Topic of the Week: Hawaiian Airlines Steps Up Its Hawaiian-ness

I hope it’s an improvement. I flew Hawaiian’s west coast service a few months back after flying United to the islands the last few years due to price, and the product has gone downhill. The complimentary hot meal isn’t what it used to be, just entree and dessert, no salad or roll. The food itself was kinda strange, the chef they have now is well known with his own restaurant at Aloha Tower, but my family hasn’t been impressed with his restaurant either. Their previous chef (going back to the DC-10 days) was less of a local celebrity, but does have her own restaurants on Maui and the overall food was better.

The other major change I don’t get is the crew uniforms. They’re blue and white with tropical patterns. But I never associated the color blue with Hawaiian, they’re purples and oranges. When I see their blue uniforms, I don’t think Hawaiian, I think Air Tahiti Nui.

Their entertainment policy is dated too. I haven’t been on the A330 yet (which my dad tells me has less comfortable seats than the 767), but on the 767 with just overhead movie screens, they still change $5 to watch, whether you’re renting their headsets or using your own.

OK… But give it a gringo name

Hawaiian Airlines is my and my wife’s favorite airlines, as we have found their selection of planes (with two-on-a-side seating plus middle section), congeniality and thoughtfulness of attendants, and the availability of flights from three SF Bay Area airports the most appreciated aspects. The fact that they waved change fees when a last-minute surgery prevented me from flying is another reason.

Hawaiian has had slow but well planned and steady growth. It is unlike other U.S. based airlines. And they have more plans in the years ahead