On the return flight, I experienced the highly-anticipated Leihōkū Suites. There are 34 of these lie-flat seats onboard, making it the largest business class cabin in Hawaiian’s fleet and the first to have sliding doors, allowing for a nice level of privacy. The suites, set up in a 1-2-1 configuration, with the option to combine the middle two for companions or families, offer plenty of space to spread out and get comfortable—I’m 5’6″ and had a good half a foot of extra leg room when the seat was fully extended. A pillow and blanket was provided, though no pajamas. (Of note when booking the Leihōkū Suites: Hawaiian has historically referred to its front cabin as first class on domestic flights and as business class on international flights.)
The 18″ entertainment system is loaded up with new release movies, rewatch-favorite TV shows like Friends and Gilmore Girls, popular current shows like Abbott Elementary, and Hawaii-made music videos and documentaries on Hana Hou! TV. Along with personal charging outlets, a wireless cell phone charging station is conveniently placed next to the headrest.
Throughout the plane, those large windows are configured to different lighting modes throughout the flight, meant to delineate between dining, sleeping, and wake-up times. (Early in the flight these can be adjusted individually by the person in the window seat, but at some point a central programming takes over.)
Onboard WiFi is not yet enabled, unfortunately, though the hope is to get it up and running by the end of the year or early next. Hawaiian Airlines is in the process of rolling out Starlink internet across its A231 and A330 planes first.
Dreamliner design
In designing the plane’s interiors, executive vice president and chief marketing officer Avi Mannis says the brand channeled on-the-ground hospitality spaces, particularly new hotel design in Hawaii, and aimed to evoke a sense of place. Following suit with much of Hawaiian design, the plane tells a story, Mannis says: one of Polynesian wayfinding, or navigation. Fiber optics in the ceiling simulate a starry night, wood-like slats in the airplane’s entryway are inspired by canoes, and boxy, geometric silhouettes are softened to present a wave-like feel throughout the plane.
It is in fact a beautiful aircraft. When I first boarded, my eyes were immediately drawn to the dome in the entryway; it’s a standard feature on 737s, but in this one, there are leaf designs etched into it.
In between attempts to snooze, take a look around at your surroundings: When not in night mode, the simulated cabin sky depicts soft daylight or soothing sunrises and sunsets. Different lavatories feature different patterned wallpapers (and excellent-smelling coconut hand soap), and the light-up bathroom icons were custom-made to include a Hawaiian shirt and dress. These small, thoughtful details aren’t necessary, but they do add some fun and whimsy to the start (or end) of your vacation.
In-flight dining
The airline’s in-flight meal program is run by husband-and-wife duo Michelle Karr-Ueoka and Wade Ueoka of Honolulu’s M-W Restaurant. The chef couple works with other Hawaiian-based restaurants and chefs to develop menus on a rotating basis; when I flew, Jason Yamaguchi’s menu included a delicious curried braised brisket, papaya salad, and warm taro roll. Soon to join the Featured Chef club: Keaka Lee from Kapa Hale.
