Southwest Hawaii. How’s it going now? “The other airlines can’t touch you… Predatory and opportunistic—which we like.” — SW and SWAPO
Southwest Hawaii. How’s it going now? “The other airlines can’t touch you… Predatory and opportunistic—which we like.” — SW and SWAPO
I don’t like the term “predatory” – it’s just good business.
I applaud SWA entry into the Hawaii market. Hawaiian Airlines has been gouging the citizens of Hawaii for years with no competition after putting Aloha Mahalo Go and other airlines out of business by undercutting fares. Now their getting a taste of their own medicine. I only fly SWA now & say good riddance to HA’s exorbitant fares & excessive baggage fees. Long live Southwest Airlines!
Mahalo Beat of Hawaii. Love your informative and thought provoking articles!!
In my oh so humble opinion, I consider Southwest airlines as the “Cattle Car” of airline transportation.
Personally, I’d rather swim from the island to the mainland.
Stay safe and blessed! Aloha 🌺
Hi Pam.
Thanks. Have a great weekend!
Aloha.
It didn’t used to be allowed, because its society destroying. But, we are living in different times. We have evolved into something I don’t recognize.
I feel like the comparison to Costco is unfounded in many ways. I have been in management at Costco for almost 20 years. Not once have I ever attended a meeting at the corporate offices in Washington and heard the CEO, VPs or any other person say or do a single predatory comment or model. 70+% percent of our margins are from memberships and there is a maximum margin on any product that is under 20%.
When Jim Sinegal (and now Craig Jelinek) walk buildings they constantly challenge buyers to increase quality at a better retail price.
Most buildings have 300-500 employees All making $15-30+/hr with amazing benefits adding about 40% to their wage package. Even part-timers! Every building is required to have 51% or more FT employees.
This poor article mentioning Costco is disgusting. Try inserting Walmart instead!
I love Costco! I trust Costco to give me the best price they can on quality goods When I’m in Costcos in Hawaii I find many items are priced the same as mainland prices
Competition is good!
I worked hard for months to earn the Fee Companion Pass on Southwest because I fly LAX to LIH (Kauai) all the time. Then they pulled the plot. I am so disappointed in Southwest!!
Just because you can get a non-stop to LIH you are disappointed? They can’t change their schedule? You can still get to LIH, you just have to add a stop. The CP is so much better than anything out there. Even with a stop.
We are devotedly loyal to Hawaiian Air! We fly SW a lot here locally as they are the major carrier for the southwest part of the country. To think about sitting in a SW seat for 6-7 hours not having been able to choose that seat anyway – Ugh! If that is the only way you can afford to go to Hawaii for that one time in your life – SW is the way to go. But personally, I would rather skip a trip than give up 11A/B or 11H/J (or any other seat on Hawaiian! Plus the schedule is awful. But again, to discourage someone from the once in a lifetime experience of Paradise – no way.
Maybe they can have alternatives like I dunno a superferry. Oh wait that’s right 2 percent of the population funded by the rental car companies, Manson and other businesses hired people to protest and the clueless let it get cancelled. So stop whining.
You should thank yourself lucky Costco is there other wise you’d all be starving. Costcos business model is the same everywhere they don’t gouge. I lived in Maui it took almost 10 years to approve the gas station because all the families who have a monopoly on business there kept blocking it.
Tell it like it is!
There’s way more Walmart stores (5,000+) compared to Costco (800 worldwide). I’m sure they did damage to mom and pop as well plus grocery stores. At least Costco pays their workers more. As far as Southwest, I use them for most domestic flights. I had 6 round trips from the west coast in 2021.
Walmart not paying enough??? Did I hear that correctly??? Possibly from day 1, no experience, still in school, etc.?? Dedicated, all of those “Things” that interest employers, Walmart will pay Quite Well. Have a Degree in something useful, advancement pays very well. Walmart Pays Well, it’s amazing how people still believe the old lies. Costco has fallen from the Golden Perch they had held due to multiple issues with employees to Quality. Costco has its Own Hands in the Destruction and Aftermath!
Southwest is the best thing to happen to Hawaii travel in a long time. Now I do like Hawaiian, but their prices are just to high. I fly with my family using miles and Southwest is just plain better.
1) no change fees.
2) refund credits on cash or miles if the price drops.
3) 2 free bags.
4) Miles rewrds are usually half the cost of Hawaiian.
Sacramento to HNL (1 week) then HNL to OGG (2 weeks) then back to SAC (17,000 miles)
(Hawaiian was 35,000)(May 2022)
RT travel from Sacramento to Kona for 14,000 miles (Hawaiian is 35,000) (Sept 2022)
Southwest is killing it. I am sitting on over 350,000 Hawaiian miles but can’t bring myself to use 2x the miles per trip.
It makes Sound Sense Not to fly Hawaiian when SWA is available, the Benefits are apparent. Might as well save the Hawaiian miles for last. Savings are Savings and Hawaiian just isn’t where anyone is going to find any. The statement “Fly Hawaiian because it Benefits Hawaii” doesn’t make any sense. Hawaiian Benefits Hawaiian, plain and simple!
Very well said!