What the Alaska Air-Hawaiian Airlines Deal Means for Travel to Hawaii

You could end up spending more for a trip to Hawaii as a result of the proposed agreement between Alaska Air and Hawaiian Airlines.

The owner of Alaska Airlines said this week that it plans to purchase Hawaiian, in a deal that would pair Pacific-region carriers. The airlines said in an investor presentation that they expect to have greater than 50% market share in Hawaii should the deal receive regulatory approval. The companies estimate that the deal will close within 12 to 18 months.