Hawaiian Airlines to add premium economy to its Airbus A330 fleet
Hawaiian Airlines is getting ready to add premium economy to its workhorse fleet of long-haul planes.
Last week, executives at Hawaiian's new parent company, Alaska Air Group, confirmed the comfortable recliners are planned for the airline's Airbus A330s — older aircraft that Hawaiian uses heavily on flights between the U.S. mainland and the Aloha State, and on international routes from Honolulu to Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
The premium economy cabin, which blends some of the comforts of business class at a lower price point, is part of a larger cabin overhaul for the older A330s, which TPG first reported in May.
Expect that refresh to include more lie-flat seats and an overall nicer onboard experience — not to mention the new cabin in the middle of the plane, executives said.
"We're going to be reconfiguring the A330s and increasing the first-class cabin ... we're going to be putting premium — international premium economy — seats on [those planes]," Alaska Chief Financial Officer Shane Tackett said, speaking Thursday on the company's earnings call.
Those cabin retrofits, Tackett noted, are expected over the "next few years" with "refreshed interiors and enhanced amenities."
Aloha to more $99 flights to Hawaii: Alaska Airlines' Companion Fare can be used on Hawaiian Airlines flights
Hawaiian Airbus A330 upgrades planned
It should be a welcome upgrade for Hawaiian's A330s, for a few reasons.
One, the cabins are showing their age.
I flew the twin-aisle aircraft this spring when Hawaiian inaugurated Alaska Air Group's first intercontinental service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Tokyo.
While a lie-flat seat is always welcome for a long flight, it is an overall dated product up front, with the 2-2-2 configuration — and without the universal direct aisle access that's become the industry norm for new premium international cabins in recent years.
The coach cabin is coming due for a face-lift, too (although the fast, free Starlink Wi-Fi sure gives the experience a far more modern feel).
Increase your points balance: The best credit card welcome bonuses of July 2025
Hawaiian losing some Boeing 787 Dreamliner service
Meanwhile, at least some of Hawaiian's more traditional routes are due to lose service on its beautiful, brand-new Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
As TPG reported last week, Alaska Air Group is planning to swap in the Dreamliner on its Seattle flights to Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT) starting in January.
That will mean the end of 787 service on at least one current Hawaiian route, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed.
Read more: Alaska Airlines orders more Boeing 787s, to open Dreamliner base in Seattle
And, Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci has said the company's long-term plans include Alaska Airlines, not Hawaiian, operating long-haul Dreamliner service out of Seattle — presumably with the 787s Hawaiian had ordered before the two airlines merged last year.
"What you'll see is all the flights, international flights out of Seattle, on 787s. It'll be all 787s and it'll be operated by Alaska," Minicucci told me in an interview in May.
For Hawaiian's part, that means its 24 A330s will remain the "backbone," as Minicucci put it, of its West Coast and international flying out of Hawaii for years to come.
"That'll be the primary product," he told me this spring. "We're excited about the [A]330s. They have such a great niche in our fleet."
Premium economy boom
Soon, that fleet will apparently offer premium economy, which has boomed in popularity in recent years.
A myriad of global airlines (including the top U.S. carriers) have added the more spacious recliners in the middle of their long-haul planes, which typically include an elevated dining service and a few extra service touches like amenity kits and better entertainment offerings, on top of the larger seat.
Earlier this month, United Airlines said it had underestimated the demand for its Premium Plus cabin when it added the premium economy section to its planes late last decade — and now plans to outfit its jets with more of those mid-tier seats.
Alaska 40% done with Boeing 737 updates
Like other carriers, Alaska and Hawaiian have seen premium seats play an outsize role in driving profits in recent years, as travelers have shown an increased willingness to pay extra for high-end seats.
For that reason, Alaska Airlines in 2024 started reconfiguring its own fleet of Boeing 737s with a higher number of first-class and extra-legroom seats.
Last week, executives said retrofits were complete on 90 of its 737s — about 40% of the planes the carrier planned to update.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.