Hawaiian Airlines Unveils Its New Business-Class Cabin—and We Experienced It

Traveling between the mainland and Hawai‘i is receiving a significant upgrade—particularly benefiting premium leisure travelers.

Honolulu-based Hawaiian Airlines is in the midst of a significant aircraft overhaul, bringing in up to 20 new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners—a confirmed order for 12 planes with an option for 8 additional aircraft. The first 12 jets are expected to enter service by 2028. The much-anticipated aircraft first transported passengers from San Francisco (SFO) to Honolulu (HNL) in April, a launch delayed by approximately three years due to production holdups.

Nevertheless, the wait proved worthwhile for the new business-class suites that feature doors, spacious overhead bins in every cabin, and the Dreamliner's signature electronically dimming window shades.

On Hawaiian’s inaugural Dreamliner flight from Los Angeles (LAX), a 2,500-mile trek across the Pacific, I enjoyed a seat in business class. Here’s what future travelers can look forward to.

The revamped business class of Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian’s latest aircraft features 266 seats in the main cabin, with 79 offering extra legroom. However, the real thrill lies in what’s waiting for passengers in business class.

This cabin boasts nine rows featuring 34 Leihōkū Suites (translated as 'lei of stars' in Hawaiian), which is how the airline describes its latest business-class seats. For the first time, the premium cabin on Hawaiian adopts a 1-2-1 layout with doors for each seat, providing direct aisle access from every lie-flat seat. Once the fleet is fully operational, it will be the only airline consistently offering this configuration to Hawai‘i. (While Delta Air Lines has suites on select planes, those are typically not used for domestic flights.)

In comparison to Hawaiian’s older Airbus A330 business class, which features a 2-2-2 arrangement, the Dreamliner’s cabin is notably more spacious and private. One advantage of the A330 setup is its suitability for couples.

Fortunately, the new Dreamliner accommodates both couples and solo travelers (though it may not be the best choice for couples desiring a window seat). The window suites provide ample privacy for individuals, while the center suites allow couples to sit closely in a reclined position if the partition is lowered. While it doesn’t quite match the double bed arrangements seen on some international airlines, it comes remarkably close.

As soon as you board, you’re surrounded by elements that reflect the natural beauty of Hawai‘i. Every passenger is welcomed at the entrance by stunning koa wood paneling, artwork featuring engravings of fronds, and a vibrant aqua-green carpet reminiscent of the ocean. In business class, there’s also a fiber optic ceiling.

Avi Mannis, the chief marketing officer at Hawaiian Airlines, shared that the ceiling’s sparkling lights are inspired by the constellations that guided ancient Polynesian navigators. "We aim for our passengers to feel like their vacation begins the moment they step onto our aircraft," Mannis explained to Dinogo in a post-flight interview.

Each business-class seat, manufactured by Adient Aerospace and also used by Qatar Airways, features a spacious adjustable tray table and a side area for cocktails, an 18-inch in-flight entertainment display, personal power outlets, and the convenience of wireless phone charging.

The materials used throughout the suite exude luxury, featuring soft-touch surfaces, genuine wood paneling, and a stylish sconce light that imparts a warm glow to the space. While the suite doors need to remain open during takeoff and landing, passengers can manually open and close their doors once at cruising altitude, providing an option for added privacy.

Regrettably, some technological amenities found on newer aircraft are absent here, such as Bluetooth connectivity for personal headphones and USB-C charging in business class. (Interestingly, there is USB-C charging available in economy.) For those looking to stay connected, the most notable downside is the current absence of Wi-Fi.

Fortunately, this will change soon. Mannis assures that fast and complimentary Starlink service will be available by next year. "We wish we had it available at launch, but certification challenges with Boeing mean Wi-Fi won't be operational on our 787s until late this year or early 2025," Mannis mentioned. The airline first introduced Wi-Fi on its Airbus A321neo aircraft in February. By the end of 2024, all of Hawaiian’s Airbus A330s should also offer internet access.

Although the cabin is entirely new, the in-flight experience and services remain largely unchanged—and that's actually a positive aspect. Flight attendants greet business-class passengers with a selection of pre-departure beverages, including prosecco, POG juice (a blend of passion fruit, orange, and guava), or mai tais, all while calming Hawaiian music plays during boarding. The meals are crafted by renowned executive chefs Wade Ueoka and Michelle Karr-Ueoka of MW Restaurant in Honolulu. With offerings like Maui Brewing Company beer and white Hawaiian rum, there are plenty of elements to help you feel like you’re already in the islands, even at 35,000 feet. "One thing that sets us apart is our hospitality and service. We excel beyond the competition," Mannis remarked.

What's on the horizon for Hawaiian Airlines

In the upcoming months, these Dreamliners will operate select flights from Los Angeles (LAX) and Phoenix (PHX) to Honolulu (HNL)—for now, the aircraft are not flying from San Francisco. However, as more planes join the fleet, anticipate this next-generation aircraft to cover longer routes across the continental U.S., including destinations in Asia and the South Pacific.

In addition to their new Dreamliners, Hawaiian Airlines may soon have a new owner. In late 2023, Alaska Airlines announced its intention to acquire the 95-year-old carrier for $1.9 billion. However, the deal is still pending approval from the federal government and is not yet finalized.

Mannis expressed optimism that the acquisition will proceed, suggesting it will be beneficial for travelers. "Now is a truly exciting time to join the Hawaiian experience," he stated. "Not only do we have brand-new planes, but our partnership with Alaska will provide greater access to oneworld Alliance partners and more opportunities to earn and redeem miles."