Earlier this month, Jordan Cabanilla and his family enjoyed their last ride of the evening before the gates were closing at Southern Californiaโs Disneyland Resort. After a fun-filled day at the park, Jordanโs three kids โ AJ, Jade, and Ethan โ had not stopped smiling.
Their youthful excitement filled Jordan with emotion. However, it was his wifeโs smile that made him pause throughout the weekend.
โPretty much everything has been on my wife since the fire,โ Jordan said. โJust for that short time at Disneyland, she was able to smile instead of thinking about, โOK, I got to take care of this for the funerals, meet with lawyers, deal with probate.โโ
Jordan and his wife, Ana, lost their business and home on Aug. 8 in the wind-whipped wildfires that leveled the historic town of Lahaina on the west side of Maui and damaged or destroyed another 2,200 residential structures.
But losing the home that Jordan and his wife bought with their entire life savings was no measure against the loss of Anaโs older brother, her brotherโs wife and young son.
โThey were able to escape, but then got trapped in the neighborhood,โ he said.
Jordan opened up about the chain of events that likely saved his own life and his childrenโs that day. It began with Ana telling him to fix a part of their fence the wind had knocked down.
โThat morning, Ana woke me up and told me, โYou gotta take care of that before it flies into someoneโs home,โโ he said. โIโve lived in Lahaina all my life and Iโve never seen winds that strong. I was able to call out sick and stayed home with the kids. About four oโ clock, my wife called and told me, โThereโs a fire up the road thatโs moving pretty quick; you guys got to get out.โ I looked outside โ everything had turned black.โ
Jordanโs home was engulfed in flames just minutes after they packed what they could in their car and left Lahaina, his friends told him later.
โIf I hadnโt been at home, I donโt know how I wouldโve been able to get to my kids because the wind had knocked down the utility poles and blocked the roads,โ he said.
Like many in the community since the fire, Jordan and his family have resolved to provide a sense of normalcy for their children amid the challenges of rebuilding their lives.
Our kids reminisce about the house and their toys,โ Lahaina Resident Rose Ann Recites said. โSometimes we feel like we donโt know if we want to be on the island. I still cannot believe that this happened.โ
Photo courtesy of Disneylandยฎ Resort
Rose Ann and her husband, Eric, lived in his childhood home along with their two children, Danica and Rylee. The fire took everything, including mementos of their son โ Ryan Luis โ who passed away from Leukemia several years ago. A lock of his hair, the last outfit he was wearing and his handprints.
Miguel Ceballos, his wife Lindsay, and their four children have moved nine times since being displaced by the fire.
Our community, weโre so supportive of each other,โ Jordan said. โWithin twelve hours, people were donating clothes, water, food.โ
Alaska Airlines helped transport 220,000 pounds of relief supplies to impacted communities in the weeks following the fires and immediately sent rescue flights to help evacuees off the island and make room for recovery efforts.
Alaska collaborated with long-time partner and local non-profit Kanu Hawaiสปi to distribute 27 million miles โ donated by Alaska, employees and guests โ to those who needed support but could no longer afford the cost of flying.ย ย In total, 544 impacted Maui residents were helped with these miles.
When we heard that families, such as the Cabanillas, Recites and Ceballos, were seeking refuge from the daily struggle of rebuilding their lives โ we knew we had to do more.
Earlier this month, Alaska surprised the Cabanillas, Recites and Ceballos families with a weekend-long vacation to Californiaโs beloved Disneyland Resort along with a stay at the Westin Anaheim hotel.
Alaska asked Kanu Hawaiโi to help find families that would benefit from Alaskaโs Gift of Travel โ a program in which we give the magic of travel to those who deserve it most, whether through an all-inclusive trip, roundtrip tickets or donated miles.
Earlier this month, Alaska surprised the Cabanillas, Recites and Ceballos families with a weekend-long vacation to Californiaโs beloved Disneyland Resort along with a stay at the Westin Anaheim hotel.
โI didnโt want to believe it because it was too good to be true,โ Rose Ann said. โWe were due for a family trip after what weโve been through. More importantly, the kids deserved it.โ
Rose Ann and Ericโs kids couldnโt celebrate their birthdays because of the fires.
โWe surprised our kids just hours before getting on the plane,โ said Miguel. โTo give them that magical sense that thereโs hope in their lives after all this has just been amazing. We really appreciate Alaska Airlines for this amazing gift.โ
Want to give the Gift of Travel to other Maui families?
Contributions made to the Alaska Airlines Disaster Relief Pool through Dec. 31, 2023, will be donated to Kanu Hawaiสปi and Maui Rapid Response to provide travel support for Maui residents impacted by the wildfires. ย Alaska will match the miles donated, up to one million miles.
Blake Ramelb was born and raised in Lahaina. It was where his year-round photography business was mainly located.
After the fires, Blakeโs business suffered. His work on the Alaska Airlines โGift of Travelโ to Disneyland was his first paid-gig since the tragedy.
Immediately after the fires, Blake began to use his social media platforms he once used for his business to help impacted residents. In the absence of cell and internet service as a result of the fires, Blake began posting videos to spread the word about how people could effectively donate. At one point, he was receiving thousands of relief supplies from around the world for Lahaina families. Blake also disseminated real-time updates and developments.
His social media following has grown as he’s become a trusted voice in his hometown. โThe people of Lahaina aren’t just neighbors to me anymore, they are all my family,โ Blake said.
Alaska Airlines continues to negotiate a new, competitive flight attendant contract
You may be aware that some off-duty Alaska flight attendants are planning to participate in demonstrations such as informational picketing. The union representing Alaska Airlines flight attendants โ the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) โ also announced a โstrike authorization voteโ today. This vote does not impact our guests.ย
We respect their protected right to engage in these activities and do not expect any disruption to our operation or service as a result.
Any employee participating in these activities is not scheduled to work and they are not on strike.ย ย
Weโve offered an industry-leading proposalย ย
– In October this year, we provided an updated comprehensive economic offer โ the largest weโve made in our history for our flight attendantsโ contract โ that would put our flight attendants at or near the top of the industry in most areas, including pay.
– The proposal included an immediate 15% increase to the wage scale, market rate adjustments to keep them in line with new contracts at other airlines, and no changes to duty day.ย
– Contrary to union narratives, we do pay flight attendants for boarding time through a pay mechanism that was negotiated with the union in previous contract cycles. We remain open to alternative pay structures proposed by the union during negotiations.ย ย
Weโre actively negotiatingย
– Since September 2022, together with the Association of Flights Attendants (AFA) โ our flight attendant union โ we have closed more than 50 tentative agreements โ representing dozens of topics where weโve found common ground.ย
– We have meetings scheduled with AFA in January and February to continue negotiations and reach agreement on the outstanding topics.ย
– The only way to close the gap between parties is to discuss and work together. We are ready and willing to do that and are eager to resume negotiations in the new year.ย ย ย
Hawaiian Airlines Acquisition and its impact
– The news of Alaska Airlines acquiring Hawaiian Airlines does not impact our ability or desire to reach an agreement.
– We continue to plan for significant increases to our flight attendant contract.
We have a history of reaching deals
– The vast majority of our frontline employees are represented by a union, and weโve recently closed five labor deals with other workgroups.
– We remain committed to reaching an agreement on a new competitive contract that fairly compensates flight attendants and continues to provide significant flexibility, but also maintains an emphasis on productivity that is critical to the sustainability of the companyโs business model.
– This is ultimately good for flight attendants and the entire Alaska family, as maintaining growth and profitability enables us to hire more people and continue to provide all employees with competitive pay and benefits, invest in new planes and fly our guests to new destinations.โฏ โฏ
The negotiations process can take time
Hereโs a handy graphic that explains how things happen. Weโre currently in the โMediationโ step. Itโs important to know a strike can only occur after a specific, multi-step process involving the federal government and National Mediation Board.
Alaska Airlines begins flying nine new routes to popular vacation spots
Weโre now boarding new nonstop international flights to the Bahamas and Guatemalaalong with all-new service between Las Vegas and Mexico and Palm Springs-New York JFK
Just as the holiday travel season gets into full swing, Alaska Airlines is celebrating the start of nine new nonstop routes to a mix of popular leisure destinations, including our first-ever flights to the Bahamas and Guatemala; new service between Las Vegas and two cities in Mexico; and a much-desired seasonal flight connecting Palm Springs and New York City.
Travel demand remains strong for flyers who want to recharge and relax, maybe even try someplace new โ whether itโs a short flight along the West Coast or heading to an incredible international getaway thatโs not too far from home.
“Thereโs something for everyone in our roster of new flights โ from amazing beaches to snowy mountains, big city buzz to tranquil deserts. Weโre also now flying our guests to countries weโve never served before as we increase our international service. The Bahamas off the coast of South Florida offer pristine islands and turquoise waters, and Guatemala in Central America excites with adventure, history and culture.โ
– Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines
White sand beach in Nassau, BahamasGuatemala City
Bahamas bound from Los Angeles and Seattle
Our new flights to the Bahamas are a first for us to the Caribbean nation. From two of our West Coast gateways โ Los Angeles and Seattle โ we now fly nonstop to Nassau, the heart of the Bahamas. From there, one of our global partners Bahamasair can whisk our guests to the countryโs idyllic out islands and beyond on flights purchased directly at alaskaair.com. Our convenient morning departures from both Los Angeles and Seattle arrive in Nassau in the late afternoon. Our new service to Nassau is our 101stโฏnonstop destination from our hometown airport in Seattle.
Weโre growing in Latin America with new service to Guatemala
Weโre expanding where we fly in Latin America with the addition of daily, year-round service between Los Angeles and Guatemala City, Guatemala โ another all-new international destination for us. From our hub in Los Angeles, we have the most flights to the most destinations across Latin America of any carrier, which includes up to 18 daily flights this winter to 12 cities throughout the region.โฏโฏโฏ
New Las Vegas flights to Mexico and San Luis Obispo
Las Vegas becomes a new Alaska gateway to two of Mexicoโs most popular destinations from the West Coast: Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. Both flights depart Las Vegas late in the morning for midday arrival.
Our new daily seasonal flight between San Luis Obispo and Las Vegas allows for connectivity with additional routes in our network and now offers an easy connection to Mexico for our guests along Californiaโs Central Coast.
A convenient nonstop between Palm Springs and New York JFK
Our guests in Southern California are eager for more nonstops to the East Coast and weโre ready to take them there. This seasonal flight connects the Big Apple with sunny deserts. Our convenient morning departure from New York allows flyers to arrive around lunchtime in Palm Springs โ refreshed and ready to get out and soak in the sun. Alaska has more flights to Palm Springs than any other airline.
Weโve added new flights in Orange County
Weโre now flying new daily seasonal routes between Orange County in Southern California to both Bozeman and Tucson. Bozeman offers access to wintertime adventures in Montana, and Tucson offers plenty of desert sunshine and warmth in Arizona.
Our first Canadian airline partner starts service to Los Angeles and San Franciscoย next month; guests can book travel on Porter at alaskaair.com and earn milesย ย
Alaska Airlines is welcoming a new global airline partner: Porter Airlines, a growing Canadian carrier that begins its inaugural nonstop service between Toronto and both Los Angeles and San Francisco in January. Those flights, along with flights connecting on Alaska across our West Coast network, can be purchased later today at alaskaair.com. Mileage Plan members who buy Porter flights on our website also earn at least 100% of the miles flown and 100% elite-qualifying miles.ย
Porter Airlines opens new opportunities for our guests to travel to Canada in style,โ said Brett Catlin, vice president of loyalty, alliances and sales at Alaska Airlines. โWeโre thrilled to partner with a vibrant and growing airline that offers a refined experience including top-notch inflight service and terrific onboard amenities.โ
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, CN Tower Cityscape.
Porterโs new routes will link Los Angeles and San Francisco to Canadaโs largest city and beyond with connections to destinations across Eastern Canada including Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax. Porter will fly the Embraer E195-E2 aircraft between California and Toronto, which is known for its quieter flying and greater fuel efficiency than previous generation technology.
The E195-E2 is like the E175 flown by Alaskaโs regional carrier, Horizon Air, and our regional partner SkyWest โ it flies 132 passengers instead of 76 with no middle seats. Mileage Plan members will feel at home on Porterโs flights where they can enjoy similar inflight amenities such as fresh food options, onboard entertainment and generous legroom โ some of the same things they love about Alaska. With PorterReserve, flyers can book an all-inclusive economy experience that includes two checked bags, dedicated airport check-in, early boarding, front-of-cabin seating with extra legroom, and premium snacks and beverages.
“Porter has been redefining economy air travel for more than 17 years. As our network expands across North America, this partnership with Alaska Airlines will enable travelers in the western U.S. to enjoy our elevated onboard experience when flying to Toronto and throughout Eastern Canada,โ said Kevin Jackson, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Porter Airlines. “Alaska and Porter emphasize service excellence on each and every flight, so this partnership is a natural fit for our passengers.”
Porter is Alaskaโs 30th global partner airline. Porterโs daily nonstop service between Los Angeles-Toronto begins on Jan. 16 with the airlineโs operations conveniently located alongside Alaskaโs gates at Terminal 6 at LAX. Porterโs San Francisco-Toronto service will launch the following week on Jan. 25. Porter is now selling flights with Alaska connections on its website.
Alaska and Porter will continue to strengthen our partnership next year. Coming in 2024, Mileage Plan and VIPorter members will earn miles in their respective loyalty programs no matter where they book their flights. Next year will bring even more benefits with access to mileage redemptions with enhanced availability for both Mileage Plan and VIPorter members on each otherโs airline.
Learn more about our 30 global partners, including our membership in the oneworld global alliance, at alaskaair.com. Withโฏoneworldโฏand our additional airline partners, our guests can earn miles all over the world through ourโฏhighly acclaimedโฏMileage Plan program, and also redeem miles with many of our partner airlines. Elite status with Alaska automatically matches tier status in oneworld so members can enjoy all the benefits that come with it right away.
Alaska Airlines teams up with Best Day Brewing to add craft non-alcoholic beer to its premium beverage lineupย
At just 55 calories per can, Best Day Brewing Kรถlsch offers guests in all cabins a healthier alternative to traditional beer without sacrificing the classic taste
We’re now offering happy hour without the hangover on every flight with its new and refreshing beverage offering. Just in time for Dry January, the premier West Coast carrier is serving Best Day Brewing Kรถlschโthe first non-alcoholic beverage to join Alaskaโs premium beverage line-up.
Starting this month, Best Day Kรถlsch will be complimentary in First Class and Premium Class and available for purchase in the main cabin service on flights where a full beverage service is offered.
Born in the San Francisco Bay Area, Best Day Brewing holds the title of the #1 selling non-alcoholic Kรถlsch in the United States*. This distinctive Kรถlsch offers a crisp and refreshing experience, featuring a toasty malt character and lighter hoppiness with 55 calories per can. The non-alcoholic beer, like all of Best Dayโs products, is non-GMO, Kosher and vegan.
We are always looking for healthier food and beverage options that allow our guests to maintain their lifestyles without sacrificing the taste or quality of the product theyโre consuming,โ said Todd Traynor-Corey, Alaska Airlines managing director of guest products. โBest Day Brewing achieves that with its craft non-alcoholic beers founded right here on the West Coast.โ
Best Day Brewing embodies a tectonic shift in the world of beverages. As consumersโ relationship with alcohol evolves, the future of drinking is about having the freedom of choice without sacrificing quality or experience. Sales of non-alcoholic beers have surged, growing 31% each year for the past four years*. Even more emblematic of this shift, 94% of non-alcoholic beer consumers continue to buy beer, wine, and spirits*.
โAt its core, the partnership with Alaska Airlines and Best Day Brewing is about celebrating lifeโs adventure. Having our non-alcoholic Kรถlsch at 30k feet is about enjoying all the upside of cracking open a great tasting beer and acknowledging that when you land your journey is just beginning,โ said Tate Huffard, CEO of Best Day Brewing.
Best Day Brewing employs a unique brewing process, crafting all their beers first to full strength before carefully removing the alcohol. This method, conducted at temperatures no higher than fermentation temperature, preserves the aromas and flavors of exceptional beer.
Infused with Hallertau Blanc hops, Best Day Brewing Kรถlsch exudes fruity aromas with white grape characteristics, while traditional Cologne malts pay homage to the beer’s roots, delivering a premium non-alcoholic beverage.
โIโm excited to travel with an airline thatโs inclusive and offers a drink to their passengers who live a sober life or like the taste of beer, but not the effects of alcohol,โ said Brittney Childs, Alaska Airlines mileage plan member and loyal guest who tipped Alaska about the Best Day Brewingโs craft non-alcoholic beers when she posted a can on her social media account. โBreweries have come such a long way in making non-alcoholic beers taste good and Best Day Brewery has definitely achieved that. I like that I can enjoy a non-alcoholic beer on the ground and now, in the air when I fly Alaska Airlines.โ
For our media kit, including still images and b-roll, click here.ย ย
Sleigh the holidays with Alaska Airlinesโ nostalgic, sustainable Holiday Sweater + priority boarding!ย
This holiday season, we celebrate the beauty of family traditions, both cherished and new. Just as we have embraced the festive tradition of our holiday sweater for six years, we’re thrilled to see the next generation of flyers creating their own timeless memories with us.
Featuring a new twist on our classic snow planes, this yearโs sweater is sure to keep you feeling extra cozy and is a testament to sustainability. Made from 70% recycled post-consumer polyester, our threads embrace holiday spirit while making a positive impact on the planet.
With more families trading tangible gifts for the intangible joy of shared experiences, our ever-expanding network can connect you to destinations across the world, making new travel traditions memories that will last a lifetime.
Stand out this holiday season & score priority boarding by wearing your festive spirit on your sleeve โ or rather, your Holiday Sweater โ on Dec. 15, National Holiday Sweater Day. Anyone wearing a holiday sweater on flights served by Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air that day can board early, following group B. *Any guests with First Class tickets or airline status will board first in their typical fashion.
Alaska is celebrating the holidays throughout December, with festive dรฉcor and boarding music, as well as free holiday movies to help flyers have a merry flight.
Amidst one of the busiest travel periods of the year, weโre focused on delivering care and bringing joy to our guests. As the ‘merrier carrier,’ we want to make every moment of your journey memorable. Our holiday sweater is just one of the many ways the team at Alaska is delighting guests and employees this holiday season,” said Eric Edge, Alaska Airlinesโ managing director of marketing and advertising.
Airports are busier than ever in December. As a reminder, anyone traveling during the holidays is encouraged to arrive to the airport at least two hours before their flight given anticipated congestion at the airport.
In person at Alaska’s Company Store: Drop in and purchase a sweater at our shop (19235 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98198). Due to the volume of guests in the store, we are unable to accept phone orders on the first day. You can also email the Company.store@alaskaair.com, and weโll fulfill the order received while supplies last.
Online at ourย Company Store website:ย Our sweaters are now on sale while supplies last. Please note, there are multiple shipping options on the website.ย
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines to combine, expanding benefits and choice for travelers throughoutย Hawaiโi and the West Coast, including connectivity across Asia, Oceania and the Pacific.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines to Combine, Expanding Benefits and Choice for Travelers Throughout Hawaiโi and the West Coast
Combined company to maintain Alaska Airlines’ and Hawaiian Airlines’ strong, high-quality brands, supported by a single, compelling loyalty offering.
Expands fifth largest U.S. airline to a fleet of 365 narrow and wide body airplanes enabling guests to reach 138 destinations through our combined networks and more than 1,200 destinations through the oneworld Alliance.
Honolulu to become a key hub for the combined airline with expanded service for residents of Hawaiโi to the Continental U.S. and creating new connections to Asia and throughout the Pacific for travelers across the U.S.
Commitment to Hawaiโi remains steadfast, including maintaining robust Neighbor Island air service, and a more competitive platform to support growth, job opportunities for employees, community investment and environmental stewardship.
Committed to maintaining and growing union-represented workforce in Hawaiโi.
Combination will result in immediate value creation with sizable upside. All-cash transaction of $18 per share offers attractive premium for Hawaiian Airlines shareholders and is expected to be accretive to Alaskaโs earnings within two years post-close with at least $235 million of expected run-rate synergies.
Investor conference call scheduled for today at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. HT.
Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK), and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Alaska Airlines will acquire Hawaiian Airlines for $18.00 per share in cash, for a transaction value of approximately $1.9 billion, inclusive of $0.9 billion of Hawaiian Airlines net debt. The combined company will unlock more destinations for consumers and expand choice of critical air service options and access throughout the Pacific region, Continental United States and globally. The transaction is expected to enable a stronger platform for growth and competition in the U.S., as well as long-term job opportunities for employees, continued investment in local communities and environmental stewardship.
As airlines rooted in the 49th and 50th U.S. states, which are uniquely reliant upon air travel, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines share a deep commitment to caring for their employees, guests and communities. This combination will build on the 90+ year legacies and cultures of these two service-oriented airlines, preserve both beloved brands on a single operating platform, and protect and grow union-represented jobs and economic development opportunities in Hawaiโi, with a combined network that will provide more options and added international connectivity for travelers through airline partners including, the oneworld Alliance.
This combination is an exciting next step in our collective journey to provide a better travel experience for our guests and expand options for West Coast and Hawaiโi travelers,โ said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines CEO. โWe have a longstanding and deep respect for Hawaiian Airlines, for their role as a top employer in Hawaiโi, and for how their brand and people carry the warm culture of aloha around the globe. Our two airlines are powered by incredible employees, with 90+ year legacies and values grounded in caring for the special places and people that we serve. I am grateful to the more than 23,000 Alaska Airlines employees who are proud to have served Hawaiโi for over 16 years, and we are fully committed to investing in the communities of Hawaiโi and maintaining robust Neighbor Island service that Hawaiian Airlines travelers have come to expect. We look forward to deepening this stewardship as our airlines come together, while providing unmatched value to customers, employees, communities and owners.โ
โSince 1929, Hawaiian Airlines has been an integral part of life in Hawaiโi, and together with Alaska Airlines we will be able to deliver more for our guests, employees and the communities that we serve,โ said Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO. โIn Alaska Airlines, we are joining an airline that has long served Hawaiโi, and has a complementary network and a shared culture of service. With the additional scale and resources that this transaction with Alaska Airlines brings, we will be able to accelerate investments in our guest experience and technology, while maintaining the Hawaiian Airlines brand. We are also pleased to deliver significant, immediate and compelling value to our shareholders through this all-cash transaction. Together, Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines can bring our authentic brands of hospitality to more of the world while continuing to serve our valued local communities.โ
Complementary Networks and Greater Choice for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines’ Combined 54.7 million Annual Passengers
The combination of complementary domestic, international, and cargo networks is positioned to enhance competition and expand choice for consumers on the West Coast and throughout the Hawaiian Islands through:
Preserving outstanding brands: The combined airline will maintain both industry-leading Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines brands while integrating into a single operating platform, enabling the remarkable service and hospitality of each to be enjoyed by passengers with continued excellence in operational reliability, trust and guest satisfaction for which both companies have been consistently recognized.
An enhanced product offering for a wide range of consumers: The combination preserves and expands high-quality, best-in-class product offerings with price points to make air travel accessible to a wide range of consumers across a range of cabin classes, including greater choice between Alaska Airlines’ high-value, low-fare options and Hawaiian Airlines’ international and long-haul product on par with network carriers.
Complementary networks expand travel options: Passengers traveling throughout the Continental U.S., U.S. West Coast and across the Pacific will benefit from more choice and increased connectivity across both airlinesโ networks, with service to 138 destinations including non-stop service to 29 top international destinations in the Americas, Asia, Australia and the South Pacific, and combined access to over 1,200 destinations through the oneworld Alliance.
Expanded service for Hawaiโi: For Hawaiโi residents, the combination will expand service and convenience by tripling the number of destinations throughout North America that can be reached nonstop or one stop from the Islands, while maintaining robust Neighbor Island service and increasing air cargo capacity.
Strategic Honolulu hub: Honolulu will become a key Alaska Airlines hub, enabling greater international connectivity for West Coast travelers throughout the Asia-Pacific region with one-stop service through Hawaiโi.
Increased loyalty program benefits: The transaction will connect Hawaiian Airlinesโ loyalty members with enhanced benefits through an industry-leading loyalty program for the combined airline, including the ability to earn and redeem miles on 29 global partners and receive elite benefits on the full complement of oneworld Alliance airlines, expanded global lounge access and benefits of the combined programโs co-brand credit card.
Delivering Substantial Benefits for Employees and Communities in Hawaiโi
As one of Hawaiโiโs largest employers, Hawaiian Airlines has a long legacy of commitment to its employees, who shaped the company over its 94-year history, and to local communities, culture, and the natural environment. As an integrated company, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will continue this stewardship and maintain a strong presence and investment in Hawaiโi. The combined company will drive:
Growth in union-represented jobs: Maintain and grow union-represented jobs in Hawaiโi, including preserving pilot, flight attendant, and maintenance bases in Honolulu and airport operations and cargo throughout the state.
Strong operational presence: Maintain a strong operations presence with local leadership and a regional headquarters in Hawaiโi to support the combined airlinesโ network.
Opportunities for employees: Provide more opportunities for career advancement, competitive pay and benefits, and geographic mobility for employees.
Expansion of workforce development initiatives: Continue and expand access to workforce development initiatives, including Hawaiian Airlines’ partnership with the Honolulu Community College Aeronautics Maintenance Technology Program and Alaska Airlines’ Ascend Pilot Academy among others, to support future jobs and career opportunities in Hawaiโi and beyond.
Investment in local communities: Continue to invest in Hawaiโi communities, combining and expanding the two airlinesโ commitments, and work with local communities and government to build a vibrant future for Hawaiโi.
Perpetuation of culture: Committed to promoting regenerative tourism in the Hawaiian Islands and investing in Hawaiian language and culture, continuing and building upon Hawaiian Airlines’ existing programs.
Becoming an Even More Sustainable Combined Airline
Alaska Airlines is committed to building upon both Alaska Airlines’ and Hawaiian Airlines’ strong commitments to environmental stewardship, including Alaska Airlines’ five-part path to net zero by 2040 and sustainability goals in areas of carbon emissions and fuel efficiency, waste, and healthy ecosystems. In 2022, Alaska Airlines made its largest Boeing fleet order in its 90-year history, focused on the Boeing 737-MAX aircraft, which are 25% more fuel-efficient on a seat-by-seat basis than the aircraft they replace, and continued to expand use of route optimization software to help dispatchers develop routes that save fuel, time, and emissions. Both airlines are actively working to advance the market for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in their respective geographies. These climate-focused efforts will continue, including continued investment in local sourcing.
Compelling Strategic and Financial Rationale, Generating Outsized Value Creation
The combination fits strategically with Alaska Airlines’ sustained focus on expanding options for West Coast travelers and creates an important new platform to further enhance Alaska Airlines’ above industry-average organic growth. The transaction is designed to deliver attractive value creation for Alaska Airlines’ shareholders while providing a compelling premium for Hawaiian Airlines shareholders.
All-cash transaction of $18.00 per share for a total equity value of $1.0 billion provides a compelling premium for Hawaiian Airlines shareholders.
Transaction multiple of 0.7 times revenue, approximately one third the average of recent airline transactions.
Approximately $235 million of expected run-rate synergies reflect a conservative estimate of the transactionโs synergy potential; these exclude other identified upside opportunities that could be realized.
Expected to generate high single digit earnings accretion for Alaska Airlines within the first two years (high-teens three+ years) post-close and mid-teens ROIC by year three, excluding integration costs, with returns above Alaska Airlines’ cost of capital.
No anticipated material impact on long-term balance sheet metrics, with return to target leverage levels expected within 24 months.
Conditions to Close
The transaction agreement has been approved by both boards. The acquisition is conditioned on required regulatory approvals, approval by Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. shareholders (which is expected to be sought in the first quarter of 2024), and other customary closing conditions. It is expected to close in 12-18 months. The combined organization will be based in Seattle under the leadership of Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. A dedicated leadership team will be established to focus on integration planning.
Advisors
BofA Securities and PJT Partners are serving as financial advisors and OโMelveny & Myers LLP is serving as legal advisor to Alaska Airlines. Barclays is serving as financial advisor and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation is serving as legal advisor to Hawaiian Airlines.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines executives will discuss the transaction on a conference call. An investor presentation about the transaction will be referenced on the conference call and is being posted on the joint website referenced above.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will be joined by local leaders at a joint press conference in Honolulu today, December 3, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. Hawaiโi Standard time.
About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico with new service to the Bahamas and Guatemala beginning in December. We strive to be the most caring airline with award-winning customer service and an industry-leading loyalty program. As a member of the oneworld Alliance, and with our additional global partners, our guests can travel to more than 1,200 destinations on 29 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com and follow @alaskaairnews for news and stories. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Now in its 95th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaiสปi’s biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 150 daily flights within the Hawaiian Islands, and nonstop flights between Hawaiสปi and 15 U.S. gateway cities โ more than any other airline โ as well as service connecting Honolulu and American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Tahiti.
Consumer surveys by Condรฉ Nast Traveler and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawaiสปi. The carrier was named Hawaiสปi’s best employer by Forbes in 2022 and has topped Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best list as the No. 1 U.S. airline for the past two years. Hawaiian has also led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for 18 consecutive years (2004-2021) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The airline is committed to connecting people with aloha. As Hawai’i’s hometown airline, Hawaiian encourages guests to Travel Pono and experience the islands safely and respectfully.
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com. Follow Hawaiian’s Twitter updates (@HawaiianAir), become a fan on Facebook (Hawaiian Airlines), and follow us on Instagram (hawaiianairlines). For career postings and updates, follow Hawaiian’s LinkedIn page.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the federal securities laws, including statements relating to the expected timing of the closing of the pending acquisition (the โTransactionโ) of Hawaiian Holdings Inc. (โHawaiian Holdingsโ) by Alaska Air Group, Inc. (โAlaska Air Groupโ); considerations taken into account by Alaska Air Groupโs and Hawaiian Holdingsโ Boards of Directors in approving the Transaction; and expectations for Alaska Air Group and Hawaiian Holdings following the closing of the Transaction. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will in fact be consummated. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include: the possibility that Hawaiian Holdings shareholders may not approve the adoption of the merger agreement; the risk that a condition to closing of the Transaction may not be satisfied (or waived); the ability of each party to consummate the Transaction; that either party may terminate the merger agreement or that the closing of the Transaction might be delayed or not occur at all; possible disruption related to the Transaction to Alaska Air Groupโs or Hawaiian Holdingโs current plans or operations, including through the loss of customers and employees; the diversion of management time and attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the response of competitors to the Transaction; a failure to (or delay in) receiving the required regulatory clearances for the Transaction; uncertainties regarding Alaska Air Group’s ability to successfully integrate the operations of Hawaiian Holdings and Alaska Air Group and the time and cost to do so; the outcome of any legal proceedings that could be instituted against Hawaiian Holdings, Alaska Air Group or others relating to the Transaction; Alaska Air Groupโs ability to realize anticipated cost savings, synergies or growth from the Transaction in the timeframe expected or at all; legislative, regulatory and economic developments affecting the business of Alaska Air Group and Hawaiian Holdings; general economic conditions including those associated with pandemic recovery; the possibility and severity of catastrophic events, including but not limited to, pandemics, natural disasters, acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in periodic reports that Alaska Air Group and Hawaiian Holdings file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (โSECโ). All forward-looking statements in this communication are based on information available to Alaska Air Group and Hawaiian Holdings as of the date of this communication. Alaska Air Group and Hawaiian Holdings each expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise the forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
Hawaiian Holdings, its directors and certain executive officers are participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders in connection with the Transaction. Hawaiian Holdings plans to file a proxy statement (the โTransaction Proxy Statementโ) with the SEC in connection with the solicitation of proxies to approve the Transaction.
Daniel W. Akins, Wendy A. Beck, Earl E. Fry, Lawrence S. Hershfield, C. Jayne Hrdlicka, Peter R. Ingram, Michael E. McNamara, Crystal K. Rose, Mark D. Schneider, Craig E. Vosburg, Duane E. Woerth and Richard N. Zwern, all of whom are members of Hawaiian Holdings’ board of directors, and Shannon L. Okinaka, Hawaiian Holdings’ chief financial officer, are participants in Hawaiian Holdings’ solicitation. None of such participants owns in excess of one percent of Hawaiian Holdings’ common stock. Additional information regarding such participants, including their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the Transaction Proxy Statement and other relevant documents to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Transaction. Please refer to the information relating to the foregoing (other than for Messrs. Akins and Woerth) under the caption โSecurity Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Managementโ in Hawaiian Holdings’ definitive proxy statement for its 2023 annual meeting of stockholders (the โ2023 Proxy Statementโ), which was filed with the SEC on April 5, 2023 and is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1172222/000117222223000022/ha-20230405.htm#i2d8a68908cc64c37bbeca80e509abb72_31. Since the filing of the 2023 Proxy Statement, (a) each director (other than Mr. Ingram) received a grant of 13,990 restricted stock units that will vest upon the earlier of (i) the day prior to Hawaiian Holdings’ 2024 annual meeting of stockholders or (ii) a change in control of Hawaiian Holdings; (b) Mr. Ingram received a grant of 163,755 restricted stock units; and (c) Ms. Okinaka received a grant of 57,314 restricted stock units. In the Transaction, equity awards held by Mr. Ingram and Ms. Okinaka will be treated in accordance with their respective severance and change in control agreements. As of December 1, 2023, Mr. Ingram beneficially owns 340,964 shares and Ms. Okinaka beneficially owns 86,903 shares. The 2023 proxy statement, under the caption โExecutive CompensationโPotential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control,โ contains certain illustrative information on the payments that may be owed to Mr. Ingram and Ms. Okinaka in a change of control of Hawaiian Holdings. As of December 1, 2023, (a) Mr. Woerth beneficially owns 37,389 shares and (b)Mr. Akins beneficially owns no shares. Mr. Akins received a grant of 13,990 restricted stock units that will vest upon the earlier of (a) the day prior to Hawaiian Holdingsโ 2024 annual meeting of stockholders or (b) a change of control.
Promptly after filing the definitive Transaction Proxy Statement with the SEC, Hawaiian Holdings will mail the definitive Transaction Proxy Statement and a WHITE proxy card to each stockholder entitled to vote at the special meeting to consider the Transaction. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE TRANSACTION PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT HAWAIIAN HOLDINGS WILL FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Stockholders may obtain, free of charge, the preliminary and definitive versions of the Transaction Proxy Statement, any amendments or supplements thereto, and any other relevant documents filed by Hawaiian Holdings with the SEC in connection with the Transaction at the SECโs website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of Hawaiian Holdingsโ definitive Transaction Proxy Statement, any amendments or supplements thereto, and any other relevant documents filed by Hawaiian Holdings with the SEC in connection with the Transaction will also be available, free of charge, at Hawaiian Holdings’ investor relations website (https://newsroom.hawaiianairlines.com/investor-relations), or by writing to Hawaiian Holdings Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, P.O. Box 30008, Honolulu, HI 96820.
Starting today, our main cabin guests can sip on new Kล Hana Rum craft cocktails, including a tangy Pineapple Daiquiri and a reimagined Mai Tai, both made with fresh ingredients and Hawaiian Agricole rum farmed in the heart of Oสปahu.
The Mai Tai, which debuts today, is made with two Kล Hana rums, bright orange and lime flavors and a hint of orgeat. The Pineapple Daiquiri, a guest favorite introduced earlier this year, includes notes of fresh pineapple, lime and a Kล Hana white rum. Both options are available for purchase on select flights.*
Image provided by Kล Hana Rum
The Kล Hana Rum cocktails are available for purchase on select Hawaiian Airlines flights*
“Providing our guests with a genuine, unparalleled Hawaiสปi travel experience is what we do best, with island-made products the centerpiece of our award-winning service and hospitality. We’ve admired Kล Hana Rum since its beginnings and are proud to call them our newest local product partner,” said Renee Awana, managing director of product development at Hawaiian Airlines.
“At Kล Hana, we have always cherished the spirit of collaboration with local businesses, but partnering with Hawaiian Airlines takes our commitment to a whole new altitude. This collaboration not only elevates the in-flight experience but also celebrates the essence of Hawai'i and creates unforgettable memories from departure to arrival,” says Tiffany Tubon, brand manager at Kล Hana Rum.
The Pineapple Daiquiri launched in-flight earlier this year and has consistently ranked as one of our guests' favorite beverages.
Kล Hana Rum first crossed paths with our airline when it was an inaugural cohort member of Mana Up’s accelerator program. We have proudly served as the exclusive airline partner of Mana Up since 2017, working alongside the small Hawai‘i business incubator to elevate and spotlight local products.
Our partnership with Kล Hana supports our goal to increase local sourcing of food and beverages. Last year, 32% of our catering budget was spent on Hawaiสปi-produced items served on flights departing the islands, bringing us closer to our 40% spending target by 2025.
Image provided by Kล Hana Rum
Fields of kล growing on Kล Hana Rum's farm in Kunia, Oสปahu
Kล Hana Rum was founded in Kunia, Oสปahu in 2014, and its connoisseurs have worked tirelessly to forge their path in Agricole rum by using 34 varieties of kล (Hawaiian sugar cane), which Co-founder Jason Brand dubs “nature’s Gatorade,” as its staple ingredient.
As a farm-first business and growing agricultural employer, it entrusts scores of local farm workers to care for its (soon-to-be) 800 acres of kล and ensure each crop is grown to reach maximum flavor potential. The cane is hand-harvested, pressed to juice, fermented, distilled and rested or aged on-site.
Image provided by Kล Hana Rum
Kล Hana’s extensive barrel room
“The majority of rum in the world is made from molasses, the waste product of industrial sugar. Our Agricole style celebrates the sugarcane – akin to a winery loving the grape,” Kyle Reutner, general manager at Kล Hana Rum, explained in a past interview on Manaสปo.
The distiller also distinguishes itself with its unique barrel aging program and uses custom American Oak and sustainably sourced Hawaiian Koa wood barrels. To further its sustainability efforts, Kล Hana is working on a long-term restoration initiative that will transition seven acres behind its Kunia farm back to native forestland and is slated to begin next year.
Image provided by Kล Hana Rum
A selection of Kล Hana Rum products showcased at its Kunia hub
After each batch has rested or aged, Kล Hana is left with one of the world's finest cane-derived rums. The finished product is then encased in artisan glassware reminiscent of a French perfume bottle or mixed with local fruit flavors to make the perfect cocktail for a Hawaiสปi vacation.
Go global! Our guests can now purchase thousands of flights to more than 500 destinations across 20 oneworld and additional partner airlines directly at alaskaair.com
Are you eager to lose yourself far away from home? Maybe get swept up in the awe of Paris; absorb the history, food and beauty of Japan; head down under to Sydney to dive into jaw-dropping Australian beaches. Alaska Airlines can help get you there with the power of alaskaair.com and the rewards of our Mileage Plan program. From Austin to Auckland or Zihuatanejo to Zanzibar, alaskaair.com can now take you to more than 500 global destinations.
We recently surveyed 1,000 flyers nationwide to understand the destinations on their bucket lists*. One thing is clear: International travel remains BIG.
Nearly 85% of U.S. travelers plan to cross the Atlantic or Pacific in the next three years to visit overseas hot spots.
Nearly half of the respondents say theyโre most interested in visiting Europe if they take a trip outside the U.S. in the next year. The United Kingdom, France, Spain, Ireland, Germany and Greece register as top choices.
One in 10 of those surveyed say theyโre most interested in heading to Oceania with Australia as their top choice followed by New Zealand and Fiji.
About the same number of travelers โ one in 10 โ say Asia captures their attention with Japan ranking as the preferred destination followed by South Korea and the Philippines.
Weโre building a world-class, direct booking platform with access to a robust portfolio of domestic and global partners. Your hassle-free journey starts at alaskaair.com where tickets for flights can be purchased for travel onboard premium global carriers that include Air Tahiti Nui; Finnair; Iberia; Japan Airlines; Qantas; Qatar Airways; STARLUX Airlines, and more. You can buy tickets with our partners in all classes of service (maybe treat yourself to business class?).
Premium Economy on STARLUX Airlines Business Class on Condor Airlines
The power of our oneworld and partner airlines is now fully accessible by our flyers who can book their overseas travel directly on our website,โ said Andrew Harrison, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Alaska Airlines. โWhen you book at alaskaair.com, you earn elite qualifying miles for every mile flown, no change fees and triple miles for all purchases when using the Alaska Airlines credit card.โ
Alaskaair.com offers a unique booking proposition with key benefits when purchasing tickets directly, including more rewards, more ease and more care:
Fly a mile, earn a mile with us and our partners:
Our Mileage Plan members earn 100% of the miles they fly on our partners when booked at alaskaair.com.** For overseas roundtrips that cover thousands of miles, thatโs thousands of Mileage Plan miles earned. Weโre the only U.S. airline that offers this level of loyalty to our members.
Earn valuable elite qualifying miles on our partners when booking partner flights on alaskaair.com:
Mileage Plan members earn at least 100% of the miles flown as elite qualifying miles (EQMs) that apply toward elite status with us.** We have a faster path to becoming an elite flyer than other U.S. airlines. And status with us equals matching tier status within the oneworld alliance and all the benefits that come with it.
All flights purchased on alaskaair.com with our credit card earn triple miles:
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signatureยฎ credit card offers triple miles on all ticket purchases at alaskaair.com including overseas flights on our partners. Every dollar spent is three miles earned when using our credit card to purchase all flights on our site.
Hereโs a scenario:
You and three of your family members travel from San Francisco to Tokyo on our fellow oneworld member Japan Airlines.
You buy roundtrip tickets for $2,000 each on alaskaair.com using your Alaska credit card.
4 tickets x $2,000 apiece x 3 miles per dollar spent = 24,000 total Mileage Plan miles earned.
Plus, if miles flown on the Japan Airlines flight are credited to your Alaska account, those are additional miles earned โ one mile for every mile flown.
Thatโs more than 10,000 miles for each person roundtrip!
No change fees. Ever:
There are no change or cancellation fees when booking with us. And that includes partner flights.**
Buying tickets with our partners on alaskaair.com is simple:
Many of our guests know our website, and most already have a Mileage Plan account with their profile information and payment details stored. That information is ready to use when purchasing overseas travel with our global partners. Plus, you can see all your trips in one place. And donโt forget about our award-winning guest service and care weโre known for.
Weโre rolling out new global award redemptions in March 2024. With a focus on simplicity, value and availability, Mileage Plan members will have new options to choose from when booking flights with miles on our 24 partner airlines. Weโll offer award redemptions starting as low as 4,500 miles one-way. Weโre also expanding award availability so our members can find more award space when they want to travel.
* To gather the data, Alaska Airlines conducted an online survey earlier this year with a third-party research partner in the U.S. among 1,000 Americans over 18 who have taken a domestic or international flight in the past three years.
** Saver or basic economy tickets are excluded. Effective for flights on or after Jan. 1, 2024, Mileage Plan members who book on alaskaair.com earn 100% of the miles they fly on our partners. These miles are elite qualifying miles (EQMs) that apply toward elite status with us.
Alaska Airlines earned a score of 100 on HRCโs 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Indexย ย
Alaska Airlines is a long-time supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, our partners and allies alike, and we are committed to creating an environment where our guests, employees and business partners feel included and belong.
Our improved score, up from 90 for the last few years, reflects our commitment to inclusivity, including reinstating domestic partner benefits, employee toolkits for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Benefits and Guidance to Support Employees Transitioning in the Workplace and updated language in existing policies that already allowed domestic partners to receive benefits to be clearer.
Receiving a score of 100 from the HRC underscores our commitment to creating an environment where all employees feel safe to be themselves. I am proud of the improvements we have made for our LGBTQ+ community,โ said Andy Schneider, senior vice president of People, โTogether with members of the Pride Crew Business Resource Group we are making a difference for all employees.โ
Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work is ongoing and includes everything from improving the guest experience to incorporating best practices in how we do business and much more.
Read more below on how we care for and support the LGBTQ+ community and employees.
Creating an inclusive travel experience
From the moment you book a ticket to when you reach 10,000 feet and climbing, we care about creating an inclusive travel experience.
To show our commitment, we have:
Upgraded our reservations systems to provide guests with expanded gender options – โXโ (unspecified) or โUโ (undisclosed) identifiers are available across all Alaska platforms.
Moved to use gender-neutral plane greetings for inflight announcements.โฏโฏ
Partnered with film festivals and independent film studios to create a Pride Month collection for our inflight entertainment.
Supporting our employees
We encourage our employees to bring their authentic selves to work, and our commitment is to ensure a welcoming, safe and respectful work environment for all.
Here are some of the ways we have and continue to create an inclusive environment for employees:
Updated our grooming and uniform guidelines to provide employees with more individuality and gender expression at work, and became the first US carrier to develop a universal uniform piece.โฏOur Business Resource Group (BRG) Pride Crew was instrumental in providing feedback and was a key partner in the development of the universal uniform piece.
Introduced personal pronoun pins.
Launched diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) education modules/content on how to be an LGBTQ+ ally.
Added domestic partners to health benefits and updated language in existing policies that already allowed domestic partners to receive benefits to be more explicit.
Adjusted our benefits to meet the full WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) standards and requirements. If an employee has an eligible person on their benefits that is transgender and needs to utilize benefits, they can do so.โฏโฏ
Raised theโฏinclusiveโฏPride flag at our corporate headquarters building in SeaTac, WA, and unveiled a Pride-inspired plane on an Airbus aircraft in 2021 (which was respectfully retired in 2022 as part of our companyโs plan to move to an all-Boeing fleet for mainline flying by the end of 2023).โฏโฏ
Better together
To meet and honor our commitments, we must also work with partners who understand the space better than us.โฏโฏ
For the 16th year in a row, weโve partnered with the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) – Washington Stateโs LGBTQ and allied Chamber of Commerce and the largest of its kind in North America. GSBA represents over 1,300 small business, corporate, and nonprofit members who share the values of promoting equality and diversity in the workplace.โฏ
Through the GSBA, weโve invested over $300,000 in business development and expanding economic opportunities for LGBTQ+ business owners and helped raise an additional $200,000 in direct support for the GSBAโs Scholarship and Education fund.
We are a national member of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and sponsor HRC fundraisers along the West Coast. Some of our other partners include Lambda Legal and we provide in-kind support to smaller grassroots organizations and fundraisers such as the LGBTQ Community Center Fund, LGBTQ Center of Orange County, National LGBTQ + Bar Association, Southeast Alaska LGBTQ Alliance, and many more.
In 2019, we joined a growing coalition of over 300 businesses across the U.S. to voice our public support for the federal Equality Act, and with our community partners, we sponsor and participate in Pride parades, Pride nights with sports partners and events across the West Coast every year.โฏโฏโฏ
Hawaiian Airlines Begins Ticket Sales for Salt Lake City-Honolulu Flights, Nonstop Service Between Sacramento and Lihuสปe and Kona
HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines today began sales for new daily nonstop service between Salt Lake City (SLC) and Honolulu (HNL). Starting May 15, Hawaiสปi's hometown carrier will welcome guests flying between Utah and Hawaiสปi with its award-winning service and warm Hawaiian hospitality onboard its 189-seat Airbus A321neo aircraft.
"We know this new route will excite travelers in both Utah and Hawaiสปi given our tourism and education ties, and shared Pacific Island communities. We are eager to strengthen these relationships when we launch our service next summer," said Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram.
"We are thrilled to welcome Hawaiian Airlines to Salt Lake City International," said Bill Wyatt, executive director, Salt Lake City International Airport. "Hawaiสปi is not only a favorite destination for Utahns to vacation, but is also a popular location for family members to visit."
Utah has one of the highest concentration of Pacific Islanders in the country with about 60,000 residing in the state. Salt Lake City becomes Hawaiian's 16th gateway city in the continental U.S., the most of any carrier serving the islands. Tickets are on sale here.
HA84 will depart HNL at 6:50 p.m. and arrive at SLC at 5:15 am the following day, while HA83 departs SLC at 7 a.m. with a 9:55 a.m. arrival at HNL – allowing guests to maximize their first day at either destination.
"Hawaiian Airlines' expanded service is a response to meaningful demand from one of our top 20 U.S. markets, and provides more opportunities for our kamaสปฤina to travel and for friends and family members to return to Hawaiสปi," said Daniel Nฤho'opi'i, Hawai'i Tourism Authority's interim president and CEO. "We appreciate Hawaiian Airlines and its longstanding commitment to serving the people of Hawai'i and bringing mindful visitors to our state." Also today, Hawaiian announced it will expand service in Sacramento (SMF) with four weekly flights to Lฤซhuสปe (LIH) on Kauaสปi, starting May 24 , and three weekly flights to Kona (KOA) on the Island of Hawaiสปi, effective May 25. Both routes, which went on sale today and will also be operated with A321neo aircraft, complement Hawaiian's existing services connecting SMF with HNL and Kahului (OGG) on Maui .
Lฤซhuสปe – Sacramento
FLIGHT
ROUTE
DEPARTURE
ARRIVAL
DAYS
HA 66
LIH-SMF
1 2 : 05 p.m.
8:25 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday,
Friday, Sunday
HA 65
SMF-LIH
8:10 a.m.
10:50 a.m.
Kona – Sacramento
FLIGHT
ROUTE
DEPARTURE
ARRIVAL
DAYS
HA 74
KOA -SMF
12:15 p.m.
8:25 p.m.
Monday, Wednesday,
Saturday
HA 73
SMF-KOA
8:10 a.m.
10:40 a.m.
"I am pleased to share that Hawaiian Airlines has added new nonstop flights from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Lฤซhuสปe and Kona," said Cindy Nichol, director of Sacramento County Department of Airports. "This is the first ever direct service to Lฤซhuสปe, giving our customers yet another exciting option when planning their next island vacation."
Guests onboard Hawaiian's A321neos will enjoy authentic Hawaiian hospitality, including complimentary meals, and superior comfort with 16 luxurious leather recliners in the Premium Cabin, 45 Extra Comfort premium economy seats and 128 Economy seats.
Textiles and other materials throughout the cabin pay homage to traditional Hawaiian crafts such as bark cloth (kapa) and fishing nets. Other details range from sand-inspired wall panels to Hawaiian language signage and LED mood-lighting evoking Hawaii's soothing sunrises and sunsets.
Guests will have access to wireless streaming entertainment, USB outlets, and additional overhead stowage space. Hawaiian is currently equipping its fleet of 18 A321neos with high-speed Starlink internet, which will be offered complimentary to all guests on aircraft outfitted with WI-FI starting early next year.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Now in its 95th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaiสปi's largest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 150 daily flights within the Hawaiian Islands, and nonstop flights between Hawaiสปi and 15 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as service connecting Honolulu and American Samoa , Australia , Cook Islands , Japan , New Zealand , South Korea and Tahiti.
Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawaiสปi. The carrier was named Hawaiสปi's best employer by Forbes in 2022 and has topped Travel + Leisure's World's Best list as the No. 1 U.S. airline for the past two years. Hawaiian has also led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for 18 consecutive years (2004-2021) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The airline is committed to connecting people with aloha by offering complimentary meals for all guests on transpacific routes and the convenience of no change fees on Main Cabin and Premium Cabin seats. HawaiianMiles members also enjoy flexibility with miles that never expire.
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com . Follow Hawaiian's Twitter updates ( @HawaiianAir ), become a fan on Facebookโฏ ( Hawaiian Airlines ), and follow us on Instagram ( hawaiianairlines ). For career postings and updates, follow Hawaiian's LinkedIn page.
For media inquiries, please visit Hawaiian Airlines' online newsroom .
