Alaska Air completes Hawaiian cargo integration and expands cargo reach to London and Rome

This piece reveals how Alaska Air’s cargo unit completed integration with Hawaiian Airlines and what that means for cargo growth and international logistics. It covers financial impacts, operational milestones, new routes and practical implications for shippers and freight forwarders.

What changed: a unified cargo business

Alaska Air Group finalized the merger of its cargo operations with Hawaiian Airlines’ cargo arm, creating a single booking platform and harmonized sales approach. The integration aimed to simplify booking for shippers, bring teams together across hubs, and create a platform for international expansion—marking the first time Alaska Air Cargo can sell broad global service beyond its historic domestic footprint.

Key operational milestones

• Single selling platform: Cargo bookings now flow through one system, reducing friction for customers and freight agents.
• Co-located teams: Cargo personnel consolidated in Seattle, New York (JFK), Hawaii and Portland to streamline drop-off and handling.
• Aircraft and capacity: Hawaiian A330-300 freighters joined revenue service, including flying for Amazon’s logistics network.
• Next-gen routes: Widebody passenger aircraft with belly capacity (Boeing 787-9, Airbus A330-200) will support cargo to London Heathrow and Rome.

Numbers that matter

Why this matters to shippers and freight forwarders

Consolidation of booking and sales functions reduces administrative overhead and improves predictability for freight customers. With a single platform, freight forwarders can route pallets and containers via more consistent itineraries and clearer interline options. The introduction of A330 freighters and increased belly space on international 787 flights expands available capacity for bulky and time-sensitive shipments, from medical supplies to replacement parts.

Practical benefits

• Improved booking speed: Fewer systems means faster quoting and reduced chance of double-booking.
• Expanded interline reach: London and Rome become gateways to a larger European carrier network, enabling more global forwarding options.
• Dedicated express options: GoldStreak next-available-flight service now in Hawaii, supporting urgent documents and critical goods.

New routes and capacity: what to expect

Alaska Air began long-haul passenger flights from Seattle to Tokyo and Seoul using Hawaiian’s A330-200s and has already deployed Boeing 787-9 aircraft on the Tokyo run to increase payload. Cargo is slated to ride in the belly holds on upcoming London and Rome passenger services, with full operational support—systems, staff and processes—nearly in place for spring launch.

Route rollout timeline (high level)

• Tokyo & Seoul: passenger + cargo capacity already in service, upgraded with 787-9s.
• London Heathrow & Rome: passenger service scheduled for spring with cargo belly capacity to follow.
• European connectivity: planned interline partnerships and feeder options to push freight into Alaska Air’s U.S. network.

Corporate context: earnings, challenges and outlook

The cargo gains came alongside a stronger-than-expected quarterly performance for Alaska Air Group, though full-year net income eased from the prior year. The quarter faced headwinds including IT outages and a government shutdown that clipped results. Management warned that near-term fuel cost volatility—especially on the U.S. West Coast—could pressure first-quarter margins, but they remain bullish on the year thanks to route expansion and merger synergies.

Integration beyond cargo

A single operating certificate for Alaska and its new subsidiary was secured, while Hawaiian continues as a distinct brand. Passenger booking system integration is expected to be completed soon, and aligning passenger and cargo platforms will unlock more coordinated transport solutions for international freight customers.

Implications for logistics providers and shippers

From a logistics perspective, the consolidation matters because it influences capacity planning, intermodal connections and rate management. Freight forwarders can leverage new gateways into Europe, while shippers of bulky or time-sensitive items might find improved routing and guaranteed uplift options. Imagine routing a pallet of medical supplies through Rome to meet a strict deadline—the single platform and expanded network reduce the guesswork.

Checklist for logistics teams

• Review routing agreements with Alaska Air Cargo for London and Rome lanes.
• Test booking flows on the unified platform to ensure system compatibility.
• Assess pallet and container capacity on 787 and A330 flights for seasonal planning.
• Consider GoldStreak or similar express offerings for urgent shipments in Hawaii and the U.S.

Platforms that simplify quote-to-book workflows, like GetTransport.com, can help smaller shippers and SMEs take advantage of the evolving capacity landscape by offering affordable, global cargo transportation solutions for office moves, home relocations, bulky items, vehicles and large pallets without complex contracting.

Forecast: This integration has modest but meaningful implications for global logistics—significant regionally as it improves U.S.-Europe and U.S.-Asia connectivity, though not disruptive to worldwide capacity balances on its own. Still, the move underscores how airline mergers can unlock new freight corridors. GetTransport.com aims to stay abreast of such developments and help customers plan accordingly. Start planning your next delivery and secure your cargo with GetTransport.com. Book your Ride GetTransport.com.com

Highlights: The integration brought a unified booking platform, co-located cargo teams, added freighter capacity (A330-300s) and expanded bellyroom on 787-9s—key moves that boosted Q4 cargo revenue and set the stage for international growth. But even the best reviews and most honest feedback can’t substitute for firsthand experience. On GetTransport.com, you can order your cargo transportation at the best prices globally at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make informed decisions without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. Benefit from the convenience, affordability and wide selection provided by the platform, backed by transparency and simple booking. Book your Ride GetTransport.com.com

In summary, Alaska Air’s cargo integration with Hawaiian Airlines tightens operational processes and expands international reach, resulting in higher cargo revenue, more capacity options and smoother bookings for shippers and freight forwarders. The move improves transport choices for palletized and bulky shipments, enhances forwarding and dispatch options into Europe and Asia, and supports express and regular delivery needs. For logistics teams, that means new routing opportunities, potential cost efficiencies and more reliable shipping options. When planning freight, shipment or relocation solutions—whether parcel, container or whole-housemove—consider platforms that simplify booking and offer competitive haulage and courier options to keep your cargo moving reliably and affordably.