Oct 27 2009
Hawaiian Air: First Class or Strike?
Hawaiian Airlines announced a sale today on first-class travel to/from the mainland.
One way first class fares are priced from $477-$977 (plus tax) during the sale. Price varies depending on departure/arrival city on the mainland. Seattle and Portland are the lowest with Phoenix and Las Vegas being the highest. If you’re interested, book by November 4 for travel through December 11 and January 11 through March 11.
Furthermore, I expect these dates to be on sale, in economy class, in the very near future. Stay tuned for that development.
Here’s another way to fly Hawaiian’s first class (if you’re determined).
Consider joining Hawaiian Miles, and using Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) points, where 20,000 points will convert to a 25,000 mile Hawaiian first class (saver) award. (Fine print: a bonus 5,000 points is added with the transfer of 20,000 SPG points).
The question is, is it a good value?
In a word: No.
Having flown Hawaii’s first class more than 50 times, in my opinion, it just isn’t worth it. The 767’s first class is extremely cramped, the seats uncomfortable and the food mediocre (I suggest bringing your own). The flight attendants are great, but seriously, the savings will likely pay for the rest of your trip.
If you’re flying Hawaiian after December 1, consider trip insurance.
As I indicated when last I wrote about the impending strike, if you’re flying Hawaiian you may well wish to have travel insurance that contains a clause which specifically covers labor disputes.
Hawaiian Pilots are preparing to strike; it could happen in as little as 30 days.
Following three years of failed negotiations, pilots have already asked the federal government to be released from mediation. If that is approved and either party declines to enter binding arbitration (all of which I believe is likely), a pilot strike could be just 30 days away.
Hawaiian’s pilots have a long-standing, multi-year dispute with the company. With Mokulele’s recent demise and without inter-island ferry service, timing could not be more perfect for pilots to put the screws on the company. A strike at this time would give a significant leg up to competitor Go! at a pivotal time of re-shifting dominance in Hawaii’s inter-island transportation.
We’ll keep you posted.
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I purchased tickets on Hawaiian Airlines this past summer for a trip to Kauai Dec. 18, 2009. I did not purchase travel insurance. Reading your post today I want purchase the insurance but am I too late?
Hi Ramiro,
Try checking with an insurance broker like insuremytrip.com and see if coverage is still available. Usually, you’re right, it must be purchased within x days of booking. Otherwise, you’ll be relying on having used a credit card, and in my research I could not find confirmation that credit card companies will stand behind you in the event of a strike.
Aloha, Jeff
I hope they don’t strike. I plan to fly in March to San Diego and Hawaiian is the only direct flight. I am waiting for sales. I guess I will now have to look around for insurance that will cover labor disputes (usually go with Travel Guard but don’t think they cover labor disputes). Will be watching for your Hawaiian Airline sale post
I notice that the article says, “if you are flying Hawaiian after December 1, consider trip insurance.” How was the December 1 date chosen? We will be in Hawaii end of November and am worried a strike will occur at that time…and we are too late for flight insurance
[...] to consider purchasing trip insurance. If you’re flying Hawaiian, given the possibility of a labor dispute, that wouldn’t be a bad idea [...]
i am flying to maui mid feb-mar 2010 and hawaii air’s travel insurance does not cover “strike” and been researching other possible options but am not having much luck…………..no one “specifies” the word strike…………i have been told that if its covered it would be under the condition of “cancel for work related”
i want to be sure im covered in case………any suggestions?
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your comment. Now that the strike is a known possibility, carriers won’t (to my knowledge) cover you except under the “cancel for any reason” clauses. Policies with that feature are readily available, but usually require that the coverage be purchased very soon after trip plans are made.
Aloha, Jeff
I called the travel in insurance recommended on Orbitz website and they DO cover strikes: ACCESS AMERICA….as long as it hasn’t been officially announced. They quoted me $40-50-