For years, Hawaii travelers dreaded the long, confusing trek through Los Angeles International Airport’s Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) on arrival or to reach a Hawaiian Airlines flight on departure. That frustrating experience—often described as “a maze,” “a mile-long hike,” and even “a deal-breaker”—is finally coming to an end.

Beginning April 22, all Hawaiian Airlines operations at LAX will move to Terminal 6, where Alaska Airlines is located. Check-in, security, gates, and baggage claim will now be in one consolidated space, ending what readers called “the worst arrival experience I’ve ever had.”

But while the move is a significant improvement in convenience, it’s also a signal of something much bigger. This isn’t just a terminal change—it’s the first visible shift in how Alaska Airlines is quietly reshaping Hawaiian’s entire operation.

The walk that broke Hawaii travelers.

It’s rare for an airport terminal to generate as much emotion as this did. Hawaiian’s use of TBIT at LAX became infamous after Beat of Hawaii reported on the issue, prompting over 160 reader comments detailing long walks, confusing signage, poor accessibility, and a shocking lack of support for passengers with mobility issues.

We were shocked too when we tried it ourselves. What seemed like a reasonable connection turned into a maze of escalators, corridors, and unanswered questions, especially on arrival.

Jim T. shared, “My wife had just broken her leg. Even with the cart, she had to walk 100 yards to reach it.” Another traveler, Gloria A., wrote, “I tore ligaments in my ankle and still had to walk forever through escalators and ramps. I’ll never fly Hawaiian out of LAX again.”

The wheelchair service was inconsistent. Electric transport carts were only available part of the way, or stopped altogether after 11:30 p.m. on return flights. For those without mobility challenges, it was just inconvenient. For others, it was a dealbreaker.

Why this is happening now.

According to LAX officials who announced it, the Terminal 6 move begins April 22. Hawaiian Airlines flights will depart and arrive there, with check-in counters and baggage claim also relocated. Shared with Alaska Airlines and Air Canada, Terminal 6 offers faster gate access, shorter walks, and easier ride-hailing pickup.

What isn’t being discussed publicly is how this move fits into a more extensive realignment under Alaska Airlines.

Since announcing the purchase of Hawaiian late in 2023, Alaska has begun quietly reorganizing both networks behind the scenes. This terminal consolidation is one piece of a broader strategy to bring Hawaiian’s operations under Alaska’s efficiency-focused structure. And it’s not just terminals—planes, routes, and hubs are all in flux. That is all set to culminate with operations as a single airline this October.

Alaska’s bigger play.

The LAX move may be good for passengers, but it’s even better for Alaska. It brings Hawaiian’s operations under one roof with its new owner, eliminates logistical headaches, and starts standardizing workflows ahead of the joint operating certificate that’s fast approaching.

At the same time this move was announced, Alaska dropped several long-haul domestic routes that once represented Virgin America’s premium ambitions. Flights from Dulles to San Francisco, Los Angeles to Nassau, and other transcontinental options are being canceled—many of them previously operated with 737s that may soon be returning to Hawaii duty.

This has a direct effect on Hawaiian’s fleet strategy and route map. The widebody dream is quietly unraveling.

A new chapter for Hawaii travelers from Los Angeles.

For travelers heading to Hawaii from LAX, Terminal 6 brings immediate relief—shorter walks. Better signage. Faster baggage claim. And no more feeling like a contestant in an airport obstacle course.

But it also marks the moment where the experience of flying Hawaiian Airlines may start to feel a little less unique. The in-flight vibe might still include island touches, but the infrastructure beneath it is rapidly becoming Alaska Airlines by design.

This change could eventually extend far beyond LAX. Similar realignments are occurring at other airports where Alaska and Hawaiian share space. At the same time, the fleet overhaul hints at long-term reductions in the comfort, flexibility, and premium feel many travelers associated with Hawaiian.

What’s next for Hawaiian (and Hawaii)?

A combined loyalty program with Alaska is also coming later this year. Behind that, network changes, fleet adjustments, and more terminal reshuffles are going to be on tap.

As we reported earlier this month, Hawaiian’s future widebody flights are shifting to Seattle. Hawaii’s role as a long-haul hub may be diminishing as Alaska builds a broader international strategy from its home base in the Pacific Northwest.

For Hawaii’s tourism industry, this raises long-term questions. Fewer widebody routes could mean fewer premium travelers. Consolidation may reduce nonstop options. And an airline that once felt rooted in the islands is being redefined by a mainland partner with different priorities.

We want to hear from you. Are you flying Hawaiian out of LAX soon? Have you experienced the Tom Bradley nightmare walk? Does this move restore confidence, or make you worry more changes are coming?

Let us know your thoughts on these changes in the comments.