Pratt Cautiously Optimistic On GTF MRO Outlook

Hawaiian Airlines will bring back seasonal service between Honolulu Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Auckland Airport (AKL) next month, even as the carrier’s transpacific network continues to be reevaluated in the aftermath of its 2024 merger with Alaska Airlines.

Flights between HNL and AUK will be operated 3X-weekly from Nov. 16 to April 20, 2026, reviving a route the carrier has flown during past northern hemisphere winter schedules. But the continuation of a given Hawaiian transpacific route—even those flown long-term—has been far from certain in recent months. The HNL-AKL route will be served with an Airbus A330-200 configured to carry 278 passengers, including 68 in premium economy and 18 in business class.

Hawaiian will compete with Air New Zealand on the HNL-AKL route. Air New Zealand, which operates the service year-round, will offer 1,746 two-way weekly seats when Hawaiian kicks off flights next month with an offer of 1,668 two-way weekly seats, according to OAG Schedules Analyzer data.

Hawaiian’s transpacific network has been reevaluated since the carrier’s acquisition by Alaska Air Group in September 2024. Hawaiian in November will drop service from HNL to Fukuoka, Japan, and Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN)—a market it has served for 14 years.

Alaska, which had no access to widebody aircraft prior to the merger, is utilizing Hawaiian’s A330s and Boeing 787s to develop its Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) base into a long-haul hub to be fed by its extensive U.S. domestic network.

Instead of continuing to fly the HNL-ICN route, Alaska shifted an A330 to Seattle and began SEA-ICN service in September. Similarly, Alaska started serving Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) from SEA in May, with Hawaiian dropping service to NRT. Hawaiian still operates to Tokyo Haneda Airport.

The November route cuts will see Hawaiian dropping 5X-weekly service to ICN and 3X-weekly service to Fukuoka. Both routes are operated with A330s. The airline in November is also dropping exclusive HNL-Boston A330 service.