Fliers taking to Hawai‘i skies will soon notice some changes to the Hawaiian Airlines experience.
Parent company Alaska Air Group on Tuesday unveiled plans to invest in the premium travel experience for both the Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines brands.
For Hawaiian, that means new interiors for its A330 widebody aircraft, a fleet of 24 that serves destinations in Asia, Oceania and select North America routes, an announcement from the airline noted. That work begins in 2028 and includes 22 Leihōkū Suites for travelers on international business class and domestic first-class flights, the announcement says.
The updates are part of Hawaiian’s $600 million Kahu’ewai Hawai’i Investment Plan, which was announced in January.
That plan includes a number of items including the “tip-to-tail refurbishment” of the airline’s A330 fleet, a new lounge in Honolulu and updated gate spaces at the airports Hawaiian serves across the Islands, Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow told Aloha State Daily.
The refurbishment of the A330s is “an interior refresh, tip to tail,” she says. “So Main Cabin all the way through the front of the airplane – new seats, new finishes, new everything. The strategy there is those are great airplanes, but the interiors are a little bit tired and this is the kind of investment that we’re able to make now that we’re a combined airline with some more resources for investments like this.”
Alaska Air Group Inc. and Hawaiian Holdings Inc. announced in December 2023 that Alaska Airlines would acquire Hawaiian Airlines in a deal that was valued at approximately $1.9 billion, including $900 million of Hawaiian’s net debt, according to an announcement at that time. The acquisition was completed in September 2024.
As part of broader investments in core guest experiences, Alaska Air Group also will introduce premium reserve, a new premium economy cabin that debuts in 2028 on Alaska's 787-9, 787-10 and select 737-10 MAX aircraft, and on Hawaiian’s A330 fleet, “providing guests with more room, comfort and choice on longer flights,” the announcement notes.
These seats will be available for purchase next summer and will roll out in 2028 on both Alaska and Hawaiian fleets.
According to the airline, there will be 28 premium reserve seats on the A330 aircraft offering more space, enhanced recline and a leg and calf rest, among other features.
The addition means there will be four cabin options for fliers: Leihōkū Suites on Hawaiian flights or Aurora Suites on Alaska flights, premium reserve, premium class and the main cabin.
More about the Leihōkū
According to the announcement, Leihōkū, which means “lei of stars,” is inspired by early Polynesian navigation and wayfinding.
Leihōkū Suites guests will have access to an exclusive check-in and concierge service in Honolulu and Seattle; direct aisle access, lie-flat seating and privacy doors; a 19-inch 4K entertainment screen, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless and USB-C charging, and AC power; curated dining by local chefs with wine pairings; hotel-quality bedding-and enhanced onboard amenities; and Starlink Wi-Fi for Atmos Rewards members.
Hawaiian Airlines Executive Chef Dell Valdez will continue to shape menus for Hawaiian’s Leihōkū Suites and first-class cabins, the announcement notes.
(ICYMI: The airline also did away with complimentary meals in the main cabin of most domestic flights this summer, launching a pre-order dining program on most flights between the Islands and the Mainland with a menu curated by Maui-based chef Sheldon Simeon).
And at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, a new 13,000-square-foot Hawaiian Airlines lounge is set to open at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1, offering seating to 200 guests; locally inspired food and drinks, including a signature local coffee experience and full-service bar; private workspaces; and art and installations by local artists, the announcement notes.
The lounge is expected to open in early 2028.
But why is it important for Hawaiian to make these investments in the travel experience, especially on the heels of the airlines’ combination?
“We know that guests love Hawaiian Airlines,” Birkett Rakow told ASD. “We’ve been able to expand reach. We’ve been able to deepen loyalty and expand the value of the loyalty program, and this is really the logical additional component, which is making sure that the guest experience is as remarkable as it should be. The onboard product and the airports are, in many cases, a guest’s first impression of Hawai’i, either on board the aircraft or getting off, or the first chance to welcome kamaʻāina home, and our crews do a phenomenal job of taking care of our guests and really bringing the brand to life. We want to provide them an environment that matches the quality of their service.”
Atmos Rewards
Atmos Rewards, the joint loyalty program for both Hawaiian and Alaska airlines, is also set to expand. Here’s are some of the changes you should know about:
Beginning Oct. 1, Atmos Rewards members can choose how to earn points and status points on flights that depart on or after Jan. 1, 2027: by distance traveled, paid price or segments flown, a second announcement from the airlines noted.
Current members who don’t make a selection will continue earning based on the distance traveled, while new members who join on or after Jan. 1 will default to earning based on price paid, the announcement says. You can change your earning choice once per calendar year.
Also on Oct. 1, Atmos Rewards will expand from two resident-focused communities – Club 49 and Huakaʻi by Hawaiian – to six that offer options related to international travel, family travel, outdoor adventure and culinary experiences, according to the announcement.
Those six Communities – Global Locals, Families on the Go, Culinary Journeys, Active Escapes, Club 49 and Huakaʻi by Hawaiian – “connect members to relevant offers and benefits based on how they travel, where they live and what they enjoy,” the announcement says, noting that benefits will range from free bags, exclusive flight deals, bonus-point challenges, partner offers and 20% off select Atmos Rewards Unlocked experiences to other perks and expanded resident benefits for Club 49 and Huakaʻi by Hawaiian.
A new Atmos Rewards debit card is set to debut in early 2027 and will offer another way to earn Atmos Rewards points and status points along with other benefits, including a choice of card designs, flight and onboard purchase discounts, free points sharing, no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to pay some account fees with points, the announcement noted. Pre-register here.
Beginning Nov. 2, Platinum and Titanium Atmos Rewards members will be able to bring eligible children and one companion into Premium Class on a complimentary basis when space is available.
Next Year, customers with eligible Bank of America card products also will be able to transfer points into Atmos Rewards, the announcement says. The airline also plans to refresh its Atmos Rewards Visa Business Card, issued by Bank of America, later this year.
Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
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