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Alaska Shakes Up Hawaii Travel Again With New Southern California Route

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Alaska Shakes Up Hawaii Travel Again With New Southern California Route


Alaska Airlines continues to expand its Hawaii network with a significant new route connecting Honolulu (HNL) and California. This latest addition reflects Alaska’s fast-growing influence on Hawaii travel. It raises intriguing questions about the competitive dynamics of leveraging Hawaiian Airlines, which already flies this route, with other potential players in the wings.

Alaska Airlines expands west coast-Hawaii options.

Starting June 12, 2025, Alaska Airlines will begin operating daily flights between Honolulu and Ontario (ONT), California. Hawaiian Airlines already serves this route, which uses its A321neo narrow-body. Before this announcement, Hawaiian was the only carrier that connected the Inland Empire to the islands.

Alaska’s move doesn’t clarify what could happen next, including Hawaiian possibly ending its flights, shifting to seasonal service, or both carriers maintaining dual operations. We’re sure to learn more about that soon. Upon checking, we see that both airlines have Ontario on their schedule through November 30.

One fascinating aspect is that we previously understood Alaska had planned to leverage the Hawaiian brand for all flights touching the islands. It isn’t clear if that will continue to be the case.

Aviation observer Ishrion Aviation first reported this new route. It highlights Alaska’s recognition of the growing potential of Southern California’s smaller airports. Ontario International Airport and the entire Inland Empire may become increasingly vital hubs for Hawaii travelers seeking to avoid the off-putting congestion of LAX. With its convenient location and super easy access, ONT and neighboring San Bernardino offer a fascinating advantage for Hawaii travelers in the region. BOH editors travel frequently between Hawaii and the Island Empire, which has also piqued our interest.

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Strategic implications for Southern California and Hawaii.

This new route is a smart move for Alaska Airlines as it seeks to strengthen its hold on Hawaii-bound travelers from secondary airports in Southern California. ONT’s proximity to San Bernardino (SBD)—where Breeze Airways has hinted at potential Hawaii flights—adds another layer of intrigue.

Could Alaska’s expansion be a preemptive strategy to solidify its presence and counter any future competition from Breeze, which has yet to confirm Hawaii routes and must first obtain ETOPS certification? It also hints at Breeze perhaps being more of a Hawaii aspirant than we even realized.

In December, Alaska pointed to Ontario as part of its Hawaiian-Alaska integration plans, stating that ONT would likely be included in the next group of airports to share facilities between the two airlines.

You’ll recall that Hawaiian previously served Ontario using widebody aircraft before it brought the A321 to the route. BOH editors confirm having traveled on HNL-ONT when it was still a widebody flight and enjoyed ONT’s convenience. Alaska’s move to re-focus on this market with more narrow-body service aligns with the broader trend of airlines leveraging smaller, less congested airports to appeal to Hawaii leisure travelers seeking convenience.

This route offers an additional, traveler-friendly alternative to reach the islands for Hawaii visitors from the Inland Empire and surrounding areas. Alaska is positioning ONT as a key gateway for Hawaii-bound travelers while expanding its dominance in Southern California.

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Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines before full integration.

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines maintain a partnership with Alaska as owner as they work toward full integration under one operating certificate later this year. This relationship is increasingly being leveraged as Alaska strategically expands its West Coast network.

The addition of the HNL-ONT route showcases Alaska’s abilities in this area, integrating its Boeing 737 MAX and Hawaiian’s Airbus A321neo fleets while utilizing Hawaiian’s widebody aircraft for strategic long-haul reach.

This evolving dynamic is reshaping Hawaii travel, with Alaska drawing on both companies’ capabilities and assets to strengthen its dominance in the market. As the integration progresses, travelers can look forward to more streamlined operations and expanded route possibilities under Alaska’s leadership.

What Hawaii travelers can expect.

Alaska’s entry into the HNL-ONT market brings both opportunities and questions. The increased competition still lies ahead and may lead to lower fares, making Hawaii more accessible to residents of Southern California. However, the sustainability of the two airlines operating daily flights on this route remains uncertain and will be revealed over time.

A new era of Hawaii travel.

Alaska Airlines’ addition of the Ontario to Honolulu route highlights its commitment to reshaping Hawaii travel. By leveraging the two fleets, Alaska is expanding its network and redefining competition in the Hawaii travel market. For travelers, these changes bring increased choices and the possibility of better pricing while raising questions about how the industry will adapt.

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As Alaska continues to expand its dominance, it’s clear that Hawaii travel is entering an entirely new era where convenience, competition, and strategy play pivotal roles.

We welcome your input and insights.

Photo Credit © Beat of Hawaii.

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Hawaii Island asks for the public’s assistance finding elderly woman, Jacquelyn Glenn

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Hawaii Island asks for the public’s assistance finding elderly woman, Jacquelyn Glenn


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating 82-year-old Jacquelyn Glenn of Kailua-Kona, who was reported missing by her family.

Police said she is considered endangered due to her age.

Glenn was last seen on Friday, Dec. 5, around 6:37 a.m., on the 75-200 block of Nani Kailua Dr. in Kailua-Kona.

She was wearing a peach-colored shirt, blue denim jeans, and black tennis shoes. She reportedly mentioned going to Hilo with friends, but did not say when she planned to return.

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She is described as 5′6″, 125 Ibs, with curly grey hair and brown eyes.

Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jacquelyn Glenn to call the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.



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Hawaii gets nearly $190 million for rural health care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaii gets nearly 0 million for rural health care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser




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Hawaiian announces $600 million airport, wide-body upgrades | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaiian announces 0 million airport, wide-body upgrades | Honolulu Star-Advertiser


COURTESY HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

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Hawaiian Airlines today announced an investment of more than $600 million over five years to improve airport passenger areas across the state and interior upgrades to widebody aircraft.

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Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ahead of today’s announcement at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport that other improvements will include better apps, a better website that will make it easier for passengers to change flights, among other things that also include better integration with Alaska Airlines, which acquired Hawaiian in 2024, making it a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group.

“We have pushed a lot of change through the system for the last couple of months,” Rakow said. “We’re working on integrating our ticketing systems because right now we’re on two separate ticketing systems that don’t talk to each other.”

After late April, she said, booking on the shared Alaska Air and Hawaiian Air ticketing system “will be much more seamless.”

In announcing the renovations and changes, Hawaiian pledged “a significantly smoother guest experience … once Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines share the same passenger service system and Hawaiian Airlines joins the oneworld alliance, both scheduled for late April.”

Right now, Rakow acknowledged, “unfortunately there is some friction.”

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“There’s been so many changes and all of that friction is really painful,” she said. “We are committed to making sure we are addressing the issues. … We are certainly not perfect, but we are committed to working together. … Really, after April, it is going to improve significantly.”

Each island airport also will see renovated lobbies and gates designed to increase comfort, provide better seating and amenities such as improved power charging.

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Daniel K. Inouye International also will get a new 10,600-square-foot lounge at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1.

And starting in 2028, Hawaiian’s wide-body Airbus A330s will get new seats, carpets, lighting, business class suites, a Bluetooth-enabled in-flight entertainment system with high-definition screens and free Starlink Wi-Fi.

Gov. Josh Green said in a statement ahead of today’s announcement that, “Hawaiian Airlines’ investment is exactly the kind of long-term commitment Hawaiʻi needs. Modern, welcoming airports improve the experience for residents and visitors alike, strengthen our economy and keep Hawaiʻi competitive as a global destination. We appreciate Hawaiian Airlines’ partnership in advancing workforce development, regenerative tourism, clean energy, and community programs that reflect the values of our islands.”

The New Year began with a .75% increase in Hawaii’s Transient Accommodations Tax that will help the state fight climate change.

Rakow said that Hawaiian is working to better inform inbound passengers about how to respect Hawaii’s culture and environment.

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Hawaiian said it will continue to support “programs promoting regenerative tourism, culture and conservation.”

The airline also said it will fund grants to nonprofit organizations “promoting cultural programs, environmental preservation, and perpetuation of native Hawaiian art and language through the Alaska Airlines | Hawaiian Airlines Foundation.”




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