If you thought flying couldn’t get any more unpleasant, we’ve got some Hawaiian travel news for you. The aircraft, once designed to comfortably seat less than 100 passengers, has now been expanded to accommodate 230 passengers. That sounds good for airlines, but it’s also bad for us passengers.
Last week, Boeing reported that it had been approved to begin flight testing for certification of the 737 MAX 10, the largest and most comfortable 737 ever. This plane has its sights set on Hawaii, a place near and dear to our hearts.
Do you need to use the restroom? Maybe not.
A few weeks ago, I was on a United Airlines 737 MAX 8, and the lines for the two rear restrooms were long and very difficult to maneuver. There simply isn’t enough space for the flight attendants and both standing and seated passengers to cope with woefully inadequate space. It had a total of just 166 seats. I haven’t seen the actual seat map for the MAX 10 yet, but I suspect this problem is exacerbated by the intentionally large seating capacity.
![Hawaiian Airlines A321neo](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/hawaiian-airlines-a321neo.jpg)
![Hawaiian Airlines A321neo](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/hawaiian-airlines-a321neo.jpg)
![Hawaiian Airlines A321neo](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/hawaiian-airlines-a321neo.jpg)
![Hawaiian Airlines A321neo](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/hawaiian-airlines-a321neo.jpg)
Airbus A321neo finally arrives in Hawaii.
The specifications of this new aircraft make it a perfect competitor to the Airbus A321neo, which is an almost equally comfortable aircraft. Its planes are widely used for flights to Hawaii by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Hawaiian Airlines. All of these aircraft have great airline performance, but dismal performance when it comes to passenger comfort.
Boeing has confirmed that the MAX 10 will be certified in 2024, with the first aircraft arriving on United Airlines in late 2024 or early 2025. The aircraft has already been tested and flown on more than 400 flights.
![United Airlines Hawaii Polaris review: Awesome!](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PSX_20231011_153320-1.jpg)
![United Airlines Hawaii Polaris review: Awesome!](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PSX_20231011_153320-1.jpg)
![United Airlines Hawaii Polaris review: Awesome!](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PSX_20231011_153320-1.jpg)
![United Airlines Hawaii Polaris review: Awesome!](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PSX_20231011_153320-1.jpg)
United Airlines bets big on 737 MAX 10 to replace 757 to Hawaii
United Airlines has already received its first 737 MAX 10 aircraft. The airline is preparing to use the plane specifically in combat in Hawaii, where it is seen as the perfect replacement for the venerable 757, which is up to 30 years old and still flies in Hawaii’s skies.
United Airlines is a launch partner for the 737 MAX 10.
The airline has ordered 200 such planes, which may be offered in two types (configurations). Overall, there have been more than 800 orders for StretchJet. United Airlines reportedly has both international and domestic versions of its planes. It’s unclear which ones will be deployed to the Hawaii mission.
![United Airlines Hawaii 737 MAX 8](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PSX_20231017_231444-1280x720.jpg)
![United Airlines Hawaii 737 MAX 8](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PSX_20231017_231444-1280x720.jpg)
![United Airlines Hawaii 737 MAX 8](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PSX_20231017_231444-1280x720.jpg)
![United Airlines Hawaii 737 MAX 8](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PSX_20231017_231444-1280x720.jpg)
Polaris-like business class on some MAX 10s.
The domestic version will likely feature reclining seats similar to what United already uses in business class on other MAX models, but the international version will not. It features a spacious business class section of 1×1 lie-flat seats, similar but not identical to other United Airlines Polaris seats. These set the extreme angle of the suite against the aircraft wall, offering more seating in less space while offering flat accommodation. United Airlines has already approved the proposal.
You may recall that even United Airlines’ 757s have lie-flat seats in business class, similar to a small Polaris.
![United Airlines Hawaii Boeing 737 MAX 8.](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo_5120897405921897521_y.jpg)
![United Airlines Hawaii Boeing 737 MAX 8.](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo_5120897405921897521_y.jpg)
![United Airlines Hawaii Boeing 737 MAX 8.](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo_5120897405921897521_y.jpg)
![United Airlines Hawaii Boeing 737 MAX 8.](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo_5120897405921897521_y.jpg)
The popular seatback entertainment returns to narrowbody aircraft.
Although this feature was very popular with passengers (including BOH editors), it was recently discontinued on narrowbody aircraft. For example, Hawaiian Airlines has chosen to eliminate seatback screens on its narrow-body A321neo aircraft.
Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines has opted to return to seatback entertainment on its recently introduced A321neo fleet. United Airlines also changed direction and introduced high-quality seatback screens with Bluetooth connectivity on its 737 MAX aircraft. The legacy 737-800 fleet has also been retrofitted with seatback screens with Bluetooth, although they may not be seen as long on Hawaii flights due to high fuel consumption.
![Lufthansa Boeing 737-100](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PSX_20231125_105817.jpg)
![Lufthansa Boeing 737-100](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PSX_20231125_105817.jpg)
![Lufthansa Boeing 737-100](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PSX_20231125_105817.jpg)
![Lufthansa Boeing 737-100](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PSX_20231125_105817.jpg)
How did the 85-passenger 737-100 expand to a 230-seat MAX 10?
The Boeing 737 pictured above, designed in the 1960s, was originally intended to accommodate less than 100 passengers. MAX 10 is even more expanded than before, accommodating up to 230 passengers.
The 737 family of aircraft began flying in 1968 with Lufthansa as the launch customer for the Boeing 737-100. Seating capacity was 85 people in two classes and 119 people in one class. However, when the -200 arrived just a few months later, it had a passenger capacity of 97 to 136 people.
Larger variants followed for generations. The Boeing 737 “Next Generation” began by increasing the passenger capacity of his 149-passenger -300 aircraft from 128 passengers, followed by his 146-passenger -400 aircraft from 188 passengers. Ta. The -500 was the smallest of the next generation models and could accommodate only 108-132 passengers in two classes, and the -600 also had a capacity of 108-132 passengers.
The Boeing 737-700 (particularly operated by Aloha Airlines to and from the mainland) carried between 126 and 149 passengers in a two-class configuration. Some of the later versions of the Boeing 737 are still flying to and from Hawaii. -800 seats 162 to 189 people. And finally, the -900ER can accommodate up to 215 passengers.
Among the 737 MAX variants, the -8 seats 162 to 189 passengers, and the -9 seats 178 to 193 passengers.
![Boeing 737 MAX 8 in southwest Hawaii](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SWA-MAX7-KU_Sc03B-300_MR-0415-source-01_copy_720x290.jpeg)
![Boeing 737 MAX 8 in southwest Hawaii](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SWA-MAX7-KU_Sc03B-300_MR-0415-source-01_copy_720x290.jpeg)
![Boeing 737 MAX 8 in southwest Hawaii](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SWA-MAX7-KU_Sc03B-300_MR-0415-source-01_copy_720x290.jpeg)
![Boeing 737 MAX 8 in southwest Hawaii](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SWA-MAX7-KU_Sc03B-300_MR-0415-source-01_copy_720x290.jpeg)
How else is the A321neo different from the 737 MAX?
There are multiple variants of the A320 and 737 MAX families, but they all share certain characteristics in common with their siblings. These are important for passenger comfort. The Airbus Family I has a cabin that is 7 inches wider than the 737 Family. With six seats in each cabin, you can significantly increase the width of your seats in situations where every inch counts. Additionally, Airbus cabins are taller and probably feel more spacious.
What do you think about Hawaii’s 737 MAX and A321neo planes for long-haul flights?