Hawaiian Airlines launches 'Extra Comfort' premium economy seats
By David Flynn, February 3 2014
Hawaiian Airlines' new premium economy seating is now on sale for US and international flights from August 1st, 2014.
However, this is more of an 'economy plus' cabin than 'premium economy' as we know it from the likes of Qantas, Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand.
The 'Extra Comfort' cabin uses the airline's standard economy seats but spaces them further apart so there's more legroom, with a 36 inch pitch compared to 31-32 inches in economy.
Each of Hawaiian's Airbus A330s will contain 40 Extra Comfort seats, with the main economy cabin reduced to 236 seats while the headcount in business remains at 18 seats.
Other perks in the Extra Comfort package include an AC power jack for each seat, priority boarding, free on-demand in-seat entertainment and on international routes, premium meals and a 'souvenir pillow and blanket set'.
(However, Hawaiian advises that the power outlets "are being installed in phases and by rows, and may not be available on all Extra Comfort seats by August 2014.")
So how much extra does all this Extra Comfort cost?
For a flight from Sydney or Auckland to Honolulu you'll be up for an extra US$100 each way.
Onwards legs from Honolulu to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle will cost an additional US$60, or US$100 if you're headed all the way to New York.
Those rates aren't much different from what Hawaiian used to charge for economy seats in the bulkhead row, but of course you get a lot more for your money than just the extra legroom.
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1560
Seems to be an excellent value for money - I definitely would pay.
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
Same here.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 780
That would be $100 very well spent. Kudos to HA.
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
29 Jan 2011
Total posts 157
A great step forward, well done HA.
Business class on HA is certainly not worth the money but with the addition of "economy comfort", it will be well worth the extra $100.
I just booked my wife on a return flight to HNL in September and purchased an "economy comfort" seat for the night-time SYD-HNL sector. I would have booked the same for the return but she's travellign back on with my daughter who is on an award ticket. Anyway the HNL-SYD flight is a daytime flight which isn't so bad.
I suspect you won't be able to redeem an award ticket in "economy comfort" using VA points or pay for the upgrade on award ticket but it would be nice to find out.
04 Feb 2014
Total posts 1
It doesn't appear Hawaiian is going to offer "premium meals" in Extra Comfort any longer. Their website once listed "premium meals on international flights" it now says "complimentary meals and snacks." The answers to my inquires on why the change only refer me back to their website.
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