If you’re flying Hawaiian Airlines on or after April 22, be prepared—things at the airport are going to look very different.
Hawaiian Airlines just rolled out a major operational shift as part of its integration with Alaska Airlines, and these aren’t small tweaks. From how you check in to how you board, the entire airport experience has changed almost overnight.
I walked through the new process to see what’s actually different from a passenger perspective—focusing only on the changes you’ll notice, not the behind-the-scenes updates.
Below, I break down the 10 biggest Hawaiian Airlines check in changes and airport updates you should know before you go. I also put together a quick video so you can see exactly what to expect.
Kiosks No Longer Handle Full Check-In
One of the first Hawaiian Airlines check in changes you’ll notice is that kiosks have been simplified.
You can no longer fully check in at a kiosk. Instead, they’re now used just for printing bag tags. That means no boarding passes and no full check-in process like before.
To get checked in, you’ll either need to:
- Check in online ahead of time, or
- See an agent in the lobby with an iPad
Agents with iPads Are Now Your First Point of Contact
This is probably the biggest visual change in the lobby.
Instead of traditional counters being your only option, you’ll now see agents walking around with iPads. These agents can:
- Check you in
- Print boarding passes
- Print bag tags
- Help with general questions
The idea is to make the process more flexible and reduce long lines at fixed counters.
You Can Get Your Boarding Pass Texted to Your Phone
If you don’t have the app—or just don’t want to use it—this is a really helpful upgrade.
Agents can now text your boarding pass directly to your phone. It takes just a few seconds, and you’re ready to head to TSA without needing anything printed.
It also helps avoid issues with paper boarding passes not updating if there’s a gate change or delay.
Bag Drop No Longer Requires a Boarding Pass
This is one of the more underrated Hawaiian Airlines check in changes.
Previously, you had to show both your ID and boarding pass at bag drop. Now, the process is simpler:
- Show your ID
- The agent scans your bag tag
That’s it. No more digging through your phone or paper documents while holding up the line.
Boarding Zones Have Changed (A, B, C Instead of 1, 2, 3)
The old boarding zone system is gone.
Instead of Zones 1, 2, and 3, Hawaiian Airlines is moving to a letter-based system:
- Group A
- Group B
- Group C
So make sure you double-check your boarding group before heading to the gate—especially if you’re used to the old system.
Families and Active Duty Military Now Board Much Earlier
This is a nice improvement.
Families and active duty military now board right after first class. Previously, they boarded after several zones, but now they’re much closer to the front of the process.
You’ll Need the New Hawaiian Airlines App
Another important update: the old app is no longer supported.
You’ll need to download and use the new Hawaiian Airlines (Alaska-integrated) app moving forward. If you haven’t updated yet, it’s worth doing before you get to the airport.
Flight Numbers Are Switching from HA to AS
One of the more subtle Hawaiian Airlines check in changes is the shift in flight numbers.
Flights that used to start with “HA” will now use “AS” (Alaska Airlines). So for example:
- Honolulu to Hilo flights will now show as AS instead of HA
This is part of the broader integration with Alaska Airlines.
Customer Support Is Now Through Alaska
Customer service is also transitioning.
You’ll now be directed to Alaska Airlines customer care channels for support, feedback, and inquiries.
Oneworld Benefits and Branding Are Now Visible
If you have Oneworld status (like Emerald or Sapphire), you’ll start to notice new benefits and branding.
This includes:
- Priority boarding
- Free checked bags (depending on status)
- Oneworld branding appearing on aircraft
It’s a noticeable shift as Hawaiian continues aligning with Alaska and the Oneworld alliance.
Wrap-Up
Overall, these Hawaiian Airlines check in changes are all about making the airport experience faster and more flexible.
The biggest adjustment will be getting used to fewer traditional kiosks and more mobile, agent-based service—but once you know what to expect, the process is actually pretty smooth.
If you’re flying on or after April 22, it’s definitely worth arriving a little earlier just to get familiar with the new flow.
