Alaska Airlines announced today that they have entered into an agreement to purchase Hawaiian Airlines for US$1.9 billion. Plans are to operate as a combined airline while retaining the two separate brands. It does appear however that they have plans to integrate Hawaiian’s HawaiianMiles program into Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan program. This is the part of the news that bears the most significance for Canadians:
The transaction will connect Hawaiian Airlines’ loyalty members with enhanced benefits through an industry-leading loyalty program for the combined airline, including the ability to earn and redeem miles on 29 global partners and receive elite benefits on the full complement of oneworld Alliance airlines, expanded global lounge access and benefits of the combined program’s co-brand credit card.
This will add one more airline or rather I should say brand for Canadian Mileage Plan members to earn and redeem miles with. Hawaiian Airlines does not fly to Canada but once the airlines combine you should be able to easily connect from Alaska’s flights out west to Hawaiian Airlines flights to the islands. Hawaiian Airlines is a great airline, we flew them a few years back in business class on their Airbus A330 and thoroughly enjoyed their service and on board product. It wasn’t the fanciest or most luxurious but it was a great experience that should only get better as they have their new Boeing 787 Dreamliners entering service very soon.
With Alaska Airlines also planning to offer multiple partner one way award flights in 2024 this will also open up more options for those in Eastern Canada who can redeem Mileage Plan miles to fly on American Airlines and then connect to Hawaiian.
Now, we just have to wait for the 1 to 1 transfer option from the MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® to Alaska Airlines to become reality in 2024 so that you can use those points towards flights on Hawaiian Airlines and other Mileage Plan partner airlines.
Click here to learn more about Alaska Airlines acquiring Hawaiian Airlines
Image via Alaska Airlines