Hawaiian Airlines Flight Review
I am a devoted fan of Hawaiian Airlines – all the way!
To give you some context, over the past 13 years of traveling between Australia and Hawaii, I’ve flown with Hawaiian Airlines for almost every flight, except for just three.
That’s roughly 50 international flights with Hawaiian Airlines! My latest journey was this past January.
In 2009, I began working for Hawaii Tourism at their Sydney office. Since our head office was based in Honolulu, I found myself traveling frequently.
Then in 2015, I relocated to Honolulu! Since that time, I’ve been visiting my family in Sydney multiple times each year (excluding the pandemic).
This tally doesn’t even account for all the inter-island Hawaiian Airlines flights or trips to the U.S. mainland that I’ve taken.
The bottom line is that Hawaiian Airlines is my preferred airline for travel to Hawaii, and I’m here to share why it should be yours as well 🙂
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES AT A GLANCE:
- Hawaii’s largest and longest-serving airline, with 93 years and counting!
- With an exceptional safety record, Hawaiian Airlines ranks among the safest airlines globally.
- For the 18th consecutive year, it ranks #1 among all U.S. carriers for on-time performance.
- Operates Airbus A321NEO and Airbus A330 aircraft, plus Boeing 717 for inter-island flights.
- Facilitates air travel between the four major Hawaiian Islands.
- Connects Hawaii with 16 cities in the U.S. and 10 destinations in Asia and the Pacific.
Hawaiian Airlines offers non-stop flights from Sydney to Honolulu five times a week, with a flight duration of approximately 10 hours.
If you’re considering flying Hawaiian from Australia to Hawaii, here’s what you’ll love about them!
10 REASONS TO FLY HAWAIIAN AIRLINES:
- An Authentic Hawaiian Experience
- Friendly Local Staff
- Generous Baggage Allowance
- A Taste of Hawaii
- Free Entertainment
- Fantastic Network
- The Flight Schedule
- Extra Comfort Seating
- Business Class
- Hawaiian Miles Program
1. An Authentic Hawaiian Experience
As the state carrier of Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines offers a unique Hawaiian experience starting the moment you board. Every part of the flight reflects Hawaiian culture, from the airline’s name—often inspired by a native bird, plant, or constellation—to the Hawaiian music that fills the cabin, and the crew’s traditional ‘aloha wear’ uniforms. Their in-flight safety video is filmed in the Hawaiian Islands and incorporates the Hawaiian language, and they also include a Travel Pono video that encourages travelers to explore Hawaii responsibly and help preserve its natural resources, culture, and communities.
2. Friendly Local Staff
Hawaiian Airlines is one of the largest employers in the state, boasting a workforce of over 7,000 employees. Many team members were born and raised in Hawaii and come from diverse backgrounds that reflect the multicultural essence of the islands. The staff is known for their warm and welcoming nature, famous for their ‘hookipa’ (Hawaiian hospitality). From my experience, the crew members embody the true ‘spirit of aloha’ and offer outstanding care to passengers.
3. Generous Baggage Allowance
Hawaiian Airlines distinguishes itself with a highly generous baggage allowance on flights between Australia (and New Zealand). All passengers, whether traveling in Economy, Extra Comfort, or Business Class, are allowed two (2) pieces of checked baggage weighing up to 32kg (70lb) each. Additionally, each passenger may carry one (1) piece of carry-on luggage weighing up to 11.5kg (25lb). Moreover, you can also check a surfboard or similar item (packed in a padded board bag) as one of your two complimentary checked bags.
TIP: If you plan to shop in Hawaii (and who doesn’t?), flying Hawaiian Airlines offers a total baggage allowance of 75.5kg (166.5lb). You can transport your purchases home without the worry of paying extra baggage fees!
4. A Taste of Hawaii
Hawaiian Airlines offers an outstanding in-flight dining experience on all transpacific routes. They collaborate with some of Hawaii’s top chefs to craft meals that reflect the islands’ rich culinary scene, currently featuring creations from Wade Ueoka and Michelle Karr-Ueoka of Honolulu’s MW Restaurant. Expect two light meals with complimentary beer (try the Maui Bikini Blonde) and wine in the Main Cabin, and a three-course meal plus extra snacks and beverages in the Premium Cabin.
Click here for the latest menus for Australia-Hawaii flights.
TIP: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and child meals are available on most international routes upon request at least 48 hours before departure. To pre-order a special meal, contact Hawaiian Airlines’ reservations department or your travel agent.
5. Free Entertainment
Hawaiian Airlines provides in-flight entertainment through seat-back screens in the Main Cabin and large-format tablets in the Premium Cabin, along with a USB port for charging devices on Australia-Hawaii flights. Passengers can enjoy new release films, selected movies, TV episodes, and games. There’s even a local Hawaii channel featuring exclusive programming. About 30 minutes before landing, keep an eye out for a slideshow with interesting facts about Hawaii!
TIP: Don’t forget to give Hana Hou, Hawaiian Airlines’ exclusive in-flight magazine, a good read!
6. Fantastic Network
Hawaiian Airlines connects Hawaii with the world! They dominate the local market, operating over 115 daily flights between the main Hawaiian Islands: Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, and Kauai. Non-stop service to 16 cities across the U.S. contiguous states includes Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. They also provide non-stop flights to 10 destinations in Asia and the Pacific, including American Samoa, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Tahiti.
TIP #1: When planning to visit more than one Hawaiian Island, always book your inter-island flights together with your international flight. When all flight segments are on a single ticket, the international baggage allowance applies to all legs, including inter-island flights. You can select the ‘Multi-City’ option online and add each one-way trip as needed.
TIP #2: Australians can travel from Sydney to the U.S. mainland with a stop in Honolulu. Hawaiian Airlines offers one of the quickest routes for Sydney to New York via Honolulu. Be sure to use the ‘Multi-City’ option and add each leg of your journey!
7. The Flight Schedule
Hawaiian Airlines’ Sydney (Australia) to Honolulu (Hawaii) route operates five times weekly. Flights depart from Sydney every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. From Honolulu, flights are available every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
SYDNEY-HONOLULU:
This is a late-night flight from Sydney, departing at 9:40 PM and arriving in Honolulu ‘the same day’ at 11:30 AM. This schedule offers several advantages:
- People near Sydney can go to work on the day of departure, thus not losing a day for travel.
- If you live farther away, you have the whole day to reach Sydney.
- Leaving in the evening and arriving in the morning allows you to sleep overnight, leading to an easier time adjusting to the time change – no jet lag!
- Since Hawaii is a day behind, you effectively experience the same date twice! For instance, if you celebrate your birthday in Australia, then catch the Hawaiian Airlines flight to Hawaii, you can celebrate it again in Hawaii. Wouldn’t that be a double birthday celebration?
HONOLULU-SYDNEY:
This route offers a day flight from Honolulu, departing at 12:55 PM and landing in Sydney at 7:45 PM the following day.
- You can savor a relaxed last morning in Hawaii without the rush to catch an early flight.
- Departing in the morning and arriving in the evening allows you to stay awake for an easier transition – goodbye, jet lag!
- If you live further out and need to travel from Sydney back to your can home, you might need to stay the night in Sydney first. I’ve used Rydges Sydney Airport multiple times; it’s conveniently situated just a short walk from the airport.
TIP: For those who work a Monday to Friday job near Sydney, consider scheduling your trip to depart Sydney on a Friday night and return from Honolulu the following Saturday. This provides you with an 8-night vacation with only 5 workdays off!
8. Extra Comfort Seating
Hawaiian Airlines operates the spacious Airbus A330 for the Australia-Hawaii route. You can choose from three seating options: Economy, Extra Comfort in the Main Cabin, and Business Class in the Premium Cabin. The Extra Comfort category has become extremely popular, with 68 seats now available. This adds to the 192 Economy seats and 18 Business Class seats.
If you want to enhance your international flight with Hawaiian Airlines, consider upgrading to Extra Comfort!
HIGHLIGHTS OF EXTRA COMFORT SEATING:
- Approximately 13 cm (5 inches) of extra legroom!
- Priority boarding at the gate.
- A personal power outlet.
- An upgraded amenity kit (details below).
- Seat-back entertainment screen, blanket, and meal service (same as in Economy).
9. Business Class
As noted before, Hawaiian Airlines operates the wide-body Airbus A330 on the Australia-Hawaii route. The aircraft offers three types of seating: Economy and Extra Comfort in the Main Cabin, as well as Business Class in the Premium Cabin. There are 18 lie-flat Business Class seats arranged in double pods. This configuration complements the 192 Economy and 68 Extra Comfort seats.
If you desire an unforgettable experience on your international flight with Hawaiian Airlines, consider booking Business Class!
HIGHLIGHTS OF BUSINESS CLASS:
- Luxurious 180° lie-flat seats!
- Two USB ports and full AC power for each seat.
- Privacy screen for a more personal space.
- State-of-the-art in-flight entertainment systems using large-format tablets.
- A three-course meal, along with a second meal and snacks with beverages (hello, Mai Tai).
- Exclusive amenities featuring Hawaii-inspired products.
- Access to both The House operated by Swissport International at Sydney Airport and The Plumeria Lounge operated by Hawaiian Airlines at Honolulu Airport.
TIP: Passengers can bid to potentially upgrade to Business Class! Find out if your reservation qualifies for Hawaiian Airlines’ Bid Up program.
10. Hawaiian Miles Program
Hawaiian Miles is the official frequent flyer program of Hawaiian Airlines. The miles you accumulate (a.k.a. points) never expire, so I strongly advise every Australian traveling with Hawaiian to join this program.
Based on my estimates, a round-trip flight from Sydney to Honolulu can earn you 10,120 Hawaiian Miles. A one-way flight to the neighboring islands starts at 7,500 miles, meaning you’ll qualify for a free inter-island flight on your next trip to Hawaii!
BENEFITS OF HAWAIIAN MILES:
- Excellent perks and completely free to enroll!
- Earn miles based on the distance you travel, not the fare you paid.
- Book award flights without the worry of expiration and no blackout dates.
- Collect miles for everyday purchases.
TIP: Once you’ve signed up for the Hawaiian Miles program, make sure to log into your account while searching for flights. Also, remember to apply your Hawaiian Miles number during the booking process. If you forget, don’t worry; there’s a grace period to add it later.
EXTRA PERKS OF FLYING WITH HAWAIIAN:
FOR HAWAII COVID-19 TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
CHECK YOUR TRAVEL DATES ON HAWAIIAN AIRLINES:
BACK TO TOP
Disclosure: The Hawaii Admirer has flown with Hawaiian Airlines on the Australia-Hawaii route over 50 times since 2009. These flights were for a mix of business and leisure and were supported by Hawaii Tourism (my previous employer), Hawaiian Airlines, or personally funded. The Hawaii Admirer may earn a commission for bookings made through the affiliate links on this page. All opinions shared in this article are my honest thoughts.
