Updated 4/2/20. We learned that the airlines have yet another logistical challenge, and that relates to their Hawaii flight crews.
American Airlines and others continue to fly daily between the mainland and Hawaii (primarily Honolulu). AA has confirmed that all of their Hawaii flights now require two completely redundant crews. One entire team rests en route to Hawaii and then works the reverse direction. In that way, none of their flight crew ever officially enter the State of Hawaii. Employees of other airlines including United and Alaska have said that they have to work both directions instead. So, not all airlines are using double crews on flights to and from Hawaii.
For the Hawaiian Airlines crew, this may be completely different. We reached out to Hawaiian on this, but did not hear back at the time of publication. Their largely Honolulu-based flight crews should be able to re-enter Hawaii so long as they do not get off the plane in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or now Seattle. Hawaiian also maintains a Los Angeles based crew, for which it might work very differently.
It has also been pointed out that it is possible to break the 14 day period by directly leaving the islands. It’s all a logistical mess, any way you look at it.
This would not be a time to be a flight attendant on any airline.
What with all of the perks gone, such as some much valued rest time in Hawaii as an example, plus the hazards of flying, dealing with airports, and passengers soon to be wearing masks, etc. Just saying.
Flights to Hawaii are continuing for multiple reasons.
Airlines and airports are exclusively under federal jurisdiction, so the state is not permitted to say that you can’t fly to Hawaii, and the airlines are required in many instances to continue to sell tickets and operate Hawaii routes.
Airlines must comply with all government orders on their Hawaii flights. The companies, which are receiving billions of dollars from the government, are required to operate flights, except when exceptions have been authorized. That, even if they are flying empty. Some of the airlines’ requests, such as eliminating most flights to neighbor islands, have, however, already been agreed to.
Passengers continue to arrive.
Even though Hawaii passengers are required, under penalty of jail and/or fine, to isolate on arrival for two entire weeks, nothing can currently prevent visitors and residents from flying here. This is a weird loophole, and presents challenges in multiple ways, to say the least. Some have even later been arrested for violations or returned directly to the mainland.
Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connors said, “It is always our hope that persons coming to our state follow our laws and respect the needs of our community…. Law enforcement has a zero-tolerance attitude…. We’re asking everyone flying into the state to respect the emergency rules for their own protection and for the health and well-being of all of Hawaii.”
Flights to Hawaii have become a nightmare.
Just in terms of personal protection, as an example, a myriad of permutations existed as recently as yesterday. As of April 1, and soon to be implemented, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines indicated passengers and crew will now be required to cover their faces during flights, including those to and from Hawaii. We are within a week to be in a new scenario where all flight crews and passengers will wear masks.
Flight attendants deal with public, who have to quar antine, but can run about freely in Hawaii immediately, with no test? Please explain.Also they room with husband, go in/out, husband “quar antined”. Are they magic? Thank you.
Hi Carol.
Good question. That is how we understand it as well. On the other hand, we were told that Alaska is flying them directly in and out with no stay. So any clarification others may add would be appreciated.
Aloha.
At United Airlines we did turns to both Kona and Maui. One early and a later one daily. Approximately 12 hour days but only twice a week.
We. We never had double crews as both crews would be paid, costing the airline much more money.
At Alaska we have to work both ways
I want to comment on this part….Airlines must comply with all government orders on their Hawaii flights. I was told my Alaska flight on May 14th to Maui was cancelled because Hawaii was not letting them fly in due to the 14 day quarantine extension. I told the agent when I re-booked the flight I thought this was not true. Maybe it is in some loop hole? I’m a new resident trying to get moved there. And had everything arranged based on the May flight. I’m now on a flight from CA to Maui via San Diego on June 1st. I tried contacting the governor’s office to see if the 14 day quarantine is going to be extended but didn’t get an answer to this specific question. So I sit, wait and stress, to see if my June 1st flight will be cancelled for some reason. Maybe Beat of Hawaii has some information. I’ve learned about what has been happening more from your newsletter than from the airline.
Hi Jill.
We do not have further information yet, but hope to soon. Stay tuned.
Aloha.
I was told by a pilot friend that flies for one of the major airlines that service Oahu, that flight crews have not been required to self quarantine. Maybe this rule is being tightened, as evidenced by the airlines new regulations, but I’m pretty sure that this was a major hole up until recently, and it has only been fierce local community criticism, that changed things.
Airline crew are “essential” and exempt from inbound quarantine requirements
Thank you for the updates. If I arrive on 5.31.20, the current day the quar antine is lifted, will I still be obligated to self quar antine for 14 days? And if I arrive 6.1.20 I am free to go anywhere? Thank you. Boll
Hi Bill.
There are no answers to your questions quite yet. We don’t think it will be long and we’ll publish more as soon as we can.
Aloha.
Please, United just cancelled our May 4th red-eye from KOA to SFO with next option to schedule as June 3rd.
But United has red-eye flights daily from HNL to SFO.
Is there any Hawaiian Air or other option to get from KOA to HNL to connect with that return flight to SFO? Thx!
Hi Linda.
You’ll need to check the Hawaiian website. You can also check Southwest as they also have interisland service.
Aloha.
Just curious, not sure why SWA is flying any inter island at all, but their crews are all from various places on the
mainland. Most definitely not from Hawaii. How are they allowed to interact with the public?
Hi John.
Thanks for over 3 dozen comments to date! Since interisland has all the same restrictions as flights from the mainland it would seemingly be no different. The 14 days of isolation follows all interisland flights. Not sure how it was decided who flies where right now.
Aloha.
When you arrive in Hawaii are you allowed to get groceries before you go into your 14 day quarantine?
Thank you
Hi Kathy.
No you are not.
Aloha.
In Hawai’i, like on the mainland, you can order groceries online at some stores like Safeway, Foodland, etc. Check online first before you go, make a list of items, etc. That way it should be pretty easy to order when you get there.
Thanks for explaining a number of things. Especially this:
“Airlines and airports are exclusively under federal jurisdiction, so the state is not permitted to say that you can’t fly to Hawaii.”
There are so many people commenting online (Honolulu newspaper, etc.) and demanding that the state, or the city and county, or the airport authority, ban incoming flights, etc. They need to understand that this is not legally possible. (Maybe you could write a short article or column for them to publish, so that their readers could understand better.)
……..
Footnote: today was the day that my wife and I were supposed to jet off for our trip of a lifetime, one month on the beach at Diamond Head, SUP paddling or surfing every day. Needless to say, that trip is long cancelled. But I can come to this site and look at the beautiful photos – it’s the next best thing to being there! (We’ll be back when it works out well for everyone.)
Hi Dave.
Thank you for your comments. Sorry that your trip didn’t happen!
Aloha.
fyi – friend was United flight attendant for many years based at LAX. They routinely flew turnarounds (RT Hawaii) by scheduling choice as it provided more time off at home. Not sure if pilots could do that – probably not. Friend did Hawaii trips for many years followed by Narita as that allowed even more time at home (fewer trips).
It used to be only fairly senior FA who could get the Hawaii routes, and also Hawaii was considered an international destination. United had separate groups that could only bid on schedules within their group – international or domestic.
I have to wonder if the double crews now are simply because of the 14 day quar antine and perhaps lack of open hotels with room service to serve crews.
There is also some regulation about airlines losing gates at the airports if they are not flying the flights – don’t know if that has been waived now or not.
Hi, guys. I’m so glad you’re staying on top of all of this! Thank you. But, I’m not sure the analysis is correct about Hawaiian flight attendants being able to re-enter Hawaii so long as they don’t get off the plane in mainland locations. Such crews all will have been exposed to passengers from the mainland who are flying on the flights, as well as folks who are cleaning and resupplying the planes when they are in mainland airports, etc. If that is considered the kind of exposure that carries risk (I can’t imagine how it wouldn’t be), then it’s likely HARDER for Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants. At least crews based elsewhere get to go about their “normal” lives (no 14 day quarantine) when they get back to wherever they’re based. Whereas Hawaiian flight attendants might have to go into 14 day quarantine when they come back to their home in the islands. In any event, this is complicated and isn’t going to be easy. What I don’t understand is the reasons that people are still coming to Hawaii. Other than the few obvious nuts who have come, what is the purpose of most of the visitors? I have presumed it’s for work as no one in their right mind would be coming here for a vacation now. Given that Hawaiian officials are meeting with all of these people when they arrive to ascertain their place of residence and advise them of applicable restrictions, they actually must have the information about what is bringing people here. That would be helpful to know.
Thanks again for keeping us all informed.
Hi Lorri.
Thank you. Yes we aren’t sure about Hawaiian’s Honolulu based crew requirements. On the other hand we can’t quite imagine a 14 day isolation period for every crew member on every flight. That is why we have reached out to them for comment and will update based on what we learn.
Aloha.
I work security at KOA and talked to the Roberts personnel who are handling the passenger information-gathering at boarding and again upon arrival. I had been asked by a resident who was expecting his 2 sons to fly in just to celebrate Mother’s Day and then fly out the next day (right now, KOA has only 1 trans-pac flight operating, a Delta LAX-KOA, 3 or 4 nights a week). The Roberts personnel told me that the 14 day quarantine can be broken to leave the island. So technically, the flight crew would be subject to quarantine but could leave to fly out at any time even before the quarantine period was finished.
Good comments. As to why people still come, they can get super-cheap tickets, and they figure it will be totally uncrowded when they arrive. Actually, if we still owned our condo on O’ahu, I would be tempted to fly over, stay in the condo for 14 days (order food online from the Safeway on Kapahulu) and then go out to enjoy the deserted roads and beaches. No more big, loud tour buses! Surf breaks with just a few people instead of hundreds! It would be like going back to the 50s – a real paradise. I’m retired and my wife is laid off, so there would be no reason not to. We love the nature and the ocean and peace and quiet, so the lack of nightlife would be a blessing. If visitors really follow the rules, there’s no reason for them not to go anywhere in the world. Some of the anti-visitor vitriol seems almost like a belief in witchcraft. Hating outsiders isn’t going to change anything, and not every visitor is a walking time bomb or a Typhoid Mary.
I’m with you, Dave! My job allows me to work remotely; just need wifi. I had booked a fantastic fare on Alaska, and was sorely tempted take it, rather than cancel. There are worse things than sitting on an ocean-view lanai for two weeks, drinking in the view, while doing work I’d be doing anyway!
Hello BOH, please give me your opinion about my wife and mine’s vacation to Maui.,we originally had it planned for June but now we moved all our reservations to September. Hoping all will be ok for vacationing in our favorite place. Thank you.
Hi James.
We just don’t have enough clarity as of today to give an opinion on this. On the other hand, we expect to know much more in the next couple of weeks, so please watch for our updates or check back with us directly.
Aloha .
What an interesting article. Thanks so much!
Lanell
Hi Lanell.
Thank you!
Aloha