Alaska Airlines Launches New Flights from Burbank and Orange County to Honolulu

Alaska Airlines is poised to expand its service by introducing flights from both Burbank and Orange County to Honolulu. This information comes from Ishrion Aviation, a recognized source for details on upcoming airline routes. Although specifics such as the start date, flight schedule, and ticket prices remain unconfirmed, the new service will utilize the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and is part of a broader announcement expected from the airline.

Details on New Routes

The anticipated flights from Burbank to Honolulu will cover a distance of 2,225 nautical miles (approximately 4,121 kilometers) each way, establishing Burbank’s longest scheduled service to date. This route will surpass the current longest flight operated by JetBlue to New York JFK by 4%. It marks a significant return for Burbank, which last had direct flights to Honolulu in 2005 when Aloha Airlines provided service using the Boeing 737-700.

The US Department of Transportation indicated that Aloha Airlines carried around 177,400 round-trip passengers annually during its operation, achieving an impressive seat occupancy rate of 75%. However, in the year leading up to June 2025, only about 4,800 round-trip passengers were recorded traveling between Burbank and Honolulu, suggesting many travelers opted for non-stop flights from Los Angeles.

For the Orange County route, the distance to Honolulu is slightly longer at 2,245 nautical miles (approximately 4,158 kilometers). While this route will be the eighth-longest domestic flight operated by Alaska Airlines from California with narrowbody aircraft, it will represent Orange County’s longest passenger service since United Airlines ceased its Honolulu flights in February 2023.

Market Context and Future Prospects

If Alaska Airlines confirms these new routes, Honolulu will benefit from direct flights from ten Californian airports, including Burbank, Long Beach, and Los Angeles, among others. This expansion could lead to as many as 59 daily services to Honolulu, the highest number on record according to data from Cirium.

Historically, several Californian airports have offered non-stop flights to Honolulu, including Fresno, Stockton, and Santa Maria, though these services were short-lived. Alaska Airlines is set to return to the competitive market of Hawaiian travel in November, joining other airlines such as American, Delta, Hawaiian, Southwest, and United.

As Alaska Airlines prepares to announce these flights, the implications for travelers looking for convenient access to Hawaii are significant. The potential resurgence of these routes reflects a growing demand for travel options to popular destinations, particularly in the context of the ongoing recovery in the aviation sector.