Hawaiian Airlines Dreamliner First Class Review: We Flew What Alaska Is Erasing

Beat of Hawaii editors Rob and Jeff flew Hawaiian Airlines Flight HA1 from Los Angeles to Honolulu on Friday. It was bittersweet because it was the second-to-last time the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner would operate this flagship route. We sat in seats 1A and 2A, looking out over the long, graceful wing that has come to symbolize both pride and uncertainty for bellwether Hawaiian.

The Dreamliner itself isn’t disappearing. It’s being reassigned and rebranded. For now, these aircraft continue to operate between Honolulu and Seattle, as well as from Seattle to Asia. By early 2026, however, they’ll become part of Alaska’s Seattle-based long-haul operation with routes planned to London, Rome, and Asia. For many Hawaii travelers, this marks the end of an era in which the Dreamliner was synonymous with Hawaiian’s hopes for global growth.

When Hawaiian’s first Boeing 787 arrived in Honolulu in February 2024, we were invited on board to tour the brand-new aircraft alongside company executives and crew. Seeing it up close, it felt like Hawaii’s aloha spirit had finally taken flight. So much has changed since that day. There is now new ownership, a new direction, and an uncertain future for what was once Hawaii’s proudest plane. On Friday, we experienced it for one last time in the air, nearly two years later, as the same Dreamliners prepared to leave Hawaiian’s flagship route behind.

What’s actually changing.

The Dreamliner’s departure from HA1 is part of a larger fleet realignment. Hawaiian’s Los Angeles–Honolulu service is reverting to a combination of the older widebody Airbus A330 and the newer narrow-body A321. The Dreamliner’s base remains temporarily in Honolulu, where crews will continue to fly the HNL–SEA and connecting Asia routes until Alaska’s new Seattle 787 base opens in early 2026.

After that, the aircraft are expected to move permanently north. Once they do, they will be rebranded as Alaska Airlines, repainted, renamed, and we’re told stripped of their Hawaiian design elements.

From there, they will serve new Alaska long-haul destinations, including London and Rome, with eventual expansion further into Asia and Europe. Travelers wanting to experience Hawaiian’s Dreamliner while it still operates to and from the islands should look for the HNL–SEA flights in the coming months.

Our flight details.

Route: Los Angeles (LAX) → Honolulu (HNL)
Flight: HA1
Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Seats: 1A and 2A
Cost: $314 per person + 25,000 HawaiianMiles
Upgrade: Miles upgrade (now discontinued under Alaska integration)

The dream that began in 2018.

The story of Hawaiian’s Dreamliner began long before the aircraft ever touched down in Honolulu. Back in 2018, Hawaiian shocked the industry by canceling its order for the Airbus A330neo in favor of the Boeing 787-9, a move we first covered in Rumor: Boeing Dreamliner Shakes Up Hawaiian Airlines Fleet and later confirmed in Up To 20 New Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliners. That decision set the stage for what would become Hawaiian’s most anticipated and perhaps most controversial aircraft program ever.

When the first 787 finally arrived in February 2024, it was a defining moment. We toured the inaugural aircraft alongside CEO Peter Ingram and Hawaiian executives who proudly showcased its island-inspired details: the leaf-pattern ceiling between cabins, starry and unique lighting panels, and unusual warm wood tone trims that replaced the sterile grays typical of long-haul jets. The cabin felt unmistakably Hawaiian.

As we detailed in Breaking: Hawaiian Dreamliner Strategy Just Got Rewritten, the shift in direction started well before the Alaska acquisition was even a dream. Hawaiian had committed to a long-range fleet it could no longer fully afford, built for routes that never materialized. The Dreamliner became both a symbol of ambition and of overreach.

Alaska’s purchase didn’t cause that problem. Instead, it simply sealed the fate of an aircraft program that had already outgrown its Honolulu market. What was once meant to be Hawaiian’s expansion tool to Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, and London will now serve Alaska’s new long-haul ambitions to London, Rome, and beyond.

Final flights aboard Hawaii’s flagship.

From the moment we stepped on board HA 1, the atmosphere felt both proud and distinctly bittersweet. The cabin lighting shifted from soft coral to ocean blue. Between first and economy, the illuminated leaf ceiling glowed gently, still one of the most distinctive designs in any U.S. airline cabin.

Flight attendants proudly greeted each passenger with the grace for which Hawaii is known. It felt like some people on board, at least, understood this flight carried more than passengers; it carried Hawaiian Airlines’ history.

Inside the Leihoku suites.

Hawaiian’s Leihoku suites remain one of the most beautiful first-class cabins in North America. The 1-2-1 layout offers direct aisle access for every seat. The Adient Ascent–based suite, developed with design partner Teague, includes a closing door and a crisp 19-inch Panasonic touch-screen. The color palette and textures are serene, a balance of Hawaiian island design and contemporary minimalism.

But there are tradeoffs. The Dreamliner’s narrower body creates tight footwells, and for taller travelers, that matters. At six feet and six-foot-four, we couldn’t fully extend without bending knees or placing one foot over the other. For couples, the staggered configuration Hawaiian once called “honeymoon suites” is anything but. Center suites have seats that face away from each other, making conversation harder than on the A330 or other airlines’ widebodies.

Still, the suite feels private and calming, and retains much of its unique charm. The lighting, elegance, and soft finishes make this a peaceful and distinctive space to cross the Pacific.

Food, bedding, and other missing extras.

Breakfast was served shortly after takeoff. The menu included an omelette, sausage, potatoes, fruit, and a croissant, as well as an additional choice, which was followed by a small Honolulu Cookie Company cookie before landing. The food was fine, though not memorable in any way, like Hawaiian’s first-class food used to be years ago.

Bedding remains a very weak spot. The same thin polyester-fill pillows and blankets used in economy were offered in first class. Knowing what to expect, we brought our own. Hawaiian invested heavily in hard product design but couldn’t live up to it in the small details that significantly shape the overall experience.

The entertainment system is bright and easy to navigate and includes Hawaii music and entertainment along with a large selection of movies and TV shows.

There’s no Bluetooth pairing for wireless headphones, as has become standard, nor any Wi-Fi. Hawaiian never completed the certification process needed for Wi-Fi, likely due to cost and related downtime requirements. On a long flight, that absence felt increasingly dated and stands in sharp contrast to the elegant always-on Starlink on Hawaiian’s A321neo and A330 fleet. Alaska will add connectivity when the aircraft transition to their new routes.

The cheap upgrade that’s gone.

This flight also marked something travelers have now lost altogether. HawaiianMiles upgrades, once a hallmark of the program, are no longer available. We used 25,000 miles and a $314 ticket to upgrade each seat. That’s a great value redemption for lie-flat first class that vanished under Alaska’s Atmos Rewards. If upgrades return, they will undoubtedly be with an unforgettable price tag.

Frequent flyers who counted on those mileage upgrades will now face full-fare first-class prices or full mileage redemptions. It’s a major change that removes one of Hawaiian’s most appreciated loyalty benefits. Perhaps it was just too good and too cheap to be sustainable.

Comparing with the A330 wide-bodies Hawaii will retain.

Earlier this month, we also offered a Hawaiian Airlines A330 first-class review. The older aircraft uses quirky, not entirely comfortable, Optimares lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 layout without direct aisle access. Those seats, however, remain wider at the shoulders and feature open footwells.

Where the Dreamliner wins is in the suite design and in aircraft comfort and quietness. The cabin lighting and humidity control make it feel fresher, while the A330 feels like an aged workhorse. Couples will likely still prefer the A330 for reasons that include the 2-4-2 seating in economy; solo travelers, especially in first class, will prefer the Dreamliner’s privacy.

As we reported in No Premium Economy, No Upgrade: Hawaiian Airlines’ Big Miss, Hawaiian plans to completely refresh the A330 fleet. The retrofit will add a true premium economy section between first class and economy, along with updated interiors and new finishes that bring those aircraft much closer to the look and feel of the Dreamliner.

Once those upgrades are complete, the A330 will remain the backbone of Hawaii’s widebody service long after the 787 leaves island routes. The narrow-body A321neo, however, has taken over many of the routes that were once widebody.

Cost and value.

For $314 plus 25,000 miles, this was an excellent value. Comparable premium cabins to Hawaii often exceed $1,000 one-way. Even with its limitations, such as no Wi-Fi, modest catering, and poor bedding, the Dreamliner offers a serene, modern environment that still feels special.

Once Alaska fully reassigns these planes, this kind of experience between the mainland and Hawaii will disappear. First class on the A330 will continue, but without the sense of innovation and flair the 787 briefly brought to the iconic 95-year-old brand.

The human side.

After landing in Honolulu, the captain met us in the gate area, chatting easily about the transition ahead. They were proud of the plane and candid about the changes coming. The flight attendants remained gracious throughout, the kind of warm professionalism that keeps travelers loyal even as the airline itself rapidly evolves.

Readers have felt the same. Marie B said, “It was the best flight I have ever been on. The ambiance of Hawaii in the sky. I am so sad that the Hawaiian flight experience is disappearing.” Maleko wrote, “Hawaiian redeemed themselves HNL–AUK on the Dreamliner. Best flight of 2025.” Franklin M called the transition “the dismantling of an airline, its culture, and everything Hawaiian Airlines stood for.” Jess, a longtime airline employee added that repainting the 787s “is a complete disrespect of Hawaiian culture.”

Those voices remind us why this plane mattered. It wasn’t just about lie-flat seats or new technology. It was unquestionably about identity.

What readers need to know.

If you still want to experience Hawaiian’s Dreamliner, the Honolulu–Seattle route remains available into 2026. After that, these aircraft will no longer represent Hawaiian Airlines in any way.

Once the rebranding is complete, the 787s will operate exclusively as Alaska Airlines aircraft, flying long-haul routes from Seattle to destinations such as London, Rome, and Asia. Hawaiian’s A330s will take over all remaining widebody service between the islands and the U.S. mainland.

Our verdict.

The Leihoku suite is still one of the most elegant business-class seats flying today, and Hawaiian’s service remains among the most authentic in the entire airline industry. But the lack of Wi-Fi, basic bedding, and removal of upgrade options dull what could have been a stellar world-class product.

Even so, this flight reminded us what has made Hawaiian special. It carried Hawaii’s feeling which is calm, warm, and deeply human, all across the Pacific. That’s what travelers will miss most as these Dreamliners leave Hawaii routes behind.

Quick take
Service – authentic, gracious, and consistent.
Food – acceptable but forgettable.
Seat comfort – excellent privacy, good comfort sitting and lie-flat, tight footwells for tall travelers.
Bedding – economy quality, not premium.
Technology – large screen, no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth pairing.
Design – stunning; still the best representation ever of Hawaii in the sky.

What do you remember most about flying Hawaiian’s Dreamliner, and will you book one last trip before it leaves the islands for good?

All photos by Beat of Hawaii. BOH © lead photo shows Hawaiian Dreamliner at LAX on October 24, 2025.