Hawaii
Hawaii Flights Keep Getting More Unbearable. One Airline Just Proved Otherwise.
You feel it early on any flight to Hawaii. Your knees are already so close to the seat ahead, the person in front leans back, and the row gets impossibly tight. Your bag is under the seat, the tray table is right there, and there is nowhere useful to move. Sound familiar? Then you remember you are not doing this for an hour or two. You are heading to Hawaii, and you may be sitting like that for five or six hours. Yikes!
That has become the norm on most Hawaiian flights in economy. The standard seat keeps getting tighter while airlines keep expanding the parts of the cabin they can charge more for. Travelers have heard the same explanation for years. This is just how flying works now. Long routes are expensive; premium seats bring in more money; and regular economy is where the squeeze hits hardest.
Then, a little-known and arguably irrelevant airline that flies to Hawaii, Air Premia, removed 18 seats from one of its planes and increased the economy pitch from 31 inches to 33 inches. For Hawaii travelers, that is clearly not a route suggestion or a booking tip. What it is, however, is a very clear example that the cramped economy seats people keep getting sold on Hawaii flights are not some unavoidable act of the modern air travel Gods. One airline just proved that when a carrier wants or is forced to give passengers more room, it still can.
What this feels like on a Hawaii flight.
On paper, 30 inches does not sound like much. On a Hawaii flight, it does. It is the space you live in for hours, and it decides whether you can settle in or spend the flight in claustrophobia, trying to adjust your legs by an inch, shifting your hips by a fraction, and counting down to when you can finally get up. A seat can look fine when you’re booking it, but still feel painfully tight once the cabin door closes, and you realize how long you’ll be stuck there.
That is why seat pitch numbers are so real, even though most travelers never check them before buying a ticket. United, American, Hawaiian, Southwest, Delta, and Alaska are at about 30-31 inches on the aircraft flying most Hawaii routes today. That is the seat most Hawaii-bound travelers are actually sitting in.
This is where Hawaii routes expose the issue better than short domestic flying does. A cramped seat on a one-hour flight is irritating, and then it is quickly over. A cramped seat on the way to Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, or Kona becomes the experience itself. The trip starts in that seat, and if it’s bad, the flight sours.
Standard economy has kept giving up space while airlines protect or expand first class, premium economy, and extra-legroom economy sections. Travelers who have watched the Hawaii cabin shift over the past few years already know this pattern, and it connects directly to what we covered in Hawaii Economy Just Became Premium Class At Twice the Price.
The excuse passengers keep hearing.
The airline case for all of this has been pretty consistent. Premium seats are what sell nowadays, up-sells bring in more revenue, and more premium inventory helps make the route work financially. The names vary by airline, but the pattern doesn’t change. More of the cabin goes to seats with higher margins, and regular economy gives up room in order to make that happen.
Every airline flying to Hawaii has pushed in the same broad direction, with more emphasis on premium seating, leaving regular economy in the same squeeze that Hawaii travelers already know well, regardless of which airline they are flying.
Air Premia just made the standard airline argument a bit harder to defend. Carriers have spent years saying that tighter cabins are simply the cost of doing business on longer routes, but then one airline turned around and gave economy passengers more room. It has looked as though the 30″ seat pitch is locked in stone, when in fact, it can quickly be changed when there’s a good reason.
One carrier just removed 18 seats.
Air Premia said it reconfigured its Dreamliner by increasing the economy pitch from 31 inches to 33 inches and reducing the total seat count from 344 to 326. That is 18 tight seats removed from the plane. This was not framed as a one-off experiment either. The airline said it is doing similar reconfigurations on other aircraft and plans to move to 33 inches or more across the fleet this year.
The airline did not do this out of generosity. It did so because cost efficiency is the only weapon a nine-plane startup has against larger airlines like Korean Air on transpacific routes. The airline built its entire business case around being cheaper than the big carriers while also being more spacious than the budget ones, and that positioning only works if the seat itself actually delivers.
Removing 18 seats from a 787-9 is not a feel-good story. It is a survival decision by a small carrier that cannot compete on loyalty programs, route networks, or brand recognition, so it moved to compete on legroom instead. The major carriers flying to Hawaii currently face none of that competitive pressure, which is exactly why their seats keep getting tighter while Air Premia’s keep getting roomier.
For Hawaii travelers, the point is not whether they will ever book Air Premia. Most will not. The airline flies from Honolulu to Incheon, not from the mainland, so this is not a flight most BOH readers or editors will ever board. The point is that one airline just showed that seats can come out and pitch can go up. Standard economy does not always have to be the place where comfort gets cut first and permanently.
The larger carriers have spent years moving in the opposite direction, adding more premium seating and taking more space from the standard cabin. Air Premia did not solve Hawaii’s domestic flight problem, but it did show that airlines can make a different decision when they want to or have to.
Airlines tell us cramped seats are the price of modern flying.
Hawaii travelers have been told this for too long, especially on longer routes where airlines want more premium inventory. Air Premia did not change what most BOH readers will get flying to the islands, but it did make one thing much clearer: tighter economy cabins are a choice.
Airlines may prefer that choice because it makes the upsell easier and gives more of the plane to higher-priced seats. But after one carrier publicly removed 18 seats and gave economy passengers more room, it gets a lot harder to honestly argue the current setup was the only possible outcome when it is not.
You’ve seen flights to Hawaii get more cramped over the years. Do you think traveler pressure could ever force the major domestic carriers to stop shrinking economy space? Tell us below.
Lead Photo Credit: © Beat of Hawaii joins the crowds at Diamond Head for sunrise.
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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The search for Honolulu’s next police chief is moving into the next phase.
The Honolulu Police Commission announced it has narrowed the candidate pool to six semi-finalists, selected from an initial list of 11 applicants identified by a recruitment firm.
“The commissioners feel these six applicants exhibited the leadership and management skills necessary to lead an organization as large, complex and critical to the community as the Honolulu Police Department,” said member of the Honolulu Police Commission, Chair Laurie Foster.
“Those qualities were identified in part by surveys and stakeholder interviews conducted by the recruitment firm,” she added.
The names of the semi-finalists have not been released. Officials said confidentiality is being maintained at this stage to encourage applicants who may still be employed elsewhere.
The candidates will next be interviewed by stakeholder panels made up of community members and others who interact with the Honolulu Police Department.
The commission is expected to select finalists during a May 6 meeting, with those names to be announced afterward.
Finalists will then participate in additional interviews and a public appearance before the commission votes on the next police chief at a public meeting scheduled for May 20.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
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Hawaii offers a wide range of small towns across its islands, each with its own draw. The state has hikes among active volcanoes near Volcano Village and long stretches of coastline like Waimanalo Beach on Oahu. One town below sits on a crescent-shaped bay that has drawn visitors for decades. Another holds a winery on volcanic slopes. The list ahead covers seven small towns spanning beach and inland Hawaii.
Hanalei
On the north shore of Kauai, the census-designated place of Hanalei is known for a laid-back atmosphere, a crescent-shaped bay, and a small collection of shops and restaurants. Hanalei Beach is a stretch of fine sand and clear water, and has been featured in films including The Descendants and South Pacific. It has been ranked among the state’s best beaches, with picnic tables, good surfing, and kayaking all within reach. Within walking distance is the Hanalei Inn, a small retro-style lodging near downtown.
Further into town is the Wai’oli Mission House, a historic two-story missionary home built in 1837 and preserved as a museum. Tours run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, covering the lives of the missionaries who lived there. Near Black Pot Beach is Pat’s Taqueria, a Mexican food truck serving Hawaiian-style tacos, burritos, and quesadillas within walking distance of the Hanalei Pier. Locals and visitors both favor it for its locally sourced ingredients.
Pāʻia
In the north of Maui is Pāʻia (also spelled Paia), a walkable community with local surf shops, restaurants, and ocean views. Lower Pāʻia Park is one of the more photographed beaches in the state, with calm waters good for snorkeling, surfing, and swimming. Basketball courts, a skatepark, and a youth center sit nearby. Near the beach, the Surf Club is an event venue for weddings, dinners, and corporate or private functions, with a short walk back to downtown.
Wabisabi Soba and Sushi is a sushi restaurant on the Hana Highway known for its 100 percent buckwheat Jyuwari soba noodles. The interior and garden lean Japanese, and the restaurant is BYOB. The Rip Curl Surf Shop in downtown stocks swimwear, boardshorts, surf accessories, hats, surfboard covers, and apparel for anyone heading out to the waves.
Waimanalo
On the east side of Oahu is Waimanalo, a community with a three-mile stretch of beaches, a laid-back culture, and an agricultural character. At the eastern end of town is Sea Life Park Hawaii, an aquarium and animal sanctuary home to dolphins, sharks, sea lions, native fish, rays, and birds. Visitors can interact with animals in the water, visit penguin habitats, meet sea lions, and see sea turtles. Waimanalo Beach is a wide stretch of white sand backed by the Ko’olau Mountains, with turquoise water for swimming and surfing, and Waimanalo Beach Park shaded by ironwood trees. Parking is limited, especially on weekends and holidays, so arriving early is best.
Further inland, Olomana Golf Links is an 18-hole par-72 course with the Ko’olau Mountains in the background. Former U.S. President Barack Obama has played here, and professional golfer Michelle Wie trained on the course. The Waimanalo Forest Reserve is farther still, with quiet hikes on trails such as the ‘Ohana Trail and the Maunawili Ditch Trail, home to wild birds, small mammals, and reptiles, along with views of Maunawili Falls within the 500-acre reserve.
Volcano
Volcano, or Volcano Village, sits as the gateway to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in a cool, damp rainforest setting. The park is home to two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and Mauna Loa, the largest shield volcano in the world. The rest of the park holds geographical features that often require multiday trips to reach. Visitors can view lava eruptions, hike, and explore the rolling hills of the Kahuku Unit.
In the heart of town, the Lava Lodge at Hale Kilauea offers cottages for visitors exploring the park. Each cottage has a small tropical garden. The hotel is within walking distance of the Lava Rock Cafe, which serves burgers, pancakes, and local Hawaiian dishes. Volcano Winery is one of only a few wineries in the state, with views of Mauna Loa and a rare chance to taste Big Island wines on the Big Island itself.
Lānaʻi City
At the center of the island of Lānaʻi is Lānaʻi City, a plantation town with historic homes, local restaurants and shops, and a walkable center. On Lanai Avenue, Dreams Come True Bed and Breakfast is a renovated property with mountain views and a garden. Further up in town, the Lānaʻi Culture and Heritage Center preserves the island’s history, traditional cultures, and plantation past through photographs and artifacts.
The Lānaʻi Art Center is within walking distance of the Culture and Heritage Center. It serves as a studio space for local artists, features a gallery, offers classes and workshops, and is the island’s main community arts program. On the outskirts of town is the Koloiki Ridge Trailhead, a roughly 5-mile trail that follows old cattle paths and opens up to panoramic views of the island.
Honokaa
On the northeastern coast of the Big Island is Honokaa, a census-designated place with plantation-era architecture and a role as gateway to Waipi’o Valley. The Honokaa Heritage Center is a museum covering the town’s history, with research materials and exhibits of photographs and artifacts. The center hosts the Hāmākua Sugar Days Festival every October, dedicated to the state’s plantation history with parades and a festival fair. South of the heritage center is the Hāmākua Country Club, a nine-hole course and one of the oldest on the island, set 1,200 feet above sea level with views of the Pacific Ocean. Carts are available for rent, and the course hosts tournaments.
Waipi’o Valley is just west of town. It was the boyhood home of King Kamehameha and is considered one of the most sacred places on the Big Island. Trails such as the Muliwai Trail lead into the tropical valley, where coconuts, green bananas, and papayas grow. Note that valley access is currently restricted to Hawaii residents.
Makawao
Upcountry from Paia is the census-designated place of Makawao, a community with boutique shops, art galleries, and an upcountry character. Makawao Public House is a gastropub serving local fare and paying tribute to the town’s past. On Baldwin Avenue, Banyan Tree Bed and Breakfast sits on 2.5 acres of gardens with cottages for stays, a short drive from local restaurants and shops.
On the southern outskirts of town is the Kahakapao Loop Trail, a 5.9-mile route in the Makawao Forest Reserve that is a popular hiking and mountain biking spot. At roughly 4,000 feet, the rainforest setting offers a cooler alternative to a beach day. At the northern edge of town, the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center operates as a cultural hub with a gallery, classes, workshops, a gallery shop, and exhibits by local community members.
Small-Town Hawaii
Hawaii’s small towns provide a different side of the state from the major resorts, with local character, natural features, and regional history. Makawao draws visitors to the Makawao Forest Reserve. Volcano offers access to two of the state’s most active peaks. Waimanalo’s white-sand beach anchors the east side of Oahu. Each of these communities offers something different from the others, but all share a strong sense of place.
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