A Brief Alaska Airlines X Hawaiian Airlines Seoul Incheon to Seattle Inaugural Trip Report



Full album for those who want a deep dive into this inaugural flight:
https://photobucket.com/share/e40e5f...d-cf4c2eb041ef

Check-in opens at 5pm at Aisle D. Swissport is their agent at Seoul Incheon.




I got access to ONEWORLD Lounge at Seoul Incheon. I don’t know if all business class passengers were sent there though. It might be limited to ATMOS Platinum and Titanium, and ONEWORLD Emerald members. But the agent made sure that I know that I can bring in one guest. It might also limit to Seattle flights only too, However the ONEWORLD lounge was nothing special and will get crowded, as Cathay Pacific has a daily 8pm flight to Hong Kong too.








Honestly, I was not expecting much but was pleasantly surprised that a ceremony would be held shortly after the inbound flight arrived. They were awaiting the new incoming Hawaiian Airlines CEO, Diana Birkett Rakow, who flew into Incheon on the inaugural Seattle to Incheon flight.







N783HA “Me’e,” a June 2025 delivery, arrived early from Seattle






There was a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony and both the incoming Hawaiian CEO Diana Rakow, and the CEO of Incheon airport, made some brief remarks. Then there was a unique form of ribbon cutting ceremony.







Alaska Airlines even sent a Korean speaking F/A to Incheon for the ceremony. Yes I asked and she told me that she worked for Alaska Airlines, not Hawaiian.



A small gift was handed out during boarding.



A collage of photos showing the cabin and various amenities.









Soju Cocktail









Hawaiian Airlines has definitely learnt from the Narita flights, and the meals, while are still underwhelming, had some improvement. The international/Western set are now served in two courses – an appetizer sized salad with a bite size canapé, along with a freshly warmed bread roll, and the main course looked pretty substantial too. Sadly I could not say the same about the Korean set, which was too small for a premium meal.

Dessert trolley followed and there was a choice of cheese plate and cake. They should serve both.

For mid-flight snacks, they did not have instant noodles on this flight, but two types of sandwiches were served, along with the same packaged snacks featured on the Narita inaugural flights.

Breakfast was served two hours prior to arrival. It was pretty substantial and better than the light meal on my Seattle to Tokyo flight. Honestly Hawaiian Airlines needs to urgently do two things. First, they need to change the menu every three months, and second, they need to substantially improve their meals in both quality and quantity. They did not even match up to Delta and United, as of this point. Both Asiana and Korean Air are miles ahead in both quality and quantity of meals served on the same route.

















Service was good but the crews were obviously adjusting to a different serving style than their typical Hawaii to Japan/Korea flights. I am not sure if I am willing to spend money on these Seattle to North Asia flights. Alaska promises much but simply fails miserably. These Hawaiian Airlines’ international product is designed for leisure routes, not premium routes. Alaska has so much work waiting for them.