Although I have no specific stats to refute this, this statement is highly doubtful. I might believe it if the statement was "planes cannot go out with all seats filled half the time" but as far as involuntary denied bordings which is what you are implying here...I find it highy improbable. I fly a lot of Hawaii and have yet to have to make a flag stop anywhere and from talking to other crewmembers it doesn't seem like it is that common of an experience. Most of the time we can take care of the fuel problem by rerouting south and delaying entry into ETOPS airspace until Southern Oregon/Northern California. (assming SEA/PDX departure, bay area flights are almost never a problem)
PHX-HNL I think would be a stretch in the heart of winter. Other 9-10 months...no sweat.
SNA-Hawaii is hard not because of the distance but because of the runway at SNA. AQ flew 700's so it was less of an issue...CAL ETOPS'd some 737-700's, Alaska has decided the expense of having a handful of 700's ETOPS'd for this one route is not worth it and has let this market go athough there have been rumors floating around for a LGB-Hawaii route floating around for a long time.
My prediction for SWA is that they will fall in love with the 800 so much that it will become the main airframe. It seats A LOT more people then the 700 and aside from the extra FA has essentially identical operating cost. SWA will apply the same "growth" strategy that Alaska has mastered and be able to "grow" the airline without any increase in fleet size.
I don't agree with a lot Fubi says but one thing I do agree with is that you guys will absolutely LOVE this airplane. The 800 is hands-down the best flying of the NG's.
