I’d work on your reading comprehension, because that post had nothing to do with company pride. In fact, that thought is nearly 180 degrees off from the point.

The point was to put away the notion that HAL has something so special to offer that the masses will pay extra to ride them. Or that Hawaii itself will lead to travelers splurging to get there in style. People with the disposable income to do those things aren’t shopping between HAL and SWA.

It sucks in the back of all airliners on extended flights. ALL of them. An economy seat is an economy seat, and no amount of flowers, correct local diction or knowledge is going o win against the almighty dollar. And it certainly won’t win against being able to spend another night at the Grand Wailea due to cost savings on travel. This isn’t the luxury suite on an ocean liner where the trip is part of the experience. It’s steerage. Plain and simple.

If Hawaiian had Mint style airplanes or some of the fancy AA 321T’s as their base product then I’d agree with the premise. But that’s not their product, and SWA darn well knows it. And they play for keeps.

Having said that, I’d be truly surprised if the HAL management team hasn’t been burning the midnight oil on strategies and counters since SWA made their intentions known. More than anything I’m interested to see what they do and what it leads to, because standing their ground strategically will just get them steamrolled.