Flight Review: Hawaiian Airlines Business Class A330 Review | HNL to NRT

Introduction

Hawaiian Airlines offers a unique transpacific business class experience that blends Hawaiian hospitality with international long-haul comfort. The A330 route between Honolulu and Narita represents a critical link between Hawaii and Japan, catering to both leisure and business travelers. With extremely competitive flights from the West Coast to Japan, I opted to go for a less-known flight route of HNL to NRT to fly my family to Japan over the holidays.

Hawaiian Airlines offers a solid business class experience on its Honolulu to Tokyo route. While the seat configuration may not be the most modern and the entertainment system has room for improvement, the airline compensates with exceptional service, outstanding cuisine, and a distinctly Hawaiian approach to air travel. With a redemption rate of 60K AA miles per person, this is still a great way to get to Japan with class.

Seat & Ergonomics

Typically accommodating around 18 business class seats, the business class seating design is designed to maximize space and comfort. The seat itself is a lie-flat model measuring 76 inches in length and approximately 20 inches wide. What makes this configuration interesting is the unique aisle access – even window seats offer a way to move about the cabin without disturbing other passengers. The bulkhead seats, particularly, provide an extra level of privacy with their integrated footrests nestled within the cabin wall.

The seat reclines using a simple dial on the console in the center — you slide it forward to slide back into a bed and slide it back to recline up into a seat. It’s very intuitive. Below that is a small panel with the usual seat bells and whistles — a button to call the flight attendant, a button to turn on the flight, and a USB port. On the front end of the console was a traditional international power port. I will say that Apple’s power bricks tend to fall out of the outlets due to the sheer weight, which may be a problem for those looking to work on the plane.

Amenities

Amenities include a branded amenity kit containing travel essentials and personal care items. Lie-flat bedding is provided to enhance passenger comfort during rest periods. The overall amenity package is designed to support passenger well-being during long-haul travel.

The kit itself was actually really nice and was very useful from an usability perspective - with a magnet latch, it’s nice to store cables or your passport during the trek. Flight attendants came around with various amenities to add to your collection, ranging from socks, lotions, lip balm, sleep masks and more.

Mattress pads, blankets and pillows were provided at your seat, and was very comfortable on the way to Japan. I had no problem relaxing for a bit and found most people fell asleep within a hour into the meal service.

Meal Service

Meal service reflects the route's Pacific characteristics, presenting a menu that incorporates Hawaiian and Japanese culinary influences. Typical offerings include Japanese seafood-based appetizers, protein-focused main courses, and desserts that showcase regional ingredients. The beverage selection includes international wines, sake, cocktails, and non-alcoholic alternatives, catering to varied passenger preferences.

Shortly after boarding, flight attendants came down the aisle with a choice of pre-departure drink — water, a Mai Tai or a passion, orange and guava juice. I selected for a Mai Tai, and POG for my spouse. So far so good! A plate of macadamia nuts and another drink came as the amuse bouche before the starter.

During my flight, the menu featured options like misoyaki salmon and Chicken Cordon Bleu. The presentation and taste were not bad, though when compared to the Japanese or Taiwanese flights, this pales largely. The dessert – a coffee and cream cheesecake – provided a sweet conclusion to the meal.

The Shoyu Chicken wrap before arrival was fantastic, and I wished I had another!

Whatever it was, it was such a delight to be a passenger on this flight. Refills were constant and the entire crew kept watch to see when a glass was running low. Mid-flight, I went to the galley to request a drink and snack, and despite it being the flight attendant’s break, without missing a beat, she assisted with my requests.

Conclusion

For the redemption rate of 52.5K AA miles, this Hawaiian Airlines business class service represents a balanced option for travelers seeking a direct and comprehensive travel experience between Honolulu and Narita. Its strengths lie in consistent service delivery, route-specific amenities, and a design approach that prioritizes individual passenger experience, and for the value, quite worth it.

Pricing for this business class experience typically ranges between $1700-$2400, influenced by seasonal variations and advance booking conditions. Still, with its recent buyout from Alaska Airlines, I can see this route being useful for those with AA or AS miles in the future.