34 thoughts on “Vanishing Two-Across Seating. Flights To Hawaii. What To Do?”
David C
Dear BoH,
Have you or your readers had issues with trying to book seats on codeshare flights?
I booked Tokyo-Honolulu return tickets through Hawaiian Airlines and the outbound flight on Hawaiian was no issue.
However both Hawaiian and JAL (who operate the return flight under a codeshare agreement) tell me that the other party is responsible for seat reservations on the return leg.
I’ve spoken to both sides at least 3 times and also have written responses.
Any thoughts on how to make sense of this?
Thanks,
David
I couldn’t be more disappointed in Hawaiian Airlines to abandon the 2-4-2 seating as they upgrade to the 787. I made an all-in move to Hawaiian specifically for the 2-4-2 seating, signed up for their credit card, and have been consistently flying Hawaiian for our annual visit to Hawaii.
Dropping the 2-seat layout option is a deal braker to be honest. Time to move on even if it means a new vacation venue.
Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 767 was phased out years ago. For interisland travel there’s the Boeing 717. While appreciated, the suggestions made to avoid 3-3-3 seating configurations seem like a lot of work (and probably expense) to avoid the possibility of having a stranger seated next to you for a few hours. And then there’s always the chance someone will want your seat anyway and ask you if they can swap seats and have it.
Without knowing many costs associated, it is difficult for most of us to figure out what a premium economy cabin in 2-4-2 would would cost as opposed to the 3-3-3 section. On Hawaiian, up until late 2018 or early 2019, in addition to to the extra 5 inches of legroom there were a few other little perks, one being that IFE was free while regular economy paid a small fee. I really think Hawaiian and other carriers are missing an opportunity. They charge more now, add another $25 and begin to give customers a true premium economy experience.
I could fly nonstop to Maui ( from
Phx) but because of the 2-4-2 seating on Hawaiian I go with them.
When that isn’t an option then I’m definitely flying nonstop !
I book a window and an aisle for my husband and I. If the plane isn’t full there’s a good chance the center seat won’t get booked. If it does, I just take the center seat and the person who thought they were going to have to sit in a middle seat is a happy camper. They get an aisle seat!
I do that too! And not just to Hawaii. I also choose the back of the plane, because for some reason, pedant to sit up front. We usually end up with the middle seat empty. If not, I’ve never met someone who won’t switch.
I don’t mind the seating. The problem is the space between the seats so people can get to the aisles without everyone in the row standing up.
Space between rows (leg room) is the biggest deal along with better wider seats.
So far Southwest has the best.
Jay, SWA is awful with their survival of the fittest boarding procedure (it’s done to shorten boarding and increase “productivity “) They are the airline equivalent of someone moving to Hawaii and start talking stink about the locals and how wonderful they are to everyone they encounter. Their whole business plan of flooding a market with cheap tickets to establish themselves has been very detrimental to Hawaii and triggered the backlash against the budget tourist who uses more resources then they support.
What does any of this have to do with what the topic here? Jay stated the leg room mattered to him more and that Southwest, according to him, has the best leg room. The negative talk about any airline or business is just an opinion. Competition is good for the public. Hawaii needs two carriers, it’s been prove . They keep each other in check.
I don’t understand your “survival of the fittest” comment. You check in 24 hrs ahead, or pay $25 for Early Bird automatic check in 36 hrs ahead. You get your boarding assignment and board according to your #. A 16-60, B 1-60, C 1-60 (A 1-15 are the most expensive fares. C usually means middle seat). Easy peasy!
I refuse to fly SW due to the boarding process. I want to pick my seat in advance and not fight for it at the airport. And I’ve never found SW’s ticket price to be significantly lower than other airlines to justify the inconvenience.
United, years ago, had 2-5-2 seating in their 777 a/c. Then they went to 3-3-3 seating and now 3-4-3. The United 777 went from my favorite 2 aisle a/c to one of the worst. At least I get E+ seating without paying extra (1.4 million miles sitting in their a/c over the years does that). Delta can make their seats as wide as they want, I’ve never had adequate legroom in coach on their planes, and I’ve ridden them off and on since 1976.
Thanks so much for the update, guys. The wife and I have to pay close attention to things that affect disabled flying. In any configuration featuring a “2” we sometimes don’t have to request special seating accommodations (United has it in our profile, but it can limit our flight choices).
We have used the 787 disabled seating (no windows but I couldn’t care less over water at 41K feet)!
If a 767 is convenient we might consider it depending on where we’re going.
Dear BoH,
Have you or your readers had issues with trying to book seats on codeshare flights?
I booked Tokyo-Honolulu return tickets through Hawaiian Airlines and the outbound flight on Hawaiian was no issue.
However both Hawaiian and JAL (who operate the return flight under a codeshare agreement) tell me that the other party is responsible for seat reservations on the return leg.
I’ve spoken to both sides at least 3 times and also have written responses.
Any thoughts on how to make sense of this?
Thanks,
David
Hi David.
In our experience it is the carrier that’s actually operating the code share flight that is responsible for seat assignments.
Aloha.
I couldn’t be more disappointed in Hawaiian Airlines to abandon the 2-4-2 seating as they upgrade to the 787. I made an all-in move to Hawaiian specifically for the 2-4-2 seating, signed up for their credit card, and have been consistently flying Hawaiian for our annual visit to Hawaii.
Dropping the 2-seat layout option is a deal braker to be honest. Time to move on even if it means a new vacation venue.
Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 767 was phased out years ago. For interisland travel there’s the Boeing 717. While appreciated, the suggestions made to avoid 3-3-3 seating configurations seem like a lot of work (and probably expense) to avoid the possibility of having a stranger seated next to you for a few hours. And then there’s always the chance someone will want your seat anyway and ask you if they can swap seats and have it.
Without knowing many costs associated, it is difficult for most of us to figure out what a premium economy cabin in 2-4-2 would would cost as opposed to the 3-3-3 section. On Hawaiian, up until late 2018 or early 2019, in addition to to the extra 5 inches of legroom there were a few other little perks, one being that IFE was free while regular economy paid a small fee. I really think Hawaiian and other carriers are missing an opportunity. They charge more now, add another $25 and begin to give customers a true premium economy experience.
Delta still flies 2-3-2 767s to Hawaii…
There is a typo. Hawaiian has no more 767s…
Hi DM.
Thanks. That was supposed to read 787 and it has been corrected.
Aloha.
What ALL Airlines need to do is Stop All seats from reclining. No one wants the person in front of them in their lap!
Also, AA 777s are 3-4-3, not 3-3-3 in Economy.
Hi Dave.
Thanks. We corected that.
Aloha.
I could fly nonstop to Maui ( from
Phx) but because of the 2-4-2 seating on Hawaiian I go with them.
When that isn’t an option then I’m definitely flying nonstop !
Delta 767’s are 2-3-2 and their A330’s are 2-4-2.
LGB to OGG is 5.5 hours out of my life. I can certainly sit next to, and be kind to, another person I do not know.
That’s a bummer, as I think the 2,3,2 seating is awesome
I book a window and an aisle for my husband and I. If the plane isn’t full there’s a good chance the center seat won’t get booked. If it does, I just take the center seat and the person who thought they were going to have to sit in a middle seat is a happy camper. They get an aisle seat!
I do that too! And not just to Hawaii. I also choose the back of the plane, because for some reason, pedant to sit up front. We usually end up with the middle seat empty. If not, I’ve never met someone who won’t switch.
I don’t mind the seating. The problem is the space between the seats so people can get to the aisles without everyone in the row standing up.
Space between rows (leg room) is the biggest deal along with better wider seats.
So far Southwest has the best.
Jay, SWA is awful with their survival of the fittest boarding procedure (it’s done to shorten boarding and increase “productivity “) They are the airline equivalent of someone moving to Hawaii and start talking stink about the locals and how wonderful they are to everyone they encounter. Their whole business plan of flooding a market with cheap tickets to establish themselves has been very detrimental to Hawaii and triggered the backlash against the budget tourist who uses more resources then they support.
What does any of this have to do with what the topic here? Jay stated the leg room mattered to him more and that Southwest, according to him, has the best leg room. The negative talk about any airline or business is just an opinion. Competition is good for the public. Hawaii needs two carriers, it’s been prove . They keep each other in check.
I love SWA boarding policies, very egalitarian, they have the most leg room and their customer service is excellent.
I don’t understand your “survival of the fittest” comment. You check in 24 hrs ahead, or pay $25 for Early Bird automatic check in 36 hrs ahead. You get your boarding assignment and board according to your #. A 16-60, B 1-60, C 1-60 (A 1-15 are the most expensive fares. C usually means middle seat). Easy peasy!
I refuse to fly SW due to the boarding process. I want to pick my seat in advance and not fight for it at the airport. And I’ve never found SW’s ticket price to be significantly lower than other airlines to justify the inconvenience.
Prefer the wide body. Will make the connection to Kauai in Honolulu./.
United, years ago, had 2-5-2 seating in their 777 a/c. Then they went to 3-3-3 seating and now 3-4-3. The United 777 went from my favorite 2 aisle a/c to one of the worst. At least I get E+ seating without paying extra (1.4 million miles sitting in their a/c over the years does that). Delta can make their seats as wide as they want, I’ve never had adequate legroom in coach on their planes, and I’ve ridden them off and on since 1976.
We get seats across the aisle from each other. No middle seat that way, and we both get aisle seats. Works for us!
American used to have 2 aisles years ago in the 90s. Not sure how the seating was. Also charter flights had 2 aisles.
Thanks so much for the update, guys. The wife and I have to pay close attention to things that affect disabled flying. In any configuration featuring a “2” we sometimes don’t have to request special seating accommodations (United has it in our profile, but it can limit our flight choices).
We have used the 787 disabled seating (no windows but I couldn’t care less over water at 41K feet)!
If a 767 is convenient we might consider it depending on where we’re going.
The 330 is 2-4-2 not 2-3-2 as in article.