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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28 thoughts on “Premium Economy Set to Revolutionize Hawaii Flights”
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.