This was published 1 year ago
Airline review: Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A332 first class, Honolulu to New York
By Kristie Kellahan
Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330. On international flights it's called 'business class', on domestic US flights it's called 'first class'.
THE ROUTE
Flight HA50 Honolulu—New York (JFK)
THE AIRCRAFT
Airbus A330-200. Each of the A330s in the fleet is named for a star or constellation that held significance for Polynesian navigators.
THE LOYALTY SCHEME
HawaiianMiles don't expire. Points can be earned with Virgin Australia, JetBlue and Korean Air.
CLASS
First Class, seat 1A, marketed as Business Class on international flights and First Class on US domestic flights.
DURATION
Nine hours and 45 minutes, non-stop.
CARBON EMISSIONS
2.5 tonnes for a Business/First class passenger. Pay to offset emissions at www.co2.myclimate.org.
Hawaiian Airlines recently launched a carbon offset program with Conservation International. Donations will directly fund projects that protect forests and support local communities.
FREQUENCY
Hawaiian flies the red-eye from Honolulu to New York daily, departing at 3.40pm and arriving at 7.25am next day.
HEALTH
No COVID testing requirements for travel between US cities. Masks are no longer required on planes or within airports in Hawaii.
CHECKING IN
There's a dedicated check-in queue for First/Business Class passengers. Check-in and bag drop closes 45 minutes before departure.
The Plumeria Business Class lounge offers post-mix soft drinks, drip coffee and little packets of snack mix.
THE SEAT
There are 18 lie-flat First Class seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. Seats are 20 inches (50.8cm) wide with 45-inch (114.3cm) pitch. A turn-down service is offered. I'm in a window seat in the first row behind the attendants' galley. The seat configuration is such that if the passenger next to me in 1B is reclining when I want to get up and move around, I have to awkwardly climb over him.
An elegant amenity kit by Molokai-based Kealopiko contains self-care essentials.
BAGGAGE
Free checked baggage allowance is two bags, each weighing no more than 50 pounds (22.7 kilograms). Cabin allowance is one carry-on bag and one personal item.
ENTERTAINMENT
A large-format tablet is loaded with movies, TV shows, music, games and flight information. There's an emphasis on Hawaiian culture.
The inflight magazine, Hana Hou!, is a charming souvenir of island life. There's no inflight WiFi. Next year Hawaiian plans to introduce Elon Musk's Starlink high-speed satellite broadband WiFi internet — free of charge — on select transpacific flights.
SERVICE
Dressed in navy blue and aqua, the crew members look as Hawaiian as the hula. With flights now back to full capacity, they have their hands full.
FOOD
Local products include Honolulu Cookie Company, Hawaiian Host macadamias and Maui Hard Seltzer.
Pre-departure, First Class passengers are offered a Mai Tai with macadamia nuts. Shortly after take-off, a three-course meal by chef Jason Yamaguchi is served including the choice of Coq Au Vin or ravioli. I skip the coffee cake.
Drinks and snacks are available on request. Prior to arrival, fresh fruits and onion rosti with sausage is served. It's delicious, though discombobulating to eat at 11pm Honolulu time. It's called a red-eye for a reason.
ONE MORE THING
Hawaiian is partnering with actor and activist Jason Momoa's water company Mananalu to replace plastic water bottles in premium cabins with aluminum bottles.
VERDICT
Lie-flat seats, Hawaiian hospitality and island cuisine help the hours fly by on this red-eye overnight flight.
OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE
★★★★
Kristie Kellahan flew courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines hawaiianairlines.com.au
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