Hawaiian Airlines is one of the new Boeing 787 customers that I’m most intrigued by. It’s an exciting day for the airline, as Hawaiian will operate its first commercial flight with the jet today, just a couple of months after taking delivery of the first one. Let’s cover all the details about what you should expect from this plane.
In this post:
Hawaiian Airlines’ order for up to 20 Boeing 787-9s
In 2018, Hawaiian Airlines placed an order for the Boeing 787-9 — the airline has a firm order for 12 jets, plus options for a further eight jets.
Initially Hawaiian Airlines was supposed to take delivery of its first 787 in early 2021, though Boeing delivery delays caused that timeline to slip significantly. Now in early 2024, the airline has taken delivery of two Dreamliners:
- Hawaiian took delivery of the first 787-9 with the registration code N781HA on February 14, 2024
- Hawaiian took delivery of the second 787-9 with the registration code N780HA on April 11, 2024
Interestingly, the first jet to be delivered was produced in December 2023, while the second jet to be delivered was produced in June 2021, but experienced significant delays. The delivery schedule beyond these two jets will be gradual, and it’ll be 2027 at the earliest before all 12 planes are part of Hawaiian Airlines’ fleet.
Beyond the 787, Hawaiian Airlines’ fleet currently consists of 61 aircraft, including:
- 24 Airbus A330-200s, which are the carrier’s wide body jets, and they’re used for long haul routes to the mainland and abroad
- 18 Airbus A321neos, which are all quite new, and which mostly operate flights to the west coast of the United States
- 19 Boeing 717-200s, which are used exclusively for inter-island Hawaii flights
The Boeing 787 is a great addition to Hawaiian Airlines’ fleet, in terms of capacity, fuel efficiency, and range.
Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 787 routes
Hawaiian Airlines will operate its first commercial Dreamliner flight today. The Boeing 787 will initially operate the following routes:
- Flights from Honolulu (HNL) to San Francisco (SFO) as of April 15, 2024
- Flights from Honolulu (HNL) to Los Angeles (LAX) as of May 14, 2024
- Flights from Honolulu (HNL) to Phoenix (PHX) as of May 15, 2024
- Flights from Maui (OGG) to Los Angeles (LAX) as of September 8, 2024
The plan is to eventually use the Boeing 787 to operate long haul international flights, presumably to Asia and the South Pacific. However, for the time being, Hawaiian will fly the 787 on more established routes, where a single frame can fly roundtrip, presumably for crew familiarization, and to work out any kinks.
These planes would have the range to fly nonstop to Europe, and while this kind of service has been rumored for a long time, there’s no indication that this will happen. I could only see this happening if Hawaiian Airlines exercises its option for an extra eight Boeing 787s, since 12 planes isn’t a whole lot to work with.
The other curveball here is that Alaska Airlines plans to acquire Hawaiian Airlines. If that deal ends up going through, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a change in strategy with these jets. Who knows, we could instead see the 787s based in Seattle, flying to Europe or Asia.
Hawaiian Airlines’ new Boeing 787 cabins
From a passenger standpoint, arguably what’s most revolutionary about Hawaiian Airlines’ new Boeing 787s is the updated interiors that they feature. Hawaiian’s Boeing 787s feature a total of 300 seats, including 34 business class seats and 266 economy class seats.
Hawaiian’s new business class consists of a customized version of the Adient Aerospace Ascent seat. Initially Hawaiian Airlines was supposed to be the launch customer for this product, though Qatar Airways ended up taking that title with its new Boeing 787-9s.
These seats are in a 1-2-1 configuration, with privacy doors at each seat. Seats also have large personal televisions, as well as several charging options, including wireless charging.
This represents a huge upgrade for Hawaiian Airlines’ business class product. Hawaiian’s A330s feature fully flat beds in a 2-2-2 configuration.
Admittedly Hawaiian Airlines has a different business class customer profile than most airlines, given that Hawaii is primarily a leisure destination. You have a lot more couples traveling together than on other airlines, so the 2-2-2 configuration kind of makes sense.
Interestingly American Airlines is also planning to install Adient Ascent seats for its upcoming premium Boeing 787s, as the airline looks to refresh its business class seats.
Hawaiian Airlines also eventually plans to offer free high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi on its 787s, though we don’t know the exact timeline with which that will be installed.
Bottom line
Hawaiian Airlines has a firm order for 12 Boeing 787-9s. Two of these planes have now joined Hawaiian’s fleet, and will start entering service immediately. The planes will initially fly between Hawaii and the west coast of the United States. Unfortunately these jets will only join Hawaiian’s fleet gradually, so for a long time this product will be the exception rather than the norm.
Nonetheless I’m excited about these planes, given the improved efficiency, increased capacity, and new business class. I’m looking forward to taking another flight on Hawaiian!
What do you make of Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 787s?
I can't believe they are starting the 787-9 for west coast flights first. When the east coast nonstop routes such as Boston and NY to Honolulu should come first in my opinion. I have a trip planned from Boston to Honolulu in business class end of October. And i was REALLY looking forward to hopefully flying on the new 787-9 for 11hrs in my own private seat. Now i'll be on the A330-200 sharing a...
I can't believe they are starting the 787-9 for west coast flights first. When the east coast nonstop routes such as Boston and NY to Honolulu should come first in my opinion. I have a trip planned from Boston to Honolulu in business class end of October. And i was REALLY looking forward to hopefully flying on the new 787-9 for 11hrs in my own private seat. Now i'll be on the A330-200 sharing a seat with a small partition that barely makes things "private" thank god i chose a window seat. Especially, for the amount of money i'm paying for my ticket. Hopefully, the service and other amenities will make up for having to share a seat with someone. They should state when the 787-9 will be offered for nonstop service for the east coast flights.
23 April, Tuesday, the 787 and crew provided a very nice experience for my super cheap seat, and a few hours before departure i was able to get an infinite legroom window seat, A34, instead of further back aisle seat.
Those paying premium prices get an added plus of taking a left to the 1-2-1 seats, while we hoi polloi go to the right, thus first classers that board early are spared having 266...
23 April, Tuesday, the 787 and crew provided a very nice experience for my super cheap seat, and a few hours before departure i was able to get an infinite legroom window seat, A34, instead of further back aisle seat.
Those paying premium prices get an added plus of taking a left to the 1-2-1 seats, while we hoi polloi go to the right, thus first classers that board early are spared having 266 of us scooch by them. I can't recall if it's the same on flight 26 and all the other A330s?
It seemed we were well over 90% full, but i didn't think to ask how many souls were recorded aboard. Nobody bought the +$19 extra comfort seats ahead of me in exit row 33, unless the young woman later seated there paid in-flight.
There really nothing to say about the in flight experience to distinguish coach dreamliner from coach airbus. Same as on the 330 they announced that those of us happy to eat airline hot pockets could come to the galley and see if any remained while asking for a drink :)
I'm not sure that HA12 will always go to the same gates at SFO, it was interesting but crowded to arrive at T1's gate 11 among Quantas and EVA in that weirdly tiered corner of the terminal.
As others have mentioned, the 787s seem great for longer routes than HA12 and maybe the 2 current airframes will be put on a new route when the next 787s arrive and may be put on this rout as a break-in/training tradition?
As to Hawaiian's situation in general, with or without Alaska, it was interesting to see that Southwest also reported a quarterly loss recently, as did American, although HA's -$138 million is disproportionately large :(
Instead of taking over Hawaiian's 787s, could we maybe see Alaska order more 787s (or technically, would see see Hawaiian excersize their options and transfer those planes to Alaska, if that is the better deal)?
Also, why don't Alaska, Hawaiian, and JetBlue all merge? They are all strong in different markets, and they have mostly complimentary route networks. JetBlue is also looking to expand, which is why they wanted to aquire Spirit. Instead, why...
Instead of taking over Hawaiian's 787s, could we maybe see Alaska order more 787s (or technically, would see see Hawaiian excersize their options and transfer those planes to Alaska, if that is the better deal)?
Also, why don't Alaska, Hawaiian, and JetBlue all merge? They are all strong in different markets, and they have mostly complimentary route networks. JetBlue is also looking to expand, which is why they wanted to aquire Spirit. Instead, why not merge with Alaska (who is strong on the West Coast - complementing JetBlue who is strong on the east coast). Such a merger would create a new competitor to the big 3 US Airlines (and Southwest). But, they could also each maintain their own brand.
I think that could work, and it would allow Hawaiian more connectivity to the mainland, and HNL could be used as a one-stop for many itineraries from secondary US west coast cities to Asia, as well as from the US to South East Asian cities that aren't well served nonstop from the US, such as Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, etc..
Alaska and Jetblue would both be able to compete better with the big US carriers, and they would get more connectivity and scale to be able to launch long haul operations. Alaska from SEA, LAX, and SFO, and JetBlue could also get some 787s and launch long-haul flights from JFK, BOS, FLL, and maybe some leisure routes from MCO. All three airlines have a focus on providing a customer experience. Why don't we see this happen?
I can't help but feel like a better use of these would be to link their East Coast destinations with HNL.
(Also wouldn't personally mind an IAD > HNL route to compete with United being the only option)
Are Hawaiian lie flat seats usually something that miles can be redeemed for, or is there never availability? Are there lie flat seats on other carriers to Hawaii that one can "easily" come by with miles?
Looking forward to trying this product Memorial Day weekend. The new business class layout works out a little better for a family of 3, odd one out won't have a random seat mate.
Still wondering why HA went for a new type vs ordering A330neo... seems like an expensive training ahead for crews. A338 has the range for TYO/SYD from HNL. Unsure about NYC.
Unless Boeing basically gave away these ScreamLiners...
Money and schedule. HA has also expressed frustration with AirBus.
Hawaiian needs this aircraft to be competitive especially in the Asia/ Pacific market where the other carriers are known for both solid hard and soft product.Also finally they come into the 21st century with wi-fi. Looking forward to a June booking out of LA with this new product.
The business class layout is reverse herringbone along the windows and herringbone in the centre? Best of both worlds for both single and couple travellers!
Center seats are a head scratcher for such a leisure destination. Should be more together.
I’m guessing Delta is already eyeing those 717s.
Doubtful, if for anything other than spare parts. The amount of cycles on those Hawaiian 717s would be atrocious.
I agree with you…I was joking. With long term exposure to moist salt air I doubt anyone would even want them for spare parts.
As someone based in Hawaii, this is good news. Wonder why they’re focusing on the West Coast rather than their popular HNL to JFK route?
My guess is for crew familiarization as it's a new type for them. The west coast is much closer to Hawaii. Plenty of airlines do this where they put their new toys initially on shorter routes to get their crew familiar with the type before they stretch their legs.
Btw, Aloha.
due to the distance, they need to commit at least 2 frames to that route and that's the entire fleet right now, so if IRROPS occur, much harder to recover than the a330.
The Air Tahiti Nui 787’s have a much better seat layout (2x2x2 business class and premium economy). I prefer to sit by a window, with my wife next to me, and no stranger sitting next to her. No can do on Hawaiians layout. Big mistake.
Maybe let your wife sit by the window sometimes?
I do, about 50% of the time actually. Nice try tho.
i am sure i can survive not seeing my wife for the 6-10+ hour flight, 1-2-1 is the wave of the future for business class now.
I was thinking if the-10 would've been better suited over the -9 since their route profile is pretty much within limits of the -10, unless they plan on flying further or it might be a tad big for them?
i dont think they need that much capacity for more seats, hawaiian already flies the a330-200 which is compared to the 787-8, now they have a 787-9 which matches the -300
Still don’t like how close one’s head is to the person your seated next to on those centre seats.
This is a massive opportunity for Alaska to become a true player in the transcon market.
Massive is a strong word, and AS has been picking their transcon markets carefully the past few years. No need to launch an assault on UA, DL and good buddy AA for a weenie-waving contest.