Before starting my 2017 Europe Trip, I had the chance to try out Hawaiian Airlines newest lie-flat business class seats from Honolulu to New York JFK. Since I was visiting my sister for her graduation, I wanted to give the direct Hawaii to NYC flight a try in the business class cabin.
Prior to the new lie-flat seats, Hawaiian Airlines business class cabin was simply a recliner seat, essentially an oversized domestic US seat. I have to say that at least, the interior of the A330 planes on Hawaiian had a tasteful look, however, with the price sticker usually around $1400 to $2000 for business class seat depending on route, it's really not worth it with their recliner seats.
While waiting at the airport, unfortunately, flying business class between Hawaii and the mainland US does NOT give you access to the Plumeria Lounge, a lounge that has enhanced amenities such as alcohol and food. It does give access to Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club lounge, but other than a clean A/C lounge, there's nothing special about it. Luckily, I had my Priority Pass, so having that will give you access to the Plumeria Lounge, regardless of class.
After relaxing in the Plumeria lounge, I made my way to the gate for my flight to NYC.
Upon entering the business class cabin, the leather seats have a semi Italian-style look ... reminds me of sitting in a car pod. Indeed very chic.
That being said, the ottoman foot rest area is different depending on the row you choose. The bulkhead seats don't have the back seat intrusion that rows 2 and 3 have. If you are 6 feet or more, you will feel crunched for space. I recommend those who are very tall should choose any of the seats in row 1.
On the other hand, if you have short leg length, then row 1 foot ottoman may at times feel far away. In that case, I recommend that you choose rows 2 and 3.
The 2-2-2 cabin set up definitely makes Hawaiians premium class setup more appropriate for couples. You are pretty close to your next door seat mate. If you are a single travelers, there is a pull up divider to help give you more privacy ... but the layout is pretty open air compared to other airlines that have more enclosure.
Also with the 2-2-2 cabin setup ... one might think.. how do window seat people get out?
Well, the designers thought to include a sliver of open space in front of the aisle passengers ottoman foot rest to let the window seat passengers discretely pass on out. It works most of time, but if a tall person sat on aisle seat, the window passenger may still need to hop on over.
There is limited amount of personal storage space around your seat. Not much room to place a glass drink. There is bottom storage area for shoes, very small side area to store small water bottle, and a small charge port for your phones and small electronics via USB or plug cord. Other than that, you'll have to put other items into overhead compartment.
The seat itself moves into lie-flat mode via a simple rolling control. When I first saw picture of this rolling control, I thought I'd have to manually lean the seat to lie-flat ... but of course, it's electronically moves. You may have to adjust often to find the best fit for your body and comfort.
While the leather style seats are of quality, they ended up not being the most comfortable in terms of sleeping. Luckily for international and JFK flights, a do-able mattress is available to put on the seat. I will be honest and say I did pass out and sleep for most of the red eye flights from Honolulu to New York. The mattress pad could have been a bit more thick, but that's just pining on small details.
Standard square pillow and small rectangle pillow with band to attach to top of seat is provided along with a hot pink blanket for sleeping and covering up when cabin is cold. On the Hawaiian A330 - expect the cabin to be freezing during the first half of the flight followed by the cabin warming up later on. It's that way with the temperature regulation on board.
Food in the premium cabin is standard for domestic US cabin. While the menu may look like they would present the food in courses, but really - it's all placed on the same tray that they pass out. The food is usually Asian fusion of some sort. The food was nothing out of the ball park, but again... on par with the domestic US carriers, but far cry from the quality you find on international premium service cabins. The food tray table is embedded in the side arm rest. You have to really push hard to pop out the tray table as well as pushing it hard to lock it in place.
When you first get to your seat, you might be thinking ... where is the entertainment? New Hawaiian premium cabins use custom large Apple tablets that can be placed on a tablet strip holder. The placement of it might be awkward for where you plugin the earphones , so you kind of have to play around and adjust the entertainment area along with the tray table.
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Have you flown with Hawaiian Airlines to get to Hawaii?
For those who've flown their new lie-flat cabin, what do you think?
Just comment below, I want to hear from you!
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