Join Date: May 2008
Location: LIH, HNL, LAS, Bay Area
Programs: HA Pualani Platinum, National EC Executive, UA & AAdvantage
Posts: 178
Also as I explained in an old thread, in the case of a 767 aircraft, HA flies 3 different seat configurations based on the door configuration (blame Boeing for offering so many door configs LOL). This is so because over the years HA aquired their 767's from different leasing sources.
Anyways, HA's 767 seat configurations are 1) 3 aircraft with 18F/234Y, 2) 4 aircraft with 18F/241Y, and 3) 9 aircraft wth 18F/246Y.
Because specific aircraft are not allocated to a specific flight until the 24 hour mark, HA can only allow for seat assignment the seats that are common across all 3 767 seat configurations namely 18F and 234Y (the seat config with the lowest seat count). This is in addition to the "premium" seats and blocked seats for specific purposes mentioned by others.
At the 24 hour mark before departure, a specific aircraft is allocated to the flight and the non-common seats are opened up in the system. Hence as discussed lots, the online check in is good if you want the good seats.