Aloha Airlines/Aloha is Toast [Merged]

[rickandcindy23]

We are flying Aloha April 4th from Kauai to Maui and hope they don't go under. Aloha lives up to their name! We have had excellent service from Aloha in the past. Plus, I would rather never go on a small plane again, if I can help it. We need Aloha to stay.

Island Air doesn't allow us more than 50 pounds per person in luggage, which is very difficult to accomplish. They won't even let you roll your carryon aboard, as there is no room in the overheads, they force you to check it. With the electronics and snorkel gear, we cannot meet their guidelines for checking our luggage, so I won't fly Island Air ever again.

Go was better about luggage, but why choose Go when Hawaiian and Aloha have bigger planes, less restrictions and cheerful service?

 

[nygiants11991]

We are going to Hawaii in Jan 09. I have been researching flights and found Aloha is the only airline that flies direct from Sacramento to Maui. If we fly on Hawaiian we would have a layover. We don't like layovers.....

So now I am wondering if I should hold off on making my reservations, hmmm...

 

[Phill12]

We are going to Hawaii in Jan 09. I have been researching flights and found Aloha is the only airline that flies direct from Sacramento to Maui. If we fly on Hawaiian we would have a layover. We don't like layovers.....

So now I am wondering if I should hold off on making my reservations, hmmm...

We also fly out of Sacramento to Maui non-stop May 23,2008 on Aloha Air hopefully!

After years of SFO and Oakland we tried Sac to Colorado Springs and have never gone back to SFO or Oakland Ca.

Everything at Sacramento is so much easier and faster from parking to security!

 

[nygiants11991]

I hate to sound dumb, but after reading the thread again, I have a question. Are we talking about inter island only or mainland to hawaii flights possibly being shut down on Aloha?

 

[DeniseM]

Aloha is in Chapter 11, which is reorganization - they aren't going out of business.

 

[Jim Bryan]

After one night in Maui we are flying on Pacific Wings to B.I. this Thurs. Never flown Pacific Wings before. Our Travel Agent booked it.

 

[tompalm]

Things are looking up at Aloha and it is business as usual. We got an email today saying:

We would like to clear up a few misunderstandings concerning the bankruptcy process. One of the most important motions was for the continued use of our cash collateral. This motion was budgeted and approved for 10 days. This does not mean that we have to have a new investor within 10 days, it means we can continue to operate status quo without court approval for those 10 days. The next court date is set for March 31st at 2:00 PM and at that hearing another motion will be placed to continue using cash for an additional period as part of the plan of reorganization.

Also, it was reported that four investors are looking at Aloha.

 

[daventrina]

Hi David - who do you prefer between Aloha and Hawaiian? Thanks!

Aloha used to be, well, Alohaish and then seemed to loose the feeling the last time they went bankrupt . We flew HA the last two trips out of SMF and were very happy. Really like the 767 2x4x2 seating (as long as we manage to get the 2).
Went to look at tickets for July and they were $2700 for 2 RT
So, were using our SW credits on ATA for $10 for 2 RT + interisland Hilo to Maui.

 

[reddiablosv]

3/22 return flight home.

I just wanted to relay a story that happened to me. And, to all the women reading these posts. Please do not take offense! This is for your information and education only! My wife, daughter and I were scheduled to fly from Kona to Orange Co. CA via Lihue on Aloha Airlines. Amazingly we arrived early for checkin. But, alas, we were told that the flight was overbooked and that no seat could be assigned to my 17 yearold daughter..... But not to worry because we had checked in on time and the airline would arrange that my daughter could fly home with us..... Well, the airline offered free tickets on a future flight if someone would give up their seat!.... No takers!.. They then upped the ante! First class! A free flight and the same departure time. Just a layover in Honolulul. NO TAKERS! They then allowed all of us to board. My daughter stood in the isle without a seat. Suddenly they called the name of a passenger. A female name. They told her to get off the plane,... she had checked in late... even though she had made the plane in plenty of time. My daughter was given her seat...... The passenger's husband deboarded the plane, following his wife. He looked very upset.... I wonder about their conversation. Ben

 

[eekrat]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080330/ap_on_bi_ge/aloha_bankruptcy

http://www.alohaairlines.com/landing_pages/aloha_oe_news_release.php

Bad news for Hawaii travelers!

 

[Ben100014]

Farewell and Mahalo, Aloha Airlines

As it said in the last post, Aloha is officially bankrupt and out of business. I am sorry for all of the passangers who reserved flights after tomorrow. You can still fly these flights through United Airlines though. My opinion is that Aloha was bound to have done this sometime. I flew on it in 2004 and on Hawaiian just last December, Hawaiian was by far better at customer service.

 

[Icarus]

In case it isn't obvious from eekrat's post, Aloha is ending passenger service on Monday March 31.

They are hoping to re-accomodate people with mainland tickets on United and those with interisland tickets on Hawaiian Airlines.

-David

 

[Steamboat Bill]

Aloha Airlines halting passenger service

By AUDREY McAVOY, Associated Press Writer1 hour, 41 minutes ago

Aloha Airlines said Sunday it will halt all passenger service after Monday, signaling the end of an airline that has served Hawaii for more than 60 years.

Aloha, which filed for bankruptcy for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 21, was a casualty of fierce competition and rising fuel prices. The airline said it will stop taking reservations for flights after Monday.

"We simply ran out of time to find a qualified buyer or secure continued financing for our passenger business," said Aloha President David Banmiller in a statement. "We had no choice but to take this action."

Aloha has suffered since Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group Inc. launched a new interisland carrier called go! airlines in 2006, triggering a local airfare war.

Banmiller didn't mentioned go! by name in his statement, but did blame the company's demise on rival companies.

"Unfortunately, unfair competition has succeeded in driving us out of business," he said.

Rising fuel prices, which have forced other airlines to raise fares and look for ways to cut expenses, also made it difficult for Aloha to operate.

Aloha said tickets for flights after Monday will not be honored. It said it is working to have United Airlines accommodate passengers with tickets for Aloha's mainland to Hawaii flights. It hopes to seat those with interisland tickets on Hawaiian Airlines.

Aloha has canceled Monday flights from Hawaii to the West Coast and between several cities in California and Nevada. It's last day for interisland travel will be Monday.

Aloha advised passengers who don't want to fly another airline and who want a refund to contact their travel agents or credit card companies. Those who paid by cash or check may file a claim in bankruptcy court.

The shutdown will affect about 1,900 employees. The company said air cargo services are to continue.

A Seattle company on Thursday offered to buy Aloha's cargo operations for an undisclosed amount. But Saltchuk Resources Inc. said it wasn't interested in taking over Aloha's passenger business.

Aloha Airlines was founded in 1946.

 

[perktd]

Aloha is toast

Aloha Airlines announced today it will fly its last passenger flights to the mainland today and interisland tomorrow. Hawaiian has information on its website about allowing Aloha passengers to standby for free passage the next three or four days. If you have any tickets booked on Aloha or code shared on Aloha metal I would immediately move to make alternate arrangements. The herd will be joining the fray as they hear about this over the next few days. For a detailed thread discussing this I recommend checking on Flyertalk. Don

 

[Steamboat Bill]

This is very sad news as we are going to Hawaii in June (via AA...thankfully) but need a Hawaii to Mauio connection.

 

[Luanne]

This is very sad news as we are going to Hawaii in June (via AA...thankfully) but need a Hawaii to Mauio connection.

There are other airlines that fly inter-island. And, where is Mauio?????

 

[Courts]

There are other airlines that fly inter-island. And, where is Mauio?????

Is that the Italian Island??
.

 

[Denise L]

This is very sad, indeed . I feel for all the people who will have to rebook, get refunds, go on stand-by, etc. Plus it sounds as if cash/check folks will have to file in bankruptcy court for their money back?! Plus all of our flights to Maui will be even more packed and more expensive with one less airline flying there from the Bay Area.

 

[mepiccolo]

I have been on hold for United Airlines for over an hour...

We had Aloha flights in May (3 booked with Aloha miles and 1 purchased) from the mainland and also 4 interisland flights booked through Aloha.

From Aloha's web site it appears that since we have booked flights we can possibly fly United

BUT

I don't see anything on United Airlines saying they're going to do anything at all for Aloha passengers after April. Does anyone know? I'm prepared to book other flights but I don't want to do that if we are going to be helped out by United

 

[BevL]

A word of advice from someone who has gone through this when Canada 3000 folded overnight. Call your credit card company sooner rather than later. For us, it was still touch and go getting our money back, and friends of ours who assumed they would be "taken care of" with alternate arrangements never did get their money back.

Not to scare anyone, but just my personal experience.

 

[perktd]

Merged threads

Hi Bev I know the job of moderator is a thankless one, but I don't think these threads should be merged. None of us get very excited about an airline declaring bankruptcy these days because most of the airlines have been doing this for the last few years and kept flying as usual. However, Aloha just announced they will not be flying their mainland flights tomorrow and their inter-island flights will cease the next day. Many people will not even notice this announcment at the bottom of the bankruptcy thread and for those planning to travel Aloha in the next few days they need to know immediately. Please consider restoring the flight stoppage to its own thread. Don

 

[tompalm]

Q & A

For Aloha Passengers With Confirmed Reservations For Travel After March 31, 2008

If I have a confirmed reservation with Aloha for travel after March 31, what do I do?

Aloha is working with code-share partner United Airlines and other airlines who are prepared to assist you For more information about United’s accommodation options, contact United at 1-800-UNITED1 or go to their website at www.United.com.

Can I get a refund?

Contact your travel agent or credit card company to request a refund.

What if I paid by check or cash can I still get a refund?

You can file a claim with the Bankruptcy Court.

Can I continue to use my Aloha AirAwards credit card?

Yes. Your AirAwards card is still good for all purchases.

If I have already redeemed AlohaPass Miles for United Airlines travel and it has already been ticketed, is it valid?

Yes and we recommend you contact United Airlines at 1-800-UNITED1 to reconfirm your reservation.

Can I continue to redeem AlohaPass miles after March 31, 2008?

No, after March 31, 2008, the program will expire.

If I have already redeemed AlohaPass miles for a hotel stay or car rental, etc. is my travel award still valid?

If you received a confirmation it should be valid. We recommend you contact the hotel or car rental company to confirm your reservation.

If I booked travel on United Airlines through the Aloha Airlines Web site, will my travel still be honored by United?

Yes. If you have already been ticketed and we recommend you contact United Airlines at 1-800-UNITED1 to reconfirm your reservation.

If I booked a ticket on Aloha’s website for a flight operated by United is my ticket still valid?

Yes. If you have already been ticketed and we recommend you contact United Airlines at 1-800-UNITED1 to reconfirm your reservation.

Who do I contact if owed a refund or baggage claim settlement with Aloha Airlines?

You can file your claim with the Bankruptcy Court.

What happens if I booked future travel on United Airlines using my AlohaPass miles is my reservation still valid?

Yes. If you have already been ticketed and we recommend you contact United Airlines at 1-800-UNITED1 to reconfirm your reservation.

 

[myip]

I am so SAD. I just disputed on my credit card. I hope I get my money back.

 

[BevL]

Hi Bev I know the job of moderator is a thankless one, but I don't think these threads should be merged. None of us get very excited about an airline declaring bankruptcy these days because most of the airlines have been doing this for the last few years and kept flying as usual. However, Aloha just announced they will not be flying their mainland flights tomorrow and their inter-island flights will cease the next day. Many people will not even notice this announcment at the bottom of the bankruptcy thread and for those planning to travel Aloha in the next few days they need to know immediately. Please consider restoring the flight stoppage to its own thread. Don

Twasn't me who merged the threads, but there is a separate thread in the travel forum.

 

[Laurie]

Darn it, I'm sorry to hear this. We flew Aloha 6 months ago and had an excellent experience, and their stated customer service policies were much better than Hawaiian, if we were to miss our connections from our mainland flights which were on separate tickets. So I'd made a mental note to use them again, next trip - I appreciated their customer-friendly way of doing business, when dealing w/the above scenario.