Hawaiian Air First Class Comparison: Airbus A330 vs. A321

A comparison between the first-class service on Hawaiian Air's Airbus A330 and A321. Flights from LAX to Honolulu and Kona Airport to LAX.

[@Lifeinthe808]

I can't believe they charged you for the gluten free snacks in First Class. Crazy! Great video, btw.

[@MetalTeamster]

The best steward in the world is Lance , Hawaiian Airlines employee since 1986. He is the titanium standard for customer service, professionalism

[@kikopoo1]

Hi Richard, I done this same flight November 2022 with the same menu from LAX flight 9. I was disappointed with Hawaiian service cuts and the high ticket price they charge me. I flew HA many times to visit my brother. I found that United and Delta have a better menu compare to Hawaiian. I wish Hawaiian improve their service like it used to be. Hopefully when they get their new 787's it would change.

[@richarddargan]

How are the prices for United and Delta on that route?

[@jamesmoninger1982]

I used to enjoy the meal service in HA first class, but find it difficult to excuse the entire meal being served on a single tray. I didn't whine about this during COVID, but it's 2024 now.

[@Ken_Weber_organist]

Been on HA-9 many times, OUTSTANDING service, A-330 1st class seats can make a BED, window side has 3 1/2 windows. Best seat is 3J (3rd and aft most row on starboard side). There is a bulkhead right behind this seat giving the passenger even more privacy. Hawaiian Airlines won't tell you this, but with seat 3J, there is room behind and to the right of the seat to secure a personal item or small carry-on bag.

[@Ken_Weber_organist]

o, the mai tais, man do they pile on the drinks!!! I had SIX of them on my last flight!!!

[@richarddargan]

Thanks for the info!

[@Ken_Weber_organist]

@@richarddargan the only thing I don't like about first class is they are the most forward seats on the plane. As the plane is taxiing to the runway, I like to look out the window at the BACK of the wings to ensure the cockpit crew extend the flaps for take-off in the correct configuration. There have been crashes on take-off because pilots did not extend the flaps to gain lift.

[@richarddargan]

@@Ken_Weber_organist I wonder if a passenger has ever spotted that before a takeoff and alerted the crew.

[@man0fsteal]

@@richarddargan I'd bet more people get struck by lightening while being bitten by a shark simultaneously than prevent a crash due to an observant passenger LOL! Back to your video...Great rundown. I wish you'd have shown how much the 321 seat reclines (HA states it's a premium recliner - is that much different from the regular non-lay flat 1st class planes?). I'll probably stick with the A330 first class as we loved the lie flat seats earlier this year to HNL and your commentary on feeling "the weight of the world on your backside" is all to relatable. Heading to OGG next year. For those booking with Miles, the Sunday outbound flights are 1/2 the price (using Hawaiian miles) vs any other day of the week. At least in July (40K miles one way vs 80K)

[@75ally]

Thank you so much for this video! I was looking for something exactly like this. My sister and I just got back from a trip to Maui out of Portland. We were on the A321. Although it was good, I had hoped for a little more in the luxe feeling of being in the first class area and by the end of the flight, we were feeling the pain of being in pretty much one position the whole time. Everything you said was accurate and you explain everything clearly. I am planning a trip to Honolulu in two summers and I'm excited to be on the A330. Getting to lie down will be a plus.

[@richarddargan]

Thanks for the kind words. Hope you have a great trip to Honolulu. The A330 makes it so much more enjoyable.

[@Ken_Weber_organist]

taste buds are somewhat retarted at 40k ft, but that is with any airline, so to compensate, they tend to salt more