If you like flying on bigger planes, Delta Airlines has a surprise for you when they start trying out smaller 737-900 airplanes from Seattle to Honolulu and Kona. Look for this change in planes to continue given that Delta will be receiving nearly 100 of these in the next couple of years. The strategy of 737 flights to Hawaii has worked well for Delta competitor Alaska Airlines .
Delta Airlines has been using a mix of Boeing 757 and 767 planes for Hawaii flights. The company will inaugurate 737 flights using their new ETOPS certified planes in early April. These are routes where more fuel efficient planes make good financial sense.
You might recall that Delta’s configuration of these planes, which began service within their fleet in 2013, have had mixed reviews in first and coach. That’s in comparison to Alaska Airlines that flies 737-800 and 737-900 with generally positive reviews. For example, Delta’s economy on those planes features 30-31 inches of seat pitch; Alaska has 32 inches. In first class, Delta has a pitch of 37″; Alaska is currently 36″ but is changing to 41″.
Flights to Kauai and Maui are not impacted.
You won’t see these planes on routes to and from Lihue and Maui however. From what we’ve been told, the reason is these extended fuselage plane requires a longer takeoff than can safely be accomplished with a full aircraft at those airports.
What’s your take on more 737’s to Hawaii?
While we generally prefer flying wide-body planes such as Hawaiian Airlines A-330 on longer routes, we have become accustomed to flying Alaska Airlines 737’s and generally accept them on 5 to 6 hour flights to and from the west coast.
Have you flown on one of Delta’s new 737-900 planes?
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Rode one back to Seattle. Never ever again
very much do not like the 3 and 3 seating configuration of a 737 — nobody ( but a rare party of 3) is comfortable. Much prefer Hawaiian’s wide body planes with the option for couples to be seated alone.
Hi John,
Definitely concur about 3×3. Unfortunately every carrier is going in that direction including Hawaiian.
Aloha.
Like the wider body planes that Hawaiian Airlines uses.