Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have completed their historic merger. However, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine for everyone involved, as some Hawaiian Airlines employees are finding out. Following the merger, these employees were left without an offer from the company, leaving them to find new employment.

No offer

According to Hawaii News Now, 73 non-contract employees previously employed by Hawaiian Airlines
declined or didn’t get an offer to continue with the newly merged company. The number includes 57 employees located in Honolulu.

Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-243 flying

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

An airline spokesperson confirmed that these employees are expected to exit the company by the end of the year. In a statement, the airline said:

“Interim offers, which are generally aligned to an integration milestone, extend for at least six months from the date we completed the combination, and we hope to retain most people for a year or longer, including through permanent positions… We know this is a very challenging time for our team members, and we are committed to supporting everyone through their career transition.”

Currently, the airline employs roughly 1,400 non-contract staff, which means that most of the employees have a permanent or interim position at the newly merged company. This amounts to a retention rate of 94.7%.

The 73 employees will be paid through the end of the year and will receive a severance package and job placement services to aid them in their transition.

Simple Flying has contacted the airline to provide a statement on the matter.

Historic merger

On September 18th, 2024, Alaska Airlines
announced that it had completed its acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings, the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines.

Alaska_Hawaiian_Airlines_001

Photo: Alaska Airlines

In a statement, Ben Minicucci, the CEO of Alaska Air Group, said:

“This is a historic day for Alaska Airlines as we officially join with Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska and Hawaiian share tremendous pride in connecting communities with award-winning service, and we look forward to inviting more guests on board to experience what makes both brands unique. Among Alaska, Hawaiian and Horizon Air, we have more than 230 years of history flying guests and serving communities. I know we will build on that legacy and become stronger together – providing the excellent operation guests have come to expect, expanding options to seamlessly travel nearly anywhere in the world, and securing the financial stability and value that inspires investment.”

The airlines are working towards securing a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), allowing the two airlines to work as one carrier with an integrated passenger system. Until then, they will operate as they normally would.

The combination of the two airlines provides:

  • 1,500 daily flights to 141 destinations, including 29 international locations across the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and the South Pacific.
  • A fleet of 350 aircraft.
  • More than 33,000 employees worldwide.

Another change that is coming is that Hawaiian Airlines will soon join the oneworld alliance, with an aimed entry window of 2026.

Passengers members to both airlines can share their miles on a one-to-one ratio and book flights on either airline using their existing points. The plan is for the merged airline to have a single loyalty program. However, there is no planned introduction date.

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