Alaska Airlines has secured a single operating certificate (SOC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), allowing it to operate alongside Hawaiian Airlines while keeping both brands separate.
The milestone comes just over a year after the two carriers merged and represents a major regulatory hurdle clearance. The certificate confirms that Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines have successfully integrated their training programs, operational policies, procedures, and manuals across both brands
Changes behind the scenes
Passengers will continue to see distinct Alaska and Hawaiian brand experiences when they travel.
Technical changes will take place behind the scenes. Pilots and dispatchers will now use a unified call sign (AS) when communicating with air traffic control, regardless of which airline they’re flying for.
The most noticeable change for travelers involves flight numbers. Hawaiian Airlines flights will still display the HA designator, but, according to Alaska Airlines, many have been assigned new numbers to prevent duplication between the two carriers.
Alaska said that they tried to keep flight numbers similar where possible, but in many cases, completely new numbers were necessary.
Hawaiian Airlines has joined Alaska Airlines! A first for a U.S. airline, we will maintain both of these beloved brands, and we can’t wait to share the many exciting things that you can look forward to over the next 18 months. Learn more: https://t.co/4x8L7eZ6Fp pic.twitter.com/lTa39I1Uj8
— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) September 18, 2024
What will happen next?
The SOC opens the door for deeper integration efforts already underway. Alaska and Hawaiian are working to combine scheduling and passenger service systems to create a smoother experience for travelers flying on either brand.
Alaska Airlines said that they are also integrating flight crew, airport staff, and maintenance teams under joint labor agreements.
The next major change comes in spring 2026, when both airlines will transition to a single passenger service system, the main technology platform that powers booking, ticketing, and day-of-travel operations.