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Alaska Air Group Reflects on First Full Year with Hawaiian

SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines (AS) and Hawaiian Airlines (HA) — now operating under the Alaska Air Group umbrella following their merger completion in 2024 — released a comprehensive recap of their first combined year of operations. 

The “2025 Wrapped” review highlights network growth, customer experience upgrades, loyalty-program innovation, and operational performance during a pivotal year of transformation.

The integration — which saw both carriers continue to fly under their distinct brands while moving toward deeper operational alignment — resulted in over 55 million passengers carried on more than 486,000 flights across the expanded global network. New international routes from Seattle to Seoul, Tokyo, Reykjavik, Rome, and London mark a significant step in Alaska’s long-planned global expansion.

Highlights from the Year

Network expansion: 21 new domestic routes were added, including Honolulu connections and first-ever nonstop service segments such as San Diego to Washington National Airport (DCA).

Loyalty innovation: The newly launched Atmos Rewards program became a centerpiece of the combined airline’s guest experience, winning industry praise and delivering enhanced benefits for frequent flyers.

Operational excellence: The combined operation achieved industry-leading on-time performance during key travel periods, including Thanksgiving.

Passenger experience upgrades: Initiatives such as supplemental high-speed connectivity via Starlink and refreshed cabin offerings highlighted the merged carrier’s commitment to guest satisfaction.

Community and sustainability: The airline group expanded community outreach with a new foundation and invested in sustainable aviation fuel initiatives, contributing to broader environmental goals.

The recap also reflects ongoing integration progress, including milestones such as the FAA granting a single operating certificate for the combined airline operation earlier in 2025, a regulatory requirement for complete process harmonization.

At a Glance: 2025 Combined Year

Alaska Airlines Group: Integration & Fleet Snapshot
Key 2025–26 metrics and post-merger fleet strategy
Passengers carried
55M+
Across the combined Alaska–Hawaiian network.
Flights operated
486,000+
Annual departures across mainline and regional.
New global destinations added from Seattle.
Atmos Rewards loyalty program recognized.
Major operational integration progress.
Combined Fleet Breakdown
Operational fleet and announced transition plans.
Mainline Boeing
  • 737-700 / -800 / -900ER
  • 737 MAX 8 & MAX 9 (future MAX 10)
  • Core North American fleet
Long-Haul Dreamliners
  • 787-9 & 787-10
  • Hawaiian 787s shifting to Seattle
  • Supports long-haul growth
Airbus (Hawaiian legacy)
  • A330-200s retained for Hawaii long-haul
  • A321neos for West Coast & island ops
  • Some A321neos expected to phase out
Short-haul & Regional
  • Boeing 717 inter-island (phasing out)
  • Embraer 175 feeder routes
Key Fleet Strategy Post-Merger
  • Fleet commonality: 737 + 787 backbone, A330 retained for Hawaii long-haul.
  • Aircraft migration: Hawaiian 787s shift to Seattle while Airbus remains strong in Honolulu.
  • Two brands, one operation: Shared certificate improves training & maintenance efficiency.
Source: Alaska Airlines Group

What This Means for the Industry

The successful first full year of combined operations underscores how strategic mergers, when executed with careful operational alignment and customer-centric emphasis, can unlock network dynamics, expand international reach, and elevate competitive positioning in an increasingly global airline market.

Probably one of the most exciting mergers in recent history in the U.S., the AS-HA merger and what’s ahead for the group in 2026, is one of the topics discussed on our latest Airways Podcast episode, where we do a year-end review of the top stories of 2025. Check it out below or on our Airways Podcast YouTube Channel.