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. Today is arguably one of the biggest days so far in that process.
I’ve already covered how Hawaiian has joined the oneworld alliance, but that’s not the only thing changing as of today, as Hawaiian Airlines’ two letter code, “HA,” is also being retired as of today.
Alaska & Hawaiian have now aligned flight numbers
Airlines have two digit designator codes, which are put in front of flight numbers. Alaska uses the “AS” code, while Hawaiian has historically used the “HA” code. However, that’s no longer the case — as of today (April 22, 2026), all Hawaiian flight numbers are using the “AS” code.
So if you look up a flight between Honolulu (HNL) and Maui (OGG) that’s operated by a Hawaiian aircraft, you’ll now see it has the “AS” code.
Getting to this point was a two-step process, and this is the second step. Back on October 26, 2025, all Hawaiian flight numbers transitioned to being in the range of 800-1299, while initially maintaining the “HA” code. This coincided with the start of the IATA winter season, and it represented quite the change for the airline.
There was a general system with which flight numbers transitioned, so the renumbering wasn’t totally random. For example, HA10 became HA810, HA451 became HA851, HA133 became HA1033, etc.
Why was this all done in a two-step process? Well, it was intended to simplify the transition from the “HA” code to the “AS” code, given what a big technological undertaking this can be.
Suffice it to say that this is the end of an era. Hawaiian’s “HA” code had been used continuously since 1929, so it’ll have survived for close to 100 years before being retired. Obviously for those who are a fan of the brand, this is sentimental.
Note that while flight numbers have been updated, the two airlines continue to maintain two distinct brands. This means when you board a Hawaiian flight, you should still hear crews refer to it as that.
What’s left with the Alaska & Hawaiian integration?
With today’s milestone, the integration between Alaska and Hawaiian is considered to be three-quarters complete. We’ve seen the airlines adopt a single loyalty program, a single operating certificate, and a single passenger service system.
All that’s remaining now is that the brands need new joint collective bargaining agreements, since the work groups of the two airlines are still on separate contracts. That doesn’t really directly impact passengers, and the goal is to get that wrapped up by 2027. Though obviously given the number of contracts, this will be a drawn out process.
The transition that more directly impacts guests right now is the airlines trying to match the right aircraft to the right routes, in order to maximize profitability. For example, we’re currently seeing Boeing 787s getting Alaska branding, in order to build up the company’s long haul hub in Seattle (SEA).
While not technically part of any sort of integration, Hawaiian’s Airbus A330s also desperately need new interiors to be more competitive, and that project is only supposed to start as of 2028.
Bottom line
April 22 is a big day for Hawaiian Airlines. Not only has the airline joined the oneworld alliance, but the “HA” code has also been eliminated, and is being replaced by the “AS” code across the board. So while Hawaiian flights still have Hawaiian branding, they no longer have Hawaiian flight numbers. It’s the end of an era!
At this point, the merger between Alaska and Hawaiian is mostly done, with the exception of new labor contracts.
What do you make of Hawaiian Airlines’ flight number changes?
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