Hawaiian Airlines' familiar HA radio callsign fell silent this week after nearly a century of use when the carrier's last HA‑coded service — HA866 from Pago Pago to Honolulu — touched down on Oʻahu, greeted by crews and a hula. The operational shift moves Hawaiian flights onto Alaska Air Group's AS/ALASKA radio identifier as the two airlines operate under a single regulatory structure. For many employees and island residents the change carried both practical consequences and a palpable sense of loss for a piece of local history, according to Aviation24.be.
Final radio sign‑off
As reported by Aviation24.be, HA866’s pilot told Honolulu approach, “This will be our final transmission under the HA callsign as we join Alaska’s family,” and closed with “a hui hou.” That account says the flight arrived from Pago Pago aboard an Airbus A330‑200 and that crews and passengers marked the arrival with traditional aloha ceremonies.
Regulatory switch behind the scenes
The Federal Aviation Administration moved to cancel Hawaiian’s callsign at the end of October, a step that AirlineGeeks reports took effect alongside operational changes so Hawaiian aircraft now use Alaska’s AS identifier for radio communications. AirlineGeeks notes the FAA placed a “Hawaiian livery” remark in flight plans for a transition period to help controllers and airports while the two operations are combined under a single operating certificate.
Workers and island reaction
Employees and airport staff gathered at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and other hubs to mark the milestone. Kela Chong, vice president of the airline’s flight attendants’ union, told Hawaii News Now that “it’s hitting hard for a lot of us right now,” reflecting how the callsign had become part of workers’ identity.
Deal that made the change possible
The behind‑the‑scenes reason for the callsign shift is the Alaska Air Group acquisition of Hawaiian — a transaction the carrier described in its release and that was valued at roughly $1.9 billion. Alaska Air Group's announcement says the two brands will continue to be visible to customers for now while back‑office systems are combined, and aviation coverage has noted the merger helped stabilize Hawaiian’s finances during a difficult stretch for the carrier.
What flyers should expect next
For passengers, most changes will be behind the scenes. Current tickets are still valid, and Hawaiian planes will keep flying to the islands. Some flight numbers and on-screen codes will change to prevent duplicates. The full system switch to a shared booking platform is set for April 22, 2026, and a combined loyalty program is now in place, according to Alaska Air Group. The radio identifier may be gone, but the Pualani livery and the island‑born crews who carry the aloha remain a visible part of service to Hawai‘i.
