Passengers face steep penalties as Hawaiian Airlines tightens “no-show policy”

Hawaiian Airlines has introduced a stricter approach for passengers who fail to show up for flights booked with non-refundable tickets. Starting May 15, 2025, passengers who miss their outbound flight without notifying the airline will forfeit not only the value of the missed leg but also any remaining segments, including return or connecting flights.

This policy is expected to impact thousands of summer travellers and frequent flyers. Even members of Hawaiian Miles and Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan Elite will not be exempt. The aim? To reduce the number of empty seats on flights and improve travel efficiency across the airline’s routes.

Previously, many airlines allowed unused segments of a reservation to remain active even if the outbound leg was missed. Now, Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines are adopting a unified stance to discourage this costly trend. Customers who anticipate a delay or cancellation are strongly advised to notify the airline’s Reservations Department ahead of time.

The policy aligns with what both carriers describe as “industry-standard” practice. Passengers can still modify non-refundable tickets without paying a change fee, but they must act in advance. Once a traveller is labelled a “no-show,” all remaining segments of the journey are voided, regardless of loyalty status or miles spent.

This move comes as part of a broader effort to optimize capacity during the busy summer season. Hawaiian Airlines stated that the change will help offer a more “consistent travel experience” across its network, especially as its integration with Alaska Airlines deepens.

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