Hawaiian Airlines is currently prospering while they rake in millions off of baggage fees. While other carriers are forced to charge to break even, Hawaiian Airlines doesn’t have to. Now their quarterly reports are out and we can all see how well they are actually doing by gouging people for baggage fees.
Hawaiian Airlines was one of those carriers who have actually never really been in any financial trouble, even over the last few years and the economical struggle. While many other carriers are losing million and even folding, Hawaiian Airlines has prospered, and prospered well.
The numbers are actually staggering. The state’s largest carrier pocketed $14.3 million from checked luggage in the second quarter — up 5.8 percent from the same period a year ago — and put Hawaiian on pace to collect its highest yearly total ever, according to data Thursday from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Hawaiian, which collected $13.5 million in the first quarter, has collected a staggering total of $27.8 million through the first six months of 2011 and likely will exceed the record $54 million it collected in 2010. In the second quarter of 2010, Hawaiian brought in $13.5 million from baggage fees, which is roughly the same as this year’s first quarter, when it offered fewer flights than it does now.
Not only is Hawaiian raking in millions on baggage fees, but they are also bringing millions more in off of reservation cancellation/change fees in the second quarter. That report estimated that Hawaiian $4.5 million in those fees as well.
Here is the bottom line. Hawaiian may have taken somewhat of a hit in the last couple of years, but it in no way amounts to what other carriers are taking. Their quarterly reports that are released are always in the black.
Baggage fees for Hawaiian should be dropped some, at least by a few dollars at the very least. With all of their new destinations to Asia, they should be doing just fine, even with a baggage fee drop.
Aloha John,
Thank you, you are correct. However, The article does not speak of things almost a decade ago, it speaks of the current situation with Hawaiian Airlines. They are doing fantastic now, and making even more charging customers extra baggage fees. Great input though man, they did have to declare bankruptcy years ago. Aloha
hawaiian Airlines emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy 7 years ago. I would call that financial problems.
Please check your facts.
From Pago Pago,
John
Wasko