Flight review: Hawaiian Airlines business class
To minimise jet lag and break up the long haul to America, this service hits the jackpot.
To minimise jet lag and break up the long haul to America, this service hits the jackpot.
The business class cabin has only 18 seats, with three rows configured 2-2-2. A small, retractable privacy screen can be raised between the pairs. The comfortable seat reclines to a 180-degree flat bed, with a pillow, plush quilt and removable mattress pad. It has ample storage, two USB ports and an international outlet. Passengers in window seats can access the aisle without climbing over their neighbour by nimbly sliding around a cut-out near their feet. This feature reduces the size of the footrest; the widest footrests are in the two bulkhead seats, 1C and 1G. An amenities pack contains a toothbrush, toothpaste, eyeshades, earplugs, Noho Home-branded lip balm, hand cream and hydrating mist, and socks designed to be worn with thongs (and the provided slippers).
Business class passengers can take 46kg (two bags x 23kg) of checked luggage plus two carry-on items.
Each seat has an international power outlet and two USB ports. The entertainment system is viewed on a touchscreen tablet that slips into an armrest extension.
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A mai tai is offered upon boarding. Less than half an hour after takeoff, dinner is served with a broccolini salad and cheesecake dessert. The choice of two mains is chicken pot pie or soy-glazed pork with rice and vegetables. Although the selection is limited, it’s tasty and enough for a 10pm meal after dining in the airport lounge. The alcohol list includes two whites, two reds, prosecco, four cocktails, two American beers and various spirits. Snacks are available on request. Served an hour before landing, the three breakfast options are croissant and fruit, French toast with bacon, or a chicken burrito with scrambled eggs, cheese and onions.
The choice of movies and television series is sufficient, with a lesser range of games and audio.
Check-in staff greet passengers with “aloha”, setting the tone for the friendly service in the air. As it’s an overnight flight, cabin crew keep a low profile. When I ask a flight attendant to take my photo, she devotes 10 minutes to getting the perfect shot with different lighting and backgrounds.
At Sydney Airport, Hawaiian Airlines passengers can access The House. In addition to the bar and buffet, a la carte dining is served by waiters in a dining section. At Honolulu, the Plumeria Lounge has reserved tables for business class travellers. There is a small selection of self-serve food and drinks.
Hawaiian Miles program is aligned with Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer. Other partners include China Airlines, Japan Airlines, JetBlue, Korean Air and Virgin Atlantic.
A proposed merger with Alaska Airlines would see Hawaiian Airlines join the Oneworld alliance and enjoy seamless connections between the two brands and their partners. The development is awaiting approval from regulatory bodies.
Aside from offering non-stop flights to Honolulu, Hawaiian Airlines is my top pick for breaking up the journey to mainland US. Compared with other routes, this shorter first leg makes it easier to adjust to the new time zone, with an evening departure and a morning arrival. Clearing US passport control in a less hectic airport is another perk. My connecting overnight flight to New York was also 10 hours and conducive to a jetlag-busting sleep.
What it costs
From $5128, based on airline website search, departing one month from date of publication.
Louise Goldsbury was a guest of Hawaiian Airlines.