Hawaiian Airlines is adding more premium seats and a new Honolulu lounge, which is good news for business and first-class flyers but means fewer cheap seats in the back.

• Hawaiian's A330 planes get a full makeover starting in 2028, with lie-flat suites and 40% of the plane set aside for premium seating, up from 30% today.
• More premium space means fewer main cabin seats, the part of the plane most travelers actually buy.
• The changes are part of a $600 million investment tied to the Alaska Airlines merger, which the company says shows it will keep the Hawaiian brand alive.
• Hawaiian's CEO argues that money from the front of the plane takes pressure off fares in the back, so economy prices could stay competitive.
• Travelers say it still comes down to price — one passenger passed on an upgrade that would have cost half again what the original ticket did.

Outlook: Frequent flyers can pick how they earn points starting this week, but the seats and lounge are years out, and Hawaii travelers are still watching what the merger does to Hawaiian's identity.