HONOLULU (KHON2) — A major moment in Hawaiʻi’s aviation history became official this week as Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines received a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration, marking one of the final steps in the airlines’ merger.
The certification allows both carriers to operate under a single regulatory framework, aligning safety procedures, training and manuals under Alaska Air Group. Though the two will continue flying as separate brands, the milestone represents a deeper integration.
“This was a year-long, multi-phase effort involving thousands of hours of work. It’s an important step in our journey as a combined organization, and I’m excited about our future together.”
Ben Minicucci, President and CEO of Alaska Air Group
The transition became official on the last day, Oct. 28, Hawaiian Airlines operated flights under its own FAA certificate.
Among those arriving that day was Peter Rockford Espiritu, a native Hawaiian passenger who reflected on what the airline has meant to generations of island travelers.
“As a native Hawaiian, you can tell when visitors come over — the way they’re treated, the music, the excitement. It’s so sad when they leave. But, the aloha just naturally comes out of us; it’s part of our DNA. Without that, I don’t know… it’s hard to explain unless you come to Hawaiʻi. We may not know each other, but we all share that aloha. It’s not just a name — it’s a way of life.”
Peter Rockford Espiritu, HA arriving passenger on Oct. 28
His words capture the bittersweet reality of the merger, while the change marks progress for the airlines, it also closes a proud chapter for Hawaiʻi’s only major commercial carrier born and built in the islands.
For travelers, most experiences will remain familiar. Both airlines will continue to operate as Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, each with its own service style and branding.
Behind the scenes, operations will now function under a shared call sign “AS” instead of “HA” used for communication between pilots, dispatchers and air traffic control.
One visible change will be new flight numbers for certain Hawaiian Airlines routes to prevent duplication within the combined network. Frequent flyers are encouraged to confirm flight details when booking or checking in.
In the months ahead, the two airlines plan to merge additional systems, including flight scheduling and customer service platforms. A fully unified passenger system is expected by spring 2026, which leaders say will make travel between the two brands smoother and more efficient.
Several new appointments were announced to oversee Hawaiʻi operations.
- Diana Birkett Rakow, Alaska’s executive vice president of public affairs and sustainability, will oversee Hawaiian operations.
- Jim Landers, senior vice president of technical operations at Hawaiian Airlines, will lead Hawaiʻi operations, while Shelly Parker from Horizon Air will serve as head of guest operations.
- Former Hawaiian Airlines CEO Joe Sprague is retiring after a long career with Alaska Air Group. This marks another turning point in the airline’s transition to new leadership.
Along with this merger, Hawaiian Airlines is set to join the oneworld alliance in 2026, expanding global travel options and reward opportunities through Atmos Rewards.
Still, for many in Hawaiʻi, the merger is more than a business move, it represents a cultural shift. Hawaiian Airlines has long embodied the spirit of the islands, from the sound of Hawaiian music as passengers board to the warm hospitality shared in the aisles.
Even as the company’s structure changes, residents like Espiritu say the true meaning of Hawaiian Airlines lives on in the people of Hawaiʻi.
“It’s not just a name,” he said. “It’s who we are.”
More information about the transition is available at Hawaiian Airlines’s website and Alaska’s website.