12 thoughts on “Southwest Hawaii Business Model Headwinds Amid Industry Woes”
Thomas S
Another suggestion. Our last trip in May was planned to avoid the spring break crush and the summer slam and we did pretty well. If the airlines and resorts could agree the issue is reaching a critical mass, waive change fees on the islands for the summer. I did not prepay any part of my May trip in case of a melt down in paradise. If I was coming again soon, I would postpone for my own pleasure. Hey, I live in Missouri sometimes pronounced Misery but a staycation with the probability of a better trip later might be the prudent call. 56 trips go the islands in 21 years!
I commented previously about the issues we and our party faced in mid-May including car rentals, airlines, and resort check-in. Suggestions: Inbound flights from overseas seem to arrive in bunches, at least according to the rental car people. Airports on the mainland like O’Hare in Chicago and DFW in Dallas or Denver seem to treat planes like rush hour traffic. Is there anyway to reasonably spread arrivals and departures? One airline employee said a problem was connecting flights on the mainland to be considered. Spreadout arrivals might help resorts, but for many reasons resort rooms are not prepared with arrival times of guests taken into account. Car rentals in and out would be helped. Avis for both rentals had no room to accept returns.
Their is two other problems with SWA’s inter island operation. The 737 Max is designed to be the most fuel efficient long range 737 built. It is not designed for short haul high frequency flights. I’m concerned inter island use exasperates their potential for safety issues. Not just my opinion but the opinion of airline operations specialists (vs the bean counters who make the decisions) Also their flight crews are inexperienced with inter island flying. They are here for a day on a layover and are not that use to inter island flying. Particularly problematic on bad weather days. Hawaiians flights are staffed by full time inter island professionals that live here.
SWA has been a terrible fit for Hawaii. Yes competition can be good but they have gummed up the airports with their business model and have completely ignored Hawaii’s needs when we reopened last summer. There was a congestion issue and the State was trying to get the airlines to slow down and moderate their flights. Hawaiian of course, as well as othe other mainland airlines were willing. Apparently SWA was not as they were more intent on growing their “product” in Hawaii being the new guys.
JohnW, you’re overlooking the fact that Southwest has hugely reduced the inter-Island airfare since their arrival, saving kama’aina a whole lot of money.
As I have said on here often, save yourself a headache and don’t ever fly southworst. Unless of course you enjoy improperly maintained aircraft and being herded onto the airplane like cattle.
Southwest’s 737MAX aircraft are MUCH younger than Hawaiian’s 717s, and, as MAX aircraft, are the most investigated and best maintained aircraft flying.
Just returning from Portugal. At LaGuardia , travelers were advised to arrive two hours early. It took one and a half hours to get through baggage drop and TSA.Then the long walk to the gate! Travelers who arrived late to check in were not given any special place in line to expedite their rush to the gate. Delta simply didn’t have enough airport personnel to help late checkins.
Heed the advice to arrive early ! We saw a lot of stress and anger among passengers. .
Another suggestion. Our last trip in May was planned to avoid the spring break crush and the summer slam and we did pretty well. If the airlines and resorts could agree the issue is reaching a critical mass, waive change fees on the islands for the summer. I did not prepay any part of my May trip in case of a melt down in paradise. If I was coming again soon, I would postpone for my own pleasure. Hey, I live in Missouri sometimes pronounced Misery but a staycation with the probability of a better trip later might be the prudent call. 56 trips go the islands in 21 years!
I commented previously about the issues we and our party faced in mid-May including car rentals, airlines, and resort check-in. Suggestions: Inbound flights from overseas seem to arrive in bunches, at least according to the rental car people. Airports on the mainland like O’Hare in Chicago and DFW in Dallas or Denver seem to treat planes like rush hour traffic. Is there anyway to reasonably spread arrivals and departures? One airline employee said a problem was connecting flights on the mainland to be considered. Spreadout arrivals might help resorts, but for many reasons resort rooms are not prepared with arrival times of guests taken into account. Car rentals in and out would be helped. Avis for both rentals had no room to accept returns.
2 years ago I was book in December to Kauai on swa for $99 each way. Last year it was $250. This year it’s over $500
Their is two other problems with SWA’s inter island operation. The 737 Max is designed to be the most fuel efficient long range 737 built. It is not designed for short haul high frequency flights. I’m concerned inter island use exasperates their potential for safety issues. Not just my opinion but the opinion of airline operations specialists (vs the bean counters who make the decisions) Also their flight crews are inexperienced with inter island flying. They are here for a day on a layover and are not that use to inter island flying. Particularly problematic on bad weather days. Hawaiians flights are staffed by full time inter island professionals that live here.
JohnW, you’re misinformed.
Only a small, specially trained portion of Southwest pilots fly in Hawaii, and they operate their aircraft exactly the same as the Hawaiian pilots.
SWA has been a terrible fit for Hawaii. Yes competition can be good but they have gummed up the airports with their business model and have completely ignored Hawaii’s needs when we reopened last summer. There was a congestion issue and the State was trying to get the airlines to slow down and moderate their flights. Hawaiian of course, as well as othe other mainland airlines were willing. Apparently SWA was not as they were more intent on growing their “product” in Hawaii being the new guys.
JohnW, you’re overlooking the fact that Southwest has hugely reduced the inter-Island airfare since their arrival, saving kama’aina a whole lot of money.
As I have said on here often, save yourself a headache and don’t ever fly southworst. Unless of course you enjoy improperly maintained aircraft and being herded onto the airplane like cattle.
Mike G,
Southwest’s 737MAX aircraft are MUCH younger than Hawaiian’s 717s, and, as MAX aircraft, are the most investigated and best maintained aircraft flying.
Just returning from Portugal. At LaGuardia , travelers were advised to arrive two hours early. It took one and a half hours to get through baggage drop and TSA.Then the long walk to the gate! Travelers who arrived late to check in were not given any special place in line to expedite their rush to the gate. Delta simply didn’t have enough airport personnel to help late checkins.
Heed the advice to arrive early ! We saw a lot of stress and anger among passengers. .
Okay, y’all…though it might be a bit gruesome to behold, thanks for a morning grin.
“Southwest handles that well under normal circumstances, with – cleaver – route planning..”
Any competition to the monopoly Hawaiian has created is welcome. This includes the HAL fanboys replying here.