Two of the largest airlines in the United States have reached a significant milestone as they integrate into a single carrier.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines received a single operating certificate from FAA officials on October 29.
The new certificate means Alaska can now operate alongside Hawaiian as two separate brands. Passing this regulatory requirement means the combined airlines have successfully integrated every part of their operations, from training and policies to procedures and manuals.
“This was a year-long, multi-phase effort involving multiple departments and thousands of hours of work,” said Ben Minicucci, president and CEO of Alaska Air Group. “We also appreciate the FAA and the U.S. Department of Transportation for their guidance and support as we carefully reviewed and harmonized our processes with a shared focus on safety. This is an important step in our journey as a combined organization, and I’m excited about our future together.”
Even as the carriers are now officially able to operate as a single airline group, travelers can still expect two distinct experiences when flying with each airline.
In fact, most of the changes are happening behind the scenes with only one visible shift that fliers might notice. Some Hawaiian Airlines flight numbers have been changed to avoid duplication with Alaska’s. Each Hawaiian flight number will still begin with HA, but the number that follows might be different. “If you are a frequent Hawaiian Airlines flyer who has memorized a regular or favorite flight, please take note,” the airline advises.
The single operating certificate lays the groundwork for additional integrations between the two carriers, like combining scheduling systems, and bringing flight crew, airport staff, and maintenance teams under joint bargaining agreements.
Starting next April, the two airlines will also begin operating under one passenger service system, which is the main technology passengers interact with when booking trips or on the day of travel. After that integration is complete, all flights will have Alaska’s AS code, but travelers will still be able to book fares on Hawaiian Airlines’ separate website.
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