It is being reported that Hawaiian Airlines has new issues at overcrowded LAX, and has just been asked to move, against its will and prior agreement. This time, to a terminal that has no domestic baggage facilities. Luggage will be handled at another terminal, requiring significant additional time for passengers to transit by bus (to pick up luggage) and extra handling for Hawaiian. That and more.
According to the multiple sources, Hawaiian, which admittedly only represents about 1% of LAX’s traffic, will be booted from its current Terminal 5 location next year. That, to accommodate consolidation by American Airlines in the same terminal. American represents nearly 20% of the total traffic at that airport. Hawaiian claims that this plan is discriminatory. We have had the experience of having to change terminals when flying American through LAX and understand why they want to consolidate.
American is planning to largely transfer their problem to Hawaiian, which is being asked to relocate to the currently under construction Midfield Satellite Concourse. The company is quoted as saying that this could increase their costs at the airport by three times, causing harm to them and significant delays and inconvenience to their passengers. Point well taken.
The Midfield Satellite Concourse extension of the Bradley international terminal will be located in the center of the airfield, to the International Terminal and will connect via underground tunnels for passengers and baggage.
Another complication of the possible move, is that passengers connecting to or from JetBlue (Hawaiian’s code share partner) will also need to transit between terminals via bus. Passengers on other airlines generally do not have to change terminals when transiting LAX.
This matter came to light in an unrelated Hawaiian Air filing with the US DOT last month. Hawaiian does not have preferential gate rights at LAX, and this could end up in protracted negotiations or legal proceedings.
According to Hawaiian, “Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is blatantly favoring large legacy airlines such as American, Delta and United to the competitive detriment of smaller carriers such as Hawaiian…. Hawaiian’s forced move to the Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC) will irreparably harm Hawaiian’s operations at LAX.”
Hawaiian moved last from Terminal 2 to Terminal 5 in 2017 as an accommodation for Delta Airlines. The company claims that they were told they would not need to move again until one of the new terminals (0 and 9) are open, which could be years away. The airport has not responded to this matter.
Hawaiian Airlines’ six daily flights from LAX are to Honolulu, Maui, Kona and Kauai. Further complicating the matter is that Hawaiian competes directly with American Airlines on all of these LAX to Hawaii routes.
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Dodge S. says
Aloha, Any updates on this situation? Mahalo from Albuquerque
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Dodge.
We have heard nothing new since we last reported on this.
Aloha.
Stu S says
Tried to check in and leave bags at 10am for a 6pm flight to HNL. Had to sit on the floor (both senior citizens) for 4.5 hours before allowed to check bags in to go thru security.Doesnt seem to be very service oriented. We did not have any other options on the timing. Hopefully the HA employees/bosses parents are treated the same way as they make their way thru the world. Auwe!!
Cynthia K. says
Why doesn’t Hawaiian just move back to Burbank?
Mike G. says
Runway at BUR is too short for aircraft that have a full load of fuel to make it to Hawaii
DZ says
Significant changes to Lax passengers on Hawaiian it was a nightmare when Hawaiian flew in/out of T2 and Hawaiians lost bags count will sky rocket!
Hope a change is not happening we have a trip to hawaii March 2020
DB says
Jet Blue and Hawaiian Airlines should both move to Ontario. I refuse to go to LAX but would be glad to use Jet Blue if it flew out of Ontario.
Marty says
Agree with you 100%
Fred K. says
If Hawaiian is concerned about Jet Blue connections, they could move to Long Beach 😀
Ok, I’m biased. I live in Orange County and Long Beach would be so much better than the nightmare known as LAX.
Nichole T. says
Hawaiian airlines flies to long beach
Robin c says
It’s already a hassle going from 1(southwest) to 5 Hawaiian. I can’t begin to understand what has been described as convenient for the customer. Thanks
Mike G. says
Why anyone would fly that crappy airline know as Southwest is beyond me
Alax says
The international terminal DOES have domestic baggage claim. Etihad uses it since they pre clear and I believe Qantas uses it for the JFK flight.
Victoria says
Move Hawaiian to Ontario International Airport…we would love to have you there. All of the inland empire would welcome you. I hate driving to lax to go to Hawaii. LAX screwed Ontario years back.
Jim says
I don’t want to have to travel from LA to Ontario!
Mike J. says
That’s the American way of doing business. American has driven numerous airlines into bankruptcy or out of DFW for decades. American has a virtual monopoly at DFW with expensive fares domestically.
Mike G says
Including themselves
Icarus says
To clarify the first phase of the midfield satellite will be linked by a pedestrian tunnel to the main Tom Bradley terminal. It’s primarily international. Domestic Hawaiian passengers would still check in at terminal 5 and then pass through security and be transferred by bus On the inbound they will be taken by bus to t5 for baggage claim. I understand once the second phase of the midfield is opened there will be an underground train However it’s an airside building therefore checkin will not be affected and bag claim will also be in t5
Darryl R. says
There’s John Wayne, ONT, or bump up SAN flights. Why not also consider PSP? LAX wants control of it in the south land, but options exist. HI air is a nice airline to fly with.
An T. says
Come to ontario fastest growing airport.
Vic G says
PLEASE come back to Ontario !
Stu S says
Tried to check in and leave bags at 10am for a 6pm flight to HNL. Had to sit on the floor (both senior citizens) for 4.5 hours before allowed to check bags in to go thru security.Doesnt seem to be very service oriented. We did not have any other options on the timing. Hopefully the HA employees/bosses parents are treated the same way as they make their way thru the world. Auwe!! THANKS
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Stu.
As far as we know about 4 hrs is the maximum advance check in time on all airlines. That’s been true for decades.
Aloha.
Richard R says
Need to relocate to ONT. The facilities are waiting for you. Passanger parking, arrival and pickup is a breese compared to LAX. Gates are open for you, also. You will also have aircraft and GSE maintenance available by one of your top maintenance venders, JettPro.
Ken says
Like a few others have commented, Hawaiian PLEASE dump LAX and come to BUR instead. 🙂
I live just a few miles away and it’s a quick and easy Uber ride and the TSA lines are way faster than LAX. Some of you can leave your cars in my neighborhood even and Uber over there too!
I also hope Southwest can add BUR to HNL flights some day. I wouldn’t mind putting up with the extra air traffic noise over my place!
Robert says
They can’t fly from BUR to Hawaii. The runway is too short. That is why JetBlue even has to tech stop often for fuel on flights from BUR to the east coast.
Bob says
Robert is correct.
Mike5020 says
I think the most viable for them would be half of their operation to LGB, and the other half to ONT. With ONT, they also have JetBlue which can route their codeshares to their flights to Hawaii since its getting crazy on how LAX is getting overstuffed.
OF says
I don’t think HA be able to depart BUR with any sort of load going to Hawaii. BUR’s longest runway is 6886 feet. Meanwhile, the two LAX runways normally used for takeoffs are 10885 and 12923 feet.
Norm L. says
Once again LAX making more stupid moves to inconvenience the traveling public. They neither have any concern for the traveling public nor the airlines, just their profitability. It would be great if Hawaiian elected to move their LAX operations to an adequate and worthy airport such as Ontario. yes, it is slightly further for the LA passengers to travel east but the time savings and aggravation over LAX would be well worth it. Less congestion, better parking, great freeway access, shorter wait times for runway use, better terminal, lower landing fees, and central location will make for a better Hawaiian experience!!!