A closer look at American Airlines routes to and from Hawaii

American Airlines has long been a dominant player in the US domestic market, with Hawaii representing an interesting part of its overall route network. The airline’s routes between the US mainland and the Hawaiian Islands are more than just long-haul flights; they are strategically important connections aimed primarily at leisure (and occasionally business) travelers.

With over 798 flights between these destinations in August 2024 alone, American Airlines’ commitment to this market is evident. We take a close look at these routes and examine key metrics such as available seat miles (ASMs), seat capacity and the competitive landscape, while also looking at the aircraft types used and the strategic importance of these routes.

Understanding market dynamics

Hawaii is a popular destination for U.S. travelers, known for its unique appeal as a tropical paradise within the United States – no passport required. Routes to Hawaii are highly competitive, with multiple airlines vying for market share with a wide range of services, from budget economy seats on Southwest Airlines to luxurious first class cabins on Hawaiian Airlines. Demand for these routes is largely driven by leisure travelers, although business travel makes up a small portion of the market, some of which is inter-island travel within Hawaii.

Photo: Bradley Caslin | Shutterstock

American Airlines continues to position itself as a major player in this market with its extensive route network. The airline offers multiple nonstop flights daily to several destinations in Hawaii from major U.S. hubs, connecting thousands of travelers. The importance of these routes is underscored by the significant number of ASMs generated – 493,426,552 in August 2024 alone. This figure speaks to the airline’s considerable capacity and reach in this market.

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Nineteen airlines flew to Hawaii, including carriers such as ANA and Qantas.

Route data overview

Source: Cirium, an aviation analytics company

Fleet and aircraft utilization

The data shows that American Airlines primarily uses wide-body aircraft on longer routes, such as from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Honolulu (HNL) and Kahului (OGG), with the Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliners being the most likely aircraft. These aircraft are well suited for long-haul flights due to their range, fuel burn and passenger capacity, which is consistent with the higher seat count we observed on these routes.

Photo: American Airlines

For shorter routes, particularly from Phoenix (PHX) and Los Angeles (LAX) to various destinations in Hawaii, American Airlines uses its Airbus A321neo fleet. These aircraft are optimized for medium-haul operations, offering a balance of range and efficiency while maintaining reasonable passenger capacity. The use of these aircraft types also reflects the lower average seat count on these routes, which is around 196 seats per departure.

Competitors on the market

American Airlines is not the only airline serving the Hawaiian market. The company faces strong competition from several airlines, each with its own strategy. We have chosen to focus on these four airlines:

1. Hawaiian Airlines: As Hawaii’s flagship airline, Hawaiian Airlines is a dominant player, particularly on inter-island routes and direct flights from the West Coast. The airline leverages its brand connection to Hawaii and focuses on providing an authentic Aloha experience that resonates with leisure travelers. Its fleet includes Airbus A321neo and A330 aircraft, which are well suited to the range of flights offered, from short-haul inter-island flights to long-haul flights to the U.S. mainland and beyond.
2. United Airlines: United offers extensive service to Hawaii, with West Coast hubs such as San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX). United’s strategy is to use a mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft depending on the route and demand, and to offer competitive fares to attract a wide range of travelers. United’s MileagePlus loyalty program also plays an important role in attracting frequent flyers on these routes.
3. Delta Air Lines: Delta’s Hawaii strategy focuses on its hubs in Los Angeles (LAX) and Seattle (SEA). Delta competes aggressively on customer experience, offering premium amenities and services in its Delta One cabin, which is especially popular on longer routes. Delta’s Hawaii fleet consists primarily of the Airbus A321neo.
4. Alaska Airlines: While Alaska Airlines may not have the global reach of the larger established carriers, it is a significant player in the Hawaiian market, particularly on routes from the Pacific Northwest. Alaska Airlines offers flights from cities such as Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), and Anchorage (ANC) to destinations in Hawaii. The airline is known for its strong customer loyalty, particularly through its Mileage Plan program, and it often competes on price and quality of service, focusing on the West Coast market.

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Seasonal demand

The Hawaii market is highly seasonal, with peak travel times occurring during the summer months and peak holiday periods. This seasonality is reflected in the schedule and capacity adjustments made by airlines, including American Airlines. During these peak periods, airlines often increase frequencies, deploy larger aircraft, or both to accommodate the surge in demand.

Photo: SvetlanaSF | Shutterstock

In contrast, the off-season sees a reduction in frequency and sometimes even the cancellation of certain routes. This dynamic requires airlines to be highly adaptable in planning and operations. For American Airlines, the August dates likely represent the end of the summer peak season, when maintaining high capacity is crucial for profitability.

Packing

The routes to and from Hawaii are a unique part of American Airlines’ overall network strategy. The airline’s significant capacity, as evidenced by the nearly half a billion ASMs in August 2024, underscores its commitment to serving this lucrative market. By deploying a mix of wide-body and narrow-body aircraft, American Airlines can effectively meet its passengers’ demand, from high-capacity routes to smaller, less frequent connections.

The competitive environment, characterized by the presence of strong rivals such as Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and (to a lesser extent) Alaska Airlines, ensures that American Airlines must constantly innovate and adapt to maintain its market share. American Airlines’ flights to Hawaii do not simply serve to connect the mainland with a popular tourist destination; they represent a strategic effort to capture a significant share of a highly competitive and dynamic market, making these routes critical to the airline’s overall success.