Hawaii Aviation

On May 8, Hawaiian Airlines implemented new safety measures, requiring tourists to wear face masks and increasing physical distancing at check-in terminals, boarding areas, and during flights. Airlines have also begun spraying cabins, desks, seats, and other surfaces with disinfecting agents.

The airline introduced a revised boarding process, asking guests to remain seated at the gate until their row is called. Main Cabin passengers will board from the rear of the aircraft in small groups of three to five rows, with boarding pauses as needed to prevent congestion. Guests needing special assistance and those in First Class will continue to have the option to pre-board.

To maximize personal space onboard, the airline has been manually assigning seats. Beginning next week, additional measures will be implemented, including blocking middle seats on jets, adjoining seats on ATR 42 turboprop aircraft, and select other seats. Depending on load factors, seating may be adjusted at the gate to optimize spacing while maintaining weight and balance requirements.

Hawaiian Airlines will prioritize keeping families and travel groups seated together whenever possible. Guests who wish to ensure they sit together are encouraged to contact the airline in advance or speak with an airport agent before boarding.
As part of its enhanced cleaning procedures, Hawaiian Airlines has introduced electrostatic treatment, a fast-drying disinfectant process. This treatment is applied nightly to Boeing 717 aircraft operating inter-island flights and before every departure from Hawai‘i on Airbus A330 planes serving transpacific routes. The airline’s A321neo fleet remains out of service due to a reduced flight schedule.

To maintain a safe onboard environment, Hawaiian Airlines’ transpacific aircraft are equipped with HEPA air filters, which create a dry, sterile atmosphere that is unfavorable for viruses. The airline adheres to detailed cleaning protocols, paying special attention to frequently touched surfaces such as seats, seatbacks, headrests, monitors, tray tables, overhead bins, walls, windows, shades, galleys, and lavatories.

Additionally, Hawaiian Airlines provides passengers with sanitizing wipes and has temporarily adjusted select in-flight services, including suspending beverage refills in cups or personal bottles and pausing hot towel service.

Reference

1. Hawaiian Airlines. (May 1, 2020) Hawaiian Airlines Implement Comprehensive Program of Face Covering, Spacing, and Cleaning Measures. Hawaiian Airlines. https://newsroom.hawaiianairlines.com/releases/hawaiian-airlines-implements-comprehensive-program-of-face-covering-spacing-and-cleaning-measures