No service or water: What these Southwest Hawaii flights are missing

Starting Dec. 4, Southwest Airlines’ Hawaii inter-island flight passengers will face a stark new reality. A just-announced policy change will change what travelers can expect on these shorter flights between Honolulu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, eliminating even the most basic services such as water.

The policy, implemented across Southwest Airlines, requires the cabin to be prepared for landing at 18,000 feet instead of the traditional 10,000 feet. On Hawaii’s inter-island flights, which typically cruise at no more than 15,000 feet, this effectively means passengers are seated from takeoff to landing with carry-ons stowed and seats returned to their upright and locked positions.

What this means for Hawaii travelers.

Hawaii’s inter-island flights, which average twenty to forty minutes, have long been known for their efficiency. But under the new rules, passengers will see significant changes to their flying experience. The seat belt sign will remain illuminated throughout the flight and large electronic devices must be stored.

Perhaps most notably, Southwest’s flight attendants, who previously offered gracious if limited complimentary water service on these flights, will remain seated for the duration. This decision, aimed at reducing turbulence-related injuries, eliminates the possibility of brief interactions on board.

For Hawaii residents and island travelers, this shift may feel like a step back in Southwest’s long commitment to quality customer service. There is no doubt that we have enjoyed the interaction with their flight attendants, even just for water service. Many inter-island passengers, including us residents, rely on these flights for quick inter-island trips, and even small conveniences have been enjoyable.

Why Southwest is making this change.

Southwest Airlines has stated that the new policy is a safety-driven measure based on years of research and data from its Flight Data Analysis Program. According to the airline, securing the cabin previously significantly reduces the risk of injury to passengers and crew during turbulence, which is a growing concern in the aviation industry. Recent incidents cited by Southwest in which turbulence risked injury to passengers and cabin crew, plus data points, led to the conclusion that earlier cabin preparation could prevent such incidents.

“While the safety benefits are clear, the impact on passenger experience flights is equally clear. We can’t help but wonder if this will remain an isolated change only at Southwest, or if it will become the new standard for the US airline industry.” — Beat of Hawaii.

How this will affect your Hawaii flights.

While Southwest remains one of the two options to fly between the islands, the absence of in-flight service and other restrictions may sway some travelers against competitor Hawaiian Airlines, which currently does not have the same rule. Indeed, we are not aware of any other US airline with an 18,000-foot enforcement policy.

Hawaiian Airlines can emphasize hospitality, at least for now. It still provides free drinks on even the shortest flights. There is coffee in the morning and POG and water throughout the day.

Comparison of Southwest and Hawaiian Airlines Interisland.

Southwest and Hawaiian Airlines offer somewhat different experiences for travelers between the islands, and recent changes highlight those contrasts even more. Hawaiian Airlines operates a fleet of legacy Boeing 717 aircraft, dedicated to inter-island routes, with a 2-3 seat configuration. This allows couples or small groups to sit comfortably together without a middle seat. They also offer both free and paid seat assignments.

Read: Southwest vs Hawaiian: Comparison of Hawaii Interisland Flights.

Meanwhile, Southwest uses larger Boeing 737 aircraft with a 3-3 seating arrangement to suit a different scale of operations. Hawaiian charges for checked bags, although these will be included free of charge for residents starting in 2025. Southwest always offers two free bags interisland, which are extremely useful for resident shopping. Southwest does not yet have seat assignment options, but they will be available in 2025.

Recent reductions in Southwest’s Hawaii interisland routes also add a layer of complexity for travelers. As much as 30% of Southwest Interisland flights were reducedleaving travelers with fewer daily options than Hawaiian Airlines’ more robust inter-island service.

While Southwest emphasizes affordability, safety and the most legroom, Hawaiian Airlines might deliver a more traditional experience.

If you’ve recently flown on an interisland flight in the US Southwest, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Are the changes worth the safety improvements, or do they fall short of the needs of Hawaii travelers?