Sep 23, 2019, 5:00 pm
Last edit by: slippahs
For more information on basic economy, see: https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/our-services/products-and-programs/main-cabin-basic
https://hawaiianair.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3244
MAIN DISCUSSION THREAD - Hawaiian Airlines Basic Economy [Discussion/Questions]
Dec 18, 2018, 4:09 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Dec 18, 2018, 7:46 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,575
OK, so this is mainly a competitive reaction to the majors. Thank you, I really appreciate the clarification.
With "problem" I was alluding to Southwest Service coming to Hawai'i. If I think competitive environment, and if the economy class service level of a given HA economy ticket at a particular route and price point ends up slipping below Southwest service level, then why wouldn't many customers looking to buy at that price point just choose SWA over HA? Just wondering if that's being really considered. Not that long ago, Southwest Airlines was considered a relatively no-frills airline, at least when compared to the other major carriers. Then all the competition started charging for checked bags, introduced heavy change fees etc,. while Southwest says it’s given “no thought whatsoever” Main Cabin Basic might simply confuse passengers when they are trying to decide between HA and Southwest. It has the potential to dilute your brand and goes against your messaging of, "we provide a meal" and "Hawai'i starts here."
The move to Basic Economy alone probably won't lead to class warfare. But consider the totality of what airlines have done to economy flyers over the last few years. Basic Economy might just be the one thing that breaks the camel's back. Just how much can the HA economy service be stripped down even further before more passengers "break" and you will see a rapid escalation of Dr. Daos and $12 blanket/"take someone behind the woodshed" situations?
Why not wait until Southwest is here and until the competitive environment between the carriers has settled? Oil prices are dropping into the 40ies again -- operating costs might be lower for a while -- so why the rush to implement this now?
This has been in the works for a long time, after a comprehensive study, with implementation in the 2nd half of 2019. There's nothing rushed about this and very likely was in the works before Southwest started making its intentions known.
Sep 23, 2019, 4:59 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
Sep 27, 2019, 2:33 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: AS MVPG, HA Plat 75k, CA Phoenix Gold
Posts: 134
With all due respect to all you experts here who disagreed, Hawaiian may need some kind of response to low cost carriers, sure, but I was still hoping for a novel, more positive move -- unlike what those almost inhumane "big three" corporate machines are doing! Now that "Basic Economy" is out and you are also watering down our elite program, can we still also hope for a return to more innovative growth strategies, ideally also more in the spirit of watching out for your customers, of Kānāwai Māmalahoe?
HAL had this wonderful golden and almost visionary growth period right after it emerged from bankrupcy, and after Aloha Air and ATA folded. I somehow don't see the company reconnecting with it now, but I am still hopeful. I really want to invest in the HA stock again, especially in the current low price oil environment and Tokyo Olympics coming up. I still hope they give us investors a better reason to do so before the whole larger business cycle turns down again, Hawaii tourism numbers wither away, and it will be too late to do so.
HAL had this wonderful golden and almost visionary growth period right after it emerged from bankrupcy, and after Aloha Air and ATA folded. I somehow don't see the company reconnecting with it now, but I am still hopeful. I really want to invest in the HA stock again, especially in the current low price oil environment and Tokyo Olympics coming up. I still hope they give us investors a better reason to do so before the whole larger business cycle turns down again, Hawaii tourism numbers wither away, and it will be too late to do so.
Last edited by Alex909; Sep 27, 2019 at 7:06 pm
Sep 27, 2019, 11:01 pm
#20
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,138
I really want to invest in the HA stock again, especially in the current low price oil environment and Tokyo Olympics coming up. I still hope they give us investors a better reason to do so before the whole larger business cycle turns down again, Hawaii tourism numbers wither away, and it will be too late to do so.
Oct 3, 2019, 2:28 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: HNL MFE DFW LAX
Programs: AA exp AS mvpg HA gold
Posts: 34
Basic is now in effect HNL to JFK. Been monitoring prices for the past couple of weeks and noticed today non-basic RT fares up about $90. Really wondering who wants to save this amount to sit wherever, forgo changes and earn no mileage - particularly on an 8 to 10 hour flight.
Oct 3, 2019, 4:50 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
Basic is now in effect HNL to JFK. Been monitoring prices for the past couple of weeks and noticed today non-basic RT fares up about $90. Really wondering who wants to save this amount to sit wherever, forgo changes and earn no mileage - particularly on an 8 to 10 hour flight.
Oct 8, 2019, 9:40 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Boston, MA USA
Programs: TrueBlue/Hawaiian Miles
Posts: 349
Basic is now in effect HNL to JFK. Been monitoring prices for the past couple of weeks and noticed today non-basic RT fares up about $90. Really wondering who wants to save this amount to sit wherever, forgo changes and earn no mileage - particularly on an 8 to 10 hour flight.
I can completely understand offering basic Y on West Coast to Hawaii flights with the amount of airline options etc
on East coast to Hawaii flights-I don’t believe it should be an option tbh. HA’s onboard service is much better than the other East Coast options imo. I’ve flown Y and Y+ multiple times at the “regular price” that has now become “basic“ I can say honestly I was upset to see the new price for economy if I had to pay an extra $90 and not get extra legroom. Gouging people who merely want to pick a window seat or seats together is a little ridiculous. The race to the bottom continues. Unfortunate that HA would do this on long haul flights.
Oct 24, 2019, 12:06 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 40
Hawaiian Air Main Basic
I have been watching non stop flights for several months JFK to Honolulu. Just noticed that for my desired flight in June they added a new classification Main Cabin Basic for the fare I was watching. (No seat selection) They increased the fare on the main cabin category to outside what I am willing to pay. Very frustrating for those of you watching.
Oct 24, 2019, 3:28 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 40
Caught this thread being updated in my email digest and was shocked to see that right after recommending BOS-HNL to a friend and saying “it’s only $690 round trip unless you want the extra legroom” and thinking that it was regular HA main cabin-I checked the website yesterday to find out that the once “regular” main cabin price of $692 BOS-HNL is now Basic Y. I tend to agree that it’s shameful on these longer haul flights.
I can completely understand offering basic Y on West Coast to Hawaii flights with the amount of airline options etc
on East coast to Hawaii flights-I don’t believe it should be an option tbh. HA’s onboard service is much better than the other East Coast options imo. I’ve flown Y and Y+ multiple times at the “regular price” that has now become “basic“ I can say honestly I was upset to see the new price for economy if I had to pay an extra $90 and not get extra legroom. Gouging people who merely want to pick a window seat or seats together is a little ridiculous. The race to the bottom continues. Unfortunate that HA would do this on long haul flights.
I can completely understand offering basic Y on West Coast to Hawaii flights with the amount of airline options etc
on East coast to Hawaii flights-I don’t believe it should be an option tbh. HA’s onboard service is much better than the other East Coast options imo. I’ve flown Y and Y+ multiple times at the “regular price” that has now become “basic“ I can say honestly I was upset to see the new price for economy if I had to pay an extra $90 and not get extra legroom. Gouging people who merely want to pick a window seat or seats together is a little ridiculous. The race to the bottom continues. Unfortunate that HA would do this on long haul flights.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Nov 13, 2019 at 9:11 am Reason: removed image from quote
Oct 25, 2019, 10:35 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 233
I noticed the same thing. Many complained that’s United and others did this across the board but I can’t remember how far back it was that United offered sub-$400 round trips to Vegas, so in some cases at least, basic economy there involved price drops. Can’t say the same for the Hawaiian Air basic economy pricing.
Nov 12, 2019, 2:05 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 3
Just wanted to say a quick thanks because I found this thread to be informative and helpful. We're planning a trip to Hawaii next summer and I've started diving into the quagmire of airfare options from our home airport (PHX). 9-10 yr ago, we flew to Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines and they were great. The service was very good. Flights were expensive but a fair price at the time.
But now? Good Lord. Hawaiian, United, Alaska, American, etc...they all have this same stupid Basic Economy option as their lowest fare. There are so many restrictions. So many restrictions that although those fares are very attractive financially, it's totally not worth it.
So instead, we're going to fly on Southwest. No flight change fees of $75 or more a piece (Hawaiian's is $300!). No cancellation penalties or fees. No baggage fees. With a Basic Economy fare, my family wouldn't be able to sit together anyway. At least on Southwest, we'll have a fighting chance. And if I find a cheaper fare with Southwest after we book? They'll apply the difference to my account, so you basically get money back.
I can save probably $1700 total for the 4 of us by flying Southwest instead of Hawaiian Airlines.
But now? Good Lord. Hawaiian, United, Alaska, American, etc...they all have this same stupid Basic Economy option as their lowest fare. There are so many restrictions. So many restrictions that although those fares are very attractive financially, it's totally not worth it.
So instead, we're going to fly on Southwest. No flight change fees of $75 or more a piece (Hawaiian's is $300!). No cancellation penalties or fees. No baggage fees. With a Basic Economy fare, my family wouldn't be able to sit together anyway. At least on Southwest, we'll have a fighting chance. And if I find a cheaper fare with Southwest after we book? They'll apply the difference to my account, so you basically get money back.
I can save probably $1700 total for the 4 of us by flying Southwest instead of Hawaiian Airlines.
Nov 14, 2019, 11:11 am
#29
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 40
Just wanted to say a quick thanks because I found this thread to be informative and helpful. We're planning a trip to Hawaii next summer and I've started diving into the quagmire of airfare options from our home airport (PHX). 9-10 yr ago, we flew to Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines and they were great. The service was very good. Flights were expensive but a fair price at the time.
But now? Good Lord. Hawaiian, United, Alaska, American, etc...they all have this same stupid Basic Economy option as their lowest fare. There are so many restrictions. So many restrictions that although those fares are very attractive financially, it's totally not worth it.
So instead, we're going to fly on Southwest. No flight change fees of $75 or more a piece (Hawaiian's is $300!). No cancellation penalties or fees. No baggage fees. With a Basic Economy fare, my family wouldn't be able to sit together anyway. At least on Southwest, we'll have a fighting chance. And if I find a cheaper fare with Southwest after we book? They'll apply the difference to my account, so you basically get money back.
I can save probably $1700 total for the 4 of us by flying Southwest instead of Hawaiian Airlines.
But now? Good Lord. Hawaiian, United, Alaska, American, etc...they all have this same stupid Basic Economy option as their lowest fare. There are so many restrictions. So many restrictions that although those fares are very attractive financially, it's totally not worth it.
So instead, we're going to fly on Southwest. No flight change fees of $75 or more a piece (Hawaiian's is $300!). No cancellation penalties or fees. No baggage fees. With a Basic Economy fare, my family wouldn't be able to sit together anyway. At least on Southwest, we'll have a fighting chance. And if I find a cheaper fare with Southwest after we book? They'll apply the difference to my account, so you basically get money back.
I can save probably $1700 total for the 4 of us by flying Southwest instead of Hawaiian Airlines.