While some airlines are adding service to Austin, Hawaiian Airlines is pulling out. The carrier, which recently merged with Alaska Airlines is cutting its Honolulu to Austin route after four years of operation (the airline began serving Austin in 2021).
The carrier currently connects the two cities with 3x weekly service using Airbus A330-200 aircraft which began during the Covid-19 pandemic. Hawaiian was forced to suspend many of its international routes and deployed some of that capacity to the Texas capital. After its merger with Alaska, the combined airline is looking to redistribute that capacity elsewhere, likely to Alaska’s Seattle hub.
Beginning in January the route will be cut from 3x to 2x weekly before it is eliminated entirely on March 26th. Passengers will still have the option to fly from Austin to Honolulu on Alaska/Hawaiian via one stop itineraries via San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Austin Airport addressed Hawaiian’s exit from the market and indicated that the airline would be reaching out to affected passengers.
An AUS update regarding Hawaiian Airlines’ exit from the Austin market: Nonstop service to Honolulu will remain until March 2025.
— Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (@AUStinAirport) November 21, 2024
The airline will be in contact with affected customers scheduled to fly after these dates. pic.twitter.com/TtuHeCBfvV
While I’ve never flown on the route, and likely won’t before it is discontinued, I did appreciate having the direct connection to Hawaii. While it is always disappointing to lose nonstop flights, there are still plenty of easy, one-stop itineraries to get between Austin and the islands.
Summary
Hawaiian Airlines is eliminating its route between Austin and Honolulu. The cuts come as the airline, which recently merged with Alaska Airlines, looks to shift capacity to better support the combined network. The final flight from Austin will depart on March 26, 2025. Hawaiian Airlines will work to re-accommodate affected passengers on connecting itineraries after that date.
(Images courtesy Lorenz von Schimonsky, you can find more of his work on Instagram at @abia.spotter)
This is so sad. I just took this flight home to Hawaii it felt so good 😊 the flight attendant the polite and even the passenger felt so good that’s the Aloha Spirit. The staff so friendly take care of the passengers and the most amazing thing was it was just one flight ✈️ home next stop home Hawaii. Such a good feeling and now they stopping this great deal. It’s so sad. I know a lot of Pacific Islanders will be so sad like me and all my ohana and friends but I’m thankful I did get a chance to go home on this flight at least I had the opportunity to see how it feels. I wish they would’ve ask the people who are members of the Hawaiian airlines company. It’s just so sad. 😞 love Louise Capodicasa (aunty Toya)