We’ve heard from Hawaiian Airlines about their upcoming basic economy offering. They provided some useful clarification on the new Main Cabin Basic offering and why they are moving in this direction. Alex Da Silva, Senior Communications Manager, offered the following:
Hawaiian Airlines: “We have been competing against basic economy fares offered by every major U.S. carrier that serves Hawaii with our full-service product. Adding Main Cabin Basic to our Main Cabin, Extra Comfort and First Class products will allow us to offer competitively priced options to guests who value particular product elements differently.”
Beat of Hawaii: True enough. All carriers will be on a level playing field. We don’t need to like or buy basic economy, but it appears here to stay.
Hawaiian Airlines: “Guests will still be allowed one hand-carry bag and one personal item, and they will earn the standard number of miles on their ticket purchase.”
Beat of Hawaii: To contrast, United Airlines does not allow a full size carry-on in basic economy (only under seat storage). They permit mileage accrual, but not towards elite status. American only allows 50% of normal mileage accrual. Alaska provides both miles and full size carry-on. With all carriers, since you will be boarding last, carry-on luggage may be challenging.
Hawaiian Airlines: “Main Cabin Basic seats cannot be changed or refunded, advance seat assignments are not available, and guests will be in the last boarding group. Once on board, all guests in our Main Cabin will receive the same complimentary meals and snacks, in-flight entertainment and award-winning Hawaiian hospitality for which we’re known.”
Beat of Hawaii: These basic economy rules are pretty much standard across the airlines.
Long time in planning:
This had been in the works for some time. The company said earlier this month that it finally decided to offer a stripped down version of its economy offering in 2019. With its unique leisure market, Hawaiian did not want to alienate its customers.
How will Hawaiian Airlines basic economy be priced.
We expect basic economy to be priced $30 to $50 cheaper each way compared with regular economy. What happens with other airlines’ basic economy offerings, is that advertised specials focus on the price of basic economy rather than regular economy. We’ve seen that recently with Alaska Airlines’ sales. So another way to look at it is that sale prices will increase by up to $50 if you want to avoid basic economy limitations.
Hawaiian Airlines’ Main Cabin Basic features.
1. No selectable seat assignments. These will probably be automatically assigned at or prior to check-in. Their standard economy offering is eligible for you to select a seat anytime at or after purchase, and only premium seating is excluded from what’s available.
2. Last to board. Main Cabin Basic will include a new boarding zone that will be following the current last to board zone 3. This can be concerning when it comes to finding space in overhead bins.
3. No ticket changes after 24 hours. On regular economy tickets, changes are permitted, albeit for a fee. Most other airlines’ basic economy offerings do not offer changes.
4. Hawaiian Airlines offers free food for all economy passengers and we’re glad to see that those in Main Cabin Basic will be included. That was previously mentioned by outgoing CEO Mark Dunkerley, who said, “when you’re going to Hawaii, plunking down that level of household expenditure, you don’t want to be told that you’re so cheap that you don’t rate a meal.”
Basic economy on other flights to Hawaii.
Read our updated Guide to Basic Economy to Hawaii to see how each airline’s offerings compare.
Challenges and benefits of basic economy.
There are challenges facing Hawaiian Airlines as they contemplate how to roll out this significant change. The last thing the Hawaii bellwether airline wants is to have such an offering backfire and insult a loyal client base. ‘
Southwest Airlines on basic economy.
Critics and Hawaii newcomer Southwest Airlines have deemed it, “second class.” Southwest does not offer basic economy and isn’t likely to. Company CEO Gary Kelly had said, “there is a huge value in offering all of our customers – 100% of them – a great product.”
Hawaiian Airlines is soon to face the impact of Southwest Airlines Hawaii flights.
What’s your take on basic economy at Alaska, American, Delta and United, and how do you feel about the upcoming basic economy at Hawaiian Airlines?
Updated 12/28/18.
Photo above includes both economy and exit row seats on inter-island aircraft.
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Aloha Friends! My family of four (me, hubby, 22 year son, 19 year daughter- all over 6 feet tall, except me at 5’6) just flew Hawaiian to Maui on December 19, 2018-December 27th….what use to be the “Best” airline is mediocre at best:(…for reference, we go to Hawaii every 1-1 1/2 years & fly whatever big name airline we can find a reasonable $ amount/flight time to fly-but had been impartial to Hawaiian over the years for previous obvious reasons:)…we live in OC, California so usually have to fly LAX-OGG for best rates…The overall flight was just okay, nothing to smile about- biggest problem is the AirBUS we were on (2 aisles on either side of 4 seat center row) was so LOUD it was annoying for a 5 hour flight:(…wish we had packed our bulky noise-cancelling headphones- and the seats were CRAMPED! and I am only 5’6- my hubby 6’4″, son 6’3″ sat on either side of aisle to get a little leg room- Bummer all bulk-heads were sold out when we booked (probably sell out first, and yes they charge you more $ for a little more comfort) FOOD- ugh! my family responded- I though it was okay but not the hot meal they have had in the past (a “warm’ breakfast sandwich flying out and a “warm” chicken sandwich flying inbound)…they “nickel & dime” you on everything- headphones, a real movie to watch (free Hawaiian promos- fine, but no one wants to watch 5 hours of that) etc…my family had downloaded movies on a couple lap tops but I did not bring mine:(…my family also packed their own food- fruit, granola bars etc..for inbound and we picked up ONO sandwiches at Take Home Maui in Lahaina for the outbound flight…Hawaiian Airlines in our opinion continues to decline over the years we have flown them (we have been coming to Hawaii for over 30 years:)…I cannot wait until SOUTHWEST comes into the market:):):)…let’s see how they do…bye, bye Hawaiian, HELLO Southwest!
Nita, if you have been coming to Hawaii for over 30 years your comment about Hawaiian continuing to decline is a little suspect to say the least. The Hawaiian of today is light years ahead of what it was 30, 20 or even 10 years ago. It also is a far superior “Hawaiian” experience option for traveling to Hawaii then anyone else. If you think SWA will be a better option because they will sell some some cheap tickets (initially) to break into the market, good for you. If you think their single isle 737 will be a better option then Hawaiian’s A330 you are REALLY dreaming….get back to me after your over 6 foot tall family spend 5 hours in a 737.
Glad to hear that some more kettles will be migrating to Southwest!
I’m not hearing much aloha regarding Hawaiian’s basic economy. Coming from the east coast, it’s hard enough to get to the islands, and even though I have to be very budget conscious, it would have to be an emergency for me to consider basic economy on any carrier. I certainly wouldn’t want to be separated from a partner, or family if they were coming. Disappointing to hear that Hawaiian is just one more gouging airline, despite their effort to seem unique with their island inspired uniforms and drinks. Just get me there with some shred of comfort!
On the Titanic, this class of service was called “steerage”….
Even if all goes according to plan, Basic Economy will NOT save the passengers money because, with increasingly less opportunity to store carry-on overhead, folks will be forced to pay for that big carry-on to be checked, at a price as high as, or higher than, what they “saved” on the fare. Because, let’s face it, folks are NOT going to pack less. Or buy fewer tchatchkes to carry home or pack fewer gifts for Aunty, Uncle, Tutu and Cuzns.
Even Freddy Laker would say “no can.”
Flying Southwest, all the way, baby.
Where has “customer first” mentality gone? I have flown many carriers. my favorite is Hawaiian, I’m using them again in February but that will be my last trip to Hawaii. These carriers know you can’t drive there so they gouge the last dime out of your pocket. I can afford the trip but their greed has soured me to the Islands of Paradise. Hawaiian Airlines was my last hope and now they are following the other carriers lead with their basic economy. I believe it will be sometime before Southwest is able to master the proper flight control. It is a sad day for Hawaii. Such a beautiful place.
Speaking of cutting back on customer service, any idea what happened to Hawaiian’s Android app? It disappeared from Google Play a few weeks ago, during the busiest time at HNL.
Mahalo!
Hi Otto.
If you mean their entertainment app, it is in the Play Store upon checking just now.
Aloha.
Flying most airlines today is like getting on a Greyhound bus with a YMCA basketball team that was unable to take a shower after playing three tournament games. Wish there was more competition so those who treat their customers badly would go broke.
Airlines keep referring to a sandwich as a meal – no way is that a meal – flew previously because ha did serve a meal with a glass of wine – sad to see the changes
I’m another senior individual that has been flying Hawaiian since 1968. The service was fantastic years ago, so it’s unfortunate that Hawaiian has gone greedy. I usually take my entire family (13 of us) when we visit Maui in the summer. The thought of us being separated in our seating is a definite deterrent for me to fly Hawaiian. Sad!
In my mind, it’s going to backfire. Many of the folks who fly basic economy typically fail to read the restrictions, including families not being able to sit together. If any gate agent or flight attendant asks me to switch seats just to accomodate a family to sit together because they didn’t pay attention to the fare rules, then no Aloha for them. And since Hawaiian tends to fly lots of families, I expect the Aloha will further be eroded among the rest of the passengers. Furthermore, the basic economy scam usually means an increase in fares, since they don’t really lower the fare for basic, and once basic is sold out, the regular economy fares start to skyrocket. Hawaiian has been going the way of the cookie cutter MBA model anyway.
My family has been flying only Hawaiian air for many years, I don’t like this at all we well just pay more for bad seats, my granddaughter 11 can not fly in a row by herself we would have to get off the plane so we are forced to fly 5 of us with a upgrade so we can’t go every year or two, and I have did nothing but brag about the airlines, might have to look elseware.
Basic economy is wrong. Airlines are already gouging paying passengers….Hawaiian air has made records profits from baggage fees alone! …. Delta is in a position of being number one and they are showing the abuse of travelers by nickel and diming every cent they from paying customers. Hawaiian airlines takes advantage of being the dominant carrier in hawaii so they can play that same game that delta does. …very disappointing.
Hi Eugene.
Your message was all upper case which is not not acceptable. We converted it to lower case. Please refrain from all upper case, as in the future they will be deleted.
Aloha.
Basic Economy Coming to Hawaiian Airlines | Will You Buy?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! BA HUMBUG!!
Of course, that is what they are hoping for. More Upgrades! Trouble is, it could backfire. There are other options coming. Who wants to feel like cattle for hours and hours! Not us.
We used our HA miles for our upcoming trip and then switched to our SWA card. Does that tell Hawaiian Airlines anything? They should strives to make the Aloha Experience continue not buy into the ‘cram and scram’ mentality of all the other airlines. Sad.
We remember flying when we were served a FULL HOT MEAL, on United no less. Think we are giving our age away, ha ha
Our 2020 trip will be with SWA! Got the miles already Just waiting to book tix :0)
Thanks for all of your comments Colleen!
Aloha.
R/J
You are so welcome Rob and Jeff. Love your blog! Thanks for keeping us up to date on all things Hawaii.
Mahalo
It is second Class…I’ll choose Southwest and Hawaiian Air will loose a customer…
I can’t wait for Southwest. I was hoping they would start before we go in February but doesn’t look like it. Airlines are getting like insurance. The prices keep going up and we keep getting less. Unfortunately, this is the way of America.
I’m waiting for a medical lawsuit for this type of travel. Been a loyal HA customer with credit card and Premier. This bad bad decision might move us and our family to another airline. I’m born and raised in a Hawaii and I agree, enough greed is enough!
I am anxious to try SW to Hawaii. Just had horrible experience on United & Air Canada SFO to Barcelona with Basic Economy. Nightmare. No room to lift your arms, no leg space, bad seats, I could go on. Never again. Now that Alaska has instituted this policy I’ll change my long allegiance with their company. Aloha
Thanks for all of your comments Marsha!
Aloha.
R/J
HA has been cutting back on customer service, while not offering competitive prices. We chose not to fly with them on our next trip, and would not choose to fly basic economy with them, either.
Really not a fan of the whole basic economy concept. I agree with one of the other commenters, for long haul, I go for business or first. I guess I’m lucky enough to be able to afford it. But the current HA seats are so tight, when we fly interisland we always pay the extra $10 bucks or whatever for an exit row. (Both my wife and I are fairly tall.) . I can’t imagine tighter seating…. Ug.
I won’t be buying any basic economy tickets…
I have traveled Hawaiian for years. But just recently a new policy has come to light. I think you should look into this and write an article on it. Recently on a trip to Mainland, when I checked into Hawaiian to fly to HNL, I was told they would not check my bag through to my destination. I walk with a walker, but my only choice was to check my bag, go out of security and get my bag, and recheck in my bag with Alaska. I was told they can only check your bag through if you have booked your whole ticket together – in otherwords, only fly with us or we will not check your bag through. Alaska checks the bag through. Delta checks the bag through. I pursued this with Hawaiian and all they could say is you have to book your whole ticket together. No piecing it yourself for best price. Really disgusting!
Book with a travel agent and it will all be on the same record.
All the negative changes to air travel, smaller seats, smaller lavatories, tray tables against your chest when person in front of you reclines their seat, animals on board, and harried staff are making air travel one big Greyhond bus in the sky. The only difference in Hawaii’s case is no roads lead there so Greyhound is not an option.
How much more can they squeeze out of us and still have predictable safety in the skies?
Hawaiian is not what it was. Only use them for Interisland. Was injured in a road accident so needed to change flight by a day. They would only allow cancellation without massive fee. So scrapped ticket and flew JAL which was flat bed and much nicer.
Pax need to look at value not price. I never fly Basic Coach. On long haul, I always slend the money for First or Business overnight but quite happy with an exit row in Coach fir day flight. Just as easy to work there. Basic economy on interisland woukd be horrendous. Already insufficient leg room in coach. Maybe it will be all standing?
So will basic economy fares be less than regular economy prices, or will regular economy fares increase? I think we know the answer.
NO WAY! Can’t wait for Southwest Airlines to come in and set the standard!
Checked luggage, a million dollars. Carry on, better be small enough. More checked luggage? Another million dollars. It’s getting old.
If the consumer will write/call/email the airlines and blow em up with communications that are negative, along with reviews and comments, they may get the idea.
Come on Southwest!!!
Please do not do this, enough is enough. Tons of money are made just by charging for check in luggage…stop the greed. We live in Pa., it takes approx. 10 hrs to fly to Hi. We have enjoyed flying HA and told everyone what friendly, reasonable service we experienced. If you do this we will probably not only stop flying HA but stop gong to Hi at all and spend our vacations exploring the Main Land.
One of the reasons I signed up for a Hawaiian Air Credit Card was because we enjoyed flying HA. I stopped flying United because of their squished seating, poor customer service, and how much I felt nickel and dimed for every small comfort. I am discouraged to hear HA going the way of the airlines which I do not wish to support. I will be keeping my eyes open for alternative airlines that fly to Hawaii and will close out my credit card before the annual renewal fee.
Hawaiian Airlines is known for hospitality and comfort! The minute you step on the plane your vacation starts. Basic economy is a very bad idea as it seems to go completely away from HA values. We fly HA because of these values and the comfort and relaxing flights. I also hate to see the wide body planes go away!
Thank you!
Hawaiian airlines is the most profitable airline in America already. Give me a break. You have a monopoly. Now you don’t want our money you want our blood. They have already been cramming more seats in for a few years and being more and more expensive. When is enough enough?
I encourage Hawaiian to continue the in-flight service they are known for as it sets them apart from the competition. Is it really worth arriving at your destination cramped, hungry and stressed? Not in my book! I’m sad enough with the idea that many of the planes will have a single aisle now
Thank you for “listening”.
It just sounds like more class warfare. Separating the haves and the have nots is abnoxious and immoral.
“Economy” class was not a reduction in airfare, it was a reduction in services for the same price. I will stick with Southwest.
I used to work for an airline, and when I flew to Hawaii, employees had to wear a suit and tie,spouses had to wear dresses and stockings, children had to wear dress clothing. Everyone on the flight knew that we were associated with the airline. We would get stared at by everyone; who wants to be treated like your “steerage”, or locked up like a galley slave?
Switch to Alaska or Southwest without hesitation. No brainer.
Bad idea,wrong time
We like HA because they make us feel like our vacation begins when we board. They should ADD PERKS TO KEEP LOYAL CUSTOMERS. Add WiFi and SKIP second class seating. Otherwise SWA-HERE WE COME
Mahalo
I agree
My husband and I have been loyal Platinum members of HA. We love the wide body planes with two aisles and extra comfort seats with extra leg space. If their new planes have only one aisle and less leg space, we will start looking at other airlines even if their plane will also have one aisle as to which airline has better fares. And now, if they go to basic economy, it may be more likely for us to move to other airlines.
I agree, now is not the time for Hawaiian to alienate its loyal customers. Southwest may not offer a meal, but they include overhead bin space AND free checked luggage. Although I get a free checked bag for each Hawaiian credit card our family has, making me pay for overhead space will make me look elsewhere for my flights from the West Coast (and there is a lot of competition). Are you listening HAL?
1) I would stop flying HA, or 2) I I might stop coming to Hawaii. We live in Houston but always stop over on the west coast for a day or two so we can fly HA’s A330 with bulkhead seats in coach. I won’t do single aisle, so hopefully the wide body won’t vanish. Problem is at the end of the day, bean counters rule.
I don’t want to see Hawaiian airline do this. I love flying with Hawaiian because of the perks such as choosing my seat, meals, etc. I usually don’t fly the other airlines because of the restrictions.
My wife and I love Hawaiian Airlines and fly it to Maui whenever we can – usually once a year.
We hate basic economy – please, Hawaiian airlines, don’t embrace it.
We love the leg room, meal, mai tai, and hot chocolate chip cookies that Hawaiian Airlines offers.