Hawaiian Airlines Business Class from Honolulu to Sydney, reviewed

From mai tais on boarding to fully flat beds and free Starlink WiFi, Hawaiian Airlines’ Honolulu–Sydney service balances laid-back island hospitality with long-haul practicality

Checking In

As a guest of the airline’s Apartment 1929 Lounge and Premium Airport service, my check-in experience is utterly seamless, thanks largely to my personal host, Yumi. But don’t get too invested – Apartment 1929 was shuttered in March to make way for an expanded premium lounge.

The Lounge

The Plumeria Lounge is Hawaiian Airlines’ flagship space for Business Class guests departing Honolulu to one of the carrier’s international gateway cities, as well as other select travellers. For the purposes of this review, I step away from Apartment 1929 to take a peek and see a modest space, packed to capacity.

As noted above, a new premium lounge is currently in the making, slated to open in 2027. It will be five times the size of the current space with a fit-out inspired by the Hawaii’s natural beauty and culture. Although the Apartment 1929 experience was stellar, it could only cater for limited numbers. The new configuration will deliver a premium service for more guests.

Beverages

Might I have a mai tai? Boom tish! But I have to be honest. It’s not my joke. It is the cabin manager’s. I have a giggle … and then I have a mai tai. Made with small-batch Hawaiian agricole rum, Kō Hana, the airline’s signature welcome drink set a tone befitting of the relaxed yet polished flight experience to come.

Also on theme, Hawaiian juices, teas by Tea Chest Hawaii, Maui Brewing Company lagers, Kōloa Kauaʻi White Rum, and a pre-mixed pogmosa (sparkling wine, passionfruit, orange and pink guava) by Hawaii-owned, female-founded drinks company Summer Club. The standard selection of spirits, wines, soft drinks and coffee is also available, plus wine pairings by master sommelier Chuck Furuya.

Food

After the welcome mai tai comes the meal service. Despite the many creature comforts of a Business Class experience, the macadamia nuts still feel like a particularly luxe accompaniment before a lunch of niçoise salad to start and tamarind-braised pork belly (my choice over the chicken cordon bleu) for the main course. A sucker for dessert, I go on to make light work of the coffee-and-cream cheesecake.

The kabocha squash gratin is a flavourful, light meal prior to landing. It does leave me in hunger limbo – “Do I need a cheeky drive-through for dinner, or am I fine?” – but that’s standard when it is me versus a dinner-time landing.

Space

On my way to Hawaii, I am seated in 1J, a window seat. When travelling long haul, the aisle is my preference for the obvious reason of easy aisle access. Although there is a handy passage in front of my neighbour’s feet, via which I am to vacate, it is narrow and a little awkward to navigate. My position in 2G for the home stretch is far preferable. I am still next to a stranger, but the privacy screen takes care of that. No offence, stranger.

Seats recline to a fully flat bed, which is where much of the Business Class value is for me. I skip dinner and get horizontal immediately on my flight to Honolulu, making the most of the evening departure and morning arrival. On the flight home, I indulge in the meal service, see above, and the entertainment offering.

In the context of Business Class, setting myself up with conveniences at arm’s length (ie: not in the overhead bin) is a bit of a squeeze, but manageable.

Amenities

Amenity kits and soft goods are delivered in collaboration with Hawaii lifestyle brand Noho Home by Jalene Kanani Bell, and with sustainability in mind. Now, let’s be frank. Most airlines say they have sustainability in mind, and I am sure they could all do better – I am sure all of us could do better. But there is a distinct difference on board Hawaiian Airlines that I appreciate. Business Class guests are gifted a thoughtfully designed kit, made from recycled materials. But rather than being fully stocked, it carries just the essentials – think pen, toothbrush, toothpaste. An assortment of additional amenities is offered to guests à la carte to minimise waste. I grab a lip balm and hydrating spray and feel good that another eye mask won’t go to waste on my watch. 

A plush quilt and mattress pad, made from recycled plastic, and a pillow also await. No pyjamas, but I’m not one for a mid-flight outfit change, so no problem.

Entertainment

The usual seatback screens are replaced by large-format tablets, held in place by an adjustable in-seat tablet arm. Admittedly, the whereabouts of a tablet holder eludes me for a few moments, but a member of the cabin crew pops by to demonstrate, sparing me a flight hunched over 18 consecutive episodes of Veep.

No, I don’t really watch 18 episodes of Veep, but I could have. Not via the in-flight entertainment offering, which was, like the Plumeria Lounge, modest, but thanks to Starlink in-flight WiFi, which is available on all Hawaiian Airlines’ A330 and A321neo aircraft free of charge.

My heart wishes WiFi never infiltrated our skies, but my head knows these are precious hours during which pressing deadlines can be met. After lapping up the delight that is Catherine O’Hara in Beetlejuice, one of a handful of new-release movies in the provided mix, I log on and get to work.

Baggage

Hawaiian Airlines’ checked baggage allowance for Business Class passengers on international flights is two pieces (maximum 32 kilograms per piece) along with one carry-on (11 kilograms) and one personal item.

hawaiianairlines.com.au