Originally Posted by
WrightHI
The contrast in strategies with AS is interesting as they compete on the HI - west coast routes. HA has a significantly nicer product in front (and generally sells it for less) and a slightly nicer product in back, but their loyalty program and partnerships are marginal at best, which ends up making AS a better value proposition for people who fly more. AS first isn't the greatest product in the world, but it's better than anybody's coach!
Edited to add: HA is very much focused on bringing tourists to Hawaii. They're happy to fly locals elsewhere, but they get most of that business just by being a local company so don't do much to compete for it. I think they've thought that investing in meaningful partnerships wouldn't generate enough marginal business to be cost-effective, but I still wonder if they missed a bet by not going bigger with the AA partnership they announced last year.
Good points and I whole heartily agree about the cabins. AS FC is dismal to say the least and I end up buying food from the back. In fact I get the fruit $ cheese tray regularly.
AS has one of if not the most loyal FF programs out there and that's one huge factor in their success flying to the islands. FF's get a huge chunk of miles and connections work well.
My wife who's mother is Hawaiian prefers HA, and yes the service is better to the point that their coach going over is as good as AS FC. And yes I would much prefer a two isle plane versus one. Just as I will not fly a single isle bird to Europe.