Hawaiian Airlines has announced significant adjustments to its routes in the US, Australia, South Korea, and Japan as part of a strategic move to realign its network. The changes aim to address shifting travel demands, especially in response to the growing need for more connections between Hawaii and key international and domestic destinations. With an increasing demand for travel to Hawaii, particularly during the winter season, Hawaiian Airlines is focusing on high-performance routes while scaling back services that no longer meet market expectations. Hawaiian Airlines has announced that it will suspend service on three underperforming routes in November. The affected routes include the Honolulu-Boston, Honolulu-Incheon, and Honolulu-Fukuoka routes. The decision comes as part of a broader effort to streamline the airline’s network and optimize its operations, following a strategic realignment designed to better serve areas of higher demand. Advertisement

The airline’s leadership highlighted that the suspension of these routes would allow Hawaiian Airlines to redeploy aircraft to more profitable markets. This would include increased flight frequencies between Honolulu and popular destinations like Sydney, Australia, Papeete, Tahiti, Los Angeles, and Seattle, as well as enhanced operations across its Hawaii network. By focusing on these routes, the airline aims to maintain its competitive edge and meet the rising demand for travel to Hawaii, both from international and domestic passengers. The airline expressed that suspending these routes, especially those serving cities like Seoul, was not an easy decision. The airline had operated flights to Seoul for over 14 years but had been facing ongoing challenges post-pandemic. Travel demand from Asia has remained soft, despite the airline’s best efforts to attract passengers. These challenges have persisted in Incheon, South Korea, as well as in Fukuoka, Japan, and Boston, cities Hawaiian Airlines had only begun serving in 2019. The airline indicated that these sustained challenges were a significant factor in the decision to discontinue these routes. This restructuring is part of broader expectations following the September 18 acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings, the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, by Alaska Air Group for $1.9 billion. The deal is expected to lead to substantial growth and operational improvements, with the combined entity targeting an additional $1 billion in pretax profit by 2027. The strategic vision for the merged company, referred to as “Alaska Accelerate,” focuses on unlocking value and positioning the combined airline group for long-term success. Hawaiian Airlines will conclude its services from Fukuoka and Boston to Honolulu on November 19, with the final flight from Incheon to Honolulu scheduled for November 21. Affected customers have been assured that they will be offered alternative flight options or the opportunity to receive a full refund for their bookings. The airline has made it clear that it remains committed to offering high-quality service to its customers despite these changes. Advertisement

While Hawaiian Airlines will suspend direct services to Incheon and Fukuoka, the airline intends to provide alternative options for affected passengers. Travelers can still fly between Hawaii and these cities through one-stop itineraries via Hawaiian Airlines’ twice-daily Honolulu-Haneda service or its daily Osaka service. The airline also stated that passengers can travel with its global airline partners, including members of the oneworld alliance, to reach these destinations with a connecting flight. In addition to these route changes, Hawaiian Airlines is also expanding its network to accommodate current market demand. Several updates to its flight schedule have been announced, including the following:

- The Honolulu-Sydney route will see an increase in frequency, with daily flights starting December 18 through January 31, up from the previous five weekly flights. This change comes as a response to strong demand for travel between Hawaii and Australia.
- Starting in March, Hawaiian Airlines will offer two weekly flights on the Honolulu-Papeete route, up from the previous one weekly flight. This expansion reflects growing interest in travel between Hawaii and French Polynesia.
- Hawaiian Airlines plans to add a fifth daily flight between Honolulu and Los Angeles during high-demand peak periods. This additional service will run from November 21 to December 1 and from December 19 to January 6, providing more options for passengers traveling between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland.
- A fourth daily flight between Honolulu and Seattle will be added from late November through mid-April. This adjustment aims to address the growing demand for travel between Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest throughout the winter months.

While the airline is scaling back services on certain routes, it continues to focus on enhancing connectivity for its passengers. Hawaiian Airlines emphasized that passengers traveling between Hawaii and Incheon or Fukuoka can still access one-stop itineraries through its various services. Additionally, the airline’s partnerships with other carriers will help to ensure continued service between these cities and Hawaii. In another expansion of its international service, Hawaiian Airlines will introduce five weekly flights between Seattle and Incheon starting on September 12. This new route will provide additional travel options for passengers seeking to connect between the U.S. Pacific Northwest and South Korea. For those traveling between Honolulu and Boston, Hawaiian Airlines has partnered with Alaska Airlines to offer convenient connecting flights through Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, or San Diego. Hawaiian Airlines is restructuring its routes in the US, Australia, South Korea, and Japan to better meet growing travel demand, especially for flights to Hawaii during the winter season. This strategic move focuses on optimizing high-demand connections and streamlining underperforming routes. Overall, Hawaiian Airlines is taking strategic steps to optimize its network, responding to changing market conditions and shifting demand patterns. While the airline has made the difficult decision to suspend certain routes, it is also positioning itself to grow in high-demand markets and provide passengers with more options for traveling to and from Hawaii. The adjustments reflect the airline’s commitment to providing excellent service and continuing to connect Hawaii with the world.

US, Australia, South Korea, And Japan Routes Overhauled As Hawaiian Airlines Refines Its Focus On Expanding High-Demand Destinations

Hawaiian Airlines announced a strategic network overhaul, suspending three underperforming routes—Honolulu‑Boston, Honolulu‑Incheon, and Honolulu‑Fukuoka—while boosting frequencies on high‑demand routes to Sydney, Papeete, Los Angeles, and Seattle. The changes follow the September 18 acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings by Alaska Air Group for $1.9 billion, with the merged entity, Alaska Accelerate, targeting an additional $1 billion in pretax profit by 2027.