Last month a new trial of preboarding families, and now perhaps an even bigger change that the US DOT is demanding. Southwest Hawaii.
Last month a new trial of preboarding families, and now perhaps an even bigger change that the US DOT is demanding. Southwest Hawaii.
Southwest is a budget airline that floods Hawai’i with budget minded tourists who don’t offer greatest return for Hawaiian residents.
Former Maui Mayor, Elmer Cravalho, who put Maui on the map, stated that he’d rather have One tourist with $100 dollars, than 100 tourists with one dollar, to preserve Maui’s beauty and quality of life.
Southwurst budget cattle carrier, floods Hawai’i’s infrastructure with budget minded tourist who strain capacities while Not contributing much to the County or State budgets, not to mention, diminishing Hawai’i’s brand as a prime destination.
Kalani W. Have you ever considered that these “budget minded tourists” might be trying to save money on their flight so they can spend more in Hawaii.
Now if Southwest would control people in wheelchairs boarding with 6 family members. Recent trip there were 30 wheelchairs! Paid for early bird and was seated in row 20!
If you’re bringing your kids to Hawaii and you want to make it a memorable Hawaii experience wouldn’t it make sense to just fly there on Hawaiian?
Their flight would actually be remembered as uniquely Hawaiian and not just another airline flight. Plus you can reserve seats, no cattle call…..
Hawaiian charges extra for aisle & window seats in addition to bags. That can add 100’s of dollars to a family’s travel costs.
Actually HA charges for various levels of preferred seats but not all aisle and window seats are extra. However the point was taking a family trip to Hawaii would make for a more memorable experience on Hawaiian if the goal is take in as much of what Hawaii is all about on their visit. The employees and the ambiance as well as Hawaii themed entertainment make for a more authentic experience. For me, traveling with my children was always about exposing them to different cultures and letting them experience a place that is different from what they are used to. Travel has been an invaluable component to their education.
And when you get there, take your kids for an outrigger canoe ride. I’m 68 years old and still remember my parents taking me when I was 8! (And no, not trying to sell Beach Boy services on here, this is a Hawaii blog and should be about sharing ideas that benefit people coming to Hawaii) Buy local, fly local!
SW thinks that will resolve the issue? If we are
All paying the same price but using child is the ticket out to getting better seats? SW should cater only to families with small children
I hate to rain on the parade, but children don’t belong on an airplane until they’ve reached the age where they are well behaved, as well as occupy their own seat. Does anyone ever think about the passengers who have to endure a squalling infant or spoiled brat that makes the entire five-hour flight a living hell for everyone else in the cabin? Having children is a choice! If you make that choice, accept it that you don’t travel by air until your child is mature enough to not scream, cry, shout, or wander around the cabin making everyone else on board miserable. Parents who won’t forego travel, or else find someone to watch the children while they are away, are rude, selfish, and shouldn’t be allowed to take a child under six on a trip.
I understand what you are saying. I have been on flights with children that couldn’t seem to settle. I have travelled with my own five children from the time they were infants. They all were excellent travelers. They now travel with their own children, and they, too, are excellent travelers. Parents need to pack accordingly for their children, as well as teach them appropriate travel behaviors.
Lately, a larger concern has been the adult disruptive behavior. Much more dangerous, and certainly more annoying. While these folks are assaulting flight attendants, other passengers and possibility causing harm to everyone the courts aren’t handing out stiff enough punishment. I will take the fussy baby over the aggressive adult every time.
Yeah! I agree with under aged children needing to sit next to a family adult on flights … but, when you see older teenaged siblings, four aunties and their boyfriends known as the kid’s “uncles”, grandma and grandpa, the mother’s best girlfriend and her kids … all trying to board under the guise of ‘family seating together’ on a Southwest Flight … this is darn right ‘Crazy’!
I’d say it’s 99% of the time the parents fault for not selecting seats together at the time of booking! Perhaps they can’t do this for last-minute travel (unexpected illness or death in the family). However, with normal advance booking, there are No extra charges for choosing seats on American, United, or Delta, unless one chooses a seat very near the front of the plane, or a seat with extra leg room. So if parents are taking kids, especially during peak seasons (Spring Break, Christmas, or August in Hawaii): think ahead, plan ahead, and book ahead, like the rest of us.
That is not correct
Thank you for this information! I have long avoided Southwest because I hate clamoring for seats. However, I recently read that they’re the only airline that’s preferred in a way for wheelchair users who get pre boarding, because a disabled passenger can actually wheel their own chair right up to the first row (rather than transferring to an awkward and dangerous “aisle chair” that’s the norm). Has anyone seen evidence that this is true, particularly on the Hawaii routes? I have a now completely wheelchair bound child who would love to get back to Hawaii again!
Virgin America used to do this. One time at HNL they announced families with children could start boarding. It was unbelievable how many “children” appeared to be in their upper teens or early 20s….. I think half the plane boarded before those in the “first” groups were allowed to board.
If you want to sit together as a family, choose your seats before you get to the airport (here’s an idea – choose them at booking!) . It’s not rocket science.
The other airlines are going LOVE this because they will be able to rake in more money as families who want to sit together won’t be buying basic economy tickets and / or they’ll be paying for seat assignments.
Yeah! but then Southwest Airlines’ have no bag fees on first two pieces per person. Hell! they are going to pay up big time anyway!