Don’t Move! Hawaii Flight Attendants Now Enforcing Economy Seats

It could be the latest thing on your Hawaii flight amenity cart for sale: a better seat. Change is afoot on whether an unsold superior seat in economy should be up for grabs once the flight starts? These airlines are starting to say “no.”

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89 thoughts on “Don’t Move! Hawaii Flight Attendants Now Enforcing Economy Seats”

  1. Yes, empty seats should be up for ‘grabs’, but in an orderly fashion. I’ve seen passengers slinking around to jockey for ‘better’ seats. Done in an orderly, creative and fair manner, it could develop in a novel experience.

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    1. And with the Approval of the Attendants, they have to make the name changes on the seating chart. In case of a Disaster it allows Investigators to help identify the remains. Don’t forget that 😉

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  2. No the Extra Comfort Seats on Hawaiian Airlines comes at a great extra cost so passengers shouldn’t be able to move to those seats without having to pay the extra cost. However, since the only real benefit that you get with the Hawaiian Airlines Extra Comfort Seats is the greater legroom many of those seats remain empty unless the flight is very full since many passengers don’t need the extra legroom or don’t watn to pay for the extra legroom. Perhaps Hawaiian Airlines should provide the Extra Comfort Seats with better and more food to justifiying the extra cost so that those seats would not be so vacant and inviting to the regular coach passengers.

    7
    1. I paid 69.00 extra for extra comfort on my flight from HNL to San Jose. round trip. I expect the same should apply to anyone who wants more comfort. If they want the seat, they should pay for it just as I did.

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  3. If they can find a way to charge for using the bathroom, they will. We are not passengers. We are not customers. We are revenue sources. And we must maximize our revenue sources.

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    1. With all due respect, by definition we clearly *are* passengers and we definitely *are* customers and of course (since we pay a fare) we *are* revenue sources to the companies that fly us safely and comfortably through the sky and across vast oceans at nearly supersonic speeds to destinations of our choosing. It’s called free market capitalism. It’s what our western economy, and by extension, our society is based upon. Not sure why this is such a surprise. Not sure why some of us feel like the airlines owe us a service (extra leg room, free pretzels and beer) for which we have not paid. Baffling.

      2
      1. Everyone believes that the cost of tickets includes certain “extras” after decades of having them included. Albeit ever decreasing amounts with little choice most if not all airlines provide something. For the Expensive 1st class it is More, working to the tail section it lessens. One day there will be none for some, most!

  4. Last time we flew from the Mainland to Kauai (and back) on Hawaiian, we were told you could not move to the more legroom seats if you hadn’t paid for them. We always pay for extra legroom seats as my Wife has back problems.

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  5. We fly to Maui in extra comfort on Hawaiian, paying 100 dollars or more per seatin each direction. I would hope and frankly expect the flight attendant to protect my investment. If someone wants to sit in extra comfort, let them pay for it like I did!

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  6. I worked as a FLT. Attendant for 23 years -YES travel has changed. With baggage fees, economy seats, upgrade seats $$$ expensive, crazy pax’s, maybe offer the seats at reduced cost if the seats are open. One more job the flight crew has to police. The Airlines are making a lot of money with all the fees

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    1. And remember … ancillary fees for upgrades, legroom, drinks, etc. are taxed at a much lower rate than tickets … increasing profits in more ways than one. These fees didn’t exist in the not so distant past.

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  7. This article should have highlighted Hawaiian Airlines stance in regards to Main Cabin seating. I have noticed that announcements are made about the premium and standard economy seating; and signage are placed in the empty premium economy seating rows. However, what really surprises me are the somewhat abrupt confrontations that arises between the ‘comfort seeking passengers’ and the inflight crew when someone ‘on the sly’ tries to sit in one of these premium seating. The whole situation is distressing to being a witness of.

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    1. Distressing? I would be happy that I am not being charged for the floor show, live entertainment could cost a lot depending on the Airline. It rarely surprises me as to the Stupidity that some people will go to and the Arguing that ensues despite their being in the Wrong. These people should be subdued while departing the airplane, arrested and at least heavily fined.

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    2. Everyone knows that Phrase “Pay to Play,” it applies. Anyone who believes that they are “Entitled” should wear signage stating so. “My Mommy, Daddy, Teachers and Coaches Told Me I’m Entitled!” That would be a Wonderful Help to the Attendants. It also wouldn’t get you that Seat. Pay Up or Sit Down in Your Seat and Shut Up. Maybe having a couple of Bouncers on Every Flight would be a Great Idea and they would be paid by Increasing Ticket Prices!

  8. Aloha guys. Yes, I think that if you would like to upgrade your seat and they are available, then by all means, have at it. It would make money for the airline. Get away from the seat-kickers and crying infants/young children. That is my pet peeves lately. Even earplugs don’t drown out the noise. I feel sorry for the infant/children. 5-6 hrs is a Long time for them and not fair to the rest of the passengers to have to listen to them. They enforce park ride admissions for height+age, so why not flying also. No one under 5. Just my personal opinion.

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    1. Perhaps a way purchase an open uograde seat thru app? If it can show available seats and price. Flight attendants have enough to do so they shouldn’t have to deal with more

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      1. Agreed, Attendants have plenty to do without adding more to their burden. The Pilots aren’t about to do it,having additional gate time and a company salesperson or representative aboard to upsell seating and then leave the plane isn’t happening therefore the Attendants are the Logical Choice. That being said, I hope that the Attendants doing this are Paid Extra, OMG what am I saying, that’s Airline Blasphemy!

    2. I totally agree with you. I’ve invested in a good set of noise canceling headphones and they’re the best invention ever. I don’t understand why parents want to take their little one on a trip they won’t remember in the first place.

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    3. While I share your frustration with small children that cry nonstop, etc, I hardly think it right to not allow children under 5 to be able to travel with their family, whether it is to get to the bedside of a dying family member, attend a funeral, get medical
      Treatment, go on vacation, or whatever. To disallow kids from
      Flying is unrealistic & unreasonable. As a mom of 3, I so think it is important for parents to properly plan to make a flight as happy & comfortable as possible for both the little ones, and those passengers sharing the same flight.

      I endured a transcontinental flight where a small dog screamed for hours on end. I love dogs but was very frustrated. Should pets be banned too?

      2
      1. It’s Amazing what some people will say about traveling with younger children on a flight. I often find myself wondering if the commenter was left behind from Birth until the time they were forced out, sure seems like it. Unwanted child syndrome (UCS) does plenty of strange things to sufferers. Don’t feel badly for these people, they chose their whining ways. Take Your kids with you on vacation but please don’t forget the Binky’s.

        1
        1. Your comment on “unwanted child syndrome” was judgemental and way out of line. We are all entitled to our opinion without being insulted. By the way, I love children. It’s the parents that are inconsiderate. Aloha Rob+Jeff. I would think you would delete derogatory posts like Ernie S. Mahalo

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    4. You should invest in some noise canceling headphones. They are bliss on long haul flights! Worth every penny. Bose makes great ones!

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  9. The airlines are greedy. Customers can solve the problem easily. Just everyone agree not to fly on those airlines (to anywhere) for 3 months. Let the loss of income straighten out the decision makers at the airlines.

    4
    1. Why don’t the airlines handle these unsold upgraded Economy seats the way they often do with available business or 1st class, & offer upgrades at checkin and/or at the airport? It needs to be taken care of Before boarding to avoid many potential issues IMO.

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      1. That would be wonderful if they would do it before boarding at the gate. Most of the time there are plenty of Airline Employees waiting around for up to 20 minutes prior to the beginning of boarding. That would be the Perfect Opportunity to offer the Upgrades.

    2. Short Term that may work for a while but Airlines will be doing worse. Long Term Strategies are needed so as to switch tactics when necessary, the Airlines will certainly have options for any contingency. Remember that not long ago Disney was boycotted, nowhere long enough to be effective, and it began to make a change briefly. Investors became aware and angry with Management’s decisions. Without steadfastness it failed. Shameful.

    3. I can picture that now, air traffic basically halted for 3 month’s time. Are there Exclusions like Business Travelers, Sick and Dying Relatives, Medical Exemptions? Before long everyone will be flying. If a 3 month Boycott actually took place does anyone believe that they would encounter Friendly Skies afterwards? Does Anyone believe that after 3 months the Ticket Prices would stay the same or would the not so happy airline executives double and triple the cost and take away anything that was free? A tiny bottle of water for $7. Boycotting may sound good but what would be the End Result?

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