Hawaiian Airlines has revealed ambitious plans for a sweeping, five-year modernisation programme, headlined by the introduction of its first-ever premium economy cabin. The carrier, now part of the Alaska Airlines group, will invest a substantial $600 million into upgrading its aircraft, airport facilities, and digital services.
A New Era of In-Flight Comfort
The centrepiece of the investment is a new cabin class for the airline. For the first time in its history, Hawaiian will install a dedicated premium economy cabin on its long-haul Airbus A330-200 fleet, with the retrofit scheduled to begin in 2028. This move signals a significant shift, as the airline's long-haul offerings have historically been limited to first class, main cabin, and an 'Extra Comfort' section with more legroom.
The comprehensive aircraft refurbishment will also include:
- New first-class seats.
- A refreshed main cabin.
- Bluetooth-enabled seatback entertainment screens.
- Free Starlink Wi-Fi for all passengers.
- New cabin carpets and finishes.
Travellers can expect to experience these upgraded cabins on key routes from Honolulu to destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka, Los Angeles, Auckland, Las Vegas, New York City, Austin, and Orlando, though specific schedules are yet to be confirmed.
Transforming the Airport Experience
The substantial investment extends far beyond the aircraft itself. Hawaiian Airlines has committed to major renovations at several airports across Hawaii, aiming to improve passenger flow and comfort. Key projects include refurbishing lobbies and gates in Honolulu, Līhu‘e, Kahului, Kona, and Hilo.
These spaces will be transformed into bright, elegant areas with better seating and increased access to power charging stations. Furthermore, a flagship 10,600-square-foot premium lounge will be constructed at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1 of Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, the airline's primary hub.
Digital Upgrades and Strategic Alignment
The first tangible improvement for passengers will arrive this spring with a revamped mobile app and website. Hawaiian promises these platforms will offer superior travel planning and self-service features, including easier flight changes and award travel redemption with global partners.
The airline stated that a significantly smoother guest experience will be fully realised once two major milestones are achieved: the migration to the same passenger service system as Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian's entry into the Oneworld alliance, both slated for late April this year.
Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow emphasised the scale of the commitment, calling it "one of Hawaiian Airlines' largest single investments in our infrastructure, products and services in Hawai'i." The sentiment was echoed by Hawai'i Governor Josh Green, who praised the "long-term commitment" as vital for keeping Hawaii competitive as a global destination.
