Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants assigned to Alaska-branded longhaul routes from Seattle will no longer wear leis, flowers in their hair, or aloha shirts, but I see no need for outrage: flights to and from Hawaii will keep those cultural elements, and Alaska flight attendants can wear them too.
On first glance, I understand why this feels jarring.
The flower in the hair, the lei, the aloha shirt, and the Pualani brand identity are not “costume” elements, but part of what made Hawaiian Airlines feel like Hawaiian Airlines. For decades, Hawaiian has leaned into the beauty, warmth, and cultural identity of the islands, and that has been part of its charm.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
