What's The Best Economy Class Airline To Hawaii?

The Best Economy Class To Hawaii | Comparing 6 Airlines

We just rated the six domestic airlines that fly to Hawaii. In doing so, we looked exclusively at economy class and how they compare.

Deciding on which airline to fly to Hawaii in economy is complicated, with many variables. These include where you travel from and to, narrow-body vs. wide-body, airfare costs, ancillary fees, group/family size, and any frequent flyer loyalty. Following is our 2022 list of best picks ranked from best to worst. We reviewed the economy class experience on the plane and did not include things like customer service, check-in experience, baggage claim, lounge access, etc. We’ve mentioned if a true premium economy cabin is available and extra legroom seating is, but we didn’t rank those features since they require an added fee.

Alaska Airlines flights to Hawaii.

Alaska Airlines flies nonstop to four Hawaiian Islands from the seven mainland gateways listed below. They provide a solid narrow-body offering from a reliable Hawaii-centric airline. Generally consistent and above average product and service. Alaska has excelled in direct-to-neighbor island flights from California and the Pacific Northwest.

  • CNBC/PointsGuy 2022 national rating: #5.
  • BOH 2022 Hawaii ranking: #2 – tied with Delta Airlines.

Hawaii Gateway Cities include Anchorage (just resumed), Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle.

Aircraft and economy seating configuration is 3×3 on their soon-to-be all-Boeing 737 fleet. The economy seat pitch is listed as 31-32 inches. Extra legroom economy seats offer 4 inches of extended legroom.

Food.

Food is not provided in economy. Generally well-liked options, however, are available for purchase on board or in advance. In premium, complimentary alcoholic drinks are included, but the food is not other than a snack.

In-flight entertainment.

Alaska does not offer seatback entertainment, as is becoming the norm industry-wide on narrow-body aircraft. Streaming movies and TV are accessed on your personal device.

Onboard WiFi.

Almost all of Alaska’s Hawaii fleet is now equipped with satellite WiFi which is available for purchase for $8.

Checked bags.

$30 for the first bag and $40 for the second bag.

American Airlines flights to Hawaii.

American flies to Hawaii on ten routes to four islands. The product is generally lackluster, but with signs of improvement, such as their “Flagship flights.” It’s a mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.

  • CNBC/PointsGuy 2022 national rating: #4.
  • BOH 2022 Hawaii ranking: #4.

Flagship and non-Flagship flights. American has three Hawaii routes called “Flagship flights” with free meals in all classes, seat-back entertainment, plus a true premium economy cabin. Economy seat pitch varies from 31-32 inches but is more on some aircraft. Preferred extra legroom seating offers 3-6″ more. Premium economy, where available, is listed as 38 inches.

Nonstop “Flagship” Gateway Cities are Dallas and Phoenix (some flights). Other Flagship Flight cities currently suspended include Charlotte and Chicago.

Remaining American Airlines Hawaii flights from Los Angeles and Phoenix (some flights) are their non-premium offering, including food for purchase. Most will use Airbus A321neo planes with no seatback entertainment and no lie-flat in business. A321 has a 3×3 seating configuration.

Food.

Snacks are included in economy, and food is available for purchase on board. In premium economy (Flagship service), complimentary alcoholic drinks and food are included.

In-flight entertainment.

American offers seatback entertainment on most wide-body Flagship flights but not on most narrow-body aircraft, where streaming movies and TV are accessed on your personal device.

Onboard WiFi.

American says that “Wi-Fi is now available on nearly all of our U.S. flights.” WiFi is available for purchase at $14 per day. Texting is free.

Checked bags.

$30 for first bag and $40 for second bag.

Delta Airlines Flights to Hawaii.

Delta has 19 nonstop flights from nine mainland gateways to four islands effective this winter. Using a variety of wide and narrow body aircraft with different seating configurations.

  • CNBC/PointsGuy 2022 national rating: #2.
  • BOH 2022 ranking: #2 – tied with Alaska Airlines.

Economy pitch varies between 30 inches and 32 inches. Extra legroom seats offer 3 inches more legroom than standard economy, while premium economy at 38 inches.

Nonstop Gateway Cities include Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. Flights from Atlanta to Maui, New York to Honolulu, and Salt Lake to Maui currently offer the Delta Comfort+ premium economy cabin.

Food.

Delta economy class offers free snacks only. Food is available for purchase. Extra legroom seats have premium snacks, while Delta’s premium economy includes free meals as well as alcoholic beverages.

In-flight entertainment.

Delta offers in-flight entertainment, including live TV with seatback or via your device, depending on the aircraft. Seatback to Hawaii may be found on A330, A350, 737-800, 737-900, 757, and 767.

Onboard WiFi.

Delta WiFi is available via an all-day plan. The Wi-Fi pass is $19. Texting is free.

Checked bags.

$30 for first bag and $40 for second bag.

Hawaiian Airlines Flights to Hawaii.

Hawaiian flies nonstop wide-body and narrow-body flights from fifteen mainland gateways to four islands. The airline has a unique brand and product that exudes Hawaii from the moment you step onboard. That, even if it is occasionally inconsistent. Read our review of Hawaiian Airlines wide-body economy.

  • CNBC/PointsGuy 2022 national rating: #6.
  • BOH 2022 ranking: #1 – tied with Southwest.

Economy seat pitch is 31 inches on A330 and 30 inches on A321. Extra legroom economy seats offer 36 inches and 35 inches, respectively.

Nonstop Gateway Cities include Austin, Boston, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Los Angeles, New York, Oakland, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle.

Food.

Hawaiian economy class offers free meals (which may better be described as snacks). No food is available for purchase. Free wine is available at mealtime.

In-flight entertainment.

Hawaiian offers in-flight entertainment, including either with seatback (A330 wide-body) or via your own device, on A321.

Onboard Wi-Fi.

Not currently available. Free WiFi is scheduled to be deployed on all flights to and from the mainland in 2023.

Checked bags.

$30 for first bag and $40 for second bag.

Southwest Airlines Flights to Hawaii.

Southwest flies all 737 flights to Hawaii from eight US mainland gateways, offering their unique and  quirky economy product, which we’ve written about. It is a solid brand and offering with a huge following. While not at all Hawaii-like, they do what they do well and the standard economy comfort is the best we’ve found.

  • CNBC/PointsGuy 2022 national rating: #2.
  • BOH 2022 ranking: #1 – tied with Hawaiian.

Economy seat pitch is 32 inches on-board their all Boeing 737 fleet.

Gateway cities include Las Vegas, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Diego and San Jose.

Food.

Southwest offers free snacks. There is no food available for purchase.

In-flight entertainment.

Entertainment is offered via streaming to personal devices.

Onboard Wi-Fi.

WiFi is available on all flights for a fee of $8.

Checked bags.

Two bags per passenger are included in the fare.

United Airlines Flights to Hawaii.

United Airlines flies to Hawaii from seven US mainland gateways. They still carry among the greatest number of passengers to the islands yearly of any airline. United has  a popular product, especially among its many frequent flyer program members. A United fleet improvement program will now add hundreds of new planes.

They offer standard economy, extended legroom (Economy Plus), and true premium economy (Premium Plus). Economy seat pitch is generally 30 inches to 31 inches. Extra legroom seats feature up to 6 inches more legroom, while premium economy has 7 inches more legroom.

Gateway cities include Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington.

Food.

United economy class offers free snacks or free meals, depending on the flight.  West coast flights offer snack bags. Denver and Houston flights may offer either sandwiches and/or snacks. East coast and midwest flights complete meals. Food is also available for purchase. Premium economy offers complete meals on all flights.

In-flight entertainment.

Seatback entertainment is offered on some but not all flights, depending on the aircraft. Otherwise, streaming to personal devices is available.

Onboard Wi-Fi.

WiFi is available on select aircraft. Boeing 757, 767, 777, and 787. Boeing 737 does not have WiFi to Hawaii.

Checked bags.

$30 for first bag and $40 for second bag.

Please help complete this Best Economy Class To Hawaii review with your insightful comments.

 

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27 thoughts on “The Best Economy Class To Hawaii | Comparing 6 Airlines”

  1. We fly Alaska, we have the card, 2 cards, so we can use miles and or companion tickets. Seats are comfortable enough. Sat in premium exit rows last 2 flights because was gifted MVP. We have TSA Precheck. Checked 3 bags free. Preordered $10 snack on board. Good meat and cheese. Good service and no problems. Dont book bargain basement airlines. Get what you pay for.

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  2. Southwest should definitely be ranked the lowest. Recently flew with them from LIH – HNL – SAN, and all flight attendants had bad attitudes. Could hear a few complaining about their jobs at the end of the flight, and asking “are they finally gone?” as the final passengers were de-boarding the plane. On the HNL-SAN flight, they didn’t serve beverages until about 2 hours into the flight, and then cut us off after two waters and one juice each, because they said we’d asked for too many already.

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