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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Alaska Hawaiian vs American Airlines

Alaska Hawaiian 4.8★ · Free to download 45
Winner American Airlines
American Airlines 4.8★ · Free + IAP 70

American Airlines has a slight edge due to its more consistent app functionality, while Alaska Hawaiian struggles significantly with login issues and overall stability after a recent merger.

Full reviews: Alaska Hawaiian · American Airlines

American Airlines' app is generally well-regarded for its ease of use and comprehensive features, despite some issues for international users. Alaska Hawaiian's app, however, is currently plagued by critical login failures and performance problems following its merger with Hawaiian Airlines, making it frustrating for many users.

Head to head

Features edge: American AirlinesR11R12R23R42
Alaska Hawaiian Alaska Hawaiian users appreciate features like quick flight lookup, booking, check-in, and pre-ordering in-flight meals R11R23R42. Some also highlight the convenience of free WiFi R50. However, the app is criticized for being limited, not providing important flight information until check-in, and requiring users to go to external sites for documentation R12. The ability to review and change seats daily is a positive for some R23.
American Airlines American Airlines' app is praised for its comprehensive information, including flight status, gate changes, and baggage carousel location R106R110. Users find it easy to look up flights, book, check-in, and track bags R100R114. The app also offers a useful Apple Watch companion for boarding passes and flight reminders . However, some users report difficulty booking flights within the app, often resorting to the website , and a lack of terminal information .
Ease of Use edge: American AirlinesR11R13R15R17
Alaska Hawaiian Alaska Hawaiian's app is described as quick and easy to use for booking and check-in when it works R11R17R23R42. However, many users find it inconsistent, difficult to navigate, and slower after the merger R13R15. Specific issues include the Apple Wallet boarding pass not appearing reliably on the lock screen and the app forcing users to disable privacy settings .
American Airlines American Airlines' app is generally considered easy to use, simple, efficient, fast, and responsive . Users appreciate its intuitive design and clear information . However, some find it clunky, basic, and report error messages . There are also complaints about the app not being available on Apple Watch for some users and the inability to store reservations offline .
Reliability edge: American AirlinesR1R3R4R7
Alaska Hawaiian Alaska Hawaiian's app suffers from severe reliability issues, particularly with logging in. Users frequently report being unable to log in, the app freezing, showing blank screens, or requiring reinstallation R1R3R4R7. These problems are widely attributed to a recent update and the merger with Hawaiian Airlines R1R3. The app is also described as slow and buggy, with pages not loading properly and frequent crashes R15.
American Airlines American Airlines' app generally performs well, with users praising its stability and consistent updates R106R110. However, some users experience crashes , login difficulties , and error messages . There are also reports of the app not working for older iPhone models .
Price/Value edge: Alaska HawaiianR17R50R61R63
Alaska Hawaiian Alaska Hawaiian users appreciate not being pressured to buy extras during check-in R17. Some find the free WiFi a valuable addition R50. The app itself is free to download.
American Airlines American Airlines' app is free to download, but users, particularly international travelers, face significant issues with payments. The app often does not support non-US credit/debit cards or Apple Pay for upgrades, baggage, or seat selection, forcing them to pay higher fees at the airport R61R63R67R75. This creates a poor value perception for international customers.
Support edge: Alaska HawaiianR5R35R46R48
Alaska Hawaiian Alaska Hawaiian receives high praise for its customer service, with agents being helpful, kind, patient, and quick to respond to questions via text or phone R5R35R46R48.
American Airlines American Airlines' app users report mixed experiences with support. While some praise fast service , others find online customer service and chat functions useless . The only support contact for some issues is an 800 number in the U.S., which is inconvenient for international users .
Pick Alaska Hawaiian if

You prioritize excellent customer service and appreciate free in-flight WiFi, and are willing to contend with current app login and stability issues R5R35R46R50.

Pick American Airlines if

You are a domestic traveler who values a feature-rich, generally easy-to-use, and reliable app for managing flights, check-ins, and baggage tracking R100.

Evidence note: Recent reviews for Alaska Hawaiian are heavily skewed negative due to critical login and stability issues following a merger, which significantly impacts its perceived reliability despite a high lifetime rating. American Airlines also has some negative reviews, particularly from international users regarding payment issues, but its core functionality appears more stable.

Frequently asked

Why can't I log into the Alaska Hawaiian app?
Many users are reporting critical login failures, blank screens, freezing, and the inability to stay logged in, especially after a recent update and the merger with Hawaiian Airlines R1R3R4R7.
Does the American Airlines app work for international travelers?
The American Airlines app has significant limitations for non-US residents, often failing to accept international credit cards or Apple Pay for upgrades, baggage, or seat selection, which can lead to higher fees at the airport R61R63R67R75.
Which app is better for tracking baggage?
The American Airlines app is highly praised for its baggage tracking feature, providing updates on bag location and status R100R106R110R114.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R11] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Quick and Easy to use.: The app makes it quick and easy to look up flights, book, check-in, pre-order in flight meals all on the go. If you fly Alaska Air Group, highly recommend using the app.
  2. [R12] Alaska Hawaiian 3/5 · US Limited: The app will not give any important information about the flight until check-in time. Delta app is much more informative and you can fill in all the documentation on the thier app. Where as the Hawaiian app makes you go to a whole other site for your documentation submission.
  3. [R23] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US First time flyer: This app has been so easy and convenient. I loved being able to review and have the option to changes seats daily. I’m excited for my first flight with Alaskan and my first solo flight ever!
  4. [R42] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Trips: From booking to checking in this has been very easy and simple.
  5. [R13] Alaska Hawaiian 1/5 · US Needs a lot of help: This app is probably the worst airline app I have. It is so inconsistent and difficult to navigate . Please find a good app creator like the AA app. Thanks
  6. [R15] Alaska Hawaiian 3/5 · US Love Alaska Air BUT App Slow: I love flying Alaskan Air but the App is slow PLUS my husband’s TSA is showing up as inputted but not showing up on boarding pass.
  7. [R17] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Fly Alaskan: The check-in process was easy. They didn't try to sell me a bunch of extras. I appreciate that. I will fly this airline again just for this reason.
  8. [R1] Alaska Hawaiian 1/5 · US New Update: The new update makes the app completely unusable. I am unable to log into my account. There is a requirement to open a separate screen to log in that fails to load. There is no way to stay logged in on my device. I have restarted the app and my phone with no improvement.
  9. [R3] Alaska Hawaiian 3/5 · US Better Before: Before the combination with Hawaii, the app used to work better. I continuously get signed out and then the app just freezes. I have to uninstall and reinstall to get it to log back in… I am not sure what the connection is or if it’s just coincidental, but I did not have to do this before.
  10. [R4] Alaska Hawaiian 1/5 · US Fix the sign in: Signing in is impossible
  11. [R7] Alaska Hawaiian 1/5 · US Unable to Log in: Unable to log in and even use the app. A blank screen shows after signing in.
  12. [R50] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Free WiFi: Nice to be able to use your device with free WiFi! Thank you Starlink, T-Mobile and Alaska airlines
  13. [R61] American Airlines 1/5 · GB Cannot upgrade if you a non US resident: Like other reviews have highlighted. Checking in online I tried to upgrade my seat and pay via Apple Pay. It said that it did not support any of my debit cards (including a USD bank card account) that are already logged in my Apple Wallet because I am not a US resident. Pathetic in the 21st Century. No wonder Qatar, Emirates and Singapore Airlines are stree
  14. [R63] American Airlines 3/5 · GB Online payments: Not possible to pay with Apply pay if you have an international account.
  15. [R5] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Customer service: Customer service helped us a ton when we had some health issues, walked us through how to cancel, use the wallet, and rebook. Very grateful and thankful.
  16. [R35] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Excellent service: So far my experience with Alaska Airlines has been excellent. Anytime I need a question answered all I had to do with text them and it was answer in minutes.
  17. [R46] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Fantastic service!: Jennalynn from customer service thru the phone is a very kind, patient and helpful agent! I love Alaska Hawaiian Airlines! Will always be a loyal customer!
  18. [R48] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Love Alaska: Always taken care of. Love the text option
  19. [R67] American Airlines 1/5 · GB App does allow you to add credit cards from a dofferent country: trying to book baggage and pay for seats and the app doesnt allow you to add a card from a country outside the US. so now i have to pay higher fees when i get to the airport and end up in seats i dont want. Not good and not user friendly for international tourists/travellers
  20. [R75] American Airlines 3/5 · GB £/$ conversion: The only problem with this app is of your paying in the UK or anywhere else it’s set in dollars, you should be able to switch between currency of place of origin to book your flights, other than that it’s a good app.!
  21. [R100] American Airlines 5/5 · GB Great: Brilliant app. Tells you where your bag is and also great to have if there’s an issue with your flight, can get rebooked all by yourself instead of having to see a gate agent usually. Class.
  22. [R106] American Airlines 5/5 · GB AA584: The constant messaging of flight status, gate changes, baggage carousel location is excellent !
  23. [R110] American Airlines 5/5 · GB One of the best airline apps: Always keeps you up to date on gate and time changes and even tracks every step of your back. Feels like the best travel companion.
  24. [R114] American Airlines 4/5 · GB App works well: I have been travelling with American Airlines now for my last 2 trips to the USA and find everything I needed on the app, boarding passes, track my bags Some features are behind but overall a good experience using the app to check in and view or use boarding passes

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store