Alaska Air Group Inc has agreed to acquire Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 billion, which led to surprise and concern among social media contributors about the impact on customers and both companies in the long-term. In line with this, a dramatic spike in influencers conversations on “X” platform (formerly Twitter) for both airlines was recorded during the first week of December, reveals the Social Media Analytics Platform of GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Smitarani Tripathy, Social Media Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The Alaska Air acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines has elicited diverse responses from influencers on X. While some view it as a strategic move for international growth, utilizing Honolulu as a hub for Asia-West Coast US flights, others express concern about Alaska’s past acquisitions affecting Hawaiian Airlines’ identity. The unexpected nature of the deal raises skepticism, with influencers on X questioning its financial wisdom and potential negative impact on Alaska’s stock in the market.”

Below are a few popular influencer opinions captured by GlobalData’s Social Media Analytics Platform:

  1. Jeremy Raper, Founder, Head of Research at Raper Capital:

“Little about this deal makes sense to me. Two separate brands to keep operating? $ALK just got out of their airbus fleet too and are now going back to mixed fleet…and of course the price??Market should hate this deal (re $ALK stock)”

  1. Dominic Gates, Aerospace Reporter at Seattle Times:

“Alaska Air to acquire Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9B.The move would vault Alaska into international expansion. Hawaiian flies longhaul widebodies to Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand Minicucci: “That’s what you get when you make these big strategic moves”

  1. Will Horton, Aviation Analyst:

“Strategic Honolulu hub”Alaska and Hawaiian suggest making Honolulu a hub for Asia-West Coast US connections. There could indeed be a sprinkling of traffic. But anything larger indicates Hawaiian needs to restructure its Asian network and adapt to high USD environment.”

  1. Tim Jue, Content Producer & Commercial Drone Pilot:

“Great analysis here from The Airline Observer on the Alaska-Hawaiian deal. Bottom line: HA’s future was murky. The last earnings reports said as much. And Alaska is seeking additional growth. I suspect it has international ambitions, but I worry about precedent re: VX acquisition”

  1. Paul R. La Monica, Former Digital Correspondent at CNN Business:
    “The airlines named for noncontiguous states are merging. Alaska Air buying Hawaiian Holdings for $1.9 billion. Gigantic premium. $HA shareholders laughing all the way to the bank. Stock up more than 175% #premarket. But $ALK down nearly 15%.”