Alaska Airlines has announced seasonal nonstop service from Honolulu to two smaller mainland cities, giving travelers in Idaho and eastern Washington new options for reaching Hawaii without connections. The moves come as the carrier adjusts its network following its 2024 merger with Hawaiian Airlines. At the same time, the airline will not resume flights from Honolulu to Auckland, New Zealand, that had been planned for later this year.
Seasonal Nonstops From Boise and Spokane
Daily flights between Honolulu and Boise will operate from December 17 through March 21, 2027. Saturday-only service will link Honolulu with Spokane from December 19 through April 17, 2027. Both routes will use Boeing 737 Max aircraft.
These additions target peak winter travel periods when demand for Hawaii vacations typically rises. Residents of Boise and Spokane will gain convenient one-stop access to the islands during the coldest months, while the airline gains additional utilization of its narrowbody fleet on routes that align with current booking trends.
Exit From the New Zealand Market
Alaska will not restart Hawaiian Airlines’ former service between Honolulu and Auckland. The route, which had operated since 2013, was slated to resume in November but has now been canceled. Widebody Airbus A330 aircraft previously assigned to that flight will instead support increased seasonal capacity on the Honolulu-Las Vegas route.
The decision reflects a broader effort to match aircraft and schedules with shifting passenger demand. Loyalty members seeking New Zealand travel can still reach Auckland through partner airlines in the Oneworld alliance, including American Airlines from Los Angeles and Qantas from Sydney.
Post-Merger Network Adjustments
Since completing the Hawaiian merger, Alaska has accelerated changes across its combined system. Earlier this year the carrier ended five routes to Mexico and discontinued Hawaiian flights from Honolulu to Boston, Fukuoka, and Incheon. Capacity between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii has increased in their place.
From its Seattle hub the airline has introduced new long-haul routes to Tokyo, Seoul, London, Iceland, and Rome. Chief Executive Ben Minicucci has described the strategy as building “the fourth global airline in our country to compete against the Big 3.”
Seat capacity data show modest shifts: total seats offered from Honolulu by the combined carriers are down nearly 1 percent this year compared with 2025, while seats from Seattle have risen nearly 2 percent.
Practical Impact for Travelers
The new Boise and Spokane routes reduce the need for connections through larger hubs during the winter season. Travelers from those cities can now reach Hawaii on a single flight operated by the same carrier group, potentially lowering total travel time and simplifying baggage handling.
Meanwhile, the removal of the Auckland service narrows direct options from Hawaii to New Zealand. Passengers planning trips to that destination will need to consider connecting itineraries or partner flights through other gateways.
These targeted adjustments illustrate how the merged airline is refining its schedule to balance leisure demand to Hawaii with longer-term ambitions for broader international reach.
