10-21-2022, 07:17 AM
I spoke to a SW pilot while I was stuck in LA this winter and he operated flights to Hawaii from LAX. I think this was before they parked a plane overnight in Hilo, but their typical shift was a flight from LAX to HNL, then two or three days flying inter-island flights before flying back to LAX. As for United, they fly a plane that arrives in the evening in Hilo and flies it out again later on the night.
Remember these aircraft need an ETOPS qualification (Extended-range Twin-engine Operations Performance Standards), not all aircraft in either company have that, so they have limited backup plans if something goes wrong, and doubt they can quickly substitute an aircraft if that's needed. Hawaiian B717s don't need ETOPS because they only fly inter-island.
Remember these aircraft need an ETOPS qualification (Extended-range Twin-engine Operations Performance Standards), not all aircraft in either company have that, so they have limited backup plans if something goes wrong, and doubt they can quickly substitute an aircraft if that's needed. Hawaiian B717s don't need ETOPS because they only fly inter-island.