Hawaiian

Hawaiian Airlines MEC Prepares for Merger

This past year was a transitional one for Hawaiian Airlines pilots as they navigated the ongoing merger with Alaska Airlines while marking the bittersweet conclusion of Hawaiian's 95-year history as an independent carrier.

Since the Alaska-Hawaiian merger announcement in December 2023, both pilot groups' leadership teams have been coordinating their merger efforts and strategically planning for a future together. After a series of regulatory extensions and delays, the merger transaction was formally completed on Sept. 18, 2024.

Bringing Two Legacies Together

"With Hawaiian Airlines now officially part of the Alaska Air Group, our two pilot groups are set on a path toward unification," said Capt. Larry Payne, the Hawaiian pilots' Master Executive Council (MEC) chair. "While the merger closes a chapter of our history of independence as Hawaiian pilots, we also see a bright future together with our brothers and sisters at Alaska."

Last year also witnessed several new beginnings beyond the merger, with the delivery of Hawaiian's first B-787 in April, the creation of the new freight-specific Local Executive Council 060 that same month, and the implementation of new bidding and scheduling contract language in September.

Next up for Hawaiian's pilots will be negotiating a joint collective bargaining agreement, with bargaining beginning in 2025.

While the merger closes a chapter of our history of independence as Hawaiian pilots, we also see a bright future together with our brothers and sisters at Alaska.

Hawaiian Airlines MEC