Alaska Airlines Adds Hawaii Routes, Exits New Zealand

Alaska Airlines announced network adjustments on December 18, 2024, including the addition of two new routes from its Honolulu hub (HNL) and the discontinuation of service to New Zealand. The Seattle-based carrier will introduce daily flights from Honolulu to Boise Airport (BOI) in Idaho, operating from December 17, 2024, through March 21, 2027. Additionally, Saturday-only flights will commence from Honolulu to Spokane International Airport (GEG) in Washington, running from December 19, 2024, to April 17, 2027. Both new routes will utilize Boeing 737 Max aircraft.

Concurrently, Alaska Airlines will cease its operations to Auckland Airport (AKL) in New Zealand. Flights from Honolulu to Auckland, previously operated on Airbus A330 aircraft, will not resume as planned in November. Hawaiian Airlines originally launched the Honolulu-Auckland route in 2013, according to schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. Alaska stated these changes are intended to "align capacity with evolving travel demand." The airline plans to reallocate the freed-up A330 aircraft to increase flights during peak periods from Honolulu to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.

These route modifications follow Alaska Airlines' merger with Hawaiian Airlines in 2024, which has accelerated network changes. In June, Alaska Airlines discontinued five routes to Mexico to bolster capacity between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii. In 2025, the airline also ended Hawaiian's previous flights from Honolulu to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Fukuoka Airport (FUK) in Japan, and Incheon Airport (ICN) near Seoul.

In parallel with these adjustments, Alaska Airlines is expanding its intercontinental network from its Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) base. Nonstop services to Tokyo's Narita Airport (NRT) and Incheon Airport (ICN) commenced in 2025. This summer, the airline is scheduled to add new services to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), Keflavik International Airport (KEF) in Iceland, and Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Rome. Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci has articulated a strategy to establish the airline as a "fourth global airline in our country to compete against the Big 3" – referring to American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.