Alaska Airlines is expanding its Hawaii network with two surprising new nonstop routes connecting the Western United States to Honolulu. The carrier will begin operating flights from Boise Airport (BOI) and Spokane International Airport (GEG) to Honolulu International Airport (HNL), introducing some of the longest Boeing 737 services in its network.
The new routes highlight Alaska Airlines’ confidence in growing leisure demand between smaller mainland markets and Hawaii. While both airport pairs previously had nonstop Hawaii service, the new operations represent a significant return because they will be operated by a major network airline rather than the previous ultra-low-cost carrier model. The Boise service will launch on December 17, while Spokane flights will begin on December 19.
Alaska Airlines Adds Seven-Hour Boise to Honolulu Boeing 737 Route
The Boise to Honolulu route will become one of Alaska Airlines’ most notable new long-distance services. The airline will operate the route daily using the Boeing 737 MAX 8, covering approximately 2,464 nautical miles (4,568 kilometers) in each direction.
The scheduled flight time makes this route especially impressive for a narrow-body aircraft. The westbound journey from Boise to Honolulu will have a maximum block time of around seven hours, placing it among the longest Boeing 737 routes operated by Alaska Airlines.
Flights will operate during daytime hours, providing convenient timing for travelers heading to Hawaii. The full schedule includes a morning departure from Boise and an afternoon return from Honolulu:
- BOI to HNL: 10:20 AM – 2:20 PM local time, approximately 7 hours
- HNL to BOI: 12:42 PM – 9:45 PM local time, approximately 6 hours and 3 minutes
The route is supported by strong underlying passenger demand. According to US Department of Transportation data, more than 41,000 round-trip passengers traveled between Boise and Honolulu during the measured period. Hawaii was already a major destination market from Boise, with many travelers connecting through Alaska Airlines’ hubs at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Portland International Airport.
However, Alaska Airlines is not relying only on existing travelers. New nonstop flights often create additional demand by making destinations easier and more attractive. The broader Boise-Hawaii market recorded nearly 120,000 passengers, including significant traffic to other Hawaiian destinations such as Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.
Spokane to Honolulu Expands Alaska Airlines’ Washington Hawaii Network
Alaska Airlines will also restore nonstop Hawaii access from Spokane, although the route will operate with a different strategy. The Spokane to Honolulu service will run once weekly, on Saturdays, beginning December 19.
Unlike the Boise route, Alaska plans to use the Boeing 737-900ER rather than the MAX 8. With a distance of approximately 2,503 nautical miles (4,637 kilometers), the route will become one of the longest nonstop flights ever operated by this aircraft variant.
The Spokane schedule is designed around weekend leisure travel:
- GEG to HNL: 9:00 AM – 2:03 PM local time, approximately 7 hours and 3 minutes
- HNL to GEG: 2:33 PM – 10:42 PM local time, approximately 6 hours and 9 minutes
The Spokane market also shows strong potential. DOT data recorded more than 41,000 round-trip passengers traveling between Spokane and Honolulu, with Hawaii representing one of the largest unserved markets from the airport. Across all Hawaiian destinations, the Spokane-Hawaii market reached more than 116,000 passengers.
For Alaska Airlines, the Spokane launch also strengthens its position in Washington State. The carrier will now serve Hawaii from three Washington airports: Seattle-Tacoma, Seattle Paine Field, and Spokane. This creates a broader regional network for travelers across eastern Washington and nearby communities.
Lessons From Allegiant’s Previous Hawaii Flights
The return of these routes is particularly interesting because both markets previously had nonstop Hawaii service from Allegiant Air. Between 2013 and 2014, Allegiant operated flights from Boise and Spokane to Honolulu using Boeing 757 aircraft.
Although Allegiant’s experiment was short-lived, the routes performed reasonably well. The airline carried more than 16,000 round-trip passengers on each route and achieved strong load factors, exceeding 80%.
Allegiant’s lower-cost business model produced very affordable fares, with average base fares of roughly $155 each way at the time. Adjusted for inflation, those fares would be significantly higher today, but passengers still paid considerably less than travelers using connecting itineraries.
The difference today is that Alaska Airlines brings a larger network, frequent flyer benefits, and stronger connectivity options. The carrier can combine local demand with connecting passengers throughout the Western United States.
Why These New Alaska Airlines Hawaii Routes Matter
The introduction of these two Boeing 737 Hawaii routes reflects a broader industry trend: airlines are increasingly using efficient narrow-body aircraft to operate flights that were once dominated by wide-body jets.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 737-900ER offer improved range and efficiency, allowing airlines like Alaska Airlines to explore markets that previously struggled to support larger aircraft. For passengers, this means more nonstop options from smaller cities and less reliance on major connecting airports.
By launching daily service from Boise and weekly service from Spokane, Alaska Airlines is testing the strength of regional Hawaii demand while expanding its presence across the Western United States. If these routes perform well, they could encourage further growth in long-distance narrow-body operations connecting smaller cities with popular vacation destinations.
