Skift Take
Facing a constrained Seattle, a Hawaiian Airlines acquisition could represent Alaska’s next phase of growth.
In a surprising twist of events on a lazy Sunday afternoon, Alaska Airlines announced its plans to acquire the struggling Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 billion.
One possible reason: Alaska has exhausted its growth opportunities at its homebase in Seattle and is looking for a new boost.
Hawaiian would maintain its independent brand under the proposed merger, and it would give the expanded Alaska Air Group a total of 365 aircraft. It would also be part of the Oneworld alliance, and create the sixth-largest U.S. airline in the industry in the event the JetBlue-Spirit merger also goes through.
In 2020, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Alaska’s prim