Hawaiian Airlines will bring a new premium cabin to the market when its 787s take flight. The carrier formally unveiled its Leihōkū Suites for its business class passengers, part of a long-haul revamp for the airline.
The combination of our evocative cabin design and unparalleled service will make our 787 the most relaxing and enjoyable choice for travel to and from Hawaiʻi. We take pride in sharing our home with our guests, and the design and details of this product truly reflect what it means to be the flagship carrier of the Hawaiian Islands. – Avi Mannis, chief marketing and communications officer at Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian suggests the design elements for the new aircraft “thoughtfully celebrate Polynesian navigators who sailed the Pacific by observing the stars, sun, winds, waves and wildlife.” The airline worked with design consultant Teague to develop the interiors. “Working alongside such an iconic brand in Hawaiian Airlines, we were able to create an experience that is true and authentic to what is Hawai’i,” said Loreto Julian, interior design and surface textile design manager at Teague. “Along the journey, guests will be able to appreciate the culture of Hawai’i and be surprised with discoverable moments.”
A more traditional business class cabin for Hawaiian
The new cabins will feature 34 mini suites in a 1-2-1 layout, each with a door. This is a major shift from the 2015 launch of the Optimares business class cabin far more focused on premium leisure passengers typically traveling as couples.
Each of the mini-suites will include an 18″ IFE screen, AC and USB power, wireless charging, and direct aisle access.
The ceiling of the Leihōkū cabin will also include a simulated starfield, a nod to the “garland of stars” idea that the word represents.
Hawaiian selected Adient Aerospace to develop the new seats. That partnership was first announced in 2019, with the planes (and seats) expected to enter service in 2021. “It was evident from the beginning that Hawaiian Airlines is very passionate about its culture and branding, and making sure that this came through in the design language and in the passenger experience,” said Adient Aerospace CEO Tony Guy. “It is so rewarding to bring this vision collaboratively to life and see it realized in the delivered product.”
Perfectly passable economy class
The back of the plane will feature 266 Collins Aerospace Aspire seats, in a 3-3-3 layout. These include USB-A and USB-C power, as well as a 12″ IFE screen.
While Hawaiian does not offer a true premium economy product on the 787s, the carrier will configure 79 of the seats in its Economy Comfort layout, adding extra legroom and AC power outlets.
All passengers on board will also eventually have access to inflight internet via the Starlink satellite solution from SpaceX. Timing on that deployment remains in flux with the carrier focused on fitting the existing fleet first.
Hawaiian is scheduled to receive the first of 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in November, with remaining deliveries planned through 2027. The carrier expects the planes to enter passenger service in early 2024.
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Good on you for using the proper diacritical markings on the product name!