In a recent twist in evolving airline seating policies, Hawaiian Airlines has introduced strict measures to prevent passengers from moving to “Extra Comfort” extra legroom seats unless they pay for them. This practice mirrors a growing trend among airlines, such as United Airlines, which have implemented similar strategies to manage premium seating fairly and maximize revenue from their seat options.
Something new on Hawaiian Airlines Flights?
On a recent flight, we observed for the first time that Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants were actively selling as well as policing “Extra Comfort” seats. They made very sure that these remained reserved exclusively for passengers paying extra for these seats. To achieve this, they employed several tactics:
Physical barriers: Flight attendants opened all the tray tables on unoccupied “Extra Comfort” seats, creating a barrier that made these seats appear occupied or otherwise entirely unavailable.
Printed signs: As seen in the lead BOH image above, printed signs were also attached to a number of the “Extra Comfort” seats. These signs clearly stated that the seats were reserved for “Extra Comfort” guests only, discouraging non-paying passengers from even trying to move to these more comfortable seats by raising the tray tables.
On-Board premium seat sales: When we inquired with a flight attendant about this new practice, we learned that Hawaiian Airlines has begun having flight attendants sell these seats on board. While the flight attendant was unsure of the exact price – that seemed odd since there were available seats, they mentioned it varies by flight. This practice aligns with a growing trend in the airline industry to monetize every conceivable aspect of the passenger experience.
During the flight, we overheard a passenger asking a flight attendant if they could move to one of these empty “Extra Comfort” seats. The flight attendant politely declined, explaining that those seats were reserved unless purchased, reflecting the airline’s new strict enforcement policy.
A growing trend in the airline industry.
Hawaiian Airlines’ move to enforce the exclusivity of “Extra Comfort” seating isn’t isolated. As referenced in a similar scenario with United Airlines, flight attendants were also observed creating physical barriers with tray tables to prevent passengers from moving into empty “Economy Plus” premium seats. We’ve seen United flight attendants also use other items to block access to empty seats. We’ll report back on them shortly when we next fly with them to the mainland. This is a clear indicator that airlines are becoming more vigilant in ensuring premium seating areas are only occupied by those who have actually paid extra for the privilege.
How do you feel about airlines forcibly reserving extra legroom seats?
If you are someone who occasionally or always pays for extra legroom, you may have a very different opinion about this practice than someone who doesn’t pay extra for seat assignments. Is this a further insult by the airlines, or is it merely making sure those who pay are the only ones who obtain this added benefit? Please let us know your thoughts below!
As airlines continue to find new revenue streams in today’s travel landscape, enforcing premium seat exclusivity has become a widespread and apparently effective strategy. By preventing passengers from moving to unoccupied premium seats, airlines hope to encourage advance purchase of these seats, improving revenue from ancillary sales.
What does this mean for airline traveler strategies?
For travelers flying on all carriers to Hawaii, this new practice means being more strategic about checking seating choices. If you’re eyeing an even slightly more spacious seat during the flight, it might be wise to check prices at the point of purchase rather than hoping to switch to a better seat mid-flight. On our six-hour flight, we paid $90 per person for these Extra Comfort seats, which was an excellent value based on our experiences.
This trend seems to signal further changes in airlines’ management of all in-flight services. Travelers should anticipate more rigorous enforcement of seat assignments with the possibility of additional in-flight sales opportunities. We can also recall that in the past, airlines offered to up-sell from economy to business/first class, sometimes with signs at the check-in counter, although we now see that far less often.
As a small business owner in a big business world I am increasingly concerned about the direction of business/society. There seems to be a mean and punitive attitude toward one’s fellow man. The bottom line is the only concern. Airlines are part of this ‘business model’. The result is not good or fair for the in the trenches, (flight attendents) workers. This negativity spills over to the passenger. It’s time we really think about what we are doing. When is enough enough?
Seems fine to up-charge during flight or keep seat empty. You get what you pay for. No freebies as it seems to cause more entitlement issues. Plus if airlines find more people willing to pay for business class legroom, then maybe they’ll add more business class seats to flights and less of the cramped standard seats in the future.
And this folks is why the world is so divided. No one is living Aloha or having the Aloha spirit. Comfort, kindness and Free Upgrades be damned! You paid for an economy seat you Shall Not Pass! Truly sad and pathetic at all the greedy boomers here refusing to show one ounce of empathy, kindness, compassion or charity. If a seat is empty and someone asks for it I’ll be happy to move them there. And yes I am a flight attendant and yes my brother is a pilot. (will not say which airline)
Hi
Unless you can accommodate all the other passengers to upgrade at no charge. That would not be fair to the other passengers. I don’t think it has to do with greed. Pay for the seat that you will be comfortable in.
Thank you! I could not agree more!
Airlines need to survive. United has been selling ‘special seats’ for many times. Southwest would be assigning seats in 2025. So buying an extra legroom during purchase is a good idea. I am slightly handicapped. I don’t need a legroom – I need an aisle seat and if I have to pay for comfort so be it.
Former flight attendant here: The product is available for purchase. If the row has two empty seats then that is a lucky plus for the purchaser. But if you choose to purchase the cheaper fare, why on earth would you be entitled to something more?
It didn’t happen often but when it did we had no trouble telling the passenger to return to their seat.
Agreed…those premium seats carry an extra fee (which I paid for). Customers who have not paid for those and chose to purchase an economy seat are not authorized to sit in the vacant premium plus seat. You get what you paid for.
You should only get what you pay for on a plane or anywhere else.
I always pay extra to fly first class domestically and for premium economy when flying internationally (and I select and purchase my seat ahead of time.) I would be most offended if a passenger in regular economy was allowed to just wander over to one of the more comfortable seats without paying extra for it!!! I am appalled to think that is being allowed! If there are better, empty seats available, the airline should definitely be able to regulate their assignment!!!
Flying today is like putting rats in a box – with no room to move, the rats start attacking each other. Airlines putting in more rows of seats leaves no room for leg room nor can you recline your seat back without infringing on the passenger behind. It is outrageous and now airlines want to charge extra to be somewhat comfortable. Greed is what it is all about. Charge a fare price and treat your passengers like human beings rather than rats.
For me, it’s not about the airline making more money. It’s about the fact that if I had to pay extra for my extra comfort seat, then so should anyone else who occupies the available extra comfort seat.
What about very tall people? When seated in a regular leg room seat and having a bag under the seat in front of me, I’m unable to put the tray down to a level position. Some airlines accommodate extra wide passengers, but I’ve never seen an accommodation for a tall person. I fly Southwest, and always pay for upgraded boarding which usually takes care of it for me, but in this regard, should I really have to pay extra?
Probably should have said, I’m 6’5 also.
Bob,
Yes, you should have to pay extra. Why wouldn’t you? It’s not the airlines fault that you’re tall.
Agreed! I’m tall too and have zero problems paying for any upgrades whether on planes or for hotel rooms.
Yes.
I have never once had an extra tall European complain about the lack of space in coach. Body builders also have a problem.
That’s what I’m saying this feels just keep adding up I’m glad the people can pay and get the extra room but some of us can’t afford it when you have 3 kids flying with you
Sorry, Tracy when I had younger kids we all sat in coach. Now that kids are grown my wife and I pay extra for comfort or 1st class. Your time will come too.
Hi, Bob. We also always have to pay extra for my big and tall husband so he has leg room. Although I fit anywhere, I also pay extra just to be next to my husband. So we end up paying twice for his comfort. It is what it is but worth it for his comfort. I hope they put in more extra comfort seats and less general seats in the planes some day. It will be more expensive, but that’s flying. Airlines need to stay in business or we’ll have to take a cruise to get to Hawaii.
I always purchase the extra leg room seats and totally agree the free loaders need to be held accountable. The airline is doing what should have been standard practice from day one.
As a person 6ft. 5 in. Tall person, I resent having to pay extra to get legroom that proportiantly is the same compared to a shorter person in a standard seat size. Perhaps a cheaper upgrade for persons over the national average ht?
Sorry, life isn’t always fair. I’m tall too, but gladly pay for the extra space.
This comment may not be directly related to the article posted but I wanted to make mention of this. Paying for a premium seat will not always equate to a premium experience. For example, I recently flew in a paid upgraded seat. However, the upgraded meal choices were limited to me and my son traveling with me because we chose the last row in the premium section resulting in being last to take whatever premium meal was left. I ended up having the economy meal, a disappointment I’d say. You’d think they would change the direction of meal service during the second meal but nope, I was still the last to choose, well….not really a choice.
You know you have to pay for your bags, food and now seats come on airlines give us something for free. I look at it this way it’s a gamble maybe there’s going to be a comfy seat maybe not if your willing to take that chance why not let people sit there. It’s not going to bankrupt the airlines it’s Seats. Assign seats the way you used to I don’t know when this all all started but it’s not right it puts the flight attendants in a bad spot saying no you didn’t pay so you can’t sit here
That’s not right. You didn’t pay for it. Others pay for it don’t freeload. Customers put employees in a tuff spot by trying to take advantage
How about just make every seat extra comfort? Newer planes are trying to squeeze as many people as they can. They should make it standing room only, so they can squeeze more people in. My knees practically touch the back of the seats now.
I wonder whether the article meant “Premium Plus” or “Economy Plus”, because United doesn’t have anything called “Comfort Plus”. The former is a separate cabin with curtain dividers, while the latter is part of the Economy cabin.
There are no physical barriers to Economy Plus but the flight attendants do sometimes keep an eye on them and occasionally market upgrades for them on some flights. I have never seen trays down in empty Economy Plus seats on United.