longboard55
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2014
- Messages
- 2,405
Never quite understood the first class board first concept, if you have a reserved seat and no need to fight for bin space, why sit on the plan an extra 20 minutes
I've been flying first for the past 3 trips on delta, just because i have the points. And you get a free drink when you board so you can sip it and look at all the peons boarding after you while you luxuriate with your extra leg room, guaranteed overhead space, and mai-tai. LOLNever quite understood the first class board first concept, if you have a reserved seat and no need to fight for bin space, why sit on the plan an extra 20 minutes
The announcement was that they would be selling tickets starting in 2018. That strongly suggests they won't begin flying to Hawaii until 2019.
Southwest only flies Boeing 737s. It is part of their business strategy. Any Southwest pilot can fly any Southwest plane. There are several different variations of the 737.
Initial service to Hawaii is expected to use the Boeing 737-800 series. Once they get them, Southwest intends to switch Hawaii routes to use the Boeing 737 MAX series. The MAX series is more fuel efficient and has a longer range.
According to Wikipedia, the Boeing 737-800 has a range of 3,010 nautical miles (3,464 miles). The 737 MAX has a range of 3,825 nautical miles (4,402 miles).
To put that in perspective, the distance from Honolulu (HNL) to Las Vegas is 2,763 miles. Honolulu to Phoenix is 2,918 miles. Salt Lake City is 2,994 miles. My educated guess is that those airports are the furthest possible until Southwest gets the MAX. While those are in play, expect most of the Hawaii flights to come from secondary airports in California (Oakland, Ontario, Burbank, Sacramento).
With the MAX, they might consider Dallas-Love Field (3,796 miles to HNL), Minneapolis-St Paul (3,972 miles), or Chicago-Midway (pushing it at 4,253 miles). Sadly for you, Baltimore (BWI) is not possible, as it's 4,856 miles.
As for you other questions, I'd say there's zero chance that Southwest will be adding first class. Southwest does offer satellite-based WIFI on their Boeing 737-800 series aircraft. That service includes entertainment. They do not have in-seat power, although that's less of an issue today since many hand-held tablets get great battery life.
Although I looked, I can't find a source that regarding if Southwest's Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will have in-seat power.
Sources:
Aircraft specifics: http://www.avgeekery.com/breaking-southwest-airlines-announces-hawaii-service-to-begin-in-2018/
Boeing 737 article on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737
I think one of SWA's main hubs is BWI, isn't it? I wonder if they'll do nonstop flights out of BWI. That would be a win for us east coasters.
Did they say anything about what type of aircraft they will be flying to Hawaii? With the flight being so long, I really prefer the 2-4-2 seat configuration which I know can be found on the Airbus 330. I think only Delta flies that to HNL currently? Also, I don't think the Southwest planes I've been on have in-seat power and the free entertainment is through your own device. Curious too if they'd have a "first class" depending on the plane type? So many questions! lol!
Ohhhhh so lax ?
Do they include suitcases in price?
Any food or like AA buy if want to
Do you mind commenting on here as soon as you know something
Thank you
I've only flow 1st on Hawaiian, and the 1st class cabin is separate from the main cabin so the only people walking past you are other 1st class passengers and staff. If I was flying in a 1st class seat in the main cabin, I'd probably get on last since it's awkward.I've been flying first for the past 3 trips on delta, just because i have the points. And you get a free drink when you board so you can sip it and look at all the peons boarding after you while you luxuriate with your extra leg room, guaranteed overhead space, and mai-tai. LOL
It is awkward. I was just being silly about it. Usually my son and I are sitting there giggling like little girls over all our space, and our drinks, and how fun it is sitting in first class. We totally fail at being all cool about it. But the last two times, by the time the end of the plane was boarding they were shoving baggage up in the overheads from the main cabin, so you have to really get on first if you want that guaranteed overhead space. When I flew out of MSP the first cabin was at the front separate so it wasn't as weird.I've only flow 1st on Hawaiian, and the 1st class cabin is separate from the main cabin so the only people walking past you are other 1st class passengers and staff. If I was flying in a 1st class seat in the main cabin, I'd probably get on last since it's awkward.
Oh, I understood you were just having fun, and I laughed when I read your post. I like 1st class coming back to Hawaii but not so much going to the East Coast because I'll be asleep most of the time and can't enjoy it.It is awkward. I was just being silly about it. Usually my son and I are sitting there giggling like little girls over all our space, and our drinks, and how fun it is sitting in first class. We totally fail at being all cool about it. But the last two times, by the time the end of the plane was boarding they were shoving baggage up in the overheads from the main cabin, so you have to really get on first if you want that guaranteed overhead space. When I flew out of MSP the first cabin was at the front separate so it wasn't as weird.
Whooo Hoooo! So excited to hear SW is finally going to start service to HI. Any of my three closest airports (SJC, SFO, or OAK) are likely to have the direct flights. Love it! I see a lot more HI in my families future.
I really would like, now that Island Air is going, for someone like southwest to jump in with small interisland flights, for cheap. A larger carrier could do that.
So you have friends in HI places??? LOLThis is great. I have friends in Hawai'i.