26 thoughts on “Is Hawaiian Airlines First Class A321neo Worth The Upgrade?”
Jim T
I just re-read your review and wondered if I had commented months back. We have not flown First Class on the A321 but have on the A 330. I tend to believe that the service you received was just due to that particular flight attendant that day. One of the things that helped us standardize on Hawaiian was the quality of FAs vs other airlines. We have on occasion, flown with FAs who are just “putting in the time to get done” while in my opinion Hawaiian’s FAs usually really try to make you feel special, even sitting in economy on the A330.
Thanks for 80 comments to date! We fly “business” on both planes and find that they are simply not comparable. The airlines including HA deliver a very different product on widebody compared with narrow-body.
I am still waiting for a $630 refund for an upgrade I purchased May 12, 2023 prior to departure on Flight HA 22 on May 13, 2023. Abbreviated version:
Our luggage never made it.
The flight was over 3 hours late leaving.
We missed our connecting flight for which the upgrade was purchased.
They refused to allow us to use the upgrade on the replacement flight, even though there were seats and we had been told we could use them.
Agent Edward attempted to refund my money on May 14 but was not allowed to.
I have a written promise that I will get a refund for $630.
Today, I was told HA is working on complaints that predate my complaint, though I am in queue.
My luggage arrived via Delta Airlines almost a week later, even though we paid $60 for luggage handling.
And BTW, we stayed overnight in Seattle with no help, food, water, NOTHING. I Did Not Even File A Claim For That.
In the time they took today to check the status of my claim, they could have posted the refund.
Hawaiian Airlines is a failing airline that is poorly run and poorly managed. Customer service is non-existant. Hawaii is beautiful, but don’t fly this poor excuse for an airline to get there.
J. P.
We’ve been to Kauai many times but this year as a special treat we would like to fly first class. Which is the best first class flight from Los Angeles? Thank you!
The answer is highly subjective. Keep in mind that all the flights LAX-LIH will be narrow-body, which already means far less comfortable regardless of the airline. Because the difference isn’t great, perhaps consider the airline you generally prefer or have loyalty points with. Otherwise, if none of that matters, we’d pick Hawaiian for the typically good island vibe. But again, narrow-body limits the quality. If on the other hand you’d like to fly through Honolulu, that’s a different beast and you have a widebody option.
I flew Kahului to San Diego the day before yesterday and have to say my flight and service was outstanding. We left only 10 min after the departure time, arrived 20 min early before arrival time. The flight attendants served drinks before departing and the meal was very good. There were two flight attendants in First Class on our A321neo, and one First Class seat was empty. I’m not saying it’s always like this, but that day it was outstanding. I expected less with it being a major holiday, but perhaps they were better staffed for that reason, who knows. I frequently fly to HNL from San Diego and used to fly non-stop from SNA with United until they stopped that route. I’ve also flown first class w/Alaska Air to HNL and a lot to be desired.
As someone who is Pualani Gold holder with many flights from Los Angeles and one out of Long Beach, I am a bit surprised that the service was a bit lackluster. We have flown the A330 in first but the expense for the 5+ hours just doesn’t justify for us. Extra Comfort is our standard now. We standardized on Hawaiian simply due to the service from the flight attendants. I just wonder if perhaps on your flight you had a tired attendant doing a turn back to LAX who just was not having a good day?
I can’t agree more on the Hawaiian LAX experience! I still would love to see the A330 fly from Long Beach!
Oh, the daze of yesteryear. Back in the day, when I flew on Northwest first, everything was great. Before takeoff a mimosa and they offered to hang up my coat. So much food, I was full when I arrived. Endless drinks, etc. I guess now, even first has been downgraded. Very sad!
I just re-read your review and wondered if I had commented months back. We have not flown First Class on the A321 but have on the A 330. I tend to believe that the service you received was just due to that particular flight attendant that day. One of the things that helped us standardize on Hawaiian was the quality of FAs vs other airlines. We have on occasion, flown with FAs who are just “putting in the time to get done” while in my opinion Hawaiian’s FAs usually really try to make you feel special, even sitting in economy on the A330.
Hi Jim.
Thanks for 80 comments to date! We fly “business” on both planes and find that they are simply not comparable. The airlines including HA deliver a very different product on widebody compared with narrow-body.
Aloha.
I am still waiting for a $630 refund for an upgrade I purchased May 12, 2023 prior to departure on Flight HA 22 on May 13, 2023. Abbreviated version:
Our luggage never made it.
The flight was over 3 hours late leaving.
We missed our connecting flight for which the upgrade was purchased.
They refused to allow us to use the upgrade on the replacement flight, even though there were seats and we had been told we could use them.
Agent Edward attempted to refund my money on May 14 but was not allowed to.
I have a written promise that I will get a refund for $630.
Today, I was told HA is working on complaints that predate my complaint, though I am in queue.
My luggage arrived via Delta Airlines almost a week later, even though we paid $60 for luggage handling.
And BTW, we stayed overnight in Seattle with no help, food, water, NOTHING. I Did Not Even File A Claim For That.
In the time they took today to check the status of my claim, they could have posted the refund.
Hawaiian Airlines is a failing airline that is poorly run and poorly managed. Customer service is non-existant. Hawaii is beautiful, but don’t fly this poor excuse for an airline to get there.
J. P.
We’ve been to Kauai many times but this year as a special treat we would like to fly first class. Which is the best first class flight from Los Angeles? Thank you!
Hi Tracy.
The answer is highly subjective. Keep in mind that all the flights LAX-LIH will be narrow-body, which already means far less comfortable regardless of the airline. Because the difference isn’t great, perhaps consider the airline you generally prefer or have loyalty points with. Otherwise, if none of that matters, we’d pick Hawaiian for the typically good island vibe. But again, narrow-body limits the quality. If on the other hand you’d like to fly through Honolulu, that’s a different beast and you have a widebody option.
Aloha.
Image how much business Hawaiian Airlines might get if the website actually worked.
I flew Kahului to San Diego the day before yesterday and have to say my flight and service was outstanding. We left only 10 min after the departure time, arrived 20 min early before arrival time. The flight attendants served drinks before departing and the meal was very good. There were two flight attendants in First Class on our A321neo, and one First Class seat was empty. I’m not saying it’s always like this, but that day it was outstanding. I expected less with it being a major holiday, but perhaps they were better staffed for that reason, who knows. I frequently fly to HNL from San Diego and used to fly non-stop from SNA with United until they stopped that route. I’ve also flown first class w/Alaska Air to HNL and a lot to be desired.
As someone who is Pualani Gold holder with many flights from Los Angeles and one out of Long Beach, I am a bit surprised that the service was a bit lackluster. We have flown the A330 in first but the expense for the 5+ hours just doesn’t justify for us. Extra Comfort is our standard now. We standardized on Hawaiian simply due to the service from the flight attendants. I just wonder if perhaps on your flight you had a tired attendant doing a turn back to LAX who just was not having a good day?
I can’t agree more on the Hawaiian LAX experience! I still would love to see the A330 fly from Long Beach!
Oh, the daze of yesteryear. Back in the day, when I flew on Northwest first, everything was great. Before takeoff a mimosa and they offered to hang up my coat. So much food, I was full when I arrived. Endless drinks, etc. I guess now, even first has been downgraded. Very sad!