Changes in the air over Hawaii are palpable. There’s no getting around it; almost everything about Hawaii travel changes from here on out. American, Delta, Hawaiian, and United are poised to match the State of Hawaii’s new “Premium” focus. And it is getting more interesting.
As everything about Hawaii screams premium now (the price of rental cars, activities, hotels, taxes, and fees have skyrocketed and then some), the airlines are paying close attention and are reacting accordingly. We say this without judgment; it is just what is happening. This comes in the form of new planes, for starters, to match the demands of premium travelers.
This includes the Dreamliners’ business class “cabana suites” at Hawaiian Airlines. Also, the Airbus A321xlr at American and United Airlines with the first-time ever 2×2 premium economy seating in a narrow body plane. And nice new narrow-body’s with best in class business from Delta. It is a definite sweet spot fit for premium Hawaii visitors.
For those who want yet more premium, lie-flat business class seats on narrow-body planes to Hawaii will soon be offered for the first time by American and United. Delta joins the competition on narrow-body Hawaii flights with best-in-class, non-lie flat business class seats.
“On the wing” travelers marginalized.
For those of us who travel in economy class, there is little to nothing on the horizon. There will be no additional legroom; in fact, there could even be less.
Somewhere down the line, perhaps there may be something positive like rent-by-the-hour Air New Zealand style sky nests. Those could come to future Boeing 787 Dreamliners. These are single bunk beds for up to six people that can be reserved by the hour.
And, of course, there is still the premium cost of extended legroom seating, where no frill except intact legs on arrival, can cost you up to $200 a person one-way.
BOH editor Rob was just reminded of the Skyrider concept stand-up economy class seating , as seen below.
Delta’s unique plan to upscale Hawaii routes.
Delta is betting Hawaii will be a big winner for them in the future. They’re not alone in that thinking, and the airlines are all making exciting moves. Delta already scores big with at least 9 widebody Hawaii routes that include premium service and their highly-regarded Delta One closed-door, lie-flat business class.
Those routes include Atlanta to Honolulu. Detroit to Honolulu on Airbus A350. Also, Los Angeles to Honolulu, Minneapolis to Honolulu, New York to Honolulu, Salt Lake City to Honolulu, and Seattle to Honolulu on Boeing 767. And Atlanta to Maui and Seattle to Maui on A330.
Delta is upgrading all of these widebody routes to include their Premium Select true premium economy product, an excellent offering well-positioned in product and cost between economy and business.
Hawaiian scores big with widebody flights and new premium aircraft.
In total, Hawaiian already serves up well-regarded widebody flights to Hawaii from Austin, Boston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, and Seattle. These feature a lie-flat business class and an extended legroom offering, although there’s no premium economy.
Hawaiian’s upscaling isn’t close to done yet. They’re still looking to begin deliveries of their much upgraded Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet this year, of which they have 12 on firm order. While still not offering the in-between premium economy product, these will feature grand new lie-flat suites, including double “cabana” style accommodations.
American and United are on a Hawaii premium tear too.
Look for the most premium service on American’s Boeing 777 flagship service between Dallas, Maui, and Honolulu.
On United, some widebody flights feature the highly desirable United Polaris lie-flat business product and their Premium Plus true premium economy.
United’s widebody flights to Hawaii are from Chicago, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. We noted recently that United is still looking for the sweet spots in Hawaii flights, as they pruned their Washington to Honolulu flight back to once weekly.
Narrow-body Hawaii fleet upgrades are also arriving.
Last year, Delta introduced its A321neo fleet, now flying on multiple routes to Hawaii. Delta came late to that party, which started with Hawaiian Airlines’ inaugural A321neo flight in January 2018.
While Delta, like Hawaiian, has continued to offer only 3×3 economy and 2×2 business/first, Delta seems to have taken a more premium approach with highly rated new business seating and other amenities.
BOH Delta Hawaii A321neo flight reviews are upcoming.
Beat of Hawaii hasn’t flown Delta to and from Hawaii for some time, but that’s about to change. We will review the Delta A321 flights to Hawaii in business/first class and economy. Look for those reports coming soon.
American and United await Airbus A321xlr with ultra-premium.
A new narrow-body plane, the Airbus A321XLR, will make new routes to Hawaii possible and include previously unavailable options. Those planes are capable of flights from the east coast to Hawaii. American Airlines and United Airlines are the plane’s first and second launch partners, which is a perfect fit for Hawaii.
American plans to take delivery of the first plane next year, with in-service to follow. United will take delivery starting the following year. That means we’ll see these planes on Hawaii routes shortly. This new plane is well suited to the Hawaii premium mold. It features lie-flat business class with aisle access, a true premium economy in a 2×2 configuration (which will be extremely popular to Hawaii), and a 3×3 economy.
American Airlines alone is set to receive 50 of these aircraft in the next 36 months. Not to be left out, United is planning on a brand new Polaris lie-flat business pod for the aircraft type. It will also be the first time UAL will bring its premium economy to narrow-body aircraft.
The A321XLR can fly 4.7k nautical miles, opening up countless Hawaii flight possibilities. The A321neo, currently used by American, Delta, and Hawaiian, in comparison, has a range of about 4k nautical miles.
While AA might use the new planes from Dallas, Charlotte, Miami, Philadelphia, DC, and Chicago, UAL may fly them from Chicago, Denver, Houston, Newark, and DC instead.
Which airline and service are you most excited about, if any? Or are you on the wing with BOH editor Collin?
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Alaska Airlines wasn’t mentioned in this article. We used to always fly Hawaiian, but now we love flying Alaska and use the $100 companion fare every year. We still have credit cards for both airlines just in case.
There is a name for this, “Greedflation”
$200 for extra legroom seating in the future? I just paid $187 for 4inches of extra legroom on a older United 777 from Maui to SFO!
The future is already now.
This is very nice to add to premium flights, But I do pray they dont do anything to economy seats as I can not afford to schedule my winter flight right now and so worried, it will be priced out of my already expensive itenerary. Please airlines, if you see this, give us poor folks a break for a atleast a few more years. I don;t have many more left to fly and really will miss my home in paradise that is getting further and further away to acomplish visiting ohana, etc.
Flew AA 116 Maui – Dallas on 4/4-5. We had seats 7D & H. Great lie flat seats & service. Flight DFW – AUS was delayed due to AUS having weather closing. When we finally arrived at AUS had to wait for a gate then wait for someone to move jet bridge to our a/c.
How are the local people who live here going to afford to travel to & from Hawaii? I guess Southwest will be our affordable airline sad but true. My advice for the budget traveler start booking now because yes you got choices now but when it changes the supply & demand determines the outcome. Priced out of paradise.
This money thing is getting into ridiculous thinking.
It’s absolutely ludicrous to think standing up is an option in flying. Taking away legroom and no doubt seat size from existing tight seating is sadistic. FAA should establish minimum standards for seating as well as the aisle. You can just barely get your carry on roller bag down the aisle. Alcohol isn’t the only reason plane rage exists! Write your congressman! They care! What A Joke!
Hmmmm.. for being such a supporting State, the Hawaii high end push isn’t very inclusive to the less fortunate who wish to visit. Call me shocked.
Aloha from the 9th Island! I feel some of this is just poor decisioning by top execs at the airlines. I know a lot of us have worked for major corporations and we have all seen this happen before. They tend to base their decisions on the recent past. However, revenge travel will end! Also, I would venture to guess that a lot of the revenge travel was paid for by accumulated points or vacation funds not used during Covid. You guys at BOH just reported on weaker advance bookings a couple of days ago.
I do think that people coming from the east coast will pay up a bit for extra comfort. That’s a long flight! However, that premium will be determined by what sells.
Future travel prices to Hawaii will be decided by supply and demand.
Speaking of on the wing we missed a connecting flight one time to Honolulu because of the weather in San Francisco. I panicked. An airline employee saw me standing in the back of a line trying to fix the situation with my son who uses a wheelchair. He took us to his area and started checking his computer. I said just find a seat for him. I don’t care.
I’ll sit on the wing! He got us on a later flight and I got to sit inside beside my son! We notified the hotel and the shuttle that was picking us up. It was another great Hawaii trip.
You don’t consider Hawaiian’s existing Extra Comfort option as a premium coach product?
I’m wondering if the airline will pay my thrombosis medical bill after I stand for 6 hours on my mainland trip. ! can hardly wait to stand all the way to San Francisco! What a dream vcation.
That all sounds good but economy needs to have a little more leg room and width. $10 more a seat isn’t outrageous but squeezing economy is not good.
I flew from San Francisco to Milwaukee on several round trip flights on Mid West Express. They had all first class 2×2 seating. Also premium food and service.
The cost was only about $80 more round trip. It can be done.
We sure hope that there continue to be enough “rich and infamous” who continue to flock to Hawaii or Hawaii may find itself “screwed.”
We have enjoyed our past visits … but, sadly, we are very likely making our last trip to Hawaii soon.
Can’t justify the costs vs benefits any more. We have lots of fond memories.
It is almost immoral to think that Hawaii wants only rich visitors who will spend the equivalent of “the yearly income of many” on just one vacation. Very Sad indeed.
True. I know many people who visit Hawaii on a serious budget; my old gym trainer and his gal shopped for dinner at the ABC store to make it work, and some former students rented bikes or took public transport around Lahaina and Napili to save money.
While I understand Hawaii’s desire to limit visits, and that the switch to premium cabins and experiences will likely accomplish that, it will mean an end of an era where Everyman and Everywoman could experienced the islands. At least for now.
Interesting and exciting. Always fly Hawaiian when going to visit family on mainland because of the lie flat seats. Will be nice to have other options if needed.
I won’t be on board the premium flights.
Skyrider 2.0…..please, please, tell me this is an April Fool’s Day joke running a week late! It sounds like an aerial root canal.
Sometimes it’s not hard to tell when you are not wanted.
Southwest air is noticeably absent from your article. Many of us feel about airplanes the same as we feel about cars: get us to the destination in reasonable comfort and maximum safety! That is all that is needed! Sad (and actually horrible) that people spend the kind of money they do when we have the types of poverty which exist in this country.
hummm….does this mean we now need too switch to a credit card that earns miles for all airlines instead of our regular Hawaiian card? We have so many miles saved from no travel during covid.
There aren’t any credit cards that earn miles “for all airlines”. There’s cards that earn points you can transfer to certain airlines, but by no means “all”. You can pay for flights on most airlines with points through the card (AmEx, Chase, etc.), but that is usually a horrible way to redeem your points. You only get 1 penny per point redemption that way. Transferring points to a particular airline can usually get you 3 – 4 cents per point redemption if you are flying in first or business class. I personally don’t use points if I can’t get at least 3 cents per point redemption and very often can get 5 cents or better.
thanks!
Redeeming Hawaiian Miles for anything other than flights is limited. But you can get a Foodland gift card if you happen to live where there are Foodland grocery stores. You could also redeem your miles for a 76 or ConocoPhillips gas card. You can also redeem for some hotels at an exorbitant exchange rate
There really aren’t that many airlines, they have monopoly power. The airlines see the auto industry selling half as many cars for double the price and want to jump on the bandwagon.
You will have nothing and you will be happy. Think about that next time you vote.
Well super