After clearing a Department of Transportation review, Alaska Airlines is set to close its merger with Hawaiian Airlines, marking a significant expansion in Seattle’s international airline services.
Merger Details
Alaska Airlines expects to finalize its merger with Hawaiian Airlines shortly after receiving approval from the Department of Transportation. This deal will increase Alaska's fleet size and enhance its routes.
Future Prospects
The merger will allow Alaska Airlines to operate Hawaiian’s fleet of Boeing 787s, which could lead to new long-haul flights to Europe and Asia from Seattle in the future.
Consumer Protections
As part of the merger agreement, consumer protections are guaranteed for six years, which includes maintaining the value of frequent flyer rewards and certain routes.
Operational Integration
The full merge of operations will take time, with pilots and crew from both airlines needing integration training estimated to take up to 18 months.
Labor Considerations
Key labor challenges include merging seniority lists for pilots and crew members, as well as integrating baggage handling systems.
Fleet Expansion
The merger will expand Alaska's fleet to include a variety of aircraft styles, including a substantial number of Airbus jets that Hawaiian operates, along with widebody 787s.
