Will Hawaiian Airlines join Oneworld next year?

Alaska Airlines’ unexpected move to buy out Hawaiian Airlines in a US$1.9b deal could potentially also bring Hawaiian into the Oneworld fold. Pending approval by the US government, the merger of the Seattle- and Honolulu-based carriers would likely be in place by mid-2025. The airlines would retain their individual brands and hubs, although“supported by a single, compelling loyalty offering” – in other words, Alaska’s own Mileage Plan frequent flyer scheme will likely replace the HawaiianMiles platform (unless an all-new program is on the cards). Hawaiian Airlines says the status and miles held by HawaiianMiles members will be transferred to Mileage Plan, including matching its Pualani Elite Gold and Platinum members to Alaska’s equivalent MVP Gold tiers. This alone would provide Hawaiian Airlines’ frequent flyers “the ability to earn and redeem miles on 29 global partners and receive elite benefits on the full complement of Oneworld alliance airlines (and) expanded global lounge access,” the airlines said in a joint statement when the merger was announced in December 2023. But Alaska Airlines could well take the next logical step and make Hawaiian Airlines a member of the Oneworld alliance. Ironically, Alaska is the newest Oneworld member, having joined in March 2021. Oman Air is due to join Oneworld in the second half of this year, swelling the ranks to 14 airlines; could 15 become Oneworld’s lucky number in 2025?<br/>