A new bird may take to the skies and bring more big changes to Hawaii flights. That is all because the new Airbus A321XLR will make possible both many Hawaii routes and a new airline to the islands. This has never been on the table before. The new routes could include nonstop service from as far away as the east coast to all of the islands.
This plane is the long-range sister to the narrow-body A321neo that Hawaiian Airlines and American Airlines fly today.
Frontier Airlines to Hawaii: 321XLR makes it possible!
Denver-based Frontier has hinted at Hawaii for years, but now it is clearly in its plans. Last week, Frontier XEO Barry Biffle said:
The A321XLR will enable us to fly to… Hawaii.
Frontier will be the last of three Hawaii-centric carriers to see its 321XLR fleet arrive, with theirs beginning in 2026. So don’t look for Frontier Hawaii flights until then although other 321XLRs will come sooner. Frontier, relatively unknown to us here in Hawaii, is a significant ultra-low-cost carrier based in Denver. They already fly to more than 100 cities in the US and 31 destinations outside the country.
While the airline currently flies an all-economy configuration, they have mentioned rethinking that business model to include premium seating with the new plane, given the long distances and flight durations involved.
Possible Frontier Airlines routes using the new 321XLR include Denver, Miami, and Philadelphia to Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, and Kona.
A321XLR: why is it creating a world of new Hawaii routes?
Airbus’ focus for the XLR is on those “thin routes” that are further in distance than any airline’s current A321 and B737 planes can fly. This plane is often viewed as a replacement for the aged Boeing 757. While the 757 could fly up to 3,900 nautical miles, the A321XLR is capable of 4,700 nautical miles, making it capable of 15% further distance than any other narrow-body airliner.
This will provide nonstop rather than connecting flights on routes from across the U.S. The sky’s the limit, literally and figuratively here. These planes are less expensive to operate and less challenging to fill than current widebody planes capable of similar distances. Neighbor islands, in particular, will benefit from this plane.
Hawaii routes on American Airlines A321XLR
Two legacy airlines will use these planes for new nonstop Hawaii routes that will only now be feasible for the very first time using this new generation of ultra-long-range, single-aisle airliners. United and American, Airbus’ launch partner, may deploy these planes internationally first, although these are also a perfect fit for Hawaii that both of them will unquestionably leverage.
American had been planning to receive its first XLR delivery next year, but now they are delayed until 2024, partly due to a design change that was necessitated by safety issues associated with a new center fuel tank. American plans to offer a premium configuration consistent with the direction in which Hawaii travel is headed. The planes will offer lie-flat business seats (in a 1×1 layout, a premium economy cabin (in a 2×2 configuration), and economy (in a 3×3 arrangement). American Airlines has plans to take delivery of 50 of these in the next three years.
Possible American Airlines routes using the new 321XLR include Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia, and Washington DC to Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, and Kona.
United Airlines A321XLR plans also include Hawaii.
Hawaii-focused United Airlines will take delivery beginning in 2025. So you won’t have to wait long to see them in Hawaii. The 321XLR will be a big deal for United, which remains the largest airline in terms of the number of seats it flies to Hawaii.
United has a new 1 x 1-configured Polaris lie-flat business suite on the aircraft, like American. They will also have a 2 x 2 -configured premium economy cabin onboard, their first time on a single-aisle airplane.
Possible United Airlines routes using the new 321XLR include Chicago, Denver, Houston, Newark, and Washington DC to Honolulu, Maui, Kauai and Kona.
Are you ready to fly for up to 10 hours on a single-aisle plane?
Hawaii visitors clearly prefer nonstop flights to connecting ones. Examples include the Denver to Kauai and Kona routes, which easily save 3 hours in each direction compared to those with a stop en route.
Narrow-body planes and long flights don’t make for the best circumstances. This works well for those opting for extra legroom, premium economy, or business. Even then, there is a noticeable difference in cabin comfort compared with widebody. We find it most noticeable in the lavatories and just walking about. On the other hand, there’s a lot to be said about not changing planes.
What routes are you hoping to see on the new A321XLR?
Mahalo. Frontier airlines is the worst airline in the sky. I am a top status member and a discount den member. This airline has not saved me a dime this year, instead their constant changing and canceling of schedules has cost me dearly. Changing hotel dates and rental car dates has also cost me money. They have no back up plans due to their limited inventory of planes. I was stranded in Tampa Florida in February when Frontier canceled my flight home. The next scheduled flight was not until 3 days later but I booked it thinking there was no way they would cancel back to back flights, but they did. And the counter agent offered no solution, as a matter of fact, she wouldn’t even look me in the eye. I’ve yet to see a penny of compensation.
With both lie flat and PE seats, I wouldn’t hesitate to fly on this aircraft and I would put it almost on par with a 777/787 for flights to Hawaii. With a lot less passengers to load/unload, this would be of great benefit as well.
I was just looking up airfare costs for flying to Lihue and back from where we live. Travel dates are in April.This is for two people. Alaska $1742., United $2320., and what a surprise Southwest $2738. Who said Southwest was a cheap airline!
Aloha
Funny I just did the same for April and for me Southwest was $448 Alaska was $728 and United was $1,085. Southwest is the cheapest flight in my case.
It was a site problem. Southwest is back up and working like it’s supposed to. The customer service worked nicely. I did get one tall tale yesterday.
I hope this plane is wider than that NEO21!
Welcome to the New Frontier!
Will the new plane have first class?
I am very wary about flying Frontier on long flights. The last time I did not only did you have to pay regular baggage charges, but also for a carry on bag. They charged $3 for a can of Coke (no free drinks except a glass of water.) We had not booked our flight on Frontier but got switched to it when weather made our connection in Chicago impossible. It was not a pleasant flight so unless they change things we will not fly that airline again. The whole atmosphere was of a low fare with a bunch of add on charges for things we would not have had to pay on the United flight we were first booked on.
I wouldn’t fly Frontier if they gave me a ticket
Worst airline I’m aware of Budget based is too kind. They skimp on everything Bad enough flying 2 hours from Ont to Den but 51/2 to Hawaii. No thank you
None!
Hawaii’s problem is over-tourism, and also the more people that see our state the more they want to buy a home here, driving up real estate prices.
I would not trust Frontier with my Hawaii vacation. Very unreliable and notorious for over booking and leaving you stranded with zero assistance. I just experienced this and will never purchase a flight with them again. Better off paying more money and booking with a major carrier.
Ugh as if we need more people coming here enough already