The change in Hawaiian air is palpable. You can’t get around it. Almost everything on your trip to Hawaii changes from here. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines are poised to match Hawaii’s new “premium” focus. And it’s getting more and more interesting.
With everything about Hawaii screaming at a premium right now (prices for car rentals, activities, hotels, taxes and fees skyrocket, and some more), airlines are exercising extreme caution and responding accordingly. Yes. We say this without judgment. That’s exactly what is happening. This comes in the form of new planes, first of all, tailored to the demands of premium travelers.
This includes the Hawaiian Airlines Dreamliner Business Class Cabana Suite. And American Airlines and United Airlines’ Airbus A321xlr are the first ever to feature his 2×2 premium economy seats in narrow fuselages. And a nice new narrowbody with Delta’s best-in-class business. It’s the perfect sweet spot for Hawaii’s premium visitors.
For those who want an even more premium full-flat business class seat on a narrowbody flight to Hawaii, American and United will soon offer it for the first time. Delta joins the competition with narrow-body Hawaii flights with best-in-class non-flat business class seats.
“In-flight” travelers were alienated.
For those of us traveling in economy class, there’s almost nothing on the horizon. In reality, it may be even less.
Somewhere along the line, there could be something positive, like Air New Zealand-style empty nests for hourly rent. A single bunk bed that can accommodate up to 6 people and can be reserved by the hour.
And, of course, the premium cost of a seat with extended legroom, bare except for the leg intact on arrival, can run up to $200 per person one way.
BOH editor Rob remembered the stand-up economy class seats in the Skyrider Concept.
A plan unique to Delta that upgrades Hawaii routes.
Delta believes Hawaii will be a big winner in the future. Delta has already achieved great results on at least nine wide-body Hawaii routes, including Delta One’s closed-door flat-flat business class, which is highly regarded for its premium service.
These routes include Atlanta to Honolulu. Airbus A350 from Detroit to Honolulu. Also, Boeing 767 from Los Angeles to Honolulu, Minneapolis to Honolulu, New York to Honolulu, Salt Lake City to Honolulu, Seattle to Honolulu, A330 from Atlanta to Maui, Seattle to Maui.
Delta will upgrade all these widebody routes to include Premium Select’s true premium economy offering.
Hawaiian Airlines is doing great with widebody flights and new premium aircraft.
In total, Hawaiian Airlines already operates popular widebody flights from Austin, Boston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego and Seattle to Hawaii. These feature no premium economy, but offer full-flat business class and extended legroom.
Hawaiian upscaling is not yet complete. They are about to start delivering significantly upgraded Boeing 787 Dreamliners this year, with 12 of them on firm order. These include spectacular new flat suites, including double ‘cabana’ style accommodations, though mid-term premium economy offerings are yet to be offered.
American Airlines and United Airlines are also in Hawaii’s premium tier.
Find the most premium service with American Airlines’ Boeing 777 flagship service between Dallas, Maui and Honolulu.
United features the highly popular United Polaris Flat Flat Business product and Premium Plus true premium economy on select widebody flights.
United Airlines widebody flights to Hawaii operate from Chicago, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco and Washington, DC. We noted that United recently reverted flights from Washington to Honolulu to once a week, so suites on flights to Hawaii are still looking for his spot.
Narrowbody Hawaiian fleet upgrades are also arriving.
Last year, Delta introduced the A321neo and now operates multiple routes to Hawaii. Delta was late to the party that began with Hawaiian Airlines’ A321neo maiden flight in January 2018.
Delta, like Hawaiian, continues to only offer 3×3 Economy and 2×2 Business/First, but Delta has taken a more premium approach with its acclaimed new Business seats and other amenities. And it seems.
BOH Delta Hawaii A321neo flight review will be available soon.
Beat of Hawaii has not operated Delta Air Lines to and from Hawaii for some time, but that is about to change. Review Delta A321 flight to Hawaii in business/first class and economy. Stay tuned for our upcoming report.
American and United await the Airbus A321xlr at ultra-premium.
new narrowbody aircraft, Airbus A321XLR, allows new routes to Hawaii and includes previously unavailable options. These planes can fly from the East Coast to Hawaii. American Airlines and United Airlines are the plane’s first and second launch partners, a perfect fit for Hawaii.
American Airlines plans to deliver the first aircraft next year and then enter service. United will begin deliveries next year. That means these planes will soon be seen on Hawaiian routes. This new plane fits well into the Hawaii Premium mold. It features full-flat business class with aisle access, true premium economy in a 2×2 configuration (which is very popular in Hawaii), and 3×3 economy.
American Airlines alone expects to receive 50 of these aircraft over the next 36 months. Not to be left behind, United Airlines is planning a brand new Polaris Flat Flat Business pod for this type of aircraft. It is also the first time UAL has introduced premium economy on a narrowbody aircraft.
The A321XLR can fly 4.7k nautical miles, so the possibilities for flying in Hawaii are endless. By contrast, the A321neo currently in service with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Hawaiian Airlines has a range of about 4,000 nautical miles.
AA could use new planes from Dallas, Charlotte, Miami, Philadelphia, DC, and Chicago, but UAL could fly them from Chicago, Denver, Houston, Newark, and DC instead. .
Which airlines and services are you most looking forward to? Or are you on the side of Colin, the BOH editor?
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