Hawaii-based Airlines - HA International - Do they compare to some of the international carriers in Asia?

I haven't been on a US based airline to an international destination in a while (2002). How are HA flights internationally? I've only read good things about them. Do they compare to some of the international carriers in Asia?

Thanks

No, they don't compare at all on international flights, because the products are basically the domestic 767 and A330 aircraft with extra catering and free baggage.

They do compare with Asian carriers' low-yield leisure subsidiaries, such as ANA's "Air Japan" which serves HNL.

A good example is to compare the four airlines which serve the SYD-HNL market.

No airline has the lie-flat business class which is standard in other markets. The best is Air New Zealand, whose one-stop service has in-seat AVOD in every class, full included food and beverage service and included luggage. Second best is Qantas, which loses the in-seat IFE. Third best is Hawaiian, which doesn't have the same level of included drinks and food as Qantas, but still has food and luggage included. Distant last is Jetstar, where no food or luggage is included.

So, to sum up, Hawaiian is the best domestic carrier in the USA but its long-haul product is practically the same as its domestic one, and is in the bottom 25% of the international long-haul market. The standards are just much, much higher in long-haul international aviation.

I'd say, HA's product on international flights would also compare to the old LTU, which is now Air Berlin, if you could imagine them flying in the pacific. In fact, some of HA's 767s are former LTU aircraft. DCF's comparison of HA's international product to ANA's Air Japan in low yield leisure markets is a fairly accurate description. If HA were really to get serious in the Asia market, they should get larger aircraft and lie-flat seats, to make them really competitive with the larger Asian carriers.

OTOH, at least for the HNL-HND route, HA's FC meal service is upgraded and other extra amenities are given as part of the service as I understand it. Also, HA's IFE on their A330s are in seat AVOD, with state of the art systems. If their 330s enter the South Pacific market, they would at least be on par with NZ regarding in seat AVOD.

I concur with DCF that standards for long-haul international airline travel are much higher than US domestic offerings. There is something interesting going on however, on the HNL-NRT and HNL-HND markets. The Japanese carriers have downgraded all of their aircraft on these routes to 767s. HA's 767s might now compare reasonably with carriers such as NH/NK and JL. Later this year, HA may offer a slight advantage, when their 330s go into service to HND.

Thank you for the responses. I guess now I can go not expecting a lot from HA. It's just that I've read many wonderful things about HA. I kind of want to know how their service is with international destinations.

-Thanks

Please don't be too disappointed with HA. Their service is really good. Compared to other international carriers however, it's not 5-star service as defined by Skytrax or some industry rating like that. Depending on the international route, HA might be just as good if not better than some of their competitors. :)

FlyJob, isn't this whole conversation around the fact that HA is much cheaper than the other airlines at the time you want to fly? Just look at it this way -- you might have to re-invest a small part of the savings on a digiplayer and an upgraded meal on the HNL-mainland US portion of the flight. Other than that, I think you'll find the service to be decent and reasonably comfortable.

Will the meals be gourmet feasts? NO. Is the IFE the latest technology? NO. However, you will get friendly service to/from your destination at a relatively low fare.^

I am looking forward to HA and officially visiting Hawaii for the first time. I only added the 'Asian airline' part because the KE fare is only $50 more without the Hawaii stop. Well the baggage fee HA charges offsets the $50 so I hope to have fun in Hawaii. :D