Hawaiian Airlines has moved to new terminals within Los Angeles International Airport and New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport this week, joining Alaska Airlines in an effort to streamline operations.
According to Alaska Airlines on Tuesday, Hawaiian's check-in operations moved to Terminal 6 at LAX on April 22, "co-locating with Alaska Airlines, to offer guests quicker and easier access between gates, counters and baggage claim."
On Tuesday, Hawaiian also moved from Terminal 4 at JFK to Terminal 8, a move Alaska says "enhances connectivity with Alaska's oneworld Alliance partners, including American Airlines and British Airways."
Alaska, which will move from its current location in the airport's Terminal 7, and Hawaiian are expected to be fully consolidated in Terminal 8 by October, according to the airline.
What does this mean for travelers to and from the Islands?
A Hawaiian Airlines spokesperson told Aloha State Daily in an email that, "As we continue to optimize our network, co-locations allow guests flying on both Alaska and Hawaiian a more seamless travel experience while also fostering a collaborative environment for our teams."
The process of co-locating is a "large collaboration" with each airport authority as well as the teams from both airlines, the spokesperson said, noting that co-location plans began once the airlines combined seven months ago.
Seattle-based Alaska Air Group, Inc. and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. announced in December 2023 that Alaska Airlines would acquire Hawaiian Airlines in a deal that was valued at approximately $1.9 billion, including $900 million of Hawaiian’s net debt, according to an announcement at that time.
The acquisition was completed last September. At that time, the airlines began working to secure a single operating certificate with the Federal Aviation Administration, "which will allow the two airlines to operate as a single carrier with an integrated passenger service system," according to an announcement at that time.
However, the distinct Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines brands will be maintained.
"As part of our continued work to improve the guest and customer experience, last month, we also co-located Alaska Air and Hawaiian Air Cargo operations in Honolulu," the spokesperson said. "We now have combined cargo operations in Līhu‘e, Maui and Kona in addition to Honolulu.
"Similar to airport co-locations, our cargo co-locations create a stronger, more connected cargo network that delivers greater value to our customers."
According to Alaska Airlines, co-location efforts began last year, when Hawaiian relocated next to Alaska in San Francisco International Airport's Harvey Milk Terminal 1 followed by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona.
And there are plans for the airlines to co-locate in Sacramento, California; Salt Lake City and Las Vegas by the end of the year, the airline said.
The Hawaiian Airline spokesperson told ASD that co-location timelines depend on a number of factors, including availability at each airport to accommodate the moves.
"We are looking forward to co-locating at all stations that Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines share," they said.
Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Holdings, Horizon Air and McGee Air Services are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group. With its acquisition of Hawaiian, it now serves more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Central America, Asia and across the Pacific.
Joe Sprague was named CEO of Hawaiian Airlines in September following its combination with Alaska Air Group. Read more from Sprague here.
Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
