What to Know About the Alaska Airlines Merger with Hawaiian Airlines

Alaska Airlines’ merger with Hawaiian Airlines was finalized on Wednesday with both carriers maintaining their brand identity.

The merger, which cleared hurdles from both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Transportation (DOT), will create a network of 141 destinations, including 29 in other countries, according to Alaska Airlines. While both brands will remain separate, Alaska has now established Honolulu as its second largest hub and said it will work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate both airlines as one with an integrated passenger system.

Soon, travelers will be able to book both Alaska and Hawaiian flights on each airline’s website.

“Alaska and Hawaiian share tremendous pride in connecting communities with award-winning service, and we look forward to inviting more guests on board to experience what makes both brands unique,” Ben Minicucci, the CEO of Alaska Air Group, said in a statement, adding the company will provide “the excellent operation guests have come to expect, expanding options to seamlessly travel nearly anywhere in the world, and securing the financial stability and value that inspires investment.”

As part of the merger, Alaska Lounge members will now be able to access lounges when flying on Hawaiian. Soon, travelers will be able to transfer miles between Alaska’s Mileage Plan and Hawaiian’s HawaiianMiles as well as status match between the two airlines, and eventually, the company plans to roll out a single loyalty platform.

As part of its approval, the DOT placed strings on the merger, including requiring both airlines to ensure mileage rewards are not devalued, don’t expire, and transfer at a 1:1 ratio, as well as guarantee each carrier matches and maintains equivalent loyalty status levels. The DOT also required both airlines to guarantee fee-free family seating and preserve service to small, rural communities in both Alaska and Hawaii, among other requirements.

“Our top priority is protecting the traveling public’s interest in this merger,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “We have secured binding protections that maintain critical flight services for communities, ensure smaller airlines can access the Honolulu hub airport, lower costs for families and service members, and preserve the value of rewards miles against devaluation.

“This more proactive approach to merger review marks a new chapter of DOT’s work to stand up for passengers and promote a fairer aviation sector in America,” he added.

Alaska first announced its plans to purchase Hawaiian Airlines late last year with the goal of maintaining both the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines brands and integrating them into a “single operating platform.”

While this merger has been allowed to close, other proposed airline mergers haven’t been as lucky. Earlier this year, a federal judge blocked an anticipated merger between JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, ruling it was unlawful because it violated antitrust laws, forcing them to officially abandon their plans. And last year, a U.S. judge similarly ordered JetBlue and American Airlines to end their alliance, which JetBlue ultimately decided not to appeal.