Alaska Airlines, the sixth largest airline in the United States, has just completed its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, which is the sixteenth largest. This is a significant move in the airline industry, bringing together two well-known names under one umbrella. Hawaiian Airlines, known for its strong presence in Hawaii and flights to destinations across the Pacific, is now part of Alaska Airlines growing network.
What makes this deal even more interesting is Hawaiian Airlines’ recent partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink. Earlier this year, Hawaiian Airlines started installing Starlink’s inflight internet service on its fleet, and the feedback from passengers has been overwhelmingly positive. Starlink, a satellite-based internet system, has been praised for its fast and reliable connection, which is especially useful on long flights.
Hawaiian Airlines has big plans for this service. The airline aims to offer Starlink for free on all its flights between the Hawaiian islands, the continental U.S., Asia, and Oceania. This could be a game-changer for passengers, especially those who rely on internet access for work or entertainment during flights. It’s rare for an airline to offer free inflight Wi-Fi, so this move could help Hawaiian, now part of Alaska Airlines, stand out from other competitors.
Alaska Airlines, the 6th largest airline in the U.S., has just completed its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, the 16th largest airline. Earlier this year, Hawaiian Airlines began installing SpaceX’s Starlink inflight internet on its fleet, and the feedback from flyers has been… pic.twitter.com/owdhGzCCSp
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) September 19, 2024
With the acquisition, it’s possible that Alaska Airlines might expand Starlink to its own fleet in the future, making long-haul flights more enjoyable for their passengers too. Overall, this acquisition for Alaska Airlines and the introduction of Starlink onboard could set a new standard for what travelers expect when flying.
This winter, Hawaiian Airlines is increasing its flight schedule while also expanding its free inflight Wi-Fi service to more planes. Right now, passengers flying on Hawaiian’s A321neo aircraft can already enjoy high-speed internet, thanks to Starlink’s advanced connectivity. However, the airline has even bigger plans — they expect to have their entire A330 fleet upgraded with Starlink’s service by the end of this month.
This means that more travelers will soon have access to fast and reliable internet during their flights, allowing them to stay connected, stream, or work while in the air. With this expansion, Hawaiian Airlines is continuing to enhance the overall travel experience, setting a higher bar for inflight services.
After announcing the completion of its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines shared that “there’s a lot to look forward to in the next 18 months.” As the two airlines come together, they plan to keep both brands intact, meaning travelers can continue flying with either Alaska or Hawaiian as they know them. However, the newly merged airline will be headquartered in Seattle, marking a significant step forward in their integration.
The combined airline will operate a fleet of 350 aircraft, drawing from both airlines’ planes, giving them even more reach and flexibility to serve passengers. This merger signals exciting changes for both Alaska and Hawaiian customers, as the two airlines work to strengthen their operations and offer a better overall travel experience in the months ahead.
A spokesperson for the airline shared some exciting news, stating, “We’ll operate the flights with a mix of our Airbus A330 and A321neo aircraft, both of which are equipped with our complimentary high-speed Starlink WiFi.” This means passengers can enjoy seamless internet access during their flights, allowing them to stay connected, stream, or catch up on work without any extra cost.
In addition to the free WiFi, travelers will also get to experience Hawaiian’s award-winning service. This includes delicious meals as part of the airline’s Featured Chef Series, where top chefs craft gourmet dishes for passengers. There will also be signature beverages from local favorites like Kō Hana Rum and Maui Brewing Co., giving guests a true taste of Hawaii. To top it off, the Pau Hana snack cart will offer island-inspired treats, adding a unique flavor to the inflight experience. Hawaiian Airlines is continuing to go above and beyond to make flying a special and enjoyable journey for all their guests.