Positioned between economy and business, this is fast becoming the ideal product for medium-range Hawaii flights. It’s a winner because it provides great benefits and value to both airlines and passengers.
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Positioned between economy and business, this is fast becoming the ideal product for medium-range Hawaii flights. It’s a winner because it provides great benefits and value to both airlines and passengers.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Except for added seat space, Hawaiian Air is currently the only airline that offers meals in standard economy and their flight attendants offer excellent service, throughout the aircraft, already.
Only benefit for adding premium economy on Hawaiian would be added seat space. I understand Hawaiian Air’s hesitancy in joining the Premium Economy hoopla, they already offer premium economy service in standard economy.
Carolyn S.
LAX to Honolulu three times in 2023. Flew on Hawaiian 1st class and so disappointed that the lie flat seats made it difficult for a 5ft.5ft. person reach the foot rest however better than the Delta first class seats which was the Neo 321 that had no leg rest at all.
Regretfully, we return with United first class and it was worse with a foot rest, narrow two seats and no access to any movies.
If you had a cell phone you would be lucky. United meal was the worst.
It is a continuation of the downgrade of aviation. The Megarich now fly in their own planes, True First Class is being replaced by Business First and Premium Economy replaces Business while Basic Economy is at the bottom as ever. So we have cutbacks on the frills and service of the old regime but whilst the comparative fares may look a deal, we are alas paying more for less. Then we have the focus to turn the FFB plans into a financial product and diversify away from air travel. Something tells me some of the heads at airlines will roll when the recession really hits and the loyalists who have been lost by the nickel and diming do not come back to bale them out. Interesting times. Keen to see what the Hawaiian Freight tie up will bring.
I would definitely be interested in Premium Economy. My husband and I just returned from a trip to Maui. We flew Alaska from SFO to Maui and treated ourselves to First Class. I was disappointed, as I thought First Class was going to be very special. We did have wider seats, but they only reclined a little bit, not enough to get comfortable and sleep. We did have a dedicated flight attendant, food and a blanket, but no other amenities. Next time, I will try another airline.
Hawaiian is unsurprisingly foolish by declining to offer this type of seating, nothing new from them. Money motivates their decision making, when demand isn’t met by them passengers will continue their exodus away. That’s when they will begin to offer passengers the alternative seating.
It’s as much about the service as it is about the seat. If you are paying for, basically, a larger seat for a longer flight, but get nothing more than that, then the price should simply reflect the fact that you are getting a bigger seat, and that is it. Everything else – the service from the back, is what you would expect in those bigger seats. Now if the premium economy comes with at least a bit better service, and the price reflects that then okay, I can see it. But what it may be coming down to is actually getting people to pay enough to make a profit on the flight.
From what I have been reading, Boeing is not planning on making much in the way of the mid size aircraft. That means no 787 or 777. However, they are planning on making a good many max aircraft 7,8 9 and the 10. As numbers get bigger the aircraft gets longer and holds more people. Seating arrangements will be up to the buyer of the max, with the 10 holding a good number of people.
Aloha
We have always flown United’s Boeing 757 from Denver direct to Kauai (except during the pandemic year), sometimes in their Economy Plus section, sometimes in their Business/First Class cabin. Since their Business/First Class section has now become so expensive- more that double what we used to pay- it will be back to Economy Plus for our trip in February. With my height, replaced knees and hip, I relish a little more legroom. A 2-by-2 Premium Economy configuration in the A321 will provide even more comfort, and for my wife and me, will be well worth the extra money.
Flew Premium Economy twice on American Airlines and once on Delta to and from HNL. Never on Delta again. Would like to try United and Hawaiian if possible. All airlines do not offer the same amenities or service.
Delta is currently flying the Airbus A330-900 NEO between Honolulu and Seattle that has a premium section with bigger seats and 2-3-2 seating at Delta+ prices. They are very comfortable.
Agree Fred. We just flew Delta into Honolulu on Saturday. Beautiful flight on the plane you mentioned. We really thought it was great. Staff was amazing and we had tons of room in the main cabin. We were on time with connecting flight as well. Wish I could say more positive stuff about Honolulu. It’s been 3yrs. The city seems so dirty. Some places have shut down permanently I’m sure due to COVID but the overall feel to me is with the locals is they are worn down. Probably have to work more than one job to stay afloat. Kinda sad really. We spend our time on the otherside of tge Island. Hawaii will always be beautiful but it’s definitely changed.
Another marketing ploy designed to separate old people from their money. Who am I to judge, the choice is yours
Everything is a ploy to separate people from their money. It’s called capitalism. 😉
Traveling East, especially East of the western States, it’s the lie-flat seats that make Business class attractive. United needs to do something about the bad food options.
I’m getting very tired of all the “levels” of economy fares these days. There’s the basic fare that doesn’t even assign a seat, there’s the economy fare where you finally get a confirmed seat, but it’s the seats in less desirable locations, and then there’s premium comfort seats that charges another $99-$120 a seat. On top of that, there’s baggage fees. Can airlines Please stop nickel and diming us for more $$???
On the contrary, segmentation of the products allow the consumer to choose the exact experience they want/need. I am absolutely for the Delta model of Economy/Economy Comfort/Premium Economy/Business. This is why I think Hawaiian is so archaic – they can’t separate themselves from their 90’s model to adopt further product developments – they are actually a perfect representation of this state: slow to act, stuck in old ways, and unwilling to embrace change.
So to provide new “premium economy” seats and cabins, how much more space are they going to take away from regular economy seats. Flying was a pleasure once upon a time. FAA or somebody needs to set standards of leg room and seat widths. I’m not sure if it’s just a rumor, but I thought there was a class action to get minimum standards set. I hope it’s true.
If they price it too high, for flights of 5 hrs or less, people might just pass on it. Premium Economy sounds like an oximoron in some ways. What it might end up being is the ‘overflow’ from Business class, as true ‘First Class’ doesn’t exist from the West Coast.
I flew it to HNL from the east coast recently on AA. It was very comfortable and well worth the price I paid. We did have a pillow and blanket however dining option was same for regular economy as premium. We did get the choice of two beers wines or spirits though.
Yes, please!
Paying hundreds of dollars for one of these seats over and above the standard economy fare is all fine and dandy if that’s what floats your boat (I’d never do it, but that’s just me). So go for it. But then please don’t also complain that local island park use fees and airport arrival taxes are ripping you off. Because that would be laughable.
Mahalo!
Air Canada also offers true premium economy on some flights.
Premium economy is a Must for all the airlines that fly wide bodies to Hawaii. It’s the perfect fit for passengers that do not want to pay for first class, which is filled with frequent fliers who have taken award seats. But are willing to pay for more comfort, better food, cocktails, and a quieter cabin. It’s simply perfect for the market for all USA gateways.
Looks and sounds nice. But honestly, flying twice a year to Kauai now, the price for economy is getting to be too much, especially with the ridiculous price of rental cars now. If the price of economy and rental cars keeps going up we will have to give up our timeshare as it is just getting to be too much!
scrunch into my “cattle car seat” take a relax pill for a couple hours shut eye and save a good amount of money to spend on something more tangible. I’m not too old to be uncomfortable for a couple of hours for a monetary reward.
We generally fly Hawaiian’s “extra comfort”, which on the NEO321 doesn’t have a lot of extra comfort, in my opinion, although on the 330 it is fine. This sounds like a step up from that, and I’d be willing to pay extra for that. Keep us posted on Hawaiian’s plans to expand to this class of travel.
Hi Lee.
We sure will. It’s an opportunity too good for them to pass up.
Aloha.
Thanks BoH for the information. We flew AA’s Premium Economy a few years ago, OGG – DFW. The seats were wider and pitch was greater but I have short legs and leg rest was still too short. We usually fly coach AUS – DFW and coach with 4 – 6″ extra legroom seats on the way DFW – OGG. That also gets us earlier boarding, reserved overhead bins and beer, wine, spirits. We are usually talking with other passengers about their Maui plans. On way back, OGG – DFW we try to get 1st/Business class w/lie flat seats. The 787 Dreamliner and the 777 1st /Business class pods are very comfortable for the overnight flight. The F/A’s have always been very attentive.