Mokulele Airlines and Japan Airlines Forge New Interline Partnership
Surf Air Mobility Inc. (“Surf Air Mobility” or “the Company”), a leading regional air mobility platform reinventing short-haul aviation, today announced a significant step forward in its international connectivity strategy. Mokulele Airlines, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary and the largest commuter airline in Hawaii by scheduled departures, has entered into a new interline agreement with Japan Airlines (JAL), a top-tier international carrier and one of Japan’s most recognized and trusted airline brands.
The newly signed interline agreement is set to enhance the travel experience for passengers journeying between Japan and the Hawaiian Islands by offering seamless, one-ticket flight options connecting Japan Airlines’ international routes with Mokulele Airlines’ extensive intra-island network across Hawaii. The agreement enables travelers arriving at Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on JAL-operated flights to book connecting itineraries to a broad range of Hawaiian destinations serviced by Mokulele Airlines. These include Molokai (MKK), Kapalua (JHM), Lana’i City (LNY), Hana (HNM), Waimea-Kohala (MUE), and Kailua-Kona (KOA), among others.
Under this interline partnership, passengers can enjoy the convenience of single-ticket bookings that cover the entire journey—from departure cities in Japan to final destinations on the Hawaiian Islands. Additionally, travelers will benefit from simplified baggage handling, unified itinerary management, and coordinated customer service between both carriers. This arrangement ensures smoother transitions, reduces the burden of multiple check-ins, and offers enhanced support in the case of schedule changes or disruptions.
Strategic Benefits for Surf Air Mobility
This agreement marks an important milestone in Surf Air Mobility’s broader business transformation and growth strategy. As part of the Company’s ongoing Transformation Plan, Surf Air Mobility is currently in the Optimization phase, where it is actively streamlining operations and forging strategic alliances to scale its network, improve efficiency, and increase visibility in key international markets.
By aligning with Japan Airlines, which operates one of the most robust networks between Japan and Hawaii, Surf Air Mobility positions itself to tap into a large and growing segment of international leisure and business travelers. Japan is one of Hawaii’s top sources of tourism, and Japanese visitors are known for their strong interest in exploring the less-traveled islands of the archipelago—areas where Mokulele Airlines holds a significant operational presence.
Deanna White, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Surf Air Mobility, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating:
“We’re excited to collaborate with Japan Airlines to connect their international passengers to more destinations across the Hawaiian Islands within our Mokulele Airlines network. With a more integrated booking and travel experience, we’re confident both of our customer bases will benefit from the expanded access and more seamless customer service.”
White emphasized that the agreement demonstrates the value of Mokulele’s deep regional coverage and its relevance to international travel partners looking to deliver end-to-end connectivity across complex markets like Hawaii.
Enhanced Passenger Experience and Market Reach
For Japan Airlines, the partnership complements its existing Hawaii services by expanding access to more remote or underserved destinations, many of which are difficult to reach without regional airline connectivity. JAL currently offers regular direct flights from key Japanese cities such as Tokyo (Narita and Haneda), Osaka, and Nagoya to Honolulu and Kona, making it a major carrier serving the Japan–Hawaii corridor.
Ross Leggett, Executive Officer and Deputy Senior Vice President of International Relations & Alliances at Japan Airlines, highlighted the significance of the agreement, stating:
“I am delighted to announce the interline agreement between Mokulele Airlines and Japan Airlines. With this collaboration, the networks of both airlines between Japan and Hawaii will expand, providing our customers with a wider range of travel options and destinations. For those customers visiting Hawaii, this enhanced connectivity means that they now have easier access to many attractive cities in the islands of Hawaii. JAL is always committed to improving customer satisfaction, and this new partnership with Mokulele Airlines is another step in that direction.”
The interline agreement is particularly timely given the post-pandemic resurgence of international travel between Asia and the United States. Hawaii, with its deep cultural and historical ties to Japan, remains a top vacation and family destination for Japanese travelers. The added convenience and broader destination access are expected to stimulate more robust travel demand, supporting the broader Hawaiian tourism ecosystem and providing value to both airlines through increased bookings.
Building a Comprehensive Interline Network
This agreement with Japan Airlines further strengthens Surf Air Mobility’s growing list of strategic interline partners. Through Mokulele Airlines and its other airline brand, Southern Airways, Surf Air Mobility now maintains interline agreements with five major commercial carriers: American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and now Japan Airlines. Collectively, these partners represent a cumulative annual passenger volume of approximately 435 million travelers—a major opportunity for Surf Air Mobility to expand its addressable market and increase passenger throughput across its regional network.
This diversified network of partnerships underscores the Company’s ambition to become a critical bridge between large commercial airline operations and underserved or hard-to-reach regional destinations. It also enhances Surf Air Mobility’s value proposition as a multi-modal air mobility platform that blends scheduled commuter flights with future electrified and sustainable aviation solutions.
Integration and Innovation
The implementation of the interline agreement is expected to roll out in phases, with operational integration, joint booking capabilities, and backend systems alignment currently underway. Once fully operational, passengers will be able to book travel from Japan to Hawaii and onward to remote island communities in a single transaction via both JAL and Mokulele’s distribution channels, including online portals, travel agents, and GDS platforms.
In parallel, Surf Air Mobility continues to advance its long-term vision of electrifying regional aviation. While this agreement focuses on network optimization and connectivity, it also lays the groundwork for future integration of electric aircraft and sustainable aviation practices into the Company’s regional flight operations. Surf Air Mobility aims to be among the first to bring electrified flight to market on a commercial scale, reducing environmental impact while lowering operating costs and expanding access.
About Surf Air Mobility
Surf Air Mobility Inc. is a pioneering regional air mobility platform that leverages technology and strategic partnerships to deliver convenient, affordable, and sustainable air travel. Through its two main airline brands—Southern Airways and Mokulele Airlines—Surf Air Mobility operates one of the largest commuter airline networks in the U.S., servicing over 50 cities across the country and the Hawaiian Islands. The Company is also investing in the development and commercialization of hybrid-electric and fully electric aircraft to enable a cleaner and more efficient future for short-haul aviation.