The Hawaiian/Alaska deal hasn’t just drawn headlines—it’s drawn fire. While the combined airline touts a stronger, united front, more so every day, competitors are already pushing back. And fast.
Hawaiian/Alaska’s recent move to enter the Seattle–Seoul market with Hawaiian’s coveted flagship Dreamliner was a clear provocation. It’s a route that has been Delta’s exclusive U.S. airline domain. That’s in part where things started heating up. But they didn’t stop there.
With winter 2025–2026 schedules now firming up, Delta and American Airlines are responding with aggressive Hawaii expansions. From new routes and upgraded aircraft to strategic timing that hits just as the merger partners navigate regulatory and operational hurdles, the message is unmistakable: this isn’t business as usual. This is a direct response…