Explainer: how to get the best seat on a plane
Ever spent 15 hours stuck in the middle seat in economy class? Then this guide's for you.
It's now possible for Australians taking the 10-hour flight to Hawaii to relax in a flat-bed seat.
Hawaiian Airlines this week launched its new premium seats, which convert to flat beds, on the Sydney to Honolulu route.
The revamped decor, amenities and service is impressive. But more remarkable is that, in an age when airlines cram more and more seats on to each aircraft, Hawaiian Airlines has reduced the total number of seats on its A330-200 aircraft to provide more comfort.
In addition to the 18 premium cabin (business) seats, Hawaiian has also added 28 additional "Extra Comfort" seats in response to growing demand for its premium economy service. Extra Comfort features 36 inches (91 centimetres) of seat pitch, priority boarding, on-demand in-seat entertainment and a personal power outlet. Overall, the changes reduce the total number of passengers on the aircraft from 294 to 278.
See: Airline review: Hawaiian Airlines Economy Extra Comfort
"We are thrilled to introduce our international guests to our lie-flat seats – the centrepiece of a Premium Cabin thoughtfully crafted to bring onboard all of the sights, sounds and tastes of Hawaii," said Avi Mannis, Hawaiian's senior vice-president for marketing.
That experience begins with access to the Qantas Business Lounge then Mai Tais waiting when you board, subtle lehua flower patterns in the wall design and bright hibiscus-pink blankets. The entertainment system is a large, high-resolution iPad that fits on a clever pop-up rod for each seat and comes with more than 100 hours of movies and TV shows to watch. There are attractive pull-up dividers between each seat that are made from translucent resin with reeds inside. The food and wine selection is good and meals are served on custom-designed dinnerware.
When it soon comes to bed time on the evening flight from Sydney, the leather lie-flat bed is covered with a mattress pad and you have a near-full-sized pillow. Your bed is 20.5 inches (52cm) wide and 76 inches (193cm) long so there's plenty of room. The cabin features a 2-2-2 seat layout.
About the time the first volcanoes of the Hawaiian Island come into view, breakfast is served. My omelette was tasty and not airline-dry and, of course, one of the drinks on offer was POG, the popular Hawaiian combination of passionfruit, orange and guava juice.
Overall, it makes sense that Hawaiian Airlines calls its highest service Premium rather than Business because many of its passengers are flying on holiday, not for work. Whether your destination is Hawaii or you're flying on to the mainland, Hawaiian's upgraded Premium Cabin is a welcome new offering for the Australian market.
Hawaii has become a huge destination for Australians in recent years, with more than 180,000 Aussies visiting in the last 12 months to July. Australians now constitute the third largest number of international visitors to the islands, behind Japan and Canada.
The writer travelled as a guest of Hawaiian Airlines.
See also: The best places to shop in Hawaii
See also: The top five things to do at Hawaii's most famous beach
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