Long flights to Hawaii (by domestic flight standards) demand strategies for comfort, especially with the increasing prevalence of narrow-body aircraft on these routes. First-class fares come with sky-high prices and generally sub-standard service, leaving many travelers, including BOH editors, seeking every creative alternative.
Whether through the three-seat trick we’ve written about before, extra legroom or premium economy upgrades, or split itineraries, there are multiple ways to enhance your island travel experience.
Here’s what we do and how you, too, can master these options, drawing from our recent challenges and successes.
Lessons learned: A nearly two-hour ordeal with Hawaiian Airlines.
Our attempt to book the three-seat trick on Hawaiian Airlines revealed complexities other travelers may face. As frequently as BOH travels from and to Hawaii, even we got caught.
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A screenshot from Jeff’s phone shows the call length with HA reservations.
Flying the narrow-body A321neo from Hawaii to Rarotonga, we sought extra comfort by purchasing an additional seat as we’ve described previously. That is due to the 3×3 configuration and the tight, narrow-body cabin. However, Hawaiian’s system required contacting customer service, as extra seats cannot be booked online or with mileage awards. Make a note of that to save yourself untold grief later.
After nearly two hours of back-and-forth on the phone with the Philippine-based call center, albeit with a very nice agent, which helped, we finally secured the booking we sought. The agent canceled our reservation, made a new one on the phone, and included the extra seat. While we had intended to pay using miles, that became impossible. So, we split the reservation. One passenger and the extra seat were paid in cash, while the other retained a mileage award reservation.
These frustrations highlight the need for planning and a thorough understanding of airline-specific policies and procedures. Hawaiian’s process and others remain labor-intensive for customers and their agents, and their inability to manage extra seats automatically online often can leave travelers scrambling.
The airline that handles this with finesse is United Airlines, which is by far the most technologically advanced airline. However, that isn’t to say they are the best in other ways.
Why two separate bookings can be better than one.
We switched strategies for the return leg of our upcoming journey to the South Pacific, as we will be flying on Hawaiian’s wide-body A330 from Papeete to Honolulu. Rather than booking three seats, which is invaluable on all airlines’ narrow-body planes, we opted for two extra legroom seats in row 34 A/B.
These are our go-to accommodations for years onboard that aircraft due to the extra legroom and comfort that, in this case, cost a very reasonable $90 per person for the six-hour flight.
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As with other domestic airlines, Hawaiian doesn’t charge a premium for one-way tickets, making it easy to split itineraries into two separate reservations. This approach saved us hundreds of dollars compared to booking an extra seat on the entire reservation.
However, round-trip fares can be significantly cheaper when traveling internationally than two one-way tickets. Still, for Hawaiian Airlines, our research confirmed no extra costs for booking one-way flights, even internationally, in this case, giving us more flexibility and significant savings.
How airlines handle the three-seat trick differently.
Alaska Airlines.
Alaska makes it relatively easy to book an extra seat, with U.S.-based customer service to assist. Their system links extra seats for a smoother check-in and boarding experience. It is best to call Alaska before commencing any reservation that has an extra seat. Mileage awards can be used to purchase tickets, including an extra seat.
American Airlines.
American Airlines requires passengers to call their reservations department to book an extra seat, as this option is not currently available online. The extra seat is coded as “EXST” and linked to the passenger’s main reservation. It is best to call American before commencing any reservations when purchasing an extra seat.
Delta Airlines.
Delta requires customers to contact their customer service team to book an extra seat. Unfortunately, this cannot be done online when booking, which adds an extra step for travelers. The airline codes the extra seat under the passenger’s name as “EXST” (extra seat), similar to how most carriers handle it. It is best to start by calling Delta before commencing any reservations when purchasing an extra seat.
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Hawaiian Airlines.
Hawaiian requires customer service phone help to book extra seats, which can’t be done online. The process is time-consuming and complicated. Extra seats must be checked in manually at the gate, creating potential delays. Mileage tickets cannot be used for a passenger traveling with an extra seat.
Southwest Airlines.
Southwest’s open seating policy means you can’t pre-book an extra seat. That will change soon when Southwest moves to all reserved seating, including on Hawaii flights.
United Airlines.
United Airlines excels in offering straightforward options for the three-seat trick. Extra seats can be booked online, and their customer service is known for efficiency. Mileage awards can also be used when purchasing the third seat as part of a passenger reservation.
Screenshot showing ease of booking extra seat on United Airlines.
Practical tips for comfort on Hawaii flights.
Obtaining extra comfort doesn’t always require booking an additional seat. Wide-body aircraft like Hawaiian’s A330 feature 2-4-2 economy seating, making it easier for two people traveling together to avoid sharing a row with a third passenger. These planes also offer extra legroom options that, combined with a two-seat section, can provide good comfort at a reasonable cost.
When booking an extra seat, present the boarding pass only at airline check-in and boarding. TSA security doesn’t require it, and showing it may cause unnecessary confusion.
Research seating layouts to avoid surprises, such as non-moveable armrests, limited recline in certain rows, or seats without full windows.
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Compare airline pricing to find the best value for extra seats, extra legroom, or premium upgrades.
The three-seat trick, premium upgrades, and strategic itineraries are invaluable tools that BOH editors have found tried and true for improving comfort on Hawaii flights.
Each airline handles these options differently, and understanding the nuances can save time and money. Whether flying narrow-body or wide-body planes, taking the time to research seating options and policies ensures a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience.
What are your tricks for comfort on Hawaii flights?
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A group of nonprofits are asking the public to help support efforts to return Maunawili Valley to community care.
Dean Wilhelm, co-executive director of Ho’okuaaina, Reyna Ramolete Hayashi, aloha aina project manager at Trust for Public Land, and Kaleo Wong, executive director of Kauluakalana, joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about more than a decade of work by Hui Maunawili–Kawainui, a coalition of nonprofits and generational ohana to purchase and protect more than 1,000 acres on windward Oahu to benefit the community.
“Our Hoihoi Maunawili fundraising campaign is four nonprofits working together to raise $500,000 for the future stewardship of the land. The nonprofit partners are Kauluakalana, Ho’okua’aina, Hawaii Land Trust, and Trust for Public Land,” Hayashi said.
Nonprofit leaders say Hoihoi Maunawili is working with the current landowner, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, to transfer stewardship of the land.
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“These lands include the most fertile growing soil in all Hawaii, important cultural sites, and freshwater streams and springs that will be forever protected. Capital funds have been secured to purchase the land,” Hayashi said.
“This land has sustained generations. By returning it to the community and restoring it for shared use and cultural renewal, we will safeguard resources for future generations and increase our community’s resilience,” Wilhelm said.
“Until the 1960s, this land was very productive. It was the ‘Breadbasket of Oahu.’ Alii specifically would ask for kalo grown on these lands. This effort seeks to return it to its former abundance, ultimately improving local food security and water security through community-led agriculture that strengthens Hawaii food systems and creates green jobs for a sustainable local economy.”
“Buying and protecting the land is only the beginning,” Wong said. “In this season of giving, we are asking the community to join us in this movement to restore water, food, culture and community in Maunawili.”
To donate and learn more, visit hoihoimaunawili.org. The public can also support by volunteering or joining a talk story.
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Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Gov. Josh Green predicted Friday that thousands of Hawaii residents may give up their health insurance after Congress did not extend subsidies for Affordable Care Act policies.
Green pledged millions in local taxpayer funds to help them maintain coverage.
Hawaii’s 24,000 Affordable Care Act customers faced uncertainty in December as they had to reenroll without knowing whether extra subsidies would be extended.
Now that the subsidies are ending, customers must find more money or reduce their coverage.
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Premium increases force difficult choices
Insurance agent and radio host Martha Khlopin works with about 300 people who depend on ACA premium subsidies.
“People, I think, will be making the decision, taking that risk and just praying they don’t get sick,” Khlopin said. “So I pray that too. Don’t get sick in 2026, because your premiums and co-pays might be a lot.”
As an example, Khlopin cited a 50-year-old man who makes $40,000. He was paying about $170 a month this year for a plan with good coverage. His new plan will cost about $500 a month starting in January.
“It’s a pretty big increase for him,” Khlopin said. “So what he decided to do was just use his savings to cover the premiums because he really needs to keep the very generous platinum plan that he has right now.”
Coverage downgrades expected
Khlopin said others are downgrading their coverage, choosing lower premiums but much higher out-of-pocket costs and deductibles.
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“So it’s a lower premium, but you have higher cost because you have to meet a deductible,” Khlopin said, noting that could lead some people to avoid care.
“So if I do need a particular procedure that’s expensive, I might decide not to get that done, which ultimately can cause more problems down the road,” Khlopin said.
Green predicted an even more dire scenario with thousands choosing to go without coverage.
“That’s really bad, because it’s not just the lack of insurance for them. It’s also $150 million of uncompensated care to rural facilities to our community health centers,” Green said.
State tax credit proposal
Green proposed that the state make up the lost subsidies with a state tax credit for about 8,000 ACA customers.
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“The analysis we did is that to do the enhanced subsidy that Congress walked away from for now would cost $16.5 million,” Green said.
“That would definitely be a very, very wonderful gift to people to know that there is some relief coming to lower those health insurance premiums,” Khlopin said.
What remains unclear is how quickly that aid could reach policyholders and what will happen to those who decided not to renew when the deadline for open enrollment ended Monday.
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Southwest Airlines is adding more routes from Sin City to the Aloha State.
The airline, which is headquartered at Dallas Love Field, will fly from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas to Hilo International Airport starting Aug. 6, 2026. The service will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, pairing with existing service between Las Vegas and Honolulu.
“When I took office, I pledged to strengthen ties with the ‘Ninth Island’ — Las Vegas, where many Hawaiʻi-born residents live,“ Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda said in a statement. ”Southwest’s renewed service shows its dedication. Quicker flights across the Pacific means more convenience for our local families and another chance to support our hometown airline.”
Hawaiian Airlines is Hilo’s dominant carrier, offering more than 105,000 available seats this month, according to Cirium Diio Mi data. Southwest was second, offering more than 54,000 available seats.
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“We heard you, Hilo,” Adam Decaire, Southwest’s senior vice president of network planning and network operations control, said in a statement.
“Las Vegas is important to you, and you’re important to us..”
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This month, Southwest offered 146 flights between Las Vegas and Honolulu, totaling more than 25,000 available seats, according to data from Diio by Cirium. Southwest first began flights from the western U.S. to Hawaii in 2019. The airline currently flies to the Hawaiian islands from Las Vegas and Phoenix, and from California cities Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland, Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego.
Southwest does not operate direct flights to Hawaii from Dallas.
The Hawaii route expansion comes at a time when Southwest is weighing the possibility of building a more than 12,000-square-foot lounge at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, according to documents previously viewed by The Dallas Morning News.
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