When talking about travel to Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines is a company that often comes up.

As the name suggests, it has played a role in connecting Hawaii with the mainland U.S., Asia, and the Pacific region.

Founded in 1929, it has a long history. 

The headquarters is located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The main hub airport is also Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.

Maui's Kahului Airport is also an important base.

Since Hawaii consists of several islands, flights connecting these islands play a significant role.

However, there have been significant changes in the company's structure recently.

In 2023, Alaska Airlines announced plans to acquire Hawaiian Airlines for approximately $1.9 billion.

This acquisition plan is not aimed at eliminating Hawaiian Airlines but is described as maintaining both airlines under different brands. It is said that the acquisition was approved and proceeded in 2024.

After this merger, Hawaiian Airlines will join the Alaska Airlines Group and become part of Oneworld.

Looking at the flight routes, there are internal routes within the Hawaiian Islands. There are many flights that quickly connect islands like Oahu, Maui, Big Island, and Kauai. Due to the geographical environment that makes travel by boat or car difficult, these routes are an important means of transportation for Hawaii residents.

There are also many routes to the mainland U.S. It connects not only to western cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Las Vegas but also to New York JFK. Therefore, many people use this airline when traveling from the mainland U.S. to Hawaii.

International routes are also operated. In Asia, there are cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka in Japan, as well as a route to Seoul, South Korea.

In Oceania, there are Sydney and Brisbane in Australia, and Auckland in New Zealand.

There have also been flights to South Pacific destinations like Tahiti and Samoa.

In terms of service, Hawaiian Airlines is known for emphasizing the unique atmosphere of Hawaii.

They aim to reflect the so-called Aloha spirit in their service.

The flight attendants are known for their friendly and relaxed demeanor.

The in-flight meals often feature menus that utilize local Hawaiian ingredients.

It is often mentioned as one of the few U.S. domestic airlines that offer free in-flight meals.

In-flight entertainment also showcases Hawaiian culture. It may include Hawaiian music, cultural videos, and nature documentaries. In addition to standard economy class, premium economy and business class for long-haul routes are offered.

The aircraft fleet is relatively simple. The Airbus A330-200 is used for long-haul international flights and routes to the mainland U.S.

For routes between the Hawaiian Islands, the Boeing 717 is used, and the fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo is deployed for mid-range routes to the mainland U.S.

In terms of reliability, it has received good evaluations. Hawaiian Airlines has often been mentioned as one of the U.S. airlines with a high on-time arrival rate over the years. Its safety record is also known to be relatively good.

The mileage program operates under the name HawaiianMiles. Miles are accumulated when using flights and can be used for free tickets or seat upgrades. It can also be used for partner services like hotels or rental cars. After the merger, there are also aspects that link to Alaska Airlines' program.

In the long term, there are various outlooks. The acquisition agreement includes a condition to maintain the Hawaiian Airlines brand for a certain period, but this obligation may disappear after 2030, leading to speculation that the Hawaiian Airlines brand could be fully integrated into Alaska Airlines in the long run.