SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines said Sunday it agreed to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal, including debt, putting it on track for a potential clash with a Biden administration that has shown wariness about higher fares in the industry.
LUCY PEMONI, Associated Press
An Hawaiian Airlines plane taxis for position March 24, 2005, at Kahalui, Hawaii, on the island of Maui.
The combined company would keep both airlines’ brands, rooted in the nation’s 49th and 50th states. Alaska will pay $18 in cash for each share of Hawaiian, whose stock closed Friday at $4.86 after losing just over half its value in the year so far.
The deal also includes $900 million in Hawaiian debt, which the airlines said brings the acquisition’s total value to $1.9 billion. The combined airline would be based in Seattle, with Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci at its head. The companies forecast the acquisition will add to profits within two years of the deal closing. The combined airline would participate in the oneworld Alliance, which includes American Airlines, British Airways and Cathay Pacific.
Alaska and Hawaiian are both smaller than the nation’s dominant carriers, but they said a combination would meld two complementary networks to offer more connectivity to 138 destinations for passengers traveling through the continental United States and across the Pacific, including nonstop service to 29 international destinations in the Americas, Asia, Australia and the South Pacific.
Hawaiian has a deep and long history within the islands, stretching back to its incorporation in 1929 under the name Inter-Island Airways.
The companies said they would keep Honolulu as a key hub and that they’re “committed to maintaining and growing a union-represented workforce” in Hawaii. They also said the combination would triple the destinations that can be reached within one stop in North America for travelers from Hawaii.
“We have a longstanding and deep respect for Hawaiian Airlines, for their role as a top employer in Hawai’i, and for how their brand and people carry the warm culture of aloha around the globe,” Minicucci said in a statement.
The deal has been approved by the boards of both companies, but it still needs an OK from the shareholders of Hawaiian Holdings. It will also need the blessing of U.S. regulators, which have resisted more airline consolidation out of fear it could lead to higher fares.
Ted S. Warren, Associated Press
Alaska Airlines planes are shown parked at gates with Mount Rainier in the background at sunrise March 1, 2021, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle.
Both Hawaiian and Alaska are leading airlines flying between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland, which could raise concerns about lessened competition.
The Biden administration is already trying to block JetBlue’s proposed $3.8 billion acquisition of Sprit Airlines, which would subsume the nation’s biggest budget carrier. The Justice Department also won a lawsuit that killed a partnership between JetBlue and American Airlines.
The average domestic airline fare out of Seattle during the spring was $409.93. That was up from $293.08 two years earlier, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The average domestic airline fare out of Honolulu during the spring was $367.94, up from $329.93 two years earlier.
The Alaska and Hawaii companies expect the deal to close in 12 to 18 months.
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Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal that may attract regulator scrutiny
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Many pet owners prefer traveling with their fluffy companions, and most airlines make it possible to bring them on board. That said, traveling with Fido may take more preparation than just packing your bag.
Airlines typically allow small pets in carriers in the passenger cabin for an additional fee. Some large dog owners test those limits. In 2023, traveler Gabriel Bogner bought two extra seats for his Great Dane to travel with him on a cross-country flight, but that strategy may not work for everyone.
Flying can be stressful for pets, so their comfort is important. The International Air Transport Association has guidelines for how large pet carriers must be to ensure your pet's comfort, yet fit underneath the seat or in the cargo hold. Many airlines consider pets to be a passenger's carry-on item, so you'll only be able to bring a personal item on board in addition to your furry companion.
Some dogs need a little more TLC before they fly. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that short-nosed dogs like pugs, boxers, and bulldogs can have more problems with breathing or overheating, particularly when they're stressed or experience temperature fluctuations, which can happen in a cargo hold. Some airlines, like Delta, restrict the breeds it will fly. If you own these types of dogs, know the risks and allow time for training your pet to weather the flight.
Service animals have fewer restrictions and no fees, but don't expect to bring just any animal on board with that classification. In 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration put an end to flying with emotional support animals that could range from ducks to pigs by ruling that only dogs trained specifically to assist with their human's disability can be called service animals. If you're flying with a service dog, you may need to show the airline a special form for them to fly.
To help travelers and their furry family members prepare for their flight, CitizenShipper explored the pet policies of the five largest U.S. airlines. The largest U.S. airlines were defined as those with the highest passenger-mile volume from July 2022 to June 2023 according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Pet owners should always double-check with airlines well before flying to ensure the airline's pet policies haven't changed.
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Many pet owners prefer traveling with their fluffy companions, and most airlines make it possible to bring them on board. That said, traveling with Fido may take more preparation than just packing your bag.
Airlines typically allow small pets in carriers in the passenger cabin for an additional fee. Some large dog owners test those limits. In 2023, traveler Gabriel Bogner bought two extra seats for his Great Dane to travel with him on a cross-country flight, but that strategy may not work for everyone.
Flying can be stressful for pets, so their comfort is important. The International Air Transport Association has guidelines for how large pet carriers must be to ensure your pet's comfort, yet fit underneath the seat or in the cargo hold. Many airlines consider pets to be a passenger's carry-on item, so you'll only be able to bring a personal item on board in addition to your furry companion.
Some dogs need a little more TLC before they fly. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that short-nosed dogs like pugs, boxers, and bulldogs can have more problems with breathing or overheating, particularly when they're stressed or experience temperature fluctuations, which can happen in a cargo hold. Some airlines, like Delta, restrict the breeds it will fly. If you own these types of dogs, know the risks and allow time for training your pet to weather the flight.
Service animals have fewer restrictions and no fees, but don't expect to bring just any animal on board with that classification. In 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration put an end to flying with emotional support animals that could range from ducks to pigs by ruling that only dogs trained specifically to assist with their human's disability can be called service animals. If you're flying with a service dog, you may need to show the airline a special form for them to fly.
To help travelers and their furry family members prepare for their flight, CitizenShipper explored the pet policies of the five largest U.S. airlines. The largest U.S. airlines were defined as those with the highest passenger-mile volume from July 2022 to June 2023 according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Pet owners should always double-check with airlines well before flying to ensure the airline's pet policies haven't changed.
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Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal that may attract regulator scrutiny
Standret // Shutterstock
On Alaska Airlines, trained service animals fly free, but the airline currently charges $100 to $150 per pet depending on whether they fly in the cabin or in the baggage compartment. Alaska Airlines allows dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds to travel in its main cabin, but they must fit in a carrier that you can stow under the seat.
Owners must reserve a spot for their pet before the day of travel, and space is limited—first class has space for three pet carriers per flight, while the main cabin has room for eight carriers.
Pets weighing up to 150 lbs. (including its carrier) can travel in the baggage compartment. This includes cats, dogs, rabbits, household birds, nonpoisonous reptiles, hamsters, ferrets, guinea pigs, potbellied pigs, and tropical fish.
Standret // Shutterstock
On Alaska Airlines, trained service animals fly free, but the airline currently charges $100 to $150 per pet depending on whether they fly in the cabin or in the baggage compartment. Alaska Airlines allows dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds to travel in its main cabin, but they must fit in a carrier that you can stow under the seat.
Owners must reserve a spot for their pet before the day of travel, and space is limited—first class has space for three pet carriers per flight, while the main cabin has room for eight carriers.
Pets weighing up to 150 lbs. (including its carrier) can travel in the baggage compartment. This includes cats, dogs, rabbits, household birds, nonpoisonous reptiles, hamsters, ferrets, guinea pigs, potbellied pigs, and tropical fish.
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Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal that may attract regulator scrutiny
Monika Wisniewska // Shutterstock
United no longer transports pets in cargo holds—the airline suspended that program, called PetSafe, in 2018 after several mishaps that included the death of a dog and dogs going to the wrong cities.
The airline now only allows passengers to carry on a cat or a dog. While the airline doesn't have restrictions on breeds or weights, the pet must be able to stand up and turn around in a carrier that can fit under the seat in front of you, which does limit the size of pet you can bring on (unless it's a service dog).
United's fees for pets are currently $125 each way, with additional fees for domestic layovers that are more than four hours and international layovers that are more than 24 hours. United also does not allow pets to travel to Hawaii and a number of other countries, including Australia, the Philippines, and United Arab Emirates.
Monika Wisniewska // Shutterstock
United no longer transports pets in cargo holds—the airline suspended that program, called PetSafe, in 2018 after several mishaps that included the death of a dog and dogs going to the wrong cities.
The airline now only allows passengers to carry on a cat or a dog. While the airline doesn't have restrictions on breeds or weights, the pet must be able to stand up and turn around in a carrier that can fit under the seat in front of you, which does limit the size of pet you can bring on (unless it's a service dog).
United's fees for pets are currently $125 each way, with additional fees for domestic layovers that are more than four hours and international layovers that are more than 24 hours. United also does not allow pets to travel to Hawaii and a number of other countries, including Australia, the Philippines, and United Arab Emirates.
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Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal that may attract regulator scrutiny
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Owners of small domestic cats and dogs can bring their pets on Southwest flights, provided they aren't going to Hawaii or any international destination. Hawaii requires a quarantine period for incoming pets, other than service dogs, to maintain its rabies-free environment.
Pets require reservations, and owners must pay $125 each way per pet carrier. Flights have a limited number of spaces available for pets, and they're offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cats and dogs need to stay in carriers from the time they arrive at the gate until they deplane at their destination. Each passenger can bring one pet carrier, but up to two pets of the same species can be in a carrier, provided they can stand and move around in that space.
During the flight, pets stay under the seat in front of their owner, which eliminates the opportunity to sit in the exit row or bulkhead. If you're worried about the size of your carrier, Southwest does sell an approved version.
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Owners of small domestic cats and dogs can bring their pets on Southwest flights, provided they aren't going to Hawaii or any international destination. Hawaii requires a quarantine period for incoming pets, other than service dogs, to maintain its rabies-free environment.
Pets require reservations, and owners must pay $125 each way per pet carrier. Flights have a limited number of spaces available for pets, and they're offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cats and dogs need to stay in carriers from the time they arrive at the gate until they deplane at their destination. Each passenger can bring one pet carrier, but up to two pets of the same species can be in a carrier, provided they can stand and move around in that space.
During the flight, pets stay under the seat in front of their owner, which eliminates the opportunity to sit in the exit row or bulkhead. If you're worried about the size of your carrier, Southwest does sell an approved version.
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Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal that may attract regulator scrutiny
nadisja // Shutterstock
Delta allows pet owners to take small dogs, cats, and household birds as carry-on luggage, provided they stay in a ventilated pet carrier that will fit under a seat. Because Delta flies so many different types of planes, it's helpful to check the aircraft's dimensions to make sure your carrier will fit before you fly.
Fees range from $75 to $200 each way, depending on your destination. If you're traveling internationally, it's important to find out whether your destination will allow incoming pets.
Although Delta has a program to fly larger dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and amphibians through Delta Cargo, the company has temporarily embargoed this service, unless you're an active military or foreign service officer with orders to permanently change stations.
nadisja // Shutterstock
Delta allows pet owners to take small dogs, cats, and household birds as carry-on luggage, provided they stay in a ventilated pet carrier that will fit under a seat. Because Delta flies so many different types of planes, it's helpful to check the aircraft's dimensions to make sure your carrier will fit before you fly.
Fees range from $75 to $200 each way, depending on your destination. If you're traveling internationally, it's important to find out whether your destination will allow incoming pets.
Although Delta has a program to fly larger dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and amphibians through Delta Cargo, the company has temporarily embargoed this service, unless you're an active military or foreign service officer with orders to permanently change stations.
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Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal that may attract regulator scrutiny
Masarik // Shutterstock
American Airlines only allows small cats and dogs that can fit in under-seat carriers in the aircraft cabin. The airline recommends using a soft-sided carrier because a hard-sided one may have issues fitting under the seat on American Eagle's regional airplanes.
The airline only allows seven carriers on American flights and five on American Eagle, one of which is in first class, and spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll have to have your flight reservation first, then you can add a carry-on pet to it. The fee for carry-on pets is $125 each way.
Larger breeds must fly via American Airlines Cargo's PetEmbark service and the cost can be estimated using their rate calculator. More planning may be necessary to ship larger animals—American won't allow pets to travel in cargo in extreme heat or cold.
Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Tim Bruns.
This story originally appeared on CitizenShipper and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
Masarik // Shutterstock
American Airlines only allows small cats and dogs that can fit in under-seat carriers in the aircraft cabin. The airline recommends using a soft-sided carrier because a hard-sided one may have issues fitting under the seat on American Eagle's regional airplanes.
The airline only allows seven carriers on American flights and five on American Eagle, one of which is in first class, and spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll have to have your flight reservation first, then you can add a carry-on pet to it. The fee for carry-on pets is $125 each way.
Larger breeds must fly via American Airlines Cargo's PetEmbark service and the cost can be estimated using their rate calculator. More planning may be necessary to ship larger animals—American won't allow pets to travel in cargo in extreme heat or cold.
Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Tim Bruns.
This story originally appeared on CitizenShipper and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
