To get from Oahu to the Big Island, we managed to fly Hawaiian Airlines' A321neo first class. This is a plane that Hawaiian Airlines also flies between Hawaii and the mainland, so I was looking forward to experiencing it on a shorter flight. I've reviewed Hawaiian Airlines' Airbus A330 first class and Boeing 717 first…
Continue reading: Review: Hawaiian Airlines A321neo First Class (HNL-KOA)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
i understand why they would make the airport open air but also, why??
like I can't see any reason why this would be practical
On The Rocks is my favorite brand of pre-mixed cocktails. If at home of course I’ll make my own cocktails but I’ve taken OTR cocktails to friends’ gatherings before. I first had it on Acela First Class during the pandemic; the old fashioned and margarita are both pretty good!
@SC Ever been to Kona? Its completely dry unlike the other side of the island (Hilo). No need for AC, etc.
You've obviously never been there.
KOA is an underwhelming airport, but being open air is not one of its many downsides.
The open air element & lack of jet bridges are are the only two good things at KOA
@Lucky, "While inter-island flights don’t offer lounge access..." is wrong.
Hawaiian First Class (both inter-island and mainland) gets access to their Premier Club. Granted, it's inferior to the Plumeria Lounge you visited, but it still would've been nice if you had reviewed that as well.
Two big thumbs up to the beaches in Kekaha Kai State Park pictured in your "on approach to Kona" photos. Not only is there good swimming on calm days and a feeling of being away from almost everything (BYO drinks and lunch...) they offer excellent planespotting.
The road in the last of those photos to Mahai'ula Beach is passable to regular cars, and you can hike across the lava flow to Makalawena. Our 4 year old did the hike just fine.
I assume the map has a zoom feature, since as pictured it's pretty much next to useless.
They hand out iPad Pro for first class on A321 to mainland, so you actually do have personal entertainment.
A couple of years ago on an interisland flight on Hawaiian, I found it cheaper to pay the difference for first class (and get two checked bags free) than to pay the baggage fees for my two suitcass.
Anyone know if there is lounge access at Austin airport if flying Hawaiian first class? Thanks in advance.
On non-interisland flights, first class guest receive an Ipad and headphone to view the entertainment offered.
In flights to the mainland, in first class they do offer an apple iPad to use along with headphones.
I love love love that our airport is open air!!! So healthy! Wow! Your comment is dumb.
You are wrong about inter-island flights not offering lounges. First class inter-island actually gets access to Premier Lounges which are, not surprisingly, even more underwhelming.
https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/our-services/at-the-airport/hawaiian-airlines-lounges
Thanks so much for clarifying that. I just booked First class from LGB to HNL and thought that I should change airlines because of his unknown such trip. This is my first trip on HA and thanks again for your replied.
Can you compare the rows in first class? Like row 1 is bulk head but is the experience different and having the space in front good? Row 4 is against a back wall, so does the seat recline less? Row 2 and row 3 are in the middle... any thoughts?
How is the recline on these seats?