They will partly materialize because of Hawaiian Airlines’ ownership by the Alaska Air Group. Of course, Burbank and Orange County are known for their short runways, at 6,886 feet and 5,700 feet, respectively. Despite the MAX 8’s stronger takeoff performance than, say, the 737-800, payload restrictions may be needed.
Alaska: Burbank To Honolulu
At 2,225 nautical miles (4,121 km) each way, this route will become Burbank’s new longest service. It’ll surpass what is currently number one—JetBlue to New York JFK—by 4%. It’ll be the LA-area’s longest scheduled passenger flight since 2020, when JetBlue last operated to Boston, which covered a bit more distance.
Burbank last had Honolulu flights in 2005. Aloha Airlines had served it since 2002 using the Boeing 737-700. The US Department of Transportation shows that it carried 177,400 round-trip passengers and filled 75% of the available seats. Of course, this says little in itself.
In the 12 months to June 2025, the DOT shows that just 4,800 round-trip passengers flew between Burbank and Honolulu. As this only reflects those who connected en route, mainly in San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, it is wholly unrepresentative of the real demand.
Obviously, nearly everyone who traveled to/from Burbank’s catchment area was leaked to Los Angeles for nonstop flights. Cirium Diio data from November 2025 to July 2026 shows up to 16 daily departures. Alaska returns to that market in November, joining American, Delta, Hawaiian, Southwest, and United. It is Hawaiian’s ninth-busiest route across its full network.
Alaska: Orange County To Honolulu
At 2,245 nautical miles (4,158 km) each way, the airport pair from Orange County to Honolulu is longer than from Burbank. However, it would ‘only’ be Alaska’s eighth-longest domestic market from California using narrowbody aircraft. San Francisco-Boston, San Diego-Lihue, Los Angeles-Lihue, San Diego-Honolulu, Ontario-Honolulu, San Diego-Boston, and San Francisco-New York JFK cover more distance.
It will be Orange County’s longest passenger service since February 2023, when United Airlines (yes, really) ended Honolulu flights. It launched them in May 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the 737-700 deployed. Some 96,000 passengers traveled, with 76% of seats filled. Aloha Airlines served the market from 2001 to 2010, much longer than from Burbank.
Ten Californian Airports Would Have Honolulu Flights
If Alaska does indeed announce the two routes, Honolulu would have routes from these Californian airports: Burbank, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Ontario, Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose. This is based on all scheduled carriers. Up to 59 daily services would exist, which Cirium shows would be the highest number on record.
Various other Californian airports have had nonstop flights to Honolulu in the past. They include Fresno (2012-2014), Stockton (2012-2014), and Santa Maria (2012-2013; the airport just doubled its number of routes). All were served by Allegiant on its 757-200s. The ultra-low-cost carrier had planned Monterrey service too, but this was pulled before the first departure.