Hawaiian Airlines Joining Oneworld

Aloha, Oneworld. Hawaiian Airlines formally became the Oneworld Alliance‘s newest member on Wednesday, April 22. The airline simultaneously made some other moves this week to further strengthen its bond with Alaska Airlines, including retiring its former “HA” code. Hawaiian Airlines flight numbers now share Alaska Airlines' “AS” IATA code. The news was shared this week in dual announcements made by the carriers. This ties another bow on last year's merger, which resulted in the shared Atmos Rewards Program that launched in October. Let's look at the outcome of Hawaiian Airlines joining Oneworld—and what it means for your flights.

Photos courtesy Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Is Officially A Oneworld Partner: What That Means

Alaska has been a member of the Oneworld alliance since 2021, and Hawaiian Airlines joining Oneworld has been in the works since the merger between the airlines. It's the first time Hawaiian has joined a major alliance, and it effectively partners the 96-year-old airline with the likes of American Airlines, Japan Airlines, British Airways and other giants. Hawaiian touts this as a major milestone for the state of Hawaii, increasing the visibility and accessibility of the islands as it officially connects them to more than 170 countries. Travelers will see other impacts, including:

• Improved lounge access: Hawaiian flyers will be granted access to nearly 700 spaces operated by Oneworld partners (depending on their Atmos elite status, fare class and lounge entry rules).
• Linked elite benefits: Those with Oneworld status will now be able to enjoy perks on Hawaiian flights.
• Mileage earning and redemption: Oneworld travelers can earn and redeem miles on Hawaiian flights.
• Partner availability: Flights operated by Oneworld airlines can be booked directly at hawaiianairlines.com (as well as alaskaair.com or the joint Alaska Hawaiian app).

Other Changes For Hawaiian

Hawaiian Airlines joining Oneworld wasn't the airline's only big shift this week. As part of the ongoing rebrand, Hawaiian has retired its “HA” IATA code. Both Alaska and Hawaiian flight numbers will now be identified by the “AS” code. Alaska and Hawaiian now share the same PSS (the passenger service system the technology that links reservations, rewards and more). Trips on either airline can be managed through the shared Alaska Hawaiian app, which the carriers say offers improved self-service options for adjusting itineraries.

Hawaiian will remain its own distinct entity, though. Its Pualani flower logo isn't going anywhere. When flying the carrier, expect to still hear gate announcements welcoming passengers to their Hawaiian Airlines flight. And there's more good to come from the partnership. Future plans include a premium lounge by Alaska and Hawaiian at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), upgraded cabins for Hawaiian planes that operate long-haul flights and renovations at multiple Hawaii airports.

Hawaiian Airlines Joining Oneworld: ToP Thoughts

When plans for the merger between Alaska and Hawaiian were first announced, many viewed it as a way to save a struggling Hawaiian Airlines from extinction. Both carriers promised to preserve Hawaiian's identity while also emerging as a unified, stronger program. Hawaiian Airlines joining Oneworld certainly increases its visibility and accessibility. We'll keep following how things play out longterm as the final components of this merger unfold. But with other airlines in financial trouble and so much national discussion of mergers, it will be interesting to see if the Alaska-Hawaiian model becomes an example for future partnerships. What do you think of these changes? Tell us over in the ToP Facebook Group.