One aspect of this economy flight was a revelation

The airline: Hawaiian Airlines

• Route Sydney to Honolulu, flight HA452
• Frequency Five flights a week
• Aircraft Airbus A330
• Class Main Cabin Preferred (economy); seat 19C, aisle
• Flight time 9.5 hours. The aircraft took off on time and arrived 30 minutes ahead of schedule.

Hawaiian Airlines flies Airbus A330s from Sydney to Honolulu.Credit: iStock

Checking in

My departure is on an average Thursday evening at Sydney Airport’s international terminal. It’s not deserted, but certainly no huge queues. It doesn’t take me long to check in my hold luggage, present proof of my ESTA for entry into the US, and share a brief joke with the cheery Hawaiian Airlines staff member on the dreary weather.

Any concern about my cabin luggage being too heavy is quashed when I’m reminded of their generous limit (see below). I’m on my way to security after a few minutes without a hitch.

Baggage

One piece of checked luggage up to 23 kilograms, along with a single cabin bag with a generous weight limit of 11.5 kilograms, plus a personal item such as a handbag or reading material.

Loyalty scheme

Alaska Airlines acquired Hawaiian last year, allowing points from its program, HawaiianMiles, to be transferred between the two carriers free of charge. The airlines aim to have a fully merged loyalty program launching later this year. The merger also puts Hawaiian into the oneworld alliance, of which Qantas is also a member. Its partnership with Virgin Australia ended in June.

The seat

The plane’s economy cabin has a 2-4-2 configuration.Credit:

The economy cabin class is a 2-4-2 configuration. Sitting in an inner aisle seat with no one next to me, I have that blessed feeling that I won’t have to get up at any point. Seats are 17 inches (43 centimetres) wide with a pitch of 32 inches (81cm). I’m 180 centimetres tall and able-bodied, and I find them comfortable. Even when the seat in front drops back suddenly, I don’t have a screen in my face. The window seating appears to be mostly occupied by couples or friends; an excellent and civilised option for those who need to move around more without the guilt of annoying a stranger.

Entertainment + tech

Entertainment selections are good, but the free and fast Wi-Fi is a revelation.Credit:

Free, fast and reliable Wi-Fi (courtesy of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites) for everyone on board is a revelation. The entertainment system features a wide selection of contemporary films, along with ’90s and early 2000s classics. There are also documentaries from HBO and National Geographic, while children have a dedicated section with up-to-date TV shows and feature-length films. The nine-inch touchscreen is adequate and causes no issues. A standard USB type-A port enables charging, alongside an audio-out socket, allowing me to connect my own noise-cancelling headphones.

Service

Does an airline’s staff demeanour hinge on the destination? In this case, there are beaming smiles all around and vibrant plumeria flowers tucked behind ears. And being greeted with “aloha” when stepping aboard is equally disarming as it is fun. The two men servicing my cabin are polite and attentive, even when I want a breakdown of the meal options and ask them to fill my water bottle.

Food

An evening meal is served immediately after take-off, consisting of either teriyaki chicken with steamed vegetables and rice, or beef with mashed potatoes. I opt for the former, and it ticks all the boxes of a standard airline meal: not terrible, but nothing exceptional. After a five-hour interval, breakfast is served: potato hash and a small, flavoursome – but ultimately forgettable – frittata.

A touch I particularly liked, however, was that water was offered regularly, at least every hour or so. For those who want to nibble, a Pau Hana snack bar located at the rear galley offers a multitude of salty and sweet snacks for purchase, from wheels up to wheels down.

Sustainability

Hawaiian Airlines aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 through partnerships with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), waste reduction initiatives and LEED-certified facilities. It’s cutting plastics, boosting sustainable fuel use, and greening operations to support a more eco-conscious future.*

One more thing

The airline now treats surfboards, bikes and golf clubs as standard checked baggage – no extra fees, no fuss. It’s a savvy move that caters to the island-bound adventurer, blending practicality with the airline’s aloha spirit.

The price

From about $1000 return, economy class.**

The verdict

Heading to Portland, Boston or Las Vegas? This is a polished trans-Pacific economy class that other carriers should look to emulate, with the added opportunity of a flop-and-drop stopover.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The writer flew as a guest of Hawaiian Airlines. See hawaiianairlines.com

*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org.

**Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.

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