Hawaiian Airlines today announced the cabin design of the new Airbus A321 fleet. It will soon reign dominant in the skies between the west coast and Hawaii. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect in terms of routes, cabin layout, seating, entertainment and other amenities.
Which flights to Hawaii. This new fleet will be the primary workhorse for flights between North America and the four primary Hawaiian islands. On all but the most dense of routes (for example largest cities to Maui and Oahu) these will replace both the retiring Boeing 767 fleet as well as the A330 fleet.
Hawaiian Airlines may attain cost savings of 30% to 40% per flight using the A321.
The specifics of which existing and new flights will use the new A321 fleet are expected to be announced later in 2017. These planes will allow Hawaiian Airlines to be more cost effective, compete strategically with Alaska Airlines’ smaller 737 fleet and provide many new routes.
Even Mexico City May Be Coming: New routes will undoubtedly include flights from the Pacific Northwest, Western Canada, Bay Area, Southern California, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Papeete among others. There is also the possibility of new flights to Hawaii from Denver, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, and Dallas.
Delivery. The fleet of 18 aircraft will be delivered starting in early 2018. They are less than one year away. The deliveries will occur over a period of two years.
Cabin layout. Each aircraft will accommodate 189 passengers with 16 premium, 45 extra comfort and 128 economy seats. The cabin design will feature a fresh and clean, modern aesthetic. Premium (business class) cabin will have recliners, rather than the lie-flat seats on the A330 fleet. The extra comfort cabin will have 5 or more extra inches of legroom. All seats include USB charging while extra comfort and premium seats will also have electric outlets.
Cabin design. Fabric and materials inspired by traditional Hawaiian handcrafts. Signage is to be in English and Hawaiian. There will also be customized design featured even in lavatories. The cabin is said to feature an LED mood lighting system.
In flight entertainment. A big change here inasmuch as this will be offered on traveler devices only. A phone/tablet app can be downloaded to personal devices before boarding in order to enjoy complimentary movies, TV and content about Hawaii. Holders for phones and tablets are being built into the tray tables or backrests.
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The last few years Ive flown SFO – OGG twice a year flight #s 41 & 42 Love the A 330 lie flat first class. A couple of times SJC to Maui on the 767
Each time the cabin crew was terrific. The rest of the airlines in my opinion should take a class from Hawaiian for all customer service.
It does bother me that they are going to the smaller plane 321 Neo to me any trip over 2 hours the wide body is the only way, but this seems to be the direction all airlines are going.
I read that Hawaiian Airlines has ordered 6 new A330-800 neos for delivery starting in 2019.
I read the comments about the new airline, we live in Florida and fly at least twice a year to Maui, The flight’s from the east coast to the west coast are hard and the airliners we use the flight crew’s can be tired and rude some times because of the hours they work, but once we get to the West Coast Hawaiian airlines is the only airline we use because they show the spirit of Aloha, by assisting me with my mother who suffers from Parkinson’s. There very aware of her presence and assist her to her seat if need be and are extremely patient if she asks a questions. Second the food quality in the first class cabin can’t be beat compared to other airlines. There are cheap flights on Hawaiian Airlines if you know how to look for them.
I fly the SJC to OGG we been stuck,with the old planes while the rest of the West coast has the newer one, I couldn’t wait for sjc to ogg to get new planes. Now you saying they have changed planes and it will be a 3 / 3 row. I will go back to flying AA and just fly SJC/LAX/OGG before I fly a 3/3. I fly at least 7-9 trips a year, not traveling with a person I don’t k ow sitting on top of me.
We agree with everyone else. We won’t be flying Hawaiian if they go to 3/3 seats. It’s okay for short flights but not long ones from the mainland. We’ll also stop using their MC. We had a terrible experience last year flying to Hawaii, their quality of service has gone downhill.
We flew from LAX to Kauai in September. We were very disappointed in the seats. They were worn out. On the way there the person sitting in front of my son in law reclined his seat and was nearly laying in his lap. The same thing happened to my husband on the way back. He could not even use his tray because the seat in front of him was laying in his lap. We have always loved Hawaiian Airlines but I think it might be going downhill
Thanks for all your information and updates, love this site!
I won a holiday to Hawaii for 2 for April 2018 and the Travel Agent have booked us with Hawaiian Airlines frrom LAX, to the Big Island, so it will be interesting to see which type of aircraft we get.
There are new airlines taking up the challenge of travelling to the US all the time. We are actually flying with Ethiopian Airlines from Dublin, Ireland to LAX this time, as it narrows the flight time down to 10 hrs, instead of having to go via London or Paris to LAX, (16 hrs) like I usualy do. Because we have to clear Immigration in LAX and reclaim luggage, before checking in for Hawaiian Airlines in another terminal – we decided to stay overnight at a Motel at LAX. I see that the Sheraton is offering flexible check in hrs, which I hope most hotels will follow up on, as travellers nowadays are flying 24/7.
Mahalo
Alison.
Just when I got used to their A330 first class lie flat they go and change. I have to admit that customers will go else where. I still like to upgrade in a true first class as in the old days not with skinnier planes, seats and aisles. I do have to admit that as far as customer services on the plane I have not seen another airline out do them other than when I ventured to Europe. Still for 5.5 and 6 hrs I want a comfortable seat with legroom. I don’t know about this one Hawaiian!!!
Add our names to the list of those who want to avoid 3/3 seating, even in “extra comfort.” We gave up on Aloha because it felt like Southwest — which is OKfor two or three hours but not for close to six hours. Maybe someone will bring back weekly passenger liner service from the Mainland to Honolulu.
I likewise will not be using Hawaiian. Their FF mileage program now requires almost twice the points, and if they go to this flight configuration they have lost their market advantage.
I agree, Hawaiian will no longer be our only choice to the mainland. We will look for the most competitive prices if only the 3+3 is offered as the only main cabin option.
So sad to see Hawaiian move in this direction. We’ve been flying Hawaiian for over 30 years. For many years, while living in Hawaii, we flew first class because the service and food were superb. With time, things have changed dramatically and we no longer fly first class. However, the two person rows have been okay and we’ve always liked Hawaiian’s atmosphere on the planes. These new planes look so sterile, not at all depicting the warmth and uniqueness of Hawaii. We are also not interested in sitting in a three person row and will no longer fly Hawaiian or use the MC any longer. It’s time to rack up miles on other airlines. Aloha. . . . .
I agree with everyone – will miss 2 aisles.
So sad that Hawaiian is going in this wrong direction. We fly from San Jose to our 2nd home in Maui 3 times per year. We always fly Hawaiian instead of Alaska because of the wide body, two aisle aircraft. Hawaiian matches Alaska’s price on the same route so choosing Hawaiian has always beenno brainer, until now. Alaska will now get at least some of my business, and we will forego renewing our Hawaiian Airlines MC. There are better deals on other credit cards. Too bad customer comfort and service is being cut to boost airline profit.☹️
Wow, what a bummer! I fly to Hawaii every year and sometimes twice. I have been flying exclusively on Hawaiian for quite some time now (flying on Hawaiian LAX-OGG in July) and have really liked the 767 layout with it’s 2-3-2 seating (we usually go to Kauai). We always pick two side seats and feel pretty comfortable. The upcoming single aisle set up is awful. BTW, Hawaiian is going in the wrong direction – with the 767, only 1 in 7 people (a full row) have a middle seat (1/7th). With the 330, it moved to 2 in 8 people (1/4th). Now it will be 2 in 6 (1/3rd). Now Hawaiian can look forward to competing head to head with Alaska/Virgin and Southwest on price, since they won’t be any better on product. My exclusive arrangement with Hawaiian has now officially ended along with the credit card use. Time to dust off and use the Southwest and United cards. Thanks for the heads up.
On 4/6 departed Maui to DFW on AA#6 a 676 in 1st class. We really enjoyed the retrofit of this older A/C with the lie flat seats. They provided great food & beverage service and great entertainment options with the tablets provided. I had been looking forward to newer A/C coming online for this and other OGG – AUS (Austin, TX) routes. Seems like the change from lie-flat to recline is a big step backward.
WE HAVE ALWAYS TRAVELED TO MAUI ON HAWAIIAN BECAUSE OF THEIR “TWO AISLE” DESIGN AND THEIR IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT CONSOLE.
WE WON’T BE USING HAWAIIAN AFTER THESE NEW PLANES ARE USED FOR THE LAX/OGG ROUTE.
We have flown to Maui from Oakland (767) and San Diego (A330) and the thought of flying in a smaller plane for 5-6 hours is not very appealing to me. I understand the cost savings factor and that Hawaiian is simply following its competitors, but I’m just not looking forward to this. Thanks, though for reporting this. We rely a lot on beatofhawaii in planning our trips to Hawaii. Mahalo.
Hi Frank.
Thank you. We certainly concur, although, being on Kauai, we’ve gotten used to narrow body flights, and appreciate that we don’t have to change planes. That’s what Hawaiian will be adding – lots of new flight opportunities directly to the outer islands. You’ll still find A330 on major routes.
Aloha.
Currently, the reason I will not take an Alaskan flight to the islands is due the small size of the 737 with just the one isle. The wide-bodies, with two isles to stretch and walk, are so much nicer to enjoy the long flight. I wonder, if the legacy airliners continue to utilize the 767 and/or A330, will Hawaiian fiscally regret the decision to go small.
Roger, I agree with you regarding not enjoying traveling on a plane with only one aisle and three seats on either side. The major reason for my flying on Hawaiian despite their high prices has been their two aisles and roomier middle seats. If this changes, I guess will then move to searching any airlines with best deals for where I want to go.
Why doesn’t Hawaiian offer flights from the midwest? O’Hare, Midway or Milwaukee could they be in the future? Cheaper to fly from JFK except you have to get there then Virgin to LAX then Hawaii after 5 hour layover.
Mahalo
What do you know about seat size and leg room on the new planes?
Keeping our fingers crossed for Denver!
How much will it cost to fly from SAN to HNL. Economy? Comfort? Premium?
These are single aisle planes – well I guess that will increase my frequency with lower cost airlines like United and American. Hawaiian is always the most expensive airline ticket but we were willing to pay because of the wide body aircraft. Really too bad that the comfort of the passenger is not as important as increasing profit.
Hi Kim.
Chicago is a definite possibility that’s been mentioned.
ALoha.
What about sending the A321 to Papeete, Tahiti?
And A330 service to the East coast, especially Newark Liberty?
And A350 service to London, Paris, Rome?
Hi Marc.
Definitely expect to see A321 on PPT (updated post to reflect that) and would love to see that operate twice a week instead of once if they can swing it. Newark – no that won’t happen. JFK has been and remains enough of a challenge for them given the loyalty that UAL has back there. Europe from Hawaii is a definite yes. That’s a bit out there time-wise, unless someone else decides to do it first. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Lufthansa on that route sooner than later via their economy wing.
Aloha.
I live in southern Idaho. I’m looking for the cheapest flight for around June 25th to lihue. And returning from Oahu around the 11th of July. Also wondering what the best option for island hopping is. Thank you so much for your help. Great website!
I forgot to add that as long as it is cost effective I don’t care what city flying out/in of. However the most convenient cities are: Boise, salt lake city, and Las Vegas. Mahalo
Hi Derek.
Thank you. All are reasonably equal and frankly somewhat reasonable – $760-$800 for your dates. Boise even has a $700 RT if you come back on 13th instead (American).
Island Air seems to have somewhat better deals than Hawaiian Airlines inter-island. We still fly Hawaiian for a few reasons including issues we’ve had in the past and the fact that LIH still doesn’t have the new Island Air planes as far as we know.
Aloha.
We would be thrilled to finally have access to Hawaiian from Albuquerque, and know you’ll keep us posted!
Is it the picture or does it look like a person has to crawl to get to the window and middle seats in economy. What is the pitch – and what height of person will have their knees up against the back of the seat. I’m lucky I’m only 5’1″ but really.
Hmmm…because a few idiots just can’t bear the thought of putting down their phone, we all have to watch movies on our tiny screens or go buy tablets. Of course t makes the planes a lot cheaper to buy and maintain, although an outage affects everyone and not just a seat. I’m betting the plane tickets don’t get any cheaper…
Ron, we had to use a small screen device for a Virgin flight from Australia to the Cook Islands 9hr flight in total. Worked fine when you wear your glasses if you have some? Most people these days have a smart phone or electronic divorce of some sort.. We have traveled Hawaiian several times to Hawaii and to the Main land USA and enjoyed the experience everytime. The price includes your luggage by 2 x 32 kilo bags. On a cheaper airline that would be added like other things. The service from the Crew is always delightful and welcoming. Look the positives not the negatives. Happy times ahead. Cheers WJF