We’re waiting for news on reopening of Hawaii, first locally and then after that, for travel. There will be updates forthcoming soon on those. In the meantime, we’re looking ahead at what a flight to Hawaii will look like hereafter. Airlines, airports and other providers will be looking to provide us with a new kind of comfort level in all aspects of travel associated with Hawaii vacations. But some of the initiatives that may be under consideration, do not look ideal. Read on and look at the rather odd photos.
The biggest issue airlines will be facing the rest of this year and in 2021, is addressing health concerns through implementation of new procedures. This is a huge task ahead and perhaps the largest concern facing the airlines, other than money.
Health safety to the front of the line on your next flight to Hawaii.
Changes will be both widespread and long lasting. Think 9/11 and how much that permanently transformed air travel. We’ll be moving to that kind of scenario, only this time it won’t be about security, but rather about health safety. This will be the new normal. Case in point, before 9/11, we still fondly remember the days of arriving at Hawaii airports 10 minutes before an interisland flight. So much has changed, and we haven’t even seen the beginning of it.
Pricing will be of next most importance and there, the news is good.
To get us back in the air, we have already told you that your next flight to Hawaii could easily be priced under $99 each way. We’re further suggesting it could even drop to half that when the green light first comes on.
But too many people returning too fast could present a double-edged sword. This will be fascinating, to say the least, with a balancing act between social distancing, keeping middle seats open, and the airlines’ very real need to get more of us back on the plane headed to Hawaii.
Not only will airfares be rock-bottom priced, but accommodations will also be offering significant discounts. We also think vacation rentals may be in a good position since they allow you to avoid crowded hotel lobbies and elevators. Plus, you are in more control of your food and its preparation with a kitchen of your own.
Bottom line, keep in mind that safety will be key to everything reopening, and we’re all in favor of that. With that in mind, we also expect to see reduction or eliminating of most in-flight services, and ongoing deep cleaning of aircraft. That, while we all wear masks, have our temperatures taken and are provided generous quantities of hand sanitizer.
Our lead photo may be your next flight to Hawaii.
That photo first looked like a good or well, at least an interesting idea. It allows airlines to fill the plane with a protective barrier between seats. But then we started thinking about economy seating which doesn’t look as roomy as has been pictured. And the idea of feeling claustrophobic came to mind. Also, how long will it take to really clean those partitions between flights and how thoroughly can it be done?
Then the issue of how would this work for families. And then the arm rests aren’t protected – just saying. Well, not sure this is actually useful at all, but at least you won’t have to deal with a chatty seat neighbor any longer.
Airline seat manufacturer Avio Interiors came up with the retrofit design for economy seating that alleges to provide additional safety (not sure about comfort) on-board. The controversial product has an “objective of creating an isolated volume around the passenger in order to avoid or minimize contacts and interactions via air between passenger and passenger, so as to reduce the probability of contamination by viruses or other.”
Is there something seemingly fake about this photo?
One person on Instagram noted, “My absolute favorite thing about this add is the first photo where the quintessential bro in the middle has his legs spread like he thinks he’s opening the gates of heaven and the lady on the aisle’s face clearly says “they couldn’t make the partitions go ALL the way down?”
Below is yet another version of a new concept from the same company.
Airline travel will be front and center in upcoming travel news.
We know that the FAA/DOT, the airline industry, and the health experts are all working on plans to bring back air travel. It has been strangely quiet in that regard, but that won’t last much longer. Get ready to hear what the experts have in mind for us. Jeff is still wondering when he can fly from Hawaii to Oregon, and when he might feel comfortable doing so.
What’s your take on this?
We have not heard of any airlines buying, but we know that much more will be revealed about airline travel in the next few weeks. The question remains about how far a sneeze can travel. Thus, will any of this really matter or it is just to allay our concerns?
We look forward to your comments, and remember that you can now subscribe to any comment threads you’d like.
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Aloha Guys!
It seems to me that, if they push these kind of upgrades/solutions, it will come at a cost, eventually being passed on to consumers. What do you think?
Doesn’t the majority of planes in operation have hepa filtration systems that recirculate air every 20-30 minutes? My understanding is that they are comparable to hospital systems?
It seems a bit compulsive to push these kind of changes right now, especially because it’s not reasonable to expect everyone to social distance on an airplane at all, let alone for a prolonged time period, or permanently.
Wouldn’t creating and distributing comfortable masks for the immunocompromised or those that feel the need to wear them, as well as providing sanitary needs, be a far better solutiom for short term (possibly long-term) safety? You are not going to create a fool-proof way to protect people, and these seem to be very expensive solutions.
I personally don’t believe this will be necessary, when the hindsight analysis of this disease is evaluated. I am not convinced it is as deadly as originally predicted, even though it may be more contagious than most viruses. We will definitely see, as more data is revealed…
Thanks for the information. It’s interesting to see these wild ideas.
Hi Jim.
Thanks again for all your comments.
Yes we’d concur that there are more questions than answers all around this subject, especially it seems as relates to air travel. Funny photos in the news the past couple of days of people crowded into planes over the weekend. Many with no masks. It is going to all be fascinating for sure and we retain a high degree of optimism as well.
Aloha.
If we had a quick test and the logistics to do it, people could get tested at the airport immediately before they leave. The price of the test would be added to the ticket. Nothing is simple at this point. But we just can’t have visitors going to Hawaii sick and have a Tsunami wave hit Hawaii we are very few people have immunity.
Dear Beat of Hawaii – I just rebooked a cancelled April trip to Kauai for October/November. I bought Super Saver tickets on Alaska (their website says change and cancellation fees are waived even for SS fares). Surprisingly, I was also able to select seats, window and aisle, with the middle seat X’d out. There were about 14 SS seats on the Seattle to Lihue flight to choose from. I’m very happy with this arrangement. Thanks again for your excellent articles!
Hi Michael.
Thank you!
Aloha.
Dear B of H – I just used my Alaska Airlines Wallet money from the cancelled April trip to book in late October, early November. Even though I bought the Super Saver fare, I was able to book seats – window and aisle with the middle seat X’d out. There were about 14 SS seats available on the Seattle to Lihue flight. I’m very happy! Thanks for your great articles!
Mike in Pasco
You do great job. As a Kaua’i resident it is reassuring to have knowledgeable info Mahalo
Hi Conrad.
Thank you!
Aloha.
How about staggering the seats so no two guests are in the same row regardless of the middle seat? Since seats are attached to the floor this could be easily accomplished.
I’ve booked a flight to Kona in late September. They are selling middle seats, and some are taken. What will happen to those in middle seats if social distancing is still in effect?
This is so interesting and the type of thinking that will be required for the future. It’s true that with 9/11 everything changed with air travel and security.
Maybe someone is preparing the planes for protective masks that will be issued similar to the blankets or headphones of the bygone days. In the future, you might conceivably purchase a mask specifically for flying depending on the level of desired protection.
This would make the Hawaiian flights safe without reconfiguring the seats.
I have a REME air purifier attached to my air ducts on the air conditioner, furnace vents and it kills everything, viruses too, in the house. Can’t one of these be put on the airplane system? It kills sneezes in the air on contact of the sneeze. And hand out personable air purifiers to wear around neck, like a necklace.
We are supposed to Fly DELTA first class in December?? We will see what the Future Brings? Maybe ONLY First Class seat will be able to use the Restrooms Versus the Comfort Class being able use the Fore word restrooms.One of the Reasons we switched carriers! If we are paying 3 times the Coach RATE and 2 times the Comfort rate. Not sure why All are using the For ward Restrooms? WE are hoping we will be able to TRAVEL to our HAPPY Place!
I can’t even imagine those long overnight flights back to Florida. I assume the seats wouldn’t recline either.
Those partitions will never happen….and here’s why. When the FAA certifies a type design…in this case the interior, the manufacturer has to demonstrate that the plane can be evacuated in a set amount of time. That requirement would never be possible with any of the designs you show, the shrouds block most of the row except for the seat. This is the reason there is extra leg room and no reclining seats in an exit row are for access to the emergency hatches. Another reason is, the time it would take the FAA to issue a STC (Supplemental type certificate) to even install and legally fly with the modified interior, the whole hoopla and corona drama will have come and gone.
I sure hope it doesn’t look like the photo because people are right next to each other what good is it to space between each row but still sit right next to 2 other people??
Aloha. And mahalo for a great blog. Unlike 9/11 ( terrorists don’t go away) this will be defeated by a therapeutic cure and a vaccine. Once we have that I think travel will return to normal. In the meantime masks & seating arrangements may become the new normal.
Hi Tom.
Thanks.
Aloha.
BofH – we had to cancel an Apr6trip to Kauai but did receive full refunds. I want to use Wallet money to fly in October. You’re thinking I should look to book in a couple weeks?
Thank you for all the insightful columns over the years!
Hi Michael.
We are all waiting for more clarity on resumption of anything that resembles normal air travel to Hawaii. And we expect to have some clarification in the next few weeks.
Aloha.
Drop down those oxygen masks and require constant usage. Replace each mask after usage. Portable unit for trip to restroom then replace mask.
Aloha!
Would it be unwise to purchase airfare for the end of November to Kauai given that the airlines are not very forthcoming with refunds? Prices are fantastic right now for Thanksgiving week.
Mahalo!
Hi Lynn.
If the airlines are flying then, they will not need to provide refunds. We have to assume that will be the case for November. So, if you’re comfortable with that, then by all means it would be a good time to book.
As much as I love and miss Maui, I am in no hurry to return to the islands or resume any kind of traveling. One suggestion though would be to limit the number of people visiting the islands by applying for a permit like to climb Mt. Everest or camp grounds.
And for the people beside you! Zero privacy of any kind with this – even worse than the tiny bit we might have now.
Wouldn’t clear plexiglass “pods” be intriguing? Passengers would feel like their on the Starship Enterprise or similar. I can’t wait for air travel to begin again. I miss my vacations. I miss my Hawaii.
Hello, I would like your take on the bathrooms on the airplane. Are there any plans for change there?
Give every passenger a personal air purifier necklace. The one that kills viruses. Wear around your neck and keeps 3 feet of space around you clean. Either charge person for it when they pay for ticket and they can keep it; or charge a rent fee and give it to them when they check in and take it back from them as they leave plane at door of plane
Those contraptions will do nothing for safety. Sneezes, coughs and saliva will still travel around the cabin. The partitions will inhibit rapid evacuation in an emergency as well as add to normal loading of the plane. A better approach would be to fill a plane as usual, but have a wellness check prior to going through TSA and free ‘sick’ wavers so people don’t fly while sick because they don’t want to lose money.
Good ideas. Thanks.
Horrible. Horrible. NONE of those barriers actually do NOTHING!
to protect flyers. Vapor droplets spread in 3D! It’s not a SALAD BAR! If a passenger cough or sneezes the droplets will float over and around the divider.
Right now I think trying to get it correct is very challenging as everyone is making a concerted effort to put health and safety first. I personally will feel ready to get back in the air when our healthcare system can utilize a regiment of medications as they do for so many other viral and bacterial conditions. My confidence level will overcome my apprehension. Can’t wait to get back to paradise.
Ok, this made me laugh. Talk about going over board – those plastic partitions are very off-putting and, in my humble opinion, will harbor more germs than a McDonald’s Playland. Your point on the difficult and time-consuming task of disinfecting them between flights is so right! I hope the airlines can come up with something better because I don’t see people wanting to fly in plastic, humid canisters all the way to Hawaii.
Mahalo for the updates. Stay safe.
Hi Debi.
LOL. Thanks!
Aloha.
I so agree! The concept photo of the middle seat being backwards? Awkward for the people in the row behind you!
Can’t wait to get back to the Islands.
I’m more concerned about the impact on the islands’ natural state and the people who live there full time when the crowds return. Perhaps Hawai’i should take this opportunity to implement something like the plan that was put in place on North Shore Kaua’i after the road was reopened.