworld alliance
Hawaiian Airlines is expected to formally join the oneworld alliance in the spring of 2026, roughly coinciding with the two airlines reaching a single passenger service system. Unfortunately we don’t have an exact timeline beyond that, though it sounds like it should be in the first half of 2026.
That means that the oneworld 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.
I imagine that ideally the timeline will coincide with Alaska formally taking over Hawaiian’s Boeing 787s, in terms of branding, since these planes are being used for the carrier’s global expansion from Seattle (SEA).
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 better sense of when that will happen. The plan is for Hawaiian to join in the spring of 2026, which will also be an important time for Hawaiian in terms of its global growth.
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?
