Hawaiian Airlines Adds Lower Fare as it Faces New Competition from Southwest

This week, Hawaiian Airlines announced it will begin selling Main Cabin Basic fares in select North American markets. Hawaiian's introduction of basic economy tickets comes as the airline faces new competition on Hawaii flights from Southwest Airlines.

With Main Cabin Basic, travelers can enjoy Hawaiian Airlines’ signature complimentary meal, snack and beverage service during the flight, as well as free in-flight entertainment. However, with this lowest-priced fare option, there are some limitations, like receiving a seat assignment at time of check-in and being in the last boarding group.

“We are now offering a full range of fare options to our guests on these routes, with the addition of the best-value Main Cabin Basic product in the industry, one that combines our lowest fares with our award-winning Hawaiian hospitality, including complimentary meals and in-flight entertainment, delivered in the comfort of our modern fleet,” said Brent Overbeek, senior vice president of revenue management and network planning, at Hawaiian Airlines.

Hawaiian’s Main Cabin Basic fare product is being offered first on select, nonstop flights between Honolulu and three of its 13 U.S. mainland gateway cities – Los Angeles, Long Beach, and San Jose – for travel beginning Oct. 21.

This new product is designed for guests who prefer to forgo standard Hawaiian travel services, such as advanced seat selection and the ability to upgrade, in exchange for the most affordable fares.

Guests choosing Hawaiian’s Main Cabin Basic fare will be able to select a seat when checking in for a flight, or they will be assigned a seat at the gate, and they will retain their Main Cabin benefit of a complimentary carry-on bag and one personal item. HawaiianMiles members can continue to earn one mile per mile flown.

Main Cabin Basic complements Hawaiian’s suite of products by providing an additional fare option to better serve its guests’ needs and preferences when traveling to and from Hawaii.

The Hawaiian carrier will also offer Main Cabin, Extra Comfort, and First Class fare products, including a premium lie-flat experience onboard its Airbus A330 aircraft and luxurious recliners on flights onboard its Airbus A321neo aircraft.

Southwest Airlines, which first introduced service to Hawaii earlier this year, plans to bolster its flights schedule by launching some of its new Hawaii flights in November, instead of in January as previously announced, as well as introducing a new route.

Southwest announced it plans to start service between Sacramento and Honolulu on Nov. 10, instead of Jan. 19 as planned. Additionally, the airline is offering introductory fares of $99 for one-way travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which will not be extended to the Thanksgiving or peak Christmas travel dates.

Southwest will also introduce a new nonstop daily route between Sacramento and Maui beginning Mar. 7.

"Demand is strong for our Hawaii service and we're not just increasing those routes to daily service for our customers. We're also moving up our timeline on two routes set to begin in January, and instead will fly them this year," said Adam Decaire, vice president of network planning, for Southwest. "Our flights between Sacramento and Honolulu, as well as interisland service between Honolulu and Lihue, Kauai, will now begin Nov. 10, 2019."

In celebration of new service among the Islands, Southwest is also offering interisland travel for as low as $29 one-way from Nov. 12, 2019, through April 8, 2020. Fares are available today, and are only valid on certain days of the week with seating limited.