Hawaiian Airlines Reports Cybersecurity Event, Assures Flights Unaffected
Hawaiian Airlines confirmed on June 26, 2025, it is addressing a cybersecurity event impacting some of its information technology (IT) systems. While the specific nature of the disruption remains undisclosed, the airline has emphasized that its primary concern is the safety and security of both travelers and staff.
Crucially, despite the incident affecting certain IT systems, Hawaiian Airlines has reassured the public that its flights are operating safely and on schedule, with no reported disruptions to air travel. Booking functionality also reportedly appeared unaffected at the time the news broke.
Behind the Incident: What’s Known (and Unknown)
The cybersecurity event was initially signaled by an unexpected message appearing on the homepages of both Hawaiian Airlines and its future parent company, Alaska Airlines. Hawaiian Airlines issued a statement indicating they were “working towards an orderly restoration” of affected systems and had engaged “appropriate authorities and experts.”
The language used, particularly the mention of authorities and external experts, often suggests a significant event, potentially involving data compromise or issues like ransomware. However, Hawaiian Airlines has provided minimal specific details about which systems were hit or the duration of the issue.
This incident occurs at a sensitive time for Hawaiian Airlines, as it navigates its complex transition following the acquisition by Alaska Air Group, alongside significant changes to its fleet.
Potential Concerns for Travelers
While flight operations are confirmed as running smoothly, the lack of detailed information has raised questions among travelers. The broad term “IT systems” could encompass critical functions. Potential areas of concern, though not confirmed as impacted, include:
Reservations Systems: The ability to book, modify, or manage existing bookings.
Payment Processing: Potential issues with transactions or refunds.
Passenger Check-In Systems: Possible delays at airports, though none have been reported, suggesting disruptions might be backend-focused.
Data Breach: The potential exposure of sensitive passenger information like passport details, credit card information, or travel plans. As of reports, a passenger data breach has not been confirmed by the airline, but the uncertainty fuels concerns.
Airlines are frequent targets for cybercriminals due to the vast amount of sensitive personal data they handle and their reliance on complex, sometimes legacy, IT infrastructure.
Airline and Authority Response
Upon discovering the event, Hawaiian Airlines took immediate action, implementing measures to safeguard operations and protect data. They have engaged cybersecurity experts and relevant authorities to investigate the cause and scope of the incident and are working to restore full functionality.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is closely monitoring the situation. The FAA confirmed in a statement that Hawaiian Airlines implemented necessary measures to ensure flight safety was not compromised. The agency is in communication with the airline to oversee safety and has stated the incident has not affected the integrity of air operations or passenger well-being. The FAA’s role is critical in ensuring such events do not impact flight safety or the National Airspace System.
Alaska Air Group is aware of the incident affecting Hawaiian Airlines systems, but there is no indication that Alaska Airlines’ own systems have been impacted. Both airlines are collaborating on addressing the situation.
Advice for Passengers
Given the limited public details, travelers with upcoming Hawaiian Airlines flights are advised to remain vigilant:
Verify Your Reservation: Check your booking status on the Hawaiian Airlines website or app and consider saving screenshots of your itinerary.
Monitor Communications: Watch for direct emails or notifications from the airline and check their official website for general updates.
Contact Customer Service: Be prepared for potentially longer wait times if you need to reach out to Hawaiian Airlines support.
Review Financial Statements: Keep an eye on credit card and bank statements for any unusual activity, especially if you’ve made recent bookings. Contact your financial institutions immediately about any suspicious charges.
Moving Forward
While Hawaiian Airlines is actively addressing the cybersecurity event and flight operations continue undisrupted, the incident highlights the ongoing cyber threats facing the aviation industry. Both the airline and the FAA are working to ensure the situation is resolved safely and systems are fully restored. Travelers should stay informed through official channels for the latest updates.
