Hawaiian Airlines cuts Austin service, begins network integration with Alaska
Hawaiian Airlines is ending service on one of its newest routes.
The Honolulu-based airline will cease flying between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) on March 26, 2025, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
This 3,764-mile route from Austin to HNL was launched during the pandemic in April 2021 and came at a time when growth at AUS was quite hot.
Most major U.S. airlines boosted service to the Texas capital during and since the coronavirus pandemic, but now Hawaiian is the latest to retreat from the market.
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American Airlines also made a major change in Austin when it went from multiple blockbuster schedule expansions to sweeping cuts that pared back its Austin service to roughly pre-expansion levels.
In Hawaiian's case, the airline declined to share specifics about what was wrong with the Austin route. It instead touted the first tranche of network harmonization with Alaska Airlines as the reason for the cut.
The merger between Alaska and Hawaiian moved one step closer to completion earlier this year when the U.S. Department of Justice opted not to block the deal. The airlines were required to make some concessions to the Department of Transportation to close the deal, but at least those compromises are largely passenger-friendly.
While the legal proceedings are finalized, the two airlines have started integrating their networks.
"As we begin the exciting work to integrate our combined networks to offer our guests more flights and connections to more cities, we are making some initial adjustments to a few routes," a Hawaiian Airlines spokesperson explained in a statement to TPG.
Going forward, Hawaiian said it would continue to serve the Honolulu to Austin market via one-stop connections, primarily through San Diego and Seattle.
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These one-stop connections are powered by the legacy Alaska Airlines network, which offers service from Austin to both San Diego and Seattle. The two airlines seemingly believe that there isn't enough nonstop demand to make the Austin to Hawaii market work; or, at the very least, they believe that loyalists won't mind a connection.
Once Hawaiian pulls the plug on Austin service, it'll free up an Airbus A330 (the wide-body jet currently operating the route).
As part of the network integration between the merged carriers, Hawaiian will upgauge one of the five daily Alaska Airlines Boeing 737s flying between Seattle and Honolulu.
Hawaiian's Airbus A330 will accommodate more passengers and expand cargo capacity, and this change will become effective April 22, 2025.
On June 12, 2025, Hawaiian Airlines will also cease flying between San Diego and Kahului, and Alaska Airlines will add a second daily flight on the route.
The airlines have promised more changes to their network in the coming months. The airlines haven't teased much, but they did reiterate the changes in a statement: "We look forward to sharing more news soon about how we are optimizing our networks to offer our guests even more flights between Hawaii and North America, and across our combined global network."
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.