Hawaii-based Airlines - Revamped North America Inflight Service

Just got home from LAS on HA 7 today. There were quite a few HA trainers onboard and the reason being was that HA revamped their inflight service for west coast to Hawaii flights effective 8/1.

For the service it looks like the menu has changed somewhat. The free meal on this morning flight was a continental breakfast box. The box contained a pastry sandwich with cream cheese filling, white chocolate chip cookie and a bag of dried fruits. The premium meals also changed to two offerings a kalua pig sandwich option and a teri chicken option. I've never seen these premium options before.

Once meal service was completed and about 1 to 1.5 hours before landing, a complimentary mai tai was offered to all passengers (over age 21 of course).

I was talking to some of the FA's onboard and they seem to like the new service in that it also allows for operational changes to how they perform the service to their guests although i'm not sure what exactly those changes would be. I also noticed that the ground crew (the LAS ones at least) and the FA's really emphasized calling passengers "guests" as well as repeatedly mentioning how HA is still ofering complimentary meal service versus the competition.

One final tidbit about the new service is that as of 8/1, HA no longer provides free blankets and pillows to Y class passengers. Instead, HA has gone the route of jetBlue and offers a "premium" blanket that you can purchase onboard for $8. My seatmate purchased one and it comes delivered in a blue/purple giftbag. I wouldn't call it a premium blanket, but it is noticeably better than the old free ones being used before.

I wouldn't call it a premium blanket, but it is noticeably better than the old free ones being used before.

Whatever it is, it's got to be better than the CO blankets, right?

-David

Thanks for the up date i will be flying out on 8/24. was the pillow the same as the free one.

"Once meal service was completed and about 1 to 1.5 hours before landing, a complimentary mai tai was offered to all passengers (over age 21 of course)"


Now they've uppped their main cabin service to match Alaska! Wow!

"Once meal service was completed and about 1 to 1.5 hours before landing, a complimentary mai tai was offered to all passengers (over age 21 of course)"


Now they've uppped their main cabin service to match Alaska! Wow!

Hmm, it seems that they've downgraded the free meal from a hot wrap to a cold continental breakfast. They've exchanged free pillows/blankets for a Mai Tai. Well, I'm flying HA in a couple of weeks...I'll report back what I find.

As for matching AS, maybe it's a precursor to a merger :D

Hmm, it seems that they've downgraded the free meal from a hot wrap to a cold continental breakfast. They've exchanged free pillows/blankets for a Mai Tai. Well, I'm flying HA in a couple of weeks...I'll report back what I find.

As for matching AS, maybe it's a precursor to a merger :D


Hey, at least HA still gives free meals in Y, while UnderAchiever charges for meals on an 11-hr flight between EWR and HNL.

Looks like food will be served sooner into the flight with a snack and drinks/free cocktail served prior to arrival. Breakfast seems to be a light meal on flights before 10am and then on flights after 10am a full meal (chicken, veg, real silverware etc...) and free wine is served. Red-eyes see the loss of meals, but who really eats at 10pm-1am anyhow? True, pillows and blankets are also gone from all domestic flights accept red-eyes and JFK but there is an upgraded option for purchase if you need a blanket. Other tidbits I noticed... headsets are now free, digiplayers and food can be pre ordered in the departure lounge of which the menu has also changed (kalua pork sandwich, Asian chicken salad, prawns with noodles). In the end I think HA is giving the customers what they really value and raising the bar again in onboard service to Hawaii. Maika'i :)

What I also admire is the products they are selling onboard are from local companies. Case in point, my free mai tai the other day was from Koloa Rum Company here on Kauai.

What I also admire is the products they are selling onboard are from local companies. Case in point, my free mai tai the other day was from Koloa Rum Company here on Kauai.

Ooo that is impressive there ^ Probably a marketing JV I'd bet like QX serving free microbrews and wine from the PNW.

AS serves Trader Vicks out of the big jug one can pick up for $11 or so at the Hawaiian Costco's :p Yes its a nice touch to have a complimentary pre-arrival Mai Tai and glad that HA is picking up on this ^

This is fantastic! A'oia, HA!

I can't help but remember back in the day, when Western Airlines (WA) flew to HNL before being bought out by DL. WA served punch from a bowl shaped like a volcano with ti leaves and orchids on the side on a trolley. :D

Perhaps HA's service is not that exotic but it's great that HA is ramping up their service quality. ^

This is fantastic! A'oia, HA!

I can't help but remember back in the day, when Western Airlines (WA) flew to HNL before being bought out by DL. WA served punch from a bowl shaped like a volcano with ti leaves and orchids on the side on a trolley. :D

Perhaps HA's service is not that exotic but it's great that HA is ramping up their service quality. ^

Ah yes, WESTERN Airlines! Although not related to Hawaii, I remember my parents drinking a lot of free champagne between SEA and LAS.:D

Back to HA's changes, I'm glad they are still serving free meals. If the headsets are free, then that's an extra bonus!

in june the headset were free. they are kinda cheep ones but were free.
i have a trip in aug. on the 24TH will let know when i get back.

The dining page has been updated: http://www.hawaiianair.com/Services/in-flight-dining

Looks like HA is also going back to the full complimentary Y meals with entree, salad and dessert too versus the meal "box" they've been using since introducing the premium meals a few years back that only contained an entree and dessert. ^

Thank goodness, I hated those meal boxes.

The dining page has been updated: http://www.hawaiianair.com/Services/in-flight-dining

Looks like HA is also going back to the full complimentary Y meals with entree, salad and dessert too versus the meal "box" they've been using since introducing the premium meals a few years back that only contained an entree and dessert. ^

Thank goodness, I hated those meal boxes.

Except for BREAKFAST...but, on Breakfast flights, we do get a pre-arrival Mai Tai!

I just got back from a short, 5 day trip from PHX to HNL roundtrip. The outbound service was very much what the OP described: a continental breakfast box followed by a mai tai with potato chips later in the flight. The return service (lunch/dinner) was teriyaki chicken with vegetables and rice, green salad, cake, and a cup of water. There was complimentary wine during the meal, but due to a crappy PA system, I'm not sure that most people heard about the free wine. In addition, overhead IFE was free in both directions.

I appreciate the effort that HA makes on these flights. It is heads and tails above the rest of the airlines flying to Hawaii these days!

Fortunately, the return flight was only about 25 minutes late. I was fully expecting to leave at 10pm, rather than 3pm!! Of course, my checked luggage ended up in SEA, rather than PHX. I really think that the government should dictate a refund of the baggage fee if the baggage doesn't show up on the carousel.

On my recent trip to Maui, on the outbound flight we were offered a full glass of either red or white wine. On the return, we were offered a "sample" of white wine only, just a few sips, really. I also was expecting a complimentary Mai tai, but apparently that is only on the breakfast flights. HA's news release wasn't really clear about that.

On my recent trip to Maui, on the outbound flight we were offered a full glass of either red or white wine. On the return, we were offered a "sample" of white wine only, just a few sips, really. I also was expecting a complimentary Mai tai, but apparently that is only on the breakfast flights. HA's news release wasn't really clear about that.

Yes, the Mai Tai's are only on Breakfast flights.

There must have been a catering issue on your return flight (catering didn't load enough wine). That would be the only reason for "rationing" the wine.

Yesterday was my 2nd trip flying HA (JFK/HNL/LIH) the first time was in the front cabin and yesterday in coach...premium seating bulkhead...extra fee.
We purchased at the gate the upgrade meal service ---prawns and asian chicken. The Asian chicken was really a big serving of lettuce with some chicken pieces and some salad dressing...with a small packaged cookie for dessert.
The regular dinners had a delightful cake for dessert....
Not so sure I would opt for the premium meal service again....

What I did notice on my flights was that the FAs ---- seem to be rookies....
I know they are senior --- but they appear to be rather inexperienced.
The one male FA standing at the front of the cabin during the safety demo
either had his hands in his pockets -- just standing there -- or was doing neck bends --- or flexing his hands --- while the other male FA's pants hadn't been pressed in a long while....and another female FA her pants were so long they were dragging along the floor.
I am a little baffled by the appearance of the crew....especially on such a long haul flight and by an airline that seems to want to be a big player in the long haul business.

just some comments.

in june the headset were free. they are kinda cheep ones but were free.
i have a trip in aug. on the 24TH will let know when i get back.

just got back on 9/5 you still get a blank and pillow on the late flight out of las the one at 1:50 a.m. head set you buy now. i use my bose.
on the flight from hnl at 3:00 p.m. you have to buy the blank for $8.00 if you want one. about the only thing with the free meal over the one before is you get a salad a cup of water and a real fork.

on the flight from hnl at 3:00 p.m. you have to buy the blank for $8.00 if you want one. about the only thing with the free meal over the one before is you get a salad a cup of water and a real fork.

And the free meal is a real meal presented to you on a tray and not in a box like before, right? :p

Ooo that is impressive there ^ Probably a marketing JV I'd bet like QX serving free microbrews and wine from the PNW.

AS serves Trader Vicks out of the big jug one can pick up for $11 or so at the Hawaiian Costco's :p Yes its a nice touch to have a complimentary pre-arrival Mai Tai and glad that HA is picking up on this ^

And I found out that they sell this item at Costco #640 :cool: quite good- now I need to convince AS to cater it ^^

$19.99 for 1.75 Liter bottle plus .06 bev fee and 4.166% tax :D

Whatever it is, it's got to be better than the CO blankets, right?

-David

What CO (UA) blankets?

And the free meal is a real meal presented to you on a tray and not in a box like before, right? :p

When I flew JFK-HNL last week, the first meal (chicken w/rice & veggies, salad, cake, and wine) was served on a tray. The sandwich that was served 2 hours before landing was akin to the ones served on the 2am LAS-HNL flights...still the box kind, FYI.

I will say, though, that the incentive to buy the premium meal seems slightly diminished now that they've upped the free hot meals to include wine (albeit of the $10/bottle variety). To each their own...

When I flew JFK-HNL last week, the first meal (chicken w/rice & veggies, salad, cake, and wine) was served on a tray. The sandwich that was served 2 hours before landing was akin to the ones served on the 2am LAS-HNL flights...still the box kind, FYI.

I will say, though, that the incentive to buy the premium meal seems slightly diminished now that they've upped the free hot meals to include wine (albeit of the $10/bottle variety). To each their own...

HA usually has sandwiches wrapped in plastic and passed out as such so if you got it in a box this time, then they are doing something different, FYI.

Yes, HA has upped their game but that's not to say that they haven't been there once before....

The sandwich that was served 2 hours before landing was akin to the ones served on the 2am LAS-HNL flights...still the box kind, FYI.

Just a note that sandwiches are no longer served in Y on redeye flights. HA now is the only North American airline with complimentary meals in Y at mealtimes (I think they stole the line from CO's old ads) :D

Checked out : http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/inflight_services/economy_class/dining.jsp

And it still mentions :

Economy Class Dining
We’re doing all we can to satisfy your hunger and tantalize your taste buds with premium products like Boar’s Head® meats, healthy snacks and fun family favorites like Peanut M&M’s and Pringles potato chips.
We offer complimentary meal service on most international flights six hours or more, and on select flights to Alaska and Hawaii. Special meals are also available on flights where complimentary meal service is offered.

I would for sure write Delta and complain.

Checked out : http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/inflight_services/economy_class/dining.jsp

And it still mentions :

Economy Class Dining
We’re doing all we can to satisfy your hunger and tantalize your taste buds with premium products like Boar’s Head® meats, healthy snacks and fun family favorites like Peanut M&M’s and Pringles potato chips.
We offer complimentary meal service on most international flights six hours or more, and on select flights to Alaska and Hawaii. Special meals are also available on flights where complimentary meal service is offered.

I would for sure write Delta and complain.

what does this have to do with hawaiian air??

As I'm taking HA from PHX to HNL in a couple of weeks, I'm still trying to figure why they don't offer a hot breakfast/brunch option for purchase. I'm not interested in an Asian Chicken salad on an 8am flight, but I would pay for, say, a cheese omelette with portuguese sausage, rice, and a mac nut muffin.