Just over a year after closing their historic $1.9 billion merger, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have obtained a single operating certificate from the FAA, officially bringing the two entities together under Alaska’s operating authority.
Alaska and Hawaiian flights are now operating under a single callsign, “AS.” The FAA will cancel Hawaiian’s former callsign on Thursday.
Alaska has said it will maintain Hawaiian as a separate brand and reiterated that pledge on Wednesday. Several Honolulu-based leadership positions will take effect Wednesday in support of the Hawaiian brand, the carrier said.
Notably, Diana Birkett Rakow, executive vice president of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska, will become CEO of Hawaiian, succeeding Joe Sprague, who is retiring.
While its brand identity will remain, the single operating certificate effectively ends Hawaiian’s 96-year run as an independent air carrier.
“This was a year-long, multi-phase effort involving multiple departments and thousands of hours of work,” Alaska Air Group President and CEO Ben Minicucci said in a statement. “We also appreciate the FAA and the U.S. Department of Transportation for their guidance and support as we carefully reviewed and harmonized our processes with a shared focus on safety. This is an important step in our journey as a combined organization, and I’m excited about our future together.”
Alaska leaders said the single operating certificate clears the way for further integration efforts, including the launch of a single passenger service and booking system. As part of that transition, Alaska is standardizing cabin classes and offerings, though passengers will still be able to choose an Alaska or Hawaiian flight for their journey. The new system is expected to launch in April 2026.
Alaska and Hawaiian have already combined their rewards programs as Atmos Rewards. Alaska’s Mileage Plus members were automatically enrolled in Atmos in August, and Hawaiian’s HawaiianMiles customers joined earlier this month.
