Narrow-Body First Class Hawaii Showdown: Which Airline Tops the List?

As narrow-body jets increasingly take over most routes to Hawaii, passengers discover that not all first-class experiences are created equal. While economy seats continue to shrink, the value of a more comfortable first-class seat is something worth considering, especially on long-awaited Hawaii vacation flights that stretch over five hours crossing the Pacific.

In contrast to our recent review on Hawaii First Class Comfort at Economy Price, where we explored our affordable way to upgrade your flight experience, today focuses on full-price, narrow-body first class without lie-flat seating.

We’ll compare the top airlines flying to Hawaii that offer this service: Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian, United, and American. Each has its take on “luxury” in the skies, from service quality to seat comfort.

We’ll also have a special look at United’s rare legacy jet, the only narrow-body to Hawaii featuring lie-flat first class suites, which offers a unique option on select routes.

So, which airline stands out as the best first-class experience for narrow-body flights on your Hawaii vacation?

Alaska Airlines: the best overall?

Alaska Airlines has earned a solid reputation for offering one of, if not the best, first-class experience on narrow-body jets to Hawaii. With comparatively spacious seating and respectable legroom, along with a generally well-maintained cabin, good service, and upgraded meals, Alaska sets the standard for comfort on these long-haul narrow-body flights.

Passengers often give kudos for the airline’s friendly and efficient in-flight service and excellent app that includes pre-ordering quality meals—little touches that consistently make the journey more enjoyable.

Compared to its competitors, Alaska offers a first-class product that feels more polished overall, with consistent quality in both service and comfort. For many travelers, including us, Alaska Airlines consistently provides the best overall value for flying first class on narrow-body jets to Hawaii, combining comfort with an upgraded customer experience.

Delta Airlines: promises and pitfalls.

Delta Airlines offers its narrow-body A321neo first-class product on flights to Hawaii, but despite a few highlights, it falls short in several key areas. One of the standouts for Delta is its digital customer service, which allows passengers to handle many in-flight requests via the Delta app, a convenient option that some competitors don’t yet offer. The first-class winged privacy headrests are another nice touch, giving passengers more comfort and personal space.

However, the seat comfort and legroom in Delta’s A321neo first class are underwhelming, particularly on a flight of this length. Onboard Wi-Fi, a crucial amenity for many, has also repeatedly failed us during our multiple review flights, adding to the frustrations. While Delta’s entertainment options and digital features are strong, the physical comfort of the seats, including more ingress/egress difficulty for window passengers and poor meals, make it hard for this product to compete with Alaska’s.

Hawaiian Airlines: where Hawaii starts in the air.

Flying with Hawaiian Airlines has long offered a unique cultural experience that many travelers love and return for. Hawaiiana touches throughout the flight—from the warm Aloha spirit to the island-themed meal options—give passengers a taste of the islands from the moment they board. And that is the intention! On their A321neo first-class product, these touches are evident and appreciated, but the overall experience leaves much to be desired.

Though the service and hospitality stand out, the seating in Hawaiian’s narrow-body first class feels very cramped, on par with the other airlines flying the A321neo. There is limited legroom and less seat space compared to Alaska or United. The in-flight meals, while local in theme, don’t match the quality or variety that some travelers expect in first class, and the lack of ability to pre-order is a fail. There is good news with free, excellent WiFi, although the rest of Hawaiian’s technology is sorely awaiting an upgrade from Alaska.

Now that Hawaiian is owned by Alaska, much is likely to improve. If you’re flying Hawaiian, you’re likely choosing it for the local flavor rather than pure physical comfort, and that will hopefully not change.

United Airlines: a very mixed bag.

United Airlines presents two distinct first-class experiences on their narrow-body jets to Hawaii, and they’re worlds apart.

Current 737 MAX 8 experience. The current United narrow-body product on their 737 MAX 8 jets offers a fairly standard first-class experience. Entertainment options are superb, and the airline’s digital service component, which allows passengers to manage their experience via their leading app, including pre-ordering of so-so meals, is a nice touch.

However, the seating itself doesn’t impress—tight legroom and minimal comfort make it less appealing for long flights to Hawaii than other options.

Legacy United narrow-body with lie-flat suites (special mention). United still operates its narrow-body Boeing 757 jets on select routes that offer a rare treat—first-class suites with lie-flat beds. This experience is significantly more luxurious than the standard narrow-body product. It is comparable (albeit shorter) to the long-haul first-class offerings typically found on wide-body jets.

While availability is limited, this option is a gem for those who don’t mind flying on three-decade-old planes and are fortunate enough to fly on one of these routes. If comfort on a narrow-body is your top priority, this United aircraft is one to watch.

American Airlines: standard but uninspiring.

American Airlines’ A321neo narrow-body first-class product is a typical domestic first-class experience, and unfortunately, it doesn’t rise above that. While American offers lie-flat seating on some wide-body routes to Hawaii, their narrow-body A321neo falls short, especially on long flights.

Service inconsistencies are a common issue we’ve encountered, with some flights having attentive crews while others lagged in quality entirely. Neither the WiFi nor the entertainment options worked on our most recent flight.

American neither announced nor made any excuses for the failure. Seat comfort is also lacking, especially compared to Alaska, which has limited legroom and poor seat comfort. All in all, American’s narrow-body first class offers nothing special for those hoping for a premium experience.

The Verdict: Which airline tops the list?

After comparing the first-class products across these narrow-body jets, Alaska Airlines stands out as the top choice for first-class travel to Hawaii. Its spacious seating, reliable service, and overall cabin comfort make it a clear winner for those seeking a premium experience without compromising value.

Delta offers strong digital features and privacy touches but falls short in terms of physical comfort.

While embodying the local spirit, Hawaiian can’t compete in seat quality and overall first-class amenities.

United’s modern product is just average, though the legacy narrow-body configuration with beds provides an exceptional experience for those on the right routes.

American comes up short, with a service that feels too standard for first-class.

Choosing the right first-class experience for your journey to Hawaii can make all the difference, especially on long-haul flights aboard ubiquitous narrow-body jets. Whether you prioritize legroom and in-flight service or want the best value for your money, Alaska Airlines emerges as the best choice for first-class travelers.

However, with unique options like United’s legacy lie-flat seats or Hawaiian’s island-themed hospitality, it’s important to consider what matters most to you when booking. Whichever airline you choose, rest assured that the beauty of Hawaii awaits you at the end of the journey.

Beat of Hawaii paid for all of its review flights.

We welcome your thoughts!