LIVE: Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines to discuss acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines

[@heckteck]

As a person who was born in hawaii, raised in alaska and work for alaska airlines.......this news is awesome

[@danibrockett8317]

Congratulations on this decision to merge two awesome airlines. Being from Hawaii, Hawaiian AL was always my choice for flying, since moving to Eugene OR in 2020, Alaska AL had become my choice for flying home. Mahalo, looking forward to the joint venture ❤

[@lorihaya2021]

Less competition means higher air fares. One office in Seattle means less jobs in Hawaii.

[@river4462]

Why else lori? The determination to mangle Hawai'i is so obvious. It is not going to change, only get worse is all. One shitty thing leads to many more. Do these conferences ever include kanaka and their feelings? Naah. Momentous occassion? Where?

[@joeyguam]

This is Great News, can’t wait for the Honolulu direct to Guam route. Amazing chant.🤙🏼🙏

[@kokonut4265]

Time to dig deeper for change for my inter island flights..

[@Waynes-xt9gr]

now they feel they got BIGGER $$$$$.....acquire smaller planes to ALSO service the other islands (molokai and lanai).....and only then will you give SWA a run for their $$$$$.

[@hurlburt808]

As a long time employee over 35 years this is a very sad day but we knew something like this would happen when the board of directors moved from Hawaii to New york City

[@verothomas1524]

HA can’t recoup from the lockdown. AA is the more solvent . 😢

[@nadinelynch9591]

As a Kanaka Maoli. This is sad. We are losing much of Hawaii's spirit.

[@river4462]

Always about billions $$$$$$$$$ not about kanaka or anyone. Change is always stalkin and it sucks

[@nadinelynch9591]

@river4462 You're right 💯. It's about money, for sure. But it's still sad that Hawaii isn't Hawaii anymore. And that money is always 💯 the root of all evil. Humanity and faith don't really exist anymore. Mahalo nui loa for sharing your thoughts.

[@jasonbrown4610]

Absolutely Dreadful news. Have used HAL as my preference since the mid 1980s. Always had Great crews with an organized and appreciative management. Bet it won't take long for ASA to screw it all up. Mahalo.

[@dhn.]

There is no loyalty in the corporate world; only business.

[@gregb5876]

Congratulations to the union members of HA! I'm sure you will see some change in company culture, but having a bigger footprint generally leads to better job security. To the HDQ employees of HA, I feel for you, as this will be a difficult time with the possibility that keeping your job means moving to SEA. To the union members of AS, only time will tell as the bigger footprint also means a loss making merger partner. To the oneworld alliance customers, congratulations on getting one the most popular airlines in one of the most popular destinations in the world.

[@808pineapple]

The fact that Hawaiian Airlines is nearly a billion dollars in debt, with market shares losing 50% of its' value reflects poorly on their executive management team. Mahalo Alaska for salvaging the brand. 🌹

[@markdc1145]

Won't be good for Hawaiian Airlines employees no matter how the CEO tries to spin it.

[@benseverson4966]

bring service to molokai

[@gregb5876]

I'm a little surprised at how people are using the Virgin America merger as an example of how AS will treat Hawaiian. The Virgin & HA mergers are 2 completely different situations. 1) Virgin was a unsuccessful startup with a 2) small footprint and 3) relatively small following. 4) Virgin operated on the west coast, where AS was looking to expand it's brand. 5) And, AS would have to pay $8 million a year for the "privilege" carrying the Virgin brand. It really only made sense to shut down that brand. 6) It is not unprecedented for an airline to successfully operate 2 brands (BA/IB & AF/KLM)...especially when you have such loyal following of each airline. Shutting down either one means alienating a large portion of the customer base.

[@planesofhawaii]

what about Horizon Air? I know they still exist but only as Alaskas subsidiary where it now says Alaska HORIZON with alaska paint, do you think that would happen

[@gregb5876]

@@planesofhawaii Are you asking if they would become a regional carrier for Hawaiian? Certainly in the Horizon hubs they would be a feeder for Hawaiian, but I wonder if there could be a use for Horizon inter-island, replacing the 717 routes. Would the Hawaiian Airlines pilot contract allow a regional carrier to operate those routes?

[@planesofhawaii]

@@gregb5876 no i’m asking like do you think Hawaiian will end up like Horizon where it no longer has its own identity but is just a regional carrier for one airline

[@terrymunoztrujillo483]

I've got a bad feeling about this! Ben seems too "smug" and ready to totally dismantle Hawaiian from the inside out. I hope the DOJ squashes this like Jet Blue buying spirit. Otherwise get ready to pay double to Hawaiii.

[@oger_ROG]

You've been paying more with Hawaiian anyways, show ceo suck at managing money. The heck does the fed have to do with it? Glory of capitalism, and Joe Biden approves he says he a capitalist.

[@MirzaAhmed89]

DOJ has never quashed any airline merger. At best they'll force Alaska to sell Hawaiian's landing slots at SeaTac, and a few other minor concessions.

[@Deedeemegadoodoopoocoo]

they’re keeping the Hawaiian brand, and they won’t just rip it apart like how Alaska did to virgin America. As much as I love Alaska, what they did to Virgin america was very bad. Thankfully, they won’t do the same here.

[@brennankfm]

​@Deedeemegadoodoopoocoo that's what you think..Alaska is gonna put them out..WATCH

[@gregb5876]

I believe Alaska has every intent to make Hawaiian successful. If not, why would they invest $1.9 billion? There would be nothing gained by shutting it down. That said, are there synergies gained from the combination that will turn Hawaiian around? That's the big question.

[@brennankfm]

Hawaiian was $900 million in debt..Alaska just saved their ass

[@Aussie_Hawaiian_boy]

Heard on the Seattle News the merger is not going through. It got terminated today By DOT due to many over laping route between the two airlines

[@samuraisurfer1319]

It's all about balato. Follow the money

[@bdixon8635]

Wonderful 😊❤

[@kanakapono]

Alaska airlines wanted a larger footprint into Asia and Hawaiian airlines was racking up huge amount of debt even though other airlines were racking up huge profits. Transparency is not happening.

[@byronharano2391]

The 49th and 50th States. Yuck....Another Mainland company in charge of a local business.

[@Deedeemegadoodoopoocoo]

get what you’re coming from. I’m an Alaskan native who is also picky about native businesses and monopolies, and etc. But Alaska Airlines originated in Alaska and focused on connecting Alaska to the lower 48 and beyond, similar to Hawaiian. However, Alaska didn’t have enough room in Merrill Field airport and they were basically forced to relocate to SEA. Would love if it would be in Alaska or Hawai’i, but it just won’t be enough space for the new merger.

[@byronharano2391]

@@Deedeemegadoodoopoocoo Not we don't like the 49th State of our Union. As noted...monopolies of business. Well, let's hope this is a good merger.

[@leemayhan4199]

I can empathize with your feelings of supporting local business. I have lived in Alaska since 1978. The out of state corporations as well as foreign nations are the economic driving force of our economy that provide the bests paying and secure jobs for Alaskans as well as our summer workers. The truth is we share with Hawaii the lack of being able to create our own major economic drivers in this state. We lack the money, the resources and the leaders. We are a low population state. We suffer the same fate as the state of Hawaii. That said over the nearly 5 decades I have lived in Alaska and always the question of developing the economy of our state and balancing that with protecting the environment as well as the people I have to say we need the jobs and planned development. In Alaska I have been to hundreds of meetings and written countless emails as well as creating ballot measures residents can vote on that help to protect the environment from development that can or will harm the state. We as residents will not stop any development of our resources. We have to get involved and have a say in that development. In Alaska we have organizations that are environmental activists that are well informed on gathering information on these proposed projects and informing the residents. I have met a lot of residents that are state activists in Hawaii over the years and one lady I know has educated so many locals in the current issues I look forward to visit with her to know what is happening. Important that residents get involved with local and state development planning and let their voices be heard. . to say to live we need the jobs as well as well planned development. In Alaska I have been to hundreds of meetings and written countless emails as well as creating ballot measures for the locals to vote in that protects us from bad development.

[@hawaiiboy2826]

Why would Hawaiian air sell out? I knew something wasn’t right from the the start!

[@mitchy_mitchSEA]

Hawaiian Air got out competed now that every big airline is flying a lot of flights to Hawaii.

[@kokonut4265]

Too much debt

[@brucebaker111]

Covid and Southwest have grown the debt of the airline.

[@mitchy_mitchSEA]

Add on a rather hasty expansion into Asia and South Pacific markets leading to slippage of service on the West Coast routes. Friends of mine in the aviation industry also pointed out that Hawaiian had to be very picky about where it flew on the mainland as they could not operate in cities that are United Airlines hubs (Chicago, Denver, Washington D.C., Newark, Houston). UA still is the "King" of the Hawaii transpacific market by number of seats

[@Waynes-xt9gr]

@@jorgej8855 remember also, recently.....the pilots and attendants went on a strike for benefits and wages....

[@joshlidowdie24]

CHESS MOVES

[@lcthevideogamer]

I honestly don’t see how the Department of Justice will approve Alaska Airlines buying Hawaiian Airlines, especially given that they had only bought out Virgin America only 7 years ago and completely did away with their branding and brand new Airbus aircraft. Furthermore, the Department of Justice is already giving JetBlue a hard time over buying Spirit Airlines after having outbid Frontier Airlines.

[@skinnybricks]

I agree, but I think that's just what the DOJ does. It's kinda their job? I guess we'll know soon, but I bet that merger will go through. Same with this one.

[@leemayhan4199]

Well. You are comparing apples and oranges. Alaska Alaska Airlines has always respected the people, history and different cultures of Alaska. For decades I have been flying Alaska Airlines from Alaska to the Hawaiian Islands. Whether it is a direct flight to Kona or Honolulu or from Anchorage to Seattle to Portland to the islands we feel the Aloha spirit and that we are going to one of the most special places in earth. The truth is Hawaiian Airlines that we use to island hop has had some serious issues, frequently their booking website is down or unable to access. Asking questions has been difficult. The airline has accumulated a lot of debt. The employees at the airports that serve Hawaiian air are often overworked. When a flight is canceled they have to get the flights that arrive as usual unloaded at the same time they start loading at the gate as well as dealing with any stranded passengers. I have never had an issue with any of Hawaiian Air employees. I believe they will get a better deal in the new merger and they will be in the union that will represent them.

[@verothomas1524]

It’s really time to restart the inter island ferry again. Greed shut it down.

[@Errr717]

This doesn't make sense. Each airline represents its state's culture; how is this going to work?

[@MirzaAhmed89]

They'll remain separate brands.

[@amoramor4002]

Halaska Airlines

[@ifchann]

I really like the Alaska airlines Ceo.. he cool

[@kokonut4265]

People have no trouble lying through yr teeth, you don’t provide the lowest fares all the time😡

[@MirzaAhmed89]

No one claimed Hawaiian or Alaska provide the lowest fares. Neither are low cost airlines.

[@verothomas1524]

😢Low cost airlines suck. When your flying seven hours or the shipping containers it’s awful.

[@mikemcd]

This is fantastic news for everyone! Alaska already was the airline of choice for me flying to Kona. I’m an MVP Gold status holder with Alaska. I really hope this merger leads to Alaska improving the first class product to include lie-flats. Would love to see Alaska Wide Body Aircraft!!! Mahalo, Alaska and Hawaiian.

[@terrymunoztrujillo483]

actually this is horribly news for everyone. alaska is "proudly all boeing" and they phased out all of their a321 neos last year, which are a backbone of Hawaiian.

[@planesofhawaii]

@@terrymunoztrujillo483yeah i don’t have a good feeling about it but one of my friends dad works for hawaiian and she said she’s not worried for now

[@leemayhan4199]

Same here, the winter direct flights to Kona from Anchorage have been handled very well over the years. I just am saying to the locals of Hawaii how many fans of Alaska Airlines we have in our great state.

[@NarasimhaDiyasena]

@@terrymunoztrujillo483they eventually cannibalize the paint job like they did to Virgin America

[@Deedeemegadoodoopoocoo]

They’re gonna keep the Hawaiian brand and keep the 321 neos, and the 330-200 will stay just a little bit until maybe the 787s will replace them. Two brands, one company.

[@hawaiiboy2826]

So they still accepting bags over 100 lb because guys will be crying if not

[@jasgri777]

Goodbye Hawaiian Airlines, hello Alaska airways in the islands

[@MirzaAhmed89]

They will maintain both brands. Besides, Alaska Airlines has been flying to Hawaii since 2008.

[@Waynes-xt9gr]

@@MirzaAhmed89 but when i tried to book a flight and compare 3 air carriers (SW, HWN, AK), I ended up dealing with SW and HA simply because the flight schedule and the costs were too $$$$$$$ for AK.

[@markdc1145]

@@MirzaAhmed89 That's what they say but....

[@ripster9713]

Not good

[@handledav]

so

[@ifchann]

They wouldn't have to sell if ppl would have invested and helped the share price. They could have done an offering and paid all their debt. But no, ppl just want loyalty and never give it. Their share price should be 30$ but ppl no like invest and help. Now they have to sell to pay the bills. Stop crying

[@MirzaAhmed89]

What? That's not how share prices work. Besides, the share price was over $30 before the pandemic. What part of this is supposed to be Hawaiian's fault?

[@ifchann]

@@MirzaAhmed89 if everyone in Hawaii owned 100 shares the price would never had dropped plus you'd be getting a dividend. But naw, gotta buy rims for that Tacoma.