Not all experiences are created equal—especially first class to Hawaii on modern narrow-body jets. We compare top airlines like Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian, United, and American to find out which offers the best product overall. Whether you’re looking for extra legroom or better amenities, we’ve got the details to help you choose the best first-class experience for your money.
aloha, and thanks again for a great discussion.
We recently flew 1st class on Hawaiian and it was Amazing!! all around. I am confused by this and I am guessing it is the type of aircraft that makes the difference. when you are making an on-line reservation how can you tell which type of plane (and therefore comfort) you will be on. I mean, it sounds to me like I would not choose 1st on these newer planes but use your 3 seat option.
Thanks again
Ane T
Look at the “Flight Details” link and you’ll see the aircraft type.
Well, truth be told, the so-called “First Class” flying today is Not! It’s barely low-end business class, just with first class prices. Perhaps the airlines are making things so uncomfortable/miserable in Economy so as to make first class a choice of desperation. Pay a lot more to get not-much-more. Then, to save money, the airlines down-grade the first class section to make it less costly (for them), and voila! They save even more money, with the flight attendants trying to smile and say, with sincerity, “Hope you enjoy the flight!” I keep asking myself, ‘How bad is it going to get? Is there no end to the lack of service and crappy food and banging knees on seats ahead of you?’
I agree 100percent with the comments expressed by Dennis. We live part time in Kauai and make two round trips each year. 23 years so far. Hawaiian service along with the limited food and the basically no Aloha attitude makes it miserable to fly from Oakland to Lihue on Hawaiian even in first class! We used to fly Alaskan until they changed their schedule. We will fly with them in the future. Although supposedly the same!
I read your review of the narrow body first class. Our family travels to Hawaii twice a year. We usually go to Maui. We always travel on a widebody jet. We’ve flown to Honolulu and then on to Maui just to make sure we’re on widebody chat.
Our last trip we took United 777 from San Francisco to Maui. We now see that that plane is being taken off and substituted with a 737 max.
I think I’m going to find a new place to go on vacation. I’m not going to ride 5 1/2 across the Pacific and a narrow body plane .
Palm Desert Palm Springs come to mine. It’s only an hour away.
I was going to book a flight thru HNL on the way to OGG last April, just so I could ride a wide body instead of a ‘sardine can.’ Didn’t, but should have. We’ll see next time, if Hawaiian/Alaska haven’t taken the wide body off the route by then. Ugh!
I noticed that Alaska uses two versions of the 737 on its San Francisco to Honolulu route. I find the new one, the Max, more comfortable in that it has a foot rest under the seat in front of you. I’ve been on Hawaiian’s 321 neo several times when I routed myself HNL to SFO via Maui. I prefer Hawaiian’s 321neo where I find the forward cabin seats much more comfortable than all versions of Alaska’s 737s. I was on an old United 757 in April from HNL to SFO. It did not have the lie flat seats and for 5 hours we experienced “shake rattle and roll” and wondered if the equipment was even airworthy. Nonetheless, it was one of the best flights because we had two amazing United flight attendants. I continue to believe that equipment is half the experience, and the other half is the caliber of the flight attendants.
We have only flown 1st class on Hawaiian and United and there is no doubt that Hawaiian is superior. United is a sad excuse for First Class. Tried it twice. We would like to try Alaska but the schedule to and from LAX has not worked out for us. Maybe next year. Thanks for the review, very helpful.
Hi Nancy.
We appreciate that and your many many comments.
Aloha.
Hawaiian wide body is far better.
I’ve flown United’s 757 with lie-flat seats. It was night and day compared to the usual narrow-body first class. If you can snag one of these, go for it. It’s the only time I felt like first class to Hawaii was truly worth it on a small plane.
How to put this nicely. Narrow-body planes for Hawaii flights should be outlawed! First class on an A321 feels like a punishment, especially if you’re stuck in a window seat. Alaska does a decent job with what they’ve got. The legroom is better than most, and agree the pre-order meal service is a step up.
Flying Hawaiian is always special. No, the seats aren’t the most comfortable, but the local touches—the meals, the music, the spirit onboard—make up for it. And now the Wifi. You start feeling like you’re in Hawaii before you even land. To me, that’s worth more than a few extra inches of legroom.
Let’s face it, narrow-body first class is just a glorified economy with bigger seats. For a flight to Hawaii, it feels cramped, especially if you’re used to flying internationally. None of the U.S. carriers really get it right, and the legroom just doesn’t compare to wide-body planes.
Honestly, Alaska Airlines is overrated. Sure, the seats are a little better than some of the other airlines, but for the price, the meals are lacking and the service can be hit or miss. Last time, I had a flight where the flight attendants barely checked in on first class after serving the meal. I expected more given their reputation and the cost.
My wife and I flew business class on Alaska Airlines to Seattle for our Alaska cruise. I’m used to the Lufthansa business class trip we take to Europe so the Alaska Airlines first class experience was very disappointing. Their lounge in Seattle was just as disappointing considering they dominate that airport.
Agree that overall Alaska’s first class product to Hawaii is best. However, I just booked an early 2025 round trip from the west coast on United. This itinerary is on an older 777-200, with lie-flat seats in the older 2-4-2 configuration that was used in Continental’s Business-First product. This requires connecting in HNL to LIH on Hawaiian, but at just over $600 each way, a good deal when you’re 6’3″
Aloha to all.
We have always found the service exceptional on Hawaiian first class
On a recent Alaska first class flight the attendant never showed her face after providing one drink and our meal. Service was atrocious
BOH often mentions how long 5 hr flights are to Hawaii. No matter the airline, Delta, United or Hawaiian, I have never found a 5 hour flight from San Francisco to Hawaii overbearing or uncomfortable, even though I only fly economy. The issues I have with these airlines have not been while inside the plane but administrative issues before getting on the plane such as delays, cancellation, check-ins at airport and boarding. Walking through Hawaiian or United First Class to my seat in economy and just looking at the first class seats and accomodations convince me to never go first class Secondly, the drawback of first class is the extra expense, I can use the money I save for expenses once I arrive on the island to cover the now exhorbitant, gouging prices charged on the ground by just about everybody. No, no first class for me period.
American has better 1st class seats than United on the wide body’s. American uses International aircraft on the Hawaii route whereas United uses Domestic aircraft on the Hawaii route. Big difference in seat comfort. American’s service as you mentioned is hit or miss.
SW was very comfortable flight back to mainland…Honolulu-Las Vegas. Plenty room, comfortable seats and A/C worked great. Food? Just snacks…I brought my own tuna fish sandwiches.
We just returned to San Diego on Hawaiian, our flight to Maui was on Alaska. Both 1st class cabins were great, very comfortable and decent meals. Our nod this trip goes to Hawaiian. The Mai-Tais, Mac nuts, Starlink wi-fi, and our attendant named Russ put them on top. Aloha!
We stopped flying first class when widebody planes were not traveling to the Big Island anymore. Even getting into Honolulu out of Los Angeles often times there were planes. I just don’t think there’s value in first class anymore. The airlines are nickel and diming everyone. Service isn’t like it use. I really want an experience, not just transportation.
Oh for the days of 747 flights to Honolulu 🥲
Oh yeah JB, you are so right on! Unfortunately the 747 “Queen of the Skies” are almost all just a fond memory today, but what a pleasure it was to fly the 747 to Hawaii. I remember the old orange Braniff International 747, called the “carrot” that flew daily between DFW and HNL back in the day!