Two back-to-back flights offered surprising results. See what happened in our flight reviews: Hawaiian vs. Southwest.
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111 thoughts on “Flight Reviews: Hawaiian Vs. Southwest Showdown”
Two back-to-back flights offered surprising results. See what happened in our flight reviews: Hawaiian vs. Southwest.
Glad southwest is here, if not prices would be triple at the least.
I am truly grateful that SW decided to enter the Hawaii market, especially interisland. For years, Hawaiian Air charged too much to fly interisland and this prevented many people from seeing friends/families on other islands. There were many times I needed or wanted to go from the Big Island to HNL only to discover the fares to be $100+ each way. I know airlines need to make money, but why is it SW can offer $29/$39 fares many times throughout the year and Hawaiian would only do this infrequently? At times,the difference in fares between the Mainland and interisland was only $150- $200 roundtrip? I believe Hawaiian Air was charging locals the high prices due to lack of competition and knew they could get away with it.
SWA does the $39 fare because they are large enough to predatory. They will take a loss in a market for years to drive a competitor out of business. Once that happens, the raise their fares significantly.
Apparently you don’t pay attention to Southwest’s predatory practices on the mainland. They run the competition out of town or out of business, then raise fares. Don’t be naïve. If people want to support locally grown food and merchandise in Hawaii, they should support Hawaii’s local airline.
SW can because they are a bigger company. They have way more destinations, daily flights, & hundreds more aircraft than HA does.They can take losses in Hawaii because they can make it up in the states.
I very much enjoyed your review. You could have gotten a newer Max just as easily as the 800 ER. I prefer 800 over the Max, it has more room. The seats on the Max are thinner than the 800 and restrooms are much smaller with the sink being maybe 12″ by 12″. When you look at the Max more carefully, you will notice that the Max is designed to be a lighter aircraft than previous Boeing aircraft. The engines on the Max are bigger and are designed for economy over power. Having said this, I don’t dislike the Max.
Aloha
Hi Roy.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it! We appreciate all your input, including on the SWA planes.
Aloha.
I have had a lifelong relationship with Hawaiian Airlines. My mother was a flight attendant having been in the 2nd class of Hawaiian Air flight attendants decades ago. Later she would work in their corporate offices and also do PR trips to the mainland with the Hawaiian entertainment groups. It was truly Our family airline. However, if Southwest had not entered the market the airfare may have continued to climb to $1000 inter island for a family of 4. Change fees/bag fees added made it unaffordable. The entire island chain welcomed the competition that Southwest brought to our ohana. That is why so many islanders and visitors alike support their effort here.
SWA doesn’t use plastic bottles, the water is canned. FYI.
Although rare, there are some water bottles in our provo ops out there.
I found your comments as the same as mine. Southwest has better planes. I’m glad that Hawaiian doesn’t have a monopoly now. They charged way to much before Southwest started.
I used Southwest traveling California all the time. They are usually on time.
Southwest Airlines is a better airlines. The distance from the gate to the baggage claim is a real walker. Leg room is really great, reclining your seat is the best, after in the air. Pricing for the airfare for interisland and to the mainland, hard to beat. Best reasonable flight times.
Aloha – I assume you mean the distance in HNL. SWA is no longer in the far G gates in HNL, but in the very central E gates.
Hawaiian is the largest employer in Hawaii. Southwest does employ Hawaii residents, but it’s more of the menial low paying jobs. Hawaiian employs high paying jobs in Hawaii which in turn means more tax. Hawaiian is also increasing it’s local procurement, meaning alot of the items being used for service is made in Hawaii, which helps out the small businesses.
SWA does employ locals.
Hawaiian has also been profiting off its locals for years until Southwest showed up. What makes you think Southwest won’t eventually make Hawaii a crew base in the future?
That is Precisely what has been said, with all likelihood SWA will make a Crew Base in Hawaii. The numbers of Pilots, Stewardesses, Stewards and Many other types of Employees living in Hawaii is that great. These are Middle and Above Income Earners, unlike what has been said on BOH, and contributes plenty to the local and State economy.
SWA will not create a base in Hawaii because it costs a lot of money to do so. Wishful thinking at best. It’s ok all the high paying Hawaiian airline employed will just move to the mainland when southwest takes over. Hawaii doesn’t deserve to have its own Airline apparently.
Not true, you have to look at Hotel costs.
Perhaps but competition keeps Hawaiian Airlines honest. Monopolies are never good for the consumer. Also, SWA pays it folks well, so I am not sure you assumption of low pay is correct.
Hawaiian has had the enviable position of loyalty among Hawaiian Residents for a long time, it has always been assumed that they would remain in that position. HAL began changing many things and cutting corners for profits forgetting that people are their largest asset. SWA has come in and is claiming its place by operating as it does elsewhere. HAL isn’t paying attention and will become the 2nd place operator because of their own fault, it would take a lot for them to stay number one for much longer. It’s a hard lesson HAL is learning and it’s doubtful they’ll turn things around.
Hawaiian Airlines honesty has yet to be seen even with the Advent of South West entering the Market. As some people have commented about Hawaiian’s inability to bully and forcing competitors out of the market And the simple fact that SW is too big for them to do that. What is apparent is that South West will eventually Win,whether Hawaiian will be a Real Competitor or not is to be determined. HAL may rely on the Devoted traveler and charge whatever they want as usual and passengers accept that for some reason!
I like to fly Hawaiian for the ambiance but fly Southwest more and more, mainly because of the free checked bag policy, even though I get one free on Hawaiian–and I usually don’t check a bag on my return. Another reason was (WAS) the included meal on Hawaiian. I am not a fussy eater and am grateful for whatever I get. Southwest provides a hefty snack. The last time I flew Hawaiin, the breakfast sandwich we received was inedible. I couldn’t believe it–for even me! The seats, the price, the ease of changing a reservation, as well as more options on flight times, are all reasons that I choose SW more often for my flights to/from the mainland. Interisland, it’s not a big deal.
Thank you for sharing your experience with Southwest. My husband and I will be flying with them on the 1st of September and by sharing your experience flying with them has given me some comfort knowing that they take care of their passengers.
Hi Winona.
Thanks. Glad it was helpful. Happy travels.
Aloha.