Hawaiian Airlines regulars are in for a big tech switch this week, as the carrier’s long‑time app goes dark and everything from booking to baggage gets rerouted through Alaska Airlines’ system.
Starting April 22, anyone booking a Hawaiian Airlines flight will be using a single reservation platform shared with Alaska Airlines, changing how tickets, check‑in and luggage are handled between the islands and the mainland. The legacy Hawaiian mobile app is scheduled to be taken offline at midnight on April 21, and a new combined Alaska–Hawaiian app will become the main tool for managing trips.
At airports from Honolulu to the neighbor islands, travelers will find updated self‑service bag‑tag kiosks and new flight numbers tied to Alaska’s system. Customer‑service desks and phone centers are expected to stay fully staffed for those who would rather talk to a human than wrestle with a new app.
According to a single reservation platform, the airlines will effectively operate as one under a shared passenger reservation system that powers bookings, the new apps, loyalty accounts and employee tools. The outlet reports that customers are being urged to check in early, use the refreshed bag‑tag stations to print and attach their own tags, and rely on in‑person call centers if they need extra help figuring out the transition.
What the New App Does
Alaska says its unified “Alaska Hawaiian” app, which began rolling out March 30, allows guests to pick either an Alaska or Hawaiian visual theme while still booking and managing all their trips in one place. The app introduces features Hawaiian customers have been asking for, including the ability to change or cancel flights directly in the app, share boarding passes with travel companions and use Apple Pay, according to Alaska Airlines. Travelers who still rely on the old Hawaiian app are being told to download the new one before April 22.
Per the company’s SEC filing, Alaska and Hawaiian completed key integration milestones in 2024–25, including securing a single operating certificate and shifting Hawaiian bookings for travel on April 22 and beyond onto Alaska’s reservation platform. The filing notes that selling cutovers and loyalty program consolidations were staged ahead of the final passenger service system migration to try to keep disruption in check. The broader deal traces back to Alaska’s $1.9 billion agreement to acquire Hawaiian, announced in December 2023, according to the Associated Press.
At the Airport: Faster Bag Drops, Different Codes
On the ground, Hawaiian has been rolling out self‑service bag‑tag software at airport kiosks. Travelers who check in online and prepay for luggage will be able to scan a mobile boarding pass at a station and print their bag tags in under a minute, according to Hawaiian Airlines. The lobby refresh is meant to cut down on lines, and staff will still be available to print boarding passes or help guests who do not use smartphones.
Once the cutover kicks in, travelers should expect Hawaiian flights to carry Alaska’s carrier code on tickets and screens, with an operating disclosure that reads “operated by Alaska as Hawaiian Airlines.” It is a subtle detail, but one that could confuse anyone scanning for the familiar Hawaiian designator.
How to Prepare and When to Call
Passengers are being advised to double‑check their reservations and download boarding passes at least 24 hours before travel, save their Atmos Rewards login information and, for the extra‑cautious, print a paper copy of their itineraries as a backup.
Hawaii News Now reported that Hawaiian’s Alisa Onishi has asked travelers for patience and a little grace as the airlines “fix what we can,” while acknowledging that the migration has already led to some confusion. If a booking looks off, or if an airline app suddenly cannot find a reservation, customers are urged to head straight to a customer‑service desk or call the airline, rather than trying to sort it out through third‑party booking sites.
Alaska Air Group says that, over time, the cutover should make booking and managing trips across the combined network simpler. In the short term, though, travelers should expect some bumps and plan for longer lines as airport teams work through the early days of the new setup. For late‑April departures in particular, it may be wise to keep an eye on airline messages and give yourself a little extra time to get through the airport.
