In September 2024, Alaska Airlines’ takeover of Hawaiian Airlines officially closed. While Hawaiian Airlines has been part of Alaska Air Group since then, the integration has been a gradual process. For example, in October 2025, we saw the airlines move onto a single operating certificate.
Despite that, the two airlines are keeping their independent branding in the long run, with all flights to and from Hawaii getting Hawaiian branding, and all other flights getting Alaska branding. We’ve known that Hawaiian Airlines plans to join the oneworld alliance, so today is an exciting day, as it has finally happened.
Hawaiian Airlines now belongs to oneworld alliance
Hawaiian Airlines has formally joined the oneworld alliance, as of April 22, 2026. This is the same date on which the two airlines are moving onto a single passenger service system, which is also when the “HA” code goes away, and all flights have an “AS” code. So the timeline shouldn’t come as a surprise, because by default, it’s sort of when the two airlines become one, aside from outward branding.
Hawaiian joining oneworld is an exciting development, and means that the alliance is gaining yet another member airline. Both Fiji Airways and Oman Air have joined the oneworld alliance in recent months, and we know that Starlux Airlines wants to join oneworld, but it remains to be seen if it will be accepted (given the airlines that have veto rights).
It’s nice to see a bit of action at one of the global alliances, as we haven’t otherwise seen much of that in recent times.
What are the practical implications of this anyway?
Alaska and Hawaiian’s integration is a gradual process, though the two brands have been making great progress. We’ve seen the launch of the Atmos Rewards loyalty program, which is the combined loyalty program of the two brands.
That means that those who have historically been Hawaiian flyers are getting status with Atmos Rewards anyway, and the program participates in the oneworld alliance. In other words, those who have historically been loyal to Hawaiian can receive oneworld Sapphire and oneworld Emerald elite perks, including lounge access, through their Atmos Rewards elite status.
With Hawaiian joining the oneworld alliance, the biggest implications are for those who are loyal to other oneworld frequent flyer programs. They’re finally able to earn and redeem points, as well as take advantage of elite perks, for travel on Hawaiian branded flights across the globe. Admittedly some oneworld airlines already partnered with Hawaiian, but this definitely streamlines things.
Expect that it could be some amount of time before all oneworld airlines publish points earning charts for travel on Hawaiian, add award space on Hawaiian, etc.
Bottom line
Alaska Airlines acquired Hawaiian Airlines in the fall of 2024. We’ve known that the plan was for Hawaiian to eventually join the oneworld alliance, and that has now finally happened, as of April 22, 2026.
The biggest implications of Hawaiian joining oneworld is for those who are loyal to other oneworld programs, given that Hawaiian already participates in the Atmos Rewards program (which “belongs” to oneworld, for all practical purposes).
What do you make of Hawaiian joining oneworld?
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