Hawaiian Airlines is preparing to add advanced economy to its main fleet of long-haul aircraft.
Last week, executives at Hawaii’s new parent Alaska Air Group confirmed that the Comfortable Lounge Program was for the airline’s Airbus A330S (old Hawaiian aircraft), Hawaiian flights between the mainland and Aloha states, and international routes from Honolulu to Asia, Australia, Australia, Australia, New West, and the southern Pacific.
Premium Economy Class, which blends some of the comforts of business class at a lower price, is part of the larger A330S overhaul, first reported in May.
The expected refresh will include more lounge chairs and a better on-board experience overall – not to mention the new cabin in the middle of the plane, executives said.
“We will reconfigure the A330 and add first-class cabins…We will be investing in premium-International Advanced Economy-Seats [those planes],” Alaska Chief Financial Officer Shane Tackett spoke on Thursday about the company’s earnings call.
Tackett noted that these cabin remodels will have “refreshed interiors and enhanced facilities” in the “next years.”
$99 flights from Aloha to Hawaii: Alaska Airlines’ companion fares are available for Hawaiian Airlines flights
Hawaii Airbus A330 upgrade plan
This should be a welcome upgrade to the Hawaii A330S for some reasons.
First, the cabins are showing their age.
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I flew a twin race flight this spring when Hawaii launched its first intercontinental air service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Tokyo.
Although seats are always welcome yes Overall outdated products, with 2-2-2 configurations and no universal direct aisle access, have become the industry norm for new premium international cabins in recent years.
The Coach Lodge will also be interviewed (although fast, free Starlink Wi-Fi will surely give the experience a more modern feel).
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Hawaiians lose Boeing 787 Dreamliner service
Meanwhile, at least some of the more traditional routes of the Hawaiians will lose service in its beautiful, brand new Boeing 787 dreams.
As TPG reported last week, Alaska Airlines Group is planning to exchange Dreamliners on Seattle flights to Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) starting in January.
This would mean that an airline spokesperson confirmed that the 787 service on at least one Hawaiian route ended.
Read more: Alaska Airlines orders more Boeing 787s to open Dreamliner Base in Seattle
And, Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci said the company’s long-term plans include Alaska Airlines, not Hawaiians, operating the Long-Haul Dreamliner service outside Seattle – presumably Hawaiians in the 787s who ordered the merger of the two airlines last year.
“What you’re going to see is an international flight from Seattle in the 787s. It will be the 787s and it will be operated by Alaska,” Minicucci told me in an interview in May.
As far as the Hawaiians are concerned, that means its 24 A330 will remain what Minicucci calls “backbone” and its west coast and international flew out from Hawaii for a few years.
“That would be the main product,” he told me this spring. “We are [A]330. They have a great niche in our fleet. ”
Advanced economic prosperity
Soon, the fleet will obviously provide a high-level economy, which has been popular in recent years.
Countless global airlines, including the top U.S. airlines, have added more spacious lounge chairs in the middle of their long-haul aircraft, often including overhead dining services and some extra service touches such as convenience kits and better entertainment products in larger seats.
United Airlines said earlier this month that when it added premium economic zones to aircraft in late last decade, it had underestimated demand for premiums and cabins, and now plans to equip its jets with more of those mid-level seats.
40% of Alaska’s Boeing 737 updates
Like other airlines, Alaska and Hawaiians have played a great role in driving profits in recent years, as travelers show an increasing willingness to pay extra for premium seats.
As a result, Alaska Airlines began reconfiguring its own Boeing 737 fleet in 2024, with top-notch and road room seats higher.
Last week, executives said that in its 90 aircraft in the 737s, the renovation was completed and about 40% of the aircraft were scheduled to be updated.
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