Yesterday we watched Hawaiian CEO Peter Ingram speak during a webcast of an investor presentation at the 2020 Wolfe Transportation and Industrials Conference. Peter made reference to an “incredible destruction in revenue,” saying that Hawaiian Airlines doesn’t “even know right now where demand is” That as a result of the still in force 14-day mandatory isolation, now set to extend through June 30.
Optimism at Hawaiian Airlines.
Peter expressed “some optimism” that vacation travel would recover more quickly than business travel. Peter said that visitor intent on booking has started noticeably increasing.
While businesses can meet on Zoom, he stated what we all know, saying he is not “sure this is how people are going to want to take their next Hawaii vacation.”
A plan for lifting of 14-day period essential.
“I think putting a timeline on the lifting …would be very helpful to give people a little more certainty about booking, particularly for the third quarter…We are seeing a little bit more activity looking in the fourth quarter.” — Peter Ingram.
Beat of Hawaii. To us, Peter’s comment is a huge understatement. At this challenging time in so many ways, who in their right mind would put down money for a trip to Hawaii, until they feel assured that they will be able to travel without going into a two-week lockdown? That, even before all the considerations of how safe and comfortable people feel traveling in today’s altered circumstances.
Peter believes that how things are going in terms of case counts, in Hawaiian’s “bread and butter” markets of California, Oregon, and Washington, will be pivotal to Hawaii’s decisions. He said, “I think that is going to inform how people make their decisions locally.”
Other changes already in place.
Last week the company implemented additional wide-ranging initiatives. Those include blocking middle seats, increasing and improving aircraft cleaning, modifying boarding, limiting it to only three to five rows at one time, and requiring personnel and customers to wear face masks. Hawaiian Airlines also said it concurs with the Airlines for America plan to require passenger and employee temperature checks. The full list of their health and safety plans is found here.
Interisland restrictions may be lifted sooner.
Peter confirmed what we have been hearing for weeks, which is that the interisland travel restrictions will soon be lifted, ahead of June 30. He said “Hawaiian is in a unique situation in that we are the entire highway system for the state.”
We look forward to normal interisland travel resuming.
Beat of Hawaii photo at Lihue, Kauai. ©
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Aloha BoH,
We have direct tickets SAN to KOA, for late August. I understand that the airlines have cancelled direct flights to the neighbor isles. Under the DOT, are we eligible for refunds, as our direct flight will be cancelled?
Mahalo nui loa,
Casey
HI Casey.
If your flight is canceled then you will be eligible. It is far too soon for that or to even say what the situation will be unfortunately.
Aloha.
Our trip to Kauai is booked from Aug 31-Sept 23. We know these are uncertain times, but do you think travel will be open by then?
Thank you!
Hi Laurie.
The situation is too fast-moving to say. We’d like to think the answer is yes. But we will know with much more certainty, in the next weeks. So that will hopefully give you plenty of time to plan.
Aloha.
I cancelled my trip for April and opted for the Voucher!! Hawaiian Airlines now has a 2 year extension, which I am sure I will use for my Wife and I to travel in November 2020 if the Islands are open and safe for Tourism!! Mahalo Hawaiian Airlines for your help. Best and Cheapest days to travel are Tuesdays or Wednesday’s where the public can save $$$.
Hawaii airlines just cancelled my direct flight that I booked weeks ago stating it was due to the “14 day quar antine”. Then after frantically looking for flights from different cities I found they still offered flights just for a lot more money. Since I live there and have to get my family of 5 back and forth often I will not be purchasing tickets from them in the future. I will not depend and support a company that lies to it’s customers and really put us in a tough position so close to our flight date.
It is unbelievable to me that decisions take this long from the Governors and other elected official offices. I understand the laid back attitude on the Islands is what makes it a special place, but there is no Aloha in costing good people to lose their jobs, homes, businesses, and self respect. All of this in the name of “Safety” by so-called “leaders” polarized by fear! The numbers are staggering, for example; On Maui, 61% of businesses on the island report NO revenue for the entire month of April!
There is a way to bring visitors to the islands safely, with travel resuming in 1 week or less. Perhaps a mandatory test upon arrival, and every three days subsequent to that up to two weeks or there about. Those fearful of flying wont come anyway till a vac cine or cure comes along, and this will automatically result in a gradual return to normalcy!
Who in their right mind would continue the destruction of their own economy? This unconstitutional “shutdown” is ruining not only the travel industry but the lives of millions of Americans. The destruction this is doing is far worst than the actual vi rus. Wake up people! Never sacrifice your FREEDOM!
I’m still waiting for my refund on a flight I had on May 29th that I had to cancel. I don’t want a voucher I want a cash refund. Tickets were purchased through Expedia.
I just got my refund from Hawaiian Airlines. We booked our trip for first week in May back in November LAX to HNL, and an inter-island leg. I asked for a refund in late March and then canceled a few weeks later, since I hadn’t heard anything. I received an email earlier this week saying I would receive a refund credited to my credit card for all 6 tickets purchased, but that it would take 1 or two billing cycles. I checked my credit card this morning and I had already been credited for every single cent. It’s not cash but now I have a credit on my card I can use whenever and wherever I want. Will be rebooking once it’s clear.
Hi, I was also told I had a credit for my expedia Hawaii flight, but I went online and asked for a refund..waiting for it to go back on my credit card, they sent me an email saying g it would be refunded
Please know the entire bed and breakfast small business owners are behind you 100%. If there is a way to petition or Lobby the governor and mayors please Let us know.
Mahalo,
Our family booked tickets to HA back in October for June as a grad gift. Then we was forced to get a voucher because we couldn’t get a refund. We had to cancel our flight because our hotel had canceled our rooms because of the quar antine. It cost us another $175.00 to get the voucher after we already paid over $1900.00 for our tickets to HA. I have went to school and lived in HA. It is disappointing and we specifically pick Hawaiian Airlines and can’t even transfer the tickets to another airlines to travel somewhere else.
Mahalo
Hi Monique.
Thanks for sharing that. Sorry to hear how it went.
Aloha.
I have a trip scheduled from Lax to Kona and then to Maui in October do you expect this to be open then without 14 day quar antine
No thank you to visitors not following the mandatory quar antine of 14 days. Has anyone noticed Kauai, HI and American Samoa are the only places with no new or active cases at this time? The reason for that is our travel quar antining. I’m not comfortable with lifting it. I’m a 38 year old wife and mother of 3, two have disabilities, and I myself have MS. I’m compromised as it is. No thank you. Please go look at places with people coming and going from other places and look at statistics. NO THANK YOU TO LIFTING QUAR ANTINE!
Aloha, I am responding from Canada. My husband and I live in a small Canadian town that so far has not seen a case. We also own a condo in kauai and would love to visit it. Canada’s curve is flat especially in B.C. where we live.
I feel we are being lumped in with mainland USA which has a much bigger infection rate and has not always handled the vi rus well.
Mahalo Elaine and Lorne
Hi Elaine.
Thanks.
Aloha.
We had a trip planned beginning of May but had to cancel, rebooked timeshare and AirBNB for beginning of September.But haven’t gotten flights yet. We are so hoping you’ll be flying to Maui from Phoenix by then! We’re actually doing a two island trip, going to Maui first then Kauai, so will be doing a interisland flight, then flying out of Kauai back to Phoenix.
We booked our trip to oahu back in jan for aug24 – sept 2 with alaska airlines from seattle for my daughters 21st birthday. We are staying at a air b&b on the north shore. What’s the chances this is still going to happen?? This stuff is stressing me out. Thankyou. Jamey H
Hi Jamey.
It is stressful for everyone including those of us here in Hawaii. We are hopeful it will work out and expect to have much more definitive information soon.
Aloha.
As with other airline CEOs, HA is no different. They continually flout the DOT regs by not refunding passengers. They made millions through various fees and their still complaining they have no $$$. Have they gone through all those millions already? They used to be considerate of Hawaii residents back in the day. Now it’s all about the almighty dollar. Guess that happens when the CEO is from a foreign country.
Maleko,
Email HA with your reservation number and specifically say that you want a refund to your credit card and you do not want credits or voucher. Copy yourself on the email.
If You don’t see the refund in 2 weeks, print the refund regulation from the DOT website. Send your email and the refund regulation to your credit card and dispute the charge.
I booked my flight to Maui with Alaska Airlines. I got my refund, no questions asked and a sincere apology.
I booked my flight return flight with HA, I’m disputing it with my credit card. HA is an ethical company and I hope it will go of business.
Great comments . With the Federal Government’s go ahead for testing all travelers flight bound for Hawaii should greatly improve our level of comfort with the gradual reopening and hopeful reduction in the 14 day quar antine . Hoping our Politicians are taking notice . Let’s establish a plan and not ignore the realty facing our State .
Second wave, third wave. ??? Wouldn’t even consider until 2021 after January. The rocky beaches and crazed vagrants are unfortunate. We have patronized the entertainment and bars with live music for years. We are devistated to hear that many will close for good. Bankrupt And not their fault. Fingers crossed that we will return but mulling over Florida.
Thank you to Beat of Hawaii for staying above the current political gunfight that is hampering our fight against the core navirus. That is one of the reasons that this my favorite Hawaii travel website.
Hawaii is not the only location that is a tourist hotspot. The economy of our area on the central coast of California is about 50% dependent on tourism. With the imminent closing of our nuclear power plant, it will probably be closer to 75%. I never hear negative comments about tourists. Not only do they provide jobs for our friends and families but the locals go to the same concerts and other venues that the tourists do. We wouldn’t have those events if not for the tourists.
I would be interested to see how many of these cases in Hawaii were tourist-related or were locals bringing it in from visits to the mainland.
Hi Curtis.
We very much appreciate the nice words. Thanks too for this and the many other comments left over the past few years.
Aloha.
SLO Town, love it! Yes, count me in as a tourist : )
Will there be the daily direct flight from JFK to HNL in September on Hawaiian Airlines? It is bookable now, but will it fly?
We use Hawaiian Airlines for our annual trips to Hawaii becasue of the direct flight. If there is no direct flight we may as well go with the least expensive airline.
Will there be the daily direct flight from JFK to HNL in September? It is bookable now, but will it fly?
Well I wish the CEO of Hawaiian would start following DOT regulations and issue refunds for cancelled flights. Our flight in May was understandably cancelled but HA refused to issue a refund and said we had to request a refund on-line. We did that 3 weeks ago and never heard back and today I called and said they don’t have to issue a refund since there is still a flight that day (tomorrow) out of the Bay Area (SFO instead of Oakland) despite that the only flight has a layover so its 2.5 hours longer than our original nonstop and SFO being an hour away and we would have to take public transit or pay ridiculous parking fees. She insisted their policies comply with DOT but they clearly don’t. What makes me even angrier is that we have flown HA over 10 times in 5 years and we already re-booked 2 flights with HA later in the year but wanted a refund for this flight because our new flights in October were cheaper but they would not refund the difference only swap the tickets (of course if the new flights were more expensive we would have to pay that). This is likely the last straw and we will change our loyalty over to Southwest. We filed our complaint with the DOT and sent HA a copy.
Here we go again… commercial interests running the safety and health of the residents of Hawaii… its ok if companies go broke… this happens in a capitalistic system… you get to start all over again and hire back the employees to fit the new demand. You can’t force an increase in demand just to cover the costs of a business.
First get a proper plan in place for testing visitors prior to entry and tracing them once they are here to be able to contain infection caused by those visitors, and that will be the source of new infection.
If you can only test 500 people a day then you let in 500 people.
Hawaiin airlines should assist in proposing a solution with them helping and charge each visitor a hundred bucks.
And by way you can plan a trip and then cancel for a later date- up to one year and most airlines are waiving change fees.
Hotels aren’t even booking yet so you can’t make your plans on that basis anyway.
This article is alarmist and used by the rich and powerful managers of corporations to instill fear and need for action
that is not well thought out….
And also all the unemployed are getting paid now… likely through August and likely this will be extended by the FEDS and state
and everyone will be happy going to the beach and getting a good check each month and many who own homes don’t even have to make mortgage payments…. We are all being treated well by our omnipotent and far reaching government.
Its not all that bad as its made out to be and if you can’t survive without business for a month or two, then perhaps the management and model of the business is flawed…. airline workers protected through end September… who gets that kind
of assurance in any business ?
What is the panic here all about- making a minority rich or keep them from getting poorer… no sympathies from most people in Hawaii for that viewpoint I would think.
And by the way Hawaiin Airlines has been near the brink of bankruptcy before… Boeing had to bail them out… they are not
so innocent and helpless as they make out to be….
Maybe people will start thinking of rainy day funds more often now… some good will come of this perhaps.
I think we all need to realize that everyone is on edge. When we went on SIP here in Bay Area Ca people immediately hot on planes and figured they would ride it out there. That’s irresponsible as we all know Hawai’i has so many multi-generational families living together! Personally, I don’t want anyone from (let’s say) NY here right now. We r doing ok. Hawaii has been ok so far. Their health care system is not like here. This could devastate paradise! None of us want that. We need to respect and realize this is not a hoax! Economically it’s going to be bad for all of us. I’m sure aloha feelings will return but let’s all respect everyone’s feelings during this trying time and keep paradise just that…mahalo
Hi Ciana
Thanks.
Aloha.
We must always remember as tourists it is a privilege to enjoy these islands and I have also received some not so nice comments from locals, usually transplants themselves. I also have friends who live there and honestly the only reason locals put up with us tourists is because the state was turned into a tourist industry.
I totally understand because I see so many tourists before being such unaware pieces of %$&* so often even I feel embarrassed when I say I’m a tourist over there.
Don’t think you are entitled to go visit. This is a new world and the more aware of this you are, the more you can see from their perspective. So many tourists do absolutely stupid things on the daily.
Hawaii ain’t going anywhere so chill out and don’t worry, everything will work out in its own way and time 🙏🏽🤙🏽🙏🏽
Thanks for the article. I have to agree with you regarding the demand in customers wanting to come to your beautiful islands. We were to leave next week after having booked our trip in January. We were disappointed that the flights were cancelled, but understood the reason for it. We are certainly planning on re-booking, but not until the State of Hawaii removes all restrictions and we are free to travel.
Hi Will.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I would like to see airlines adopt a designated senior travel day, similar to how grocery stores implemented senior hours. It might make travel a little safer for our elders.
Twenty years ago tomorrow my husband and I were married in a little town south of Seattle. We are 19 and 21 years old. We both had never been to Hawaii…and spent a week on Kauai and a week on Maui for our honeymoon. We fell in love with the islands! We have been back over a dozen times since. Most of our trips include our teenage child now. However, we had planned a trip alone for our 20th anniversary this week. Of course we’ve rescheduled it to November. We also had a trip planned in April with our children that we’ve postponed to August. I sure hope one or both will work out!
I think it’s important to keep in mind that not all locals and all tourists are the same. There is a middle ground for most of us. I believe locals want to be safe and respected and tourists want to be safe and welcomed.
Hawaii is truly heaven on earth. I know we will be back there sometime in the future to enjoy the beautiful land and people. We look forward to it everyday!
Congrats! Well, for a big 2-0 celebration, consider 4 weeks in Paradise: 2 weeks sharing close quarters followed by 2 weeks out and about…
I’ll definitely only fly HA inter island. Can’t say I appreciate the fact that SWA even stayed in the market a little bit
during this crisis. They are bit like the mainlander who moves here and starts talking pidgin after three months.
They aren’t needed and I prefer to fly with local crewmembers anyway, they know the islands.
Which brings me to the so called anti tourist sentiment that some seem to think is being expressed here.
It’s not, we all know just how important tourism is and it’s very much appreciated here. Hawaii is a wonderful place that generally
brings out the Aloha spirit in many. The Aloha spirit is all about respect. What you are hearing here that sounds like anti tourism rhetoric is anti “disrespectful” tourists. Currently typified by the “you can’t tell me to wear a mask” covidiots that can’t comprehend we are all in this together and anything we can do to help reduce spread is a move in the right direction.
When tourism starts up again Hawaii will be an amazing place if the people that understand and respect any changes (masks, testing whatever) is for the good of all and the “Locals are rude and you can’t tell me what to do” crowd stays home.
Peter confirmed what we have been hearing for weeks, which is that the inter island travel restrictions will soon be lifted, ahead of June 30. He said “Hawaiian is in a unique situation in that we are the entire highway system for the state.”
And this monopoly is a big problem ever since Hawaiian, chased Aloha out of the market and teamed up with car rental companies, shippers and sovereigns to kill the Super Ferry.
Please do not reopen Hawaii. It is too dangerous. California still has 10,000 new cases every week. Hawaii will be overwhelmed with sick and not enough hospital beds. We must ask all tourists to “Stay Away, save Lives”. Thank you all for waiting for a cure, “We are all in this together”.
PLEASE! California has 86,00 cases total, not 10,000 a day. Stop spreading BS. We are long time visitors and do NOT want to bring sickness or get sick while there. We know the hospitals are not geared for a pan demic. Hopefully there will be a sane plan to allow visitors and revive the economy of Hawaii and the airlines. I’m really suspect that people saying no more tourists are newly arrived residents (last 10-15 years) that don’t work. Our friends on island need tourist money to survive.
Why doesn’t Hawaii consider what Austria is doing, all arrivals are given the option of being tested for the virus when at the airport. Takes about two hours. If negative, no lock down in a hotel room. Of course there is a fee, but worth the money.
Great idea. Only takes hospitals 15-30 mins to result. Hawaii could benefit from this.
Our family have rescheduled for August 1st at noted higher price for flight and lodging. We hope to keep those reservations with Hawaiian Air. I understand Hawaiians fear and don’t blame them for their animosity towards tourists at this time. I do think it’s a slippery slope…. They want and need the tourists, yet don’t want the vi rus. I think that’s the key issue. Attitudes will change as things get back to normal. We plan to be respectful to Hawaii’s residents, issues and situation. Hoping to see you all in August…
Kauai has always been our “happy place” where we can unwind like no other place. We have always found the locals to every kind and helpful, and have absolutely no bad experiences. I hope that when this pan demic becomes history we will find that same welcoming atmosphere we have enjoyed for many years. We not only love the island, we love the people.
Thank you for your helpful updates that keep us connected to paradise!
It’s like trying to hit a moving a target. I’ve moved a trip to the islands three times now. I still have two more trips planned there this year but I’m not really sure they’ll happen. Even if the restrictions are lifted and the resorts open back up I don’t want my family to feel threatened by locals and their “anti-tourist” comments. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of Aloha on the islands right now.
Do you feel the locals’ disdain/fear for tourists will dissipate when the 14 day quar antine is lifted? I would not feel comfortable as a “guest” if the hosts are harboring a hostile feeling toward me. I’m glad that I’ve been to Oahu enough times to be able to venture out on my own to the places I want to go to and avoid the need for tour groups, maybe except for the luau at the PCC where I would prefer to be driven to and from my hotel in Waikiki. I enjoy staying at Turtle Bay immensely more even though I’ve only been there twice over a 20 year span. Anyway, I would appreciate your insight on the sentiments of the locals and when the spirit of Aloha will return, thus truly signaling a return to normalcy on the islands. Mahalo.
Hi Alan.
We do believe that this will all settle down reasonably soon. And we look forward to your visiting!
Aloha.
I, too, feel unwelcome and it’s disheartening. I think the vicious and hateful comments and attitudes displayed toward visitors has, unfortunately, enlightened many to a possible change going forward. Hopefully it’s just by a social media mob and not an statewide attitude.
I too am worried/upset by some of the remarks from locals about tourists and tourism. Most of us love Hawaii like you do. I’m afraid I’m becoming disenchanted with Hawaii and if you knew me and my “Hawaii obsession” you would be shocked. I am so sad.
My feelings exactly! Hawai’i has always been my first travel choice but I’m starting to think otherwise. Which kills me since I’m there many times a year.
As someone who lives here, I would say that the social media hype against tourists is just that, a few loud mouths trying to express their personal opinions.
There will always be people that run afoul of the locals, but in my experience that doesn’t happen unless you are disrespectful to them to start.
It is so sad that the locals have had to deal with visitors traveling to the islands during the pan demic who are ignoring the quar antine. I feel that there is going to be a general negative feeling toward visitors in the near future because of theshe ignorant people. Our family has very sadly postponed our month long trip to four islands this summer and will, hopefully, be able to travel to the islands next summer. Hopefully, there will be a more welcoming Aloha feeling than what there seems to be now.
We love tourists!! If there are people being hateful or hurtful about tourists, I’m sure they are a small, yet vocal, group of people. Our economy is dead. We need tourists as much as trees need water and sun to survive. Please come to Hawaii as soon as you can.
Don’t let the fact that we have a lame governor with no idea of what he’s doing deter you. Come soon and come often.
Please come see us!!
Ty amen. I cannot fly now till 14 day is lifted. I miss my family
I miss my military stationed daughter too. I have a trip planned soon, hope I can come see her.Find another solution. Test at airport-then if needed, quaranteen those who need it
Thanks for your post Jerryl. We are really hoping to get to Oahu this summer. Your comments give us hope. After reading all the other posts- yours made me smile.