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Hawaiian Airlines wants to lure premium travelers with new amenity kits

Oct. 03, 2023
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4 min read
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Hawaiian Airlines wants to lure premium travelers with new amenity kits
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As "premium leisure" shines as a bright spot for legacy airlines, Hawaiian Airlines is showing signs that it wants to compete with the "Big Three" carriers in luxury travel.

In going toe-to-toe with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, Hawaiian is launching amenity kits for its long-haul flights between Hawaii and New York, Boston and Austin. The new amenity kits are inspired by Hawaiian's newest Boeing 787-9 premium cabin.

Starting Nov. 6, business-class travelers will be treated to kits that include sleep masks, toothbrushes, pens, earplugs and tissues, along with toiletries like lip balm in a cream-colored canvas bag. Business-class seats will also feature a blanket, mattress pad and pillow.

A Hawaiian Airlines business-class amenity kit. HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

Even travelers flying in Hawaiian's Extra Comfort or Main Cabin seats will receive an amenity kit for long-haul flights; these kits will feature many of the same items as the business-class amenity kit. The bags in the back of the plane are a heather gray and are a bit smaller.

Related: Best ways to redeem points and miles on Hawaiian Airlines

An Extra Comfort and Main Cabin amenity kit. HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

The launch of these amenity kits marks Hawaiian's attempts to follow in the footsteps of the "Big Three" carriers and capitalize on the "premium leisure" trend that has become popular within the industry. At the same time, it also shows the carrier's aim to differentiate itself from Southwest Airlines, which has become a major competitor for the Honolulu-based airline since it started flying in the Hawaii market in 2019.

Related: A review of the longest Hawaiian Airlines route: Boston to Maui

The mattress pad, blanket and pillow for business-class cabins. HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

While Southwest only flies a handful of routes to Hawaii, the carrier has eaten into some of Hawaiian's market share because it has offered some cheaper fares for flights from the mainland U.S. and between the islands.

The sleekly designed amenity kits are a collaboration with Hawaiian lifestyle brand Noho Home by Jalene Kanani Bell, and they emphasize sustainable design. The canvas bag, blanket and mattress pad are made from recycled plastic.

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Hawaiian said it wanted the amenity kits to create a sense of "place and comfort" for passengers, leaning into the principle of "Mea Ho'okipa," or "I am your host."

“Our collaboration with Noho Home was born out of the shared desire to create a sense of place and establish a connection to home while we bring our guests to their destination,” Alisa Onishi, Hawaiian Airlines' senior director of brand and community and cultural relations, said. “We are very proud of the creativity behind these designs and can’t wait for our guests to receive them.”

Related reading:

Featured image by HAWAIIAN AIRLINES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
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  • 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.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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  • Annual Fee is $325.
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