I can’t say I’m terribly surprised, but Hawaiian Airlines will be canceling one of its longer domestic flights, as reported by Ishrion Aviation.
Continue reading: Hawaiian Airlines Ends Austin Flights As Of March 2025
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Where does HA get gates? They can't use AS gates because those gates can't handle widebodies.
Utilization had been much better, when I last took this flight in August HNL-AUS was a redeye and the plane turned back around.
However not only was it a widebody, it was a poor-performing route. I've had great luck redeeming partner first class awards (with 5+ seats available at a time).
Which is why weeks ago I wrote that this would be the first Hawaiian flight dropped after the merger https://viewfromthewing.com/the-first-hawaiian-airlines-flight-on-the-chopping-block-after-the-alaska-airlines-merger/
If only Hawaiian had an A321XLR to make such a route work. And it's not like Alaska is going to brighten up and order any either.
Here in PDX I worry for the A330’s longevity given the AS overlap to HNL and our marginal unique connectivity vs SEA. It’s our only domestic widebody and would be easy for AS to replace with more 737 frequencies.
"And it's not like Alaska is going to brighten up and order any either."
Why not? One would have to think that the "Proudly all Boeing" nonsense is as dead as the dodo, since it's now bitten Alaska in the behind multiple times, and there's no way they're going to (or should) muster enough Boeings to completely replace Hawaiian's Airbus fleet any time soon.
This is awful news for us. We do this flight about 5 times a year and it is so much easier and comfortable than transferring at LAX or SFO! I guess we'll be flying through SAT via American Airlines now. This is why I was so against the Alaska Air buyout.
HNL-MCO-HNL did not last very long either. Although the only nonstop service on the route, rates from competitors connecting via LAX or SFO were a lot cheaper. Not enough people willing to pay a premium to fly it nonstop.
HA should fly IAH-HNL and AS should fly IAH-ANC. And, yes, IAH is my home airport. At this moment I am flying AS IAH-SEA-ANC but the oil and gas crowd alone should justify a direct nonstop. Next week I am flying to HNL and would prefer flying on HA.
You seem to be thoroughly confusing "what would be convenient for me" with "what would make any sense whatsoever for them."
Why "should" they do either? Especially against UA, who would surely mount a heavyhanded response to repel them.
Just about all HA long and medium haul aircraft spend the night on the mainland. They also have quite a few crew bases in the lower 48. It also makes maintenance cheaper to do overnight.
I agree that they should get rid of the "Proudly Boeing" mantra. But I don't see it happening based on what happened with their acquisition of Virgin America. Hope I'm wrong, honestly, as Airbus products are clearly outclassing Boeing's offerings at this point.
That was before Boeing's F-ups cost them billions in negative marketing and delayed aircraft.... plus a much smaller fleet to replace.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Delta jumps in and takes over with the 757. It’s about 200 miles shorter than United’s EWR-ARN 757 flight.
My guess is "Proudly all Boeing" sticks around for the Alaska brand, but only applies to AS metal, and Hawaiian is its own thing. (Horizon flies Embradiers, for example.)
I ofter take the nonstop flight to Austin because it is convenient. If Hawaiian Airlines need the wide body for other more popular routes, why not fly a different plane to Austin rather than discontinuing it??
They axed it because there weren't enough people flying on it, why would they continue servicing it?
I live in Texas and have always flown Hawaiian Air. It is sad that such a great airline is unable to give service to either Dallas or Austin. It makes it more unlikely that vacationers might choose Hawaii over easier destinations and it makes collecting Hawaii Miles or using the associated credit cards unnecessary and unappealing.