Hawaiian Airlines has reached out to Japan Airlines to combat the new massive competition from mutual rival ANA. The two airlines are seeking approval from the US to form a much deeper partnership in the form of a joint venture, rather than just code sharing.

JAL
JAL and Hawaiian might form a partnership. Photo: Simple Flying

What are the details?

A few months ago we reported on the brand new ANA A380 aircraft that opened up many new seats on the Japan - Hawaii route. Whilst they bring joy to aviation lovers around the world with their colorful livery, rival airlines Japan Airlines and Hawaiian are not smiling.

By adding the three new ANA Airbus A380s to the Japan to Hawaii route, ANA has seen a noticeable passenger capacity increase. While the airline has only received two A380s so far this year, there is a third expected to come online within the next 12 months. Once this new A380 is delivered, ANA had estimated they would provide 25% of all of the seats on the route.

ANAs second A380 looks very happy indeed. Photo: Airbus via ANA

In order to combat this new increase in seats, Hawaiian has reached out to JAL and asked for a joint venture on all routes between the island state and the country of Japan.

What are the specific details?

Outlined by The Points Guy, the two airlines want to operate as a single carrier in the marketplace. This would allow them to offer better scheduling and better passenger experience for those traveling onwards. But needless to say, the biggest advantage would be far more seats than ANA could possibly hope to muster.

So what would each airline actually get from the partnership?

Hawaiian

Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines has much to gain. Photo Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian would stand to gain better access to the Japanese market, with new routes opening up to smaller Hawaiian cities (and gaining access to coveted Japan slots in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympics). So far the airline already serves Osaka, both Haneda, and Narita in Tokyo and Sapporo to the far north according to The Points Guy. Access to these smaller cities (using the JAL fleet and landing slots) would be a game-changer and would make them one of the only US fleets to have access.

Japan Airlines (JAL)

JAL jet take-off
JAL would be able to access much of the Hawaiian route network. Photo: Airbus press release

JAL will be able to sell ongoing US tickets throughout their network via Hawaiian. Anywhere Hawaiian goes,JAL will be able to follow, with many of their passengers booking tickets onwards to mainland USA, JAL will be able to profit from all that through traffic.

And both airlines have already started planning for this partnership, with the new Hawaiian Haneda service (due to start later this year) timed to meet domestic Japanese Airlines flights.

What is stopping them?

This new plan first needs approval from the US Department of Transport and will need to be passed to ensure it doesn't create a monopoly. It is likely to be approved, as this pact is being formed to protect a US airline from outside competition.

There is still a 30 day comment period and it's likely that ANA will object (although whether anyone will listen to them remains to be seen).

What do you think about this joint venture? Let us know in the comments.