Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines move to a shared passenger service system | News
Hawaiian Airlines yesterday transitioned to the same Saber Passenger Service System (PSS) used by Alaska Airlines, a major integration milestone that provides guests flying on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines with a more seamless and consistent travel experience, from booking to boarding, across a growing global network.
The combined company’s shared PSS serves as the central reservation technology that connects the digital tools and programs used by guests and employees; from websites, mobile app, Atmos™ Rewards and Huaka’i through Hawaiian loyalty programs to airport kiosks and reservation data.
“We are doing something that no other U.S. airline has done before: operate multiple brands on one platform and provide guests with a smoother experience when they fly Alaska and Hawaiian around the world,” said Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Air Group. “Thank you to our teams who have worked for more than a year on this milestone, which removes friction and unlocks the full power of our future combination.”
One app for all your travels
Starting today, guests can manage their entire trip through a single Alaska Hawaiian mobile app, with the option to select an Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines theme for the app’s appearance. The combined app offers improved performance and simplified trip management, a single record finder for trips from both brands, as well as convenient self-service features including:
Canceling or changing a flight, including transferring to an earlier or later flight on the same day.
Use Apple Pay.
Adding a lap child on domestic flights.
Share a boarding pass.
Use cash or points to book flights with more than 30 airline partners, including members of the oneworld alliance, through the combined app, at alaskaair.com or hawaiianairlines.com.
Pre-order First Class meals on Hawaiian Airlines, starting in May.
Enroll in TSA Touchless ID with Atmos Rewards membership and a Known Traveler Number (KTN) and valid passport to access expedited security lines at select airports.
One flight code, two different brands
While Alaska and Hawaiian retain their unique brand experience, all flights now carry the ‘AS’ code assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Travelers can still select and book distinct flights on Hawaiian Airlines – now referred to as Operated by Alaska as Hawaiian Airlines – and enjoy the authentic ho’okipa (hospitality) of Hawaii. Hawaii’s iconic Pualani will continue to feature prominently across digital channels and on airport signage, lobbies, gates and most information displays. Announcements at the gate and on board will continue to welcome guests to their Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines flight, depending on the brand and experience they are flying. The company works closely with travel agencies to ensure accurate branding on their platforms.
Enhanced airport experience
Bringing their operations together, Hawaiian and Alaska will now welcome guests into shared airport lobbies to simplify the check-in process in major cities including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York-JFK, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose and, starting tomorrow, Seattle.
Airport signage will be updated to reflect combined operations, with either Hawaii or Alaska branding prominently featured depending on location.
Hawaiian has also joined Alaska in moving to mobile and web-only check-in, while lobbies are equipped with modern self-service bag tag kiosks to simplify the airport experience and eliminate waste from printed boarding passes.
Onboarding process and onboard improvements
Hawaiian Airlines today introduced Alaska’s AF alphabetical boarding group system for a more consistent experience across both airlines, giving priority boarding to elite guests, as well as those needing extra assistance, families with children and active military personnel. Through the combined mobile app, guests can track boarding and flight times and update terminal and gate information.
Once on board, guests flying with Hawaiian Airlines will continue to experience the sights, sounds and flavors of Hawaii, reflected in the true ho’okipa, or hospitality of the onboard team members, island-inspired meals by Hawaiian chefs, local produce and music. In a new benefit, guests flying Premium Class (formerly Extra Comfort), along with Atmos Gold, Platinum and Titanium members, can all enjoy free alcohol on Hawaiian Airlines transpacific flights starting today.
The transition to a unified PSS marks a key milestone in Alaska Air Group’s Alaska Accelerate strategic plan to deliver on the combined airline’s vision of connecting guests to the world with a remarkable travel experience rooted in safety, care and performance.
Today, guests have access to a growing network of destinations in the Asia Pacific region, the Hawaiian Islands, throughout North America, Europe and worldwide through the oneworld alliance. The combined company’s Atmos Rewards loyalty program – recently named No. 1 in the U.S. airline industry by WalletHub – offers members unparalleled flexibility to earn and redeem points, achieve status faster and enjoy generous rewards and benefits.
For more information about investing in the Hawaiian Airlines experience and the continued combination with Alaska Airlines, please visit https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/content/hawaiian-is-here-to-stay.
