Ten times larger, Southwest has the scale and resources for the battle over Hawaii. Hawaiian has the history, culture, and local know-how.
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44 thoughts on “Hawaiian Vs. Southwest = Battle Of Mom-And-Pop Vs. Costco”
Ten times larger, Southwest has the scale and resources for the battle over Hawaii. Hawaiian has the history, culture, and local know-how.
We only fly Hawaiian or Delta to the islands.
Because of the way SW boards, we would never consider that type of chaos and prefer to have assigned seats. Also, we miss Aloha, which was a great airline to fly with.
By the way, it would seem SWA kept their introductory fares in place because they didn’t get the ridership they expected. The so called SWA effect is built on them entering a market with lots of flights at a lower fare, then when established, they raise their fares and discard the routes that don’t work. They are toying with Hawaii to see what they can get out of the market. Big difference between them and a company that has its roots here. It not just the authentic Hawaii experience you get on Hawaiian, it’s the close to 100 years they have been serving the State and the experience that delivers.
Here is a great example…Honolulu to Kona is about 167 miles, let’s go to SWA’s hub, Dallas- Love Field (DAL) and one of SWA’s original routes, DAL – AUS (Austin), about 164 miles so a very close comparison and should cost similarly assuming fuel is the same price (probably more expensive on Hawaii). Does SWA charge $39 for the DAL- AUS flight? No, they currently charge $224 for their lowest fares, so that is their price point when they aren’t trying to put someone out of business, and that is what it will become if they push Hawaiian out. Fortunately Hawaiian is committed. SWA did this for a decade in Newark, NJ until they gave up.
Just checked Islip to BWI….$219-$399 one way…the 399 is a business select, still a coach seat! As you said they are using predatory pricing to insert themselves over here. The fact that their “introductory “ fares are being left longer then what they said is telling. I don’t have a clue about the law but I wonder if there is something about predatory pricing that is illegal? Go Airlines broke the law over here too and paid royally for it.
Hawaiian has the best on time performance of any US carrier for 2022 and was ranked 12th in the world for safest airlines. Southwest was ranked 6th, after all major carriers, just ahead of the Spirit and Frontier airlines, for on time performance and is not ranked at all in the top 20 of the safest carriers in the world. Hawaiian puts far more people to work in the islands. Southwest is competing inter-island at a loss, it is an attempt by a bigger company to put a smaller company out of business by forcing both to lose money, Southwest with its deeper pockets can lose money longer. If it puts HAL out of business Southwest will raise prices. It is very predatory unfortunately.
You said it better then I Jay, well done. The SWA folks on here seem to think it’s ok to make up “alternative stats”. Believe it or not I’m not as anti SWA on here as I may sound. They are a business so I understand that. I just get offended by loud newcomers trying to get established in Hawaii by attacking local institutions to try and get ahead.
The money spent on a $39 dollar inter island ticket on Hawaiian at least goes to Hawaii. On SWA it leaves the State. Fly local buy local when you can.
Doesn’t mater that SWA may be cheaper. They still will never match Hawaiian Air. Althought HA is a bit more expensive, they are still the only airline that gives you a meal and usually Rum Punch (Yum) on the flight there (from Phoenix) and a meal and wine on the way back. That is, if they still do. No matter what, I trust HA and I will always fly them as long as I can afford it. Seats on SWA are cramped. Hawaiian Air is a bit more comfortable.
Support local and the 6k+ local employees, I’ll always go for Hawaiian. Something special about stepping on the plane coming back from the mainland and seeing, hearing and experiencing local flight attendants.
We live on the mainland and fly to OGG 2 – 3 times a year. The 5 hour experience is much better on Hawaiian than Southwest, plus when flying with families, the reserved seating is the way to go. Southwest now only flies direct on Saturdays from SMF (Sacramento) to OGG which limits our options. With that said, the competition keeps the price down which is good for us. We like Hawaiian very much and we fly exclusively with them now.
I love Hawaiian airlines. I always upgrade to their comfort seats. I feel it is well worth it for the long flight from Phoenix. The staff is always great. I like that they give you a small meal and a snack and a drink.
Southwest is fine for a short flight. But, their seats on small and make me feel claustrophobic. I’m just average size lady. The staff on southwest are nice.
Southwest, sorry Southwest is nothing but a parasite to the Hawaiian market. Support local. I pray that they leave Hawaii and take with them their non-Aloha culture.
I truly hope HAL remains strong, but we could use some competition in the high cost of Hawaii-Mainland airfares.
Remember aloha airlines,now they are on the same situation,it’s like it came back to haunt them.