Hawaiian Airlines A330-200 First Class Review [LAS to HNL]

Airline: Hawaiian Airlines
Aircraft: Airbus A330-200
Flight #: HA5
Route: Las Vegas (LAS) to Honolulu (HNL)
Date: January 5, 2023
Duration: 6hr 30min
Cabin and Layout: First class, 18 seats, 2-2-2 configuration
Seat: 2H, 2J, 3H, 3J
Miles Used: 40,000 HawaiianMiles per seat transferred from American Express
Total Paid Including Taxes and Fees: 160,000 miles + $22.40 (not including $96 Amex excise tax offset fee)
Typical First Class Cost: $2,500 (round-trip)

Flying the Family From Las Vegas to Honolulu

After spending 5 nights in Las Vegas, including New Year’s Eve, with my wife and 2 kids, it was time for us to move on to the next part of our vacation — Hawaii!

Our dates were pretty flexible, but flying nonstop from Vegas to Honolulu was a priority, and having lie-flat seats was just as important.

My wife has multiple sclerosis, so better flights are not only more comfortable for her (and us), but can also help prevent any stress-triggered flare-ups. Removing connections and the potential battle for overhead bin space with 2 young kids in tow can go a long way.

After a quick search, it turns out that Hawaiian Airlines is the only airline with nonstop flights from LAS to HNL with lie-flat seats, which made the selection process easier.

Booking Our Flight

It was time to get to work once it was settled that Hawaiian Airlines would be our best option.

Cash prices were higher than normal, showing $1,857 for a one-way ticket for the date we booked. That was not an option for us as a family of 4.

Instead, I started searching HawaiianAirlines.com award availability for the week we wanted to travel. For most dates, it was 80,000 HawaiianMiles per person. However, on January 5, there was a flight for only 40,000 miles each from LAS to HNL.

I always say that flexibility is key when booking award travel, and this was a great example. Although it wasn’t the first date we wanted, we were happy enough to extend our time in Las Vegas to save 50% of the miles.

I didn’t have 160,000 HawaiianMiles in my account, so I logged into American Express and transferred them over, then booked our flights.

Unfortunately, there was no transfer bonus then, which would have further reduced the cost, but I was still quite happy with the redemption.

Hot Tip:

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Which Credit Card To Use

To pay for the $22.40 in taxes, I used my Citi Prestige^® Card (no longer open to new applicants) because it had a Citi Merchant Offer for Hawaiian Airlines on it.

I knew that I would be making other flight purchases with Hawaiian Airlines, so even though it didn’t trigger the offer right away, I was working towards the $200 total spend.

Plus, the Citi Prestige card earns 5x points on travel, so about 110 ThankYou Points towards future travel. Better than nothing, I suppose.

Total Paid

All said and done, I paid $118.40 plus 160,000 miles to fly my family of 4 from Las Vegas to Hawaii in lie-flat first-class seats.

There was a $96 airline tax offset fee that American Express charged to transfer the miles, but besides that, I was very happy with the overall price.

Before the Flight

My only real concern before the flight was selecting the best seats.

Since the cabin is set up in a 2-2-2 configuration, there wasn’t much to debate. My wife and I each sat with a kid, which worked out quite well for us.

Also, there were no COVID-19 requirements or restrictions like in 2022, so that made things easier.

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

If you have been to Las Vegas before, you know how deceiving the airport experience can be.

It feels so close to The Strip, yet it can be difficult to get to and from public transportation. So you are left with taxis, Ubers, or in our case, a limousine!

Riding in a limo was on our to-do list as part of my guide to the best things to do in Las Vegas with kids, and it did not disappoint.

We paid about $200 round-trip, which is a little more than double what you could expect to pay for an Uber XL, but it was worth it. It removed the stress of trying to grab a cab on New Year’s Eve (when we arrived in Vegas), it came with Champagne, and the kids loved it!

Plus, on our way back to the airport, our driver stopped at the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign,” which was also on our list.

The Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is a pretty entertaining airport, to say the least.

There are plenty of shops, slot machines, tarmac views, and spots for people-watching for those who arrive early.

And, of course, there are also some pretty good lounges at Las Vegas airport.

Check-in

The check-in process was pretty easy and straightforward.

The signage for Hawaiian Airlines was clear, and we found our way to the queue for first class and Premier members.

After a short wait, we were greeted by the very friendly Hawaiian Airlines staff, who quickly tagged our bags, printed our boarding passes, and sent us on our way.

Passing Through the Airport

If you aren’t pressed for time, Harry Reid International Airport is a fun airport to depart from.

After check-in, we passed through security and hopped on a train to our gate.

Each gate area has plenty of entertainment, including slot machines, shops, dining options, and lounges.

After doing some window shopping, it was almost boarding time, so we ducked into the lounge closest to our gate.

The Club LAS

We visited The Club LAS in Terminal 1 (near gate D33), a Priority Pass lounge.

After a quick scan of the QR code on the Priority Pass mobile app, we were let into the relatively empty lounge.

It was not luxurious, but it was a solid spot to sit down, charge up, and grab some snacks.

Plus, it had some nice views of the apron and aircraft.

The Club LAS has free snacks, Wi-Fi, and showers and is open daily from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Boarding

Boarding was relatively quick and organized. Since we spent a bit too much time in the lounge, the boarding process had already started.

As we were group 1, we just boarded as soon we arrived at the gate. It was nice not to worry about fighting for overhead bin space.

Hawaiian Airlines A330-200 First Class

After spending a great 5 days in Las Vegas, heading to Hawaii was far from a disappointment. Flying there in first class only made it that much sweeter.

Hawaiian First Class Seat

The Hawaiian Airlines first class layout might not be ideal for some travelers because it is set up in a 2-2-2 configuration. Still, for us (and I would guess many other couples and families traveling to Hawaii), it was perfect.

The layout meant that my wife and I could sit next to a child without crossing an aisle or leaning over a partition to assist with anything. But there was a small divider that raised and lowered if needed.

The seats themselves were OK. Comfortable, but they were starting to show their age.

And despite the seats being able to lie flat, the footest was fixed, so you could only really use it if you were lying completely flat.

The cushions were quite thin, so I could see them getting tiring on a longer flight without a mattress pad.

And there are no individual air vents for those who get hot on flights as I do.

To top it off, the seats were a bit dirty. As I was cleaning off the crumbs from my seat, my son started playing with a used ear plug that he found on his seat — gross. Hawaiian Airlines could do better in that department, to say the least.

But, the seats did lie flat, which was the most important part!

However, all of those critiques were quickly forgotten thanks to the great crew, food, and overall experience on the rest of the flight.

First Class Amenities

Hawaiian Airlines isn’t known for its extensive amenities, but its service and general aloha spirit can make up for some of the difference.

When we arrived at our seats, a blanket and pillow were waiting for us, but no amenity kit.

Shortly after we boarded, we were offered some delicious pre-departure beverages (PDBs).

My daughter happily accepted the famous POG juice, including passionfruit, orange, and guava juice. I opted for a classic mai tai.

We were then presented with a printed menu for dinner choices.

Food and Beverage

While enjoying my PDB, I reviewed the food menu, which was pretty solid for a 6-hour flight.

After the beverage service, which included delicious Mauna Loa macadamia nuts, the food options included:

First Course

• Warm roll with butter
• Tomato, cucumber, and olive salad with macadamia nut basil pesto and balsamic vinaigrette

Main Course

• Garlic roast pork with mushroom gravy, roasted vegetables, and potato gratin
• Roasted shiitake mushroom and vegetable fried rice with fried shallots

Dessert Course

• Coffee crunch cake by Executive Chef Michelle Karr-Ueoka
• Coffee, tea, and liqueurs

My daughter ordered the roast pork, which was a bit tough to cut but flavorful enough for her to eat.

I went with the mushroom and vegetable fried rice, which was quite good.

Entertainment

One of the biggest complaints about Hawaiian Airlines’ first class is the weak (or even lack of) inflight entertainment (IFE).

The seatbacks do not have built-it units, so iPads with access to movies and TV shows are handed out to passengers after boarding.

While certainly not ideal, there was at least an entertainment option, unlike some competitors such as American Airlines, which have removed IFE altogether if you can’t stream to your own device.

But with cheap headphones and wobbly support for the tablet, the experience wasn’t great.

Plus, this aircraft didn’t have Wi-Fi. However, Hawaiian Airlines will be adding free Starlink internet to its fleet shortly.

Lavatory

The A330-200 is a widebody, but you wouldn’t know that by visiting the bathroom.

The lavatory in the Hawaiian Airlines first class cabin was tight, to say the least.

However, some nice touches, such as fresh flowers, leaves, and hydrating mist, made it feel more comfortable.

Service

Without a doubt, the highlight of the flight was the service we received from the crew.

We were immediately on island time from the moment we stepped onboard, and the crew’s aloha spirit easily spread to us.

The crew was extra attentive to our young children and offered something to them each time we got up to use the restroom. Which, as you know, if you have kids, was often.

And at the end of the flight, the purser came around and thanked each first class passenger, individually, for flying with Hawaiian — which is not something you see often from an American airline.

Arrival

We landed in Honolulu around 10:15 p.m. local time and quickly found our way to baggage claim.

The process was quick and seamless, especially compared to our previous visit, which was layered with extra health and security measures.

Final Thoughts

Flying Hawaiian Airlines first class from Las Vegas to Honolulu was the best option for me and my family. I would not hesitate to book it again, given similar circumstances.

No, it is not the newest or the fanciest product, but having a nonstop, direct flight with lie-flat seats to Hawaii is worth overlooking many imperfections.

I would have liked to pay less than 40,000 miles per person for a relatively short flight, but it was cheaper than the 80,000 on neighboring dates. And I firmly believe that the best use of miles is when they work for you, not vice versa.

While I would love to see a better IFE and some Wi-Fi, stretching out is a win for an evening flight.

Add solid food and a great crew, and I can easily recommend this flight to anyone hopping between Sin City and the islands. 

The information for the Citi Prestige^® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.