For decades, one of the things that set Hawaiian Airlines apart was simple. If you flew across the Pacific in coach, a meal came with your ticket. That all changes July 1, but not in a way that is easy to call either good or bad. Hawaiian Airlines is ending complimentary Main Cabin meal service on most flights between Hawaii and the mainland and replacing it with a new pre-order dining program featuring meals created with Maui chef Sheldon Simeon.
The new meals will cost $10.99 to $16.99, meaning something that used to be included with the ticket will now be a separate purchase for most coach passengers on domestic transpacific routes.
At first glance, that sounds like another Hawaii travel perk disappearing. But this is more complicated than a simple fee story. The free meal Hawaiian passengers remember from years ago is not necessarily the same as the one travelers have been getting in recent years.
We have written before about how far that meal experience had slipped. The old promise of a meal across the Pacific remained, but the reality had become a limited sandwich or similar offering, with little flexibility and no choices.
So Hawaiian is removing something that was included and replacing it with something that may be far better. BOH editors are looking forward to trying it soon and reporting back. The tension between losing something and gaining something better, but at a price, is what makes this change different from the usual airline nickel-and-dime move.
What changes on July 1.
Beginning July 1, Main Cabin passengers on most Hawaiian Airlines flights between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland will be able to pre-order meals through the Alaska Hawaiian app or Hawaiian’s website. Orders can be placed from two weeks before departure until 20 hours before the flight.
The complimentary sandwich currently served in the Main Cabin on domestic transpacific flights is being discontinued. Hawaiian confirmed that those flights will move to the new paid pre-order model, with passengers selecting from a menu rather than receiving the same included meal.
There are several important exceptions. Passengers flying between Honolulu and New York JFK will continue to receive a complimentary meal in the Main Cabin, and the new program does not apply to interisland flights, South Pacific routes, or international flights.
What replaces the free meal.
The new Main Cabin menu was developed with Chef Sheldon Simeon, whose Maui restaurants Tin Roof and Tiffany’s are well known among residents and visitors. Hawaiian is clearly trying to make the meal replacement feel rooted in Hawaii rather than like a regular Alaska Airlines’ buy-on-board snack box.
The menu includes crispy mochiko chicken with garlic noodles for $16.99, barbecue teriyaki chicken bento for $15.99, teriyaki cheeseburgers for $15.99, grilled chicken banh mi sandwiches for $15.99, and several breakfast plates priced at $15.99. Vegan and gluten-free options start at $10.99, including coconut overnight oats and a tender greens salad.
One of the weakest parts of Hawaiian’s existing Main Cabin meal service has been the lack of choice, especially for passengers who do not eat meat or who are flying at times when the available options are simply not appealing.
If the new program works as described, travelers will have more control and better choices regarding what they eat. The question is whether they will accept paying for that choice after years of being told that the meal was part of the Hawaiian difference.
Hawaii residents get the first two items free.
The most important softener in today’s announcement may be the one aimed directly at Hawaii residents. Starting July 1, Huakai by Hawaiian members will receive their first two meal selections free of charge as a one-time thank-you for their loyalty.
That offer applies to existing Huakai members and to Hawaii residents who join by June 24. That will give local travelers a free trial of the new menu before they have to decide whether the paid version is worth it.
Rob and Jeff expect to try the new meals ourselves on upcoming Hawaiian flights. That will be the real test, because the difference between a good idea and a good airline meal remains unanswered.
Not everything comes with a cost.
Hawaiian says several complimentary touches will remain part of the flight experience. Passengers will still receive a welcome beverage, local snack, and sweet treat before arrival.
The airline is adding new local snack partners, including Kauai-based Anahola Granola and Diamond Bakery. Depending on the flight, Main Cabin passengers may see items such as Diamond Bakery shortbread macadamia nut cookies, Maui onion kettle chips, Hawaiian Host chocolates, or Honolulu Cookie Company treats.
Premium Class passengers will also continue receiving complimentary alcohol and new onboard bites. First Class dining remains separate, with expanded pre-selection already available.
A loss, an upgrade, or is it both?
This change is likely to split Hawaiian passengers, as both reactions are reasonable, and we look forward to your perspective. A free meal is disappearing from most mainland-Hawaii coach flights, and for longtime travelers, that is another symbolic change to an airline that once felt very different from mainland carriers.
At the same time, the meal being replaced was not something most passengers still remember fondly. The current offering had already become thin, repetitive, and unsatisfying, so replacing it with a more serious Hawaii-rooted menu could be an improvement if the food and value are good and the portions are fair.
That leaves Hawaiian with a tricky bet. The airline is asking passengers to trade an included but often disappointing meal for a paid menu that may actually be worth eating. For some travelers, the answer will simply be no. They will see a $16.99 mochiko chicken plate as another piece of the old Hawaiian experience being unbundled in the Alaska era.
For others, the answer may be yes, especially if the new food feels more connected to Hawaii and less like the tired coach bagel sandwich it replaces. That will depend on how well this is executed.
What do you think? Would you rather keep the free Hawaiian meal as it exists today, or pay extra for a wider menu that may actually be better?
Lead Photo Credit Courtesy of Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines.
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I would rather have the free meal. We flew Hawaiian Airlines from Sacramento to Honolulu and back in April. The free sandwiches were very tasty. Personally I would not pay to have a meal on a plane. You don’t know how it will taste. I would rather pack my own or get it to go at the airport. The airlines are known for nickel and diming you. The fare and baggage fees are bad enough.
The sad Alaska news today was 250 former Hawaiian flight attendants told they can no longer wear Hawaii cultural symbols including leis, aloha shirts, and flowers in their hair.
Hawaii is being erased by Alaska- no synergy no Aloha.
The end is near.
I have pre ordered Alaska meals several times and they always been good. It’s more efficient to have it served automatically from the crew at meal time. A couple of months ago, on a Hawaiian flight I was served a good sandwich and beverage. I was in premium class, so it was complimentary. But I guess that will change.
Yaaay!
The horrible damp morning sausage and egg sandwich was inedible.
Glad they want to give passengers a real choice…sounds like a thoughtful change.
Now, all they need to improve is the sour, uninterested attitude of the flight attendants…..I know they are bored, but they really should consider that the paying passengers are happy and looking forward to a lovely Hawaiian experience….on the plane as well as the island.
I recall years ago when meals were provided without extra cost, one could upgrade to a sushi tray for just $10. We always opted for that and it was wonderful. We’ll be traveling in September on Hawaiian so we’ll see what may come.
Currently on BI flew Alaska/Hawaiian over from west coast. They had an egg Mac muffin sandwich frankly wasn’t bad. Thing is I kept receiving messages from Alaska about pre-order meals for our flight, but when window opened to order message read pre-order meal not available on this flight, so confusing. The flight over was one of the best we’d ever flown on flight staff very friendly, WiFi worked great and little or no turbulence.
By charging the paying tourist makes the choice. Not the airline. Why do you think airlines quit giving out free peanuts? It was because of people who were allergic to peanuts and medical reasons. Too many dietary restrictions, sodium restrictions, sugar restrictions and such to accomodate all passengers. Liability is what it’s all about. If you pay and order your own food you made the choice. Not the airline. Maybe it’s about the liability more than it is about the free meal and such. Does every airline meal come with a list of how or what was the ingredients in putting together a meal? No and this way it’s the customers doing and makes it where the airline don’t have to. The customer now chooses what to purchase and what to shove in their mouth.
I’d rather pay more for a greater variety and hopefully better tasting. The “free” food became inedible for me due to dietary restrictions, so I always brought my own or ate before I boarded.
I just want to know more about those pancakes!
Do you readers realize that if Delta or United had bought Hawaiian, no Hawaiian branding or products would exist. Is there any credit being given to Alaska for actually Trying to maintain the culture and vibe of Hawaii. Does anyone realize the complex costs and logistics of running two brands?
They could have just bought Hawaiian and slapped Alaska on it all (which other airlines would).
Be grateful that Hawaiian didn’t get bought by others or worse, go the way of spirit and not exist at all.
Well said, Debbie.
In literally no way is this an upgrade. They easily could’ve offered free meals and this paid selection. Easy option they chose not to do. More nickel and diming. Between that and outdated airless with no seat back entertainment (or barely functional on the A330) there’s no reason to fly Hawaiian from the mainland
I remember a meal…real silverware, and they advertised “chef” created. It was a meat(usually chicken, beef or fish), vegetable, salad (usually mac), a desert and a drink. Served by a Stewardess that smiled and made it seem like “something special”. Real food, hot. I still say some enterprising Kanaka needs to sell Plate Lunch at the airport.
It seems that Alaska Airlines can’t win. Damned if they don’t, damned if they do. They’ve apparently listened to all of the whining about how much better Hawaiian did everything so now they’ll offer a good meal by a Hawaiian chef and are including 2 free meals to locals and people are still whining.
It’s time to get a grip and realize Hawaii begins when you Arrive In Hawaii. Your flight is your transportation there and no more.
$16.99 is cheap compared to what the tourists will have to pay for a meal after they land.
You’re so very right, Ed. In our town, a crappy burger is now close to $20 bucks at most locations. And islands are necessarily more expensive just due to the logistics of getting supplies to the island.
We always bring our own food on board because we have food allergies. We’ll be very interested to see if the “gluten free” options (which I’ve hoped for, and which Alaska usually offers) are actually gf, and if they are tastier than the sandwiches I usually pack for the family. If they are good, then it will be a much better option than the pocket sandwiches, which we couldn’t eat at all.
The free meal was something to curb the appetite for a long flight, not meant to be a “meal” and you knew what to expect, but you didn’t pay extra for it. The new meals will be pre cooked and outrageously expensive. No, I won’t opt for one of the new meal options, it is cheaper and better to just pick up a snack before boarding the plane and having something that you know will be good and enjoyable and it won’t be paper tasting airline food that cost a bundle. What needs to be brought back in the Premiere Club Membership.
Even in the 60s if you bought a ticket in economy (PanAm) and wanted a meal, that would cost an extra 10.00 on your ticket.
I live on the Big Island so the part that caught my attention was the two free meals for Hawaii residents. That’s actually a smart way to introduce the program here.
I don’t know why people are acting like Hawaiian took away some gourmet experience. The last few meals I’ve had were pretty much beyond forgettable.
As someone who doesn’t eat meat, I’m cautiously optimistic. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve looked at an airline meal and realized there was nothing I could actually eat.
Everything costs extra now. Seat assignments, checked bags, lounge access, and of course meals. Airlines keep finding new ways to charge passengers while calling it an enhancement. I plan to keep packing my own food.
My husband and I fly between Portland and Honolulu three or four times a year. Honestly, if the food is better than the sandwich they’ve been serving lately, I don’t mind trying paying for it. The current meal isn’t exactly something I look forward to. Fingers crossed it’s half way good.
Thanks for that detailed update! Went to book our meals for our Phx-HLN trip on June 11 and received the response that pre-order was not available. Until your post, we hadn’t realized that it didn’t start until July 1! We’re coming home on June 26 so we again won’t have that experience. Mahal nui loa!
I think Alaska/Hawaiian is making a mistake. The free meal wasn’t great anymore, but it was one of those things that reminded you that you were flying Hawaiian and not just another airline. Once that’s gone, at least for me, it’s gone.