United Airlines is coming in hot, aiming for the golden goose of Haneda slots. One from Delta, who’s bowing out of their Portland-Haneda route, and another nighttime slot pair from Hawaiian Airlines. United’s got its eyes set on Houston and Guam, and honestly, it sounds like a strategic move.
Now, let’s talk about Delta. Earlier this year, they had the audacity to ask the DOT for “flexibility” with these coveted slots. Translation: Delta wanted to play the field, hoping to swap out cities like they were trading cards. Unsurprisingly, the DOT wasn’t having any of it. Neither was United, which wasn’t shy about saying Delta was basically “gaming the system.” I mean, you can’t blame United for protecting what’s more or less a fixed pie; these slots are scarce…
But let’s not let Hawaiian Airlines off the hook either. Apparently, they’ve been sitting on a nighttime slot for flights from Kona and Honolulu to Haneda without any clear plan. United is, rightfully, calling them out for this. While the tragedy of the Maui wildfire is not to be minimized, United points out that Hawaiian was hardly making full use of its Haneda slots even before the incident.
Hawaiian needs to use 'em or lose 'em
To Hawaiian Airlines, I say this: If you intend to keep those slots, now would be a good time to chime in with a concrete plan and give the DOT a firm commitment. The clock is ticking, especially given the expiring dormancy waivers. You can’t just sit on these slots like they’re your private island getaway. It messes up connectivity, reduces options for consumers, and ultimately makes travel that much more of a headache for all involved.
So, as the airlines squabble, circle, and make their pitches, the DOT has some decisions to make. Here’s hoping they make choices that add a little harmony to this high-flying cacophony. Because, let’s face it, we travelers have had enough complications, haven’t we?