Friday’s flight from Honolulu to Brisbane was our first long-haul experience on Hawaiian Airlines. Of course, we’ve flown Hawaiian between the islands, but that’s not much of a test. While we did fly Hawaiian a couple of times to the mainland in the past, their schedules are much less convenient, and the airline hasn’t been our choice for some time, although we have friends who swear by Hawaiian.
But when Meda was invited to a conference near Brisbane, Hawaiian turned out to offer the only direct flight from Honolulu. Weighing all the factors, we decided to fly Hawaiian, and pay a little extra for their “extra comfort” seating, which features additional legroom (important for me).
Here’s my abbreviated assessment. We probably wouldn’t choose Hawaiian again. The flight was ok, the plane was clean and relatively new. But the service was only adequate. The flight attendants seemed to be mostly going through the motions. We were served a small hot meal early in the 10-hour flight, and a snack (a cold sandwich and a candy) in the last 90 minutes before we landed. Neither one was anything to write home about. And in between, not so much.
Our only comparison was to Air New Zealand, which we’ve flown several times between Honolulu and Auckland, a similar long haul.
Meda and I both agreed that the ANZ flight attendants were more personable, appeared to be having more fun at work than their Hawaiian counterparts, and offered more services throughout the long flight. I don’t watch movies, but Meda thought the offerings on this flight were spartan compared to what United offers on flights to the U.S. mainland, or what ANZ offered to Auckland.
And the ANZ food service we experienced in prior trips was superior. Is that still true? It’s been a couple of years, so I can’t say for sure.
The extra leg room in Hawaiian’s “extra comfort” was welcome, but I found the seat uncomfortable. I’m tall, and the seat back hit me in an awkward place, which made it hard to relax.
It’s not that the flight on Hawaiian was bad. But there was nothing that would have caused us to say, “wow, what a good flight!” It was adequate, it got us to Brisbane more or less on time, and there were no other problems. But that’s not enough to engender any kind of loyalty.
Just my personal opinion. Your mileage may vary.
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This is actually quite different from my personal experiences with Hawaiian. I’ve gone out of my way to book flights with them when I’m traveling because I’ve found their flight crews to be very personable and attentive, particularly in comparison to United, Delta, et. al.
Have never Hurd you ever complain so seriously…It is true knowing your long frequent flyer history! Hawaiian Air is over stretched! Charges for every little thing imaginable and milked Hawaiian’s to da max!
Employees are rare, like when Liberty House had to hire unattractive staff toward the end. Good employees are no where to be found in unaffordable Hawaii.
For you my favorite writer and investigative journalist and Legacy Kupuna….
a side trip to the Poppy fields of Tazmania is prescribed! Why, that’s where they grow the western worlds medical opioid production, beautiful bliss…no pain…that way you may joyfully bard the return trip!
Even the best first class seats not what they were! After 9/11 travel enjoyment tanked to visiting Ohana at Halawa. Shipped in an Amazon box, and abused by the Post Office. Why, I enjoy your travel experiences from preferred lazy boy comfort. Please return to Hawaii Nei, or you will miss World War #3 on da Mauna!
If you ever go my native homeland of Finland, please fly Finnair. They are very cool Scandinavians but pros and the food with a drinkie-boo…outstanding! Very safe flying too especially in winter months.