American reducing flights to Hawaii
May 4, 2020, 5:09 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,502
I think it is worth mentioning that many here in Hawaii had been having a conversation on the future of tourism in our state for some time before the corona virus quarantine shut it down. Overcrowding, ecological damage, inability of locals to enjoy prime sites, and cultural issues have all given us serious concerns. Several local jurisdictions have put severe limits on airbnb type vacation rentals, and some beach parks now have real limits on tourist access. So now we have been forced hit the pause button in a big way, and that conversation is getting more serious about what we do long term. There is widespread support for enforcing the arrivals quarantine, and people are being arrested and sent back to the mainland for violating it. Most of the clamor in relation to the quarantine is for stricter enforcement.
We are increasingly convinced that it will be a very long time before 30,000 people per day are once again willing to get on a plane to come here . . . whether we want them to or not. Mass tourism may not be in the cards for our future. Yes, we do depend on the tourism industry for a large chunk of our economy. Yes, people are already hurting badly. But if you know much about our culture, you will know that some things are more important to us than money. This has been a big wake up call that we need to diversify out economy, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. And some people may have to leave for greener economic pastures before the new normal is established.
We are increasingly convinced that it will be a very long time before 30,000 people per day are once again willing to get on a plane to come here . . . whether we want them to or not. Mass tourism may not be in the cards for our future. Yes, we do depend on the tourism industry for a large chunk of our economy. Yes, people are already hurting badly. But if you know much about our culture, you will know that some things are more important to us than money. This has been a big wake up call that we need to diversify out economy, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. And some people may have to leave for greener economic pastures before the new normal is established.
I personally agree that 30k arrivals per day is a bit excessive, particularly when much of the recent growth in popularity is from budget, less savvy travelers, with little knowledge of, respect for the fragile ecosystem, local culture. From this perspective, there is indeed some merit to tightening things up a bit.
May 5, 2020, 9:48 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
This thread took a total turn from the Original Posting and topic. 
Hard to know what AA will do in July.
Can you wait and enjoy Hawaii later in the year? I'm seeing some good deals if you use AAdvantage miles to get into the F cabin for that trip over the Pacific Ocean.
Hard to know what AA will do in July.
Can you wait and enjoy Hawaii later in the year? I'm seeing some good deals if you use AAdvantage miles to get into the F cabin for that trip over the Pacific Ocean.
Last edited by jcatman; May 5, 2020 at 9:52 pm Reason: Bad Spelling
May 6, 2020, 7:12 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MHK
Programs: AA Exec Plat - some level of status in IHG, Marriot & HIlton
Posts: 1,516
Unfortunately, no. My daughter goes (hopefully) back to college the second week of August, so this was the latest we could book the trip and give her a few days at home before moving back out. My son will be a senior in high school and my wife is a coach at the high school.
May 11, 2020, 1:56 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Plano, TX, USA
Programs: AA: PPro, 4MM; HH: Lifetime Diamond; MAR Life Titanium Hertz: Prez Circle
Posts: 547
My sister in law is holding DFW-OGG tickets for late June on AA. Did they reverse course on halting service until mid August to the neighbor islands, or are cancellations still working their way through the schedule?
May 12, 2020, 4:34 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
All I can say is that the nonstop flights DFW-OGG in mid-June are not yet zeroed out except for Fri & Sat both directions, while all the connecting flights DFW-OGG are zeroed every day around then for one leg or the other, per an ExpertFlyer availability check right now.
May 15, 2020, 1:56 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 34
I have 2 separate itineraries for my family, one way DFW-OGG and one way OGG-DFW, for June 8 - 17. I am 100% sure I will not be going. I have yet to cancel as I'm unsure if I'll get a refund (various flights purchased via British Airways avios, AA points, and normal fares). My flights to Maui did get switched from a 9:10 AM flight departure to an 11:00 AM flight departure, causing arrival time to be 88 minutes later. Am I right in assuming the DFW-OGG flight will be eligible for refund based on difference in arrival (over 60 min diff per policy). Should I wait until the day before to cancel both itineraries? What do you guys suggest? I really don't want vouchers but I suppose I could live with them.
May 15, 2020, 2:02 pm
#23
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: DFW (Highland Village)
Programs: AA Lifetime GLD, SPG Lifetime GLD
Posts: 384
synnyster - we are on that same flight on the 8th, but coming home on the 15th. Based upon Hawaii government news the last two days - it appears highly likely that Hawaii will extend the 14-day quarantine until 30JUN. Thus I'm assuming AA will cancel these flights and I'll get the full refund. No matter what AA does we aren’t going. We canceled the condo back in April before the 60 “pay in full” date.
I didn't think the time change was sufficient enough to fall under the schedule change rules, but I'll let others answer that for you. We will hold off until the 7th and on the off-chance AA hasn't cancelled, then yes, I'll have to do the voucher (as was cash transaction)
I didn't think the time change was sufficient enough to fall under the schedule change rules, but I'll let others answer that for you. We will hold off until the 7th and on the off-chance AA hasn't cancelled, then yes, I'll have to do the voucher (as was cash transaction)
Last edited by Illini_Fan; May 15, 2020 at 3:17 pm
May 19, 2020, 4:02 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
May 20, 2020, 12:55 pm
#26
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: DFW (Highland Village)
Programs: AA Lifetime GLD, SPG Lifetime GLD
Posts: 384
Thanks for the data point -- I was not aware that AA would issue cash refunds if the passenger cancelled the flight -- I thought that became a voucher. I'm wanting my $6K back instead of the voucher. Worse case is if AA doesn't cancel, I will on the morning of the 7th and get the voucher.
Jun 11, 2020, 12:00 pm
#27
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Moderator reminder:
The topic here is “American reducing flights to Hawaii “; let’s keep on topic.
Discussion about Governor Ige’s recent declaration, Hawaii and COVID-19, etc. should be taken to the Hawaii Forum. More general discussion about shelter in place or reopening, as well as general discussion of the novel Coronavirus, belong in the Coronavirus Forum. Off topic discussion is subject to summary deletion.
More recent posts that are general discussion of Hawaii’s reopening to tourism / visitors have been moved to the Hawaii forum, where the Moderators may choose to merge the posts into an existing thread. See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawa...tml?reportsent.
Thank you,
Moderator
The topic here is “American reducing flights to Hawaii “; let’s keep on topic.
Discussion about Governor Ige’s recent declaration, Hawaii and COVID-19, etc. should be taken to the Hawaii Forum. More general discussion about shelter in place or reopening, as well as general discussion of the novel Coronavirus, belong in the Coronavirus Forum. Off topic discussion is subject to summary deletion.
More recent posts that are general discussion of Hawaii’s reopening to tourism / visitors have been moved to the Hawaii forum, where the Moderators may choose to merge the posts into an existing thread. See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawa...tml?reportsent.
Thank you,
Moderator
Last edited by JDiver; Jun 11, 2020 at 12:20 pm