Evoking the natural, tropical attributes of the Aloha State, Hawaiian Airlines has unveiled its B787-9 Dreamliner interior design including its brand new premium service, Leihōkū (garland of stars).
Hawaiian’s 787 fleet, which will roll out on select routes from early 2024, will feature 34 fully private Leihōkū Suites, with fully flat seating, 18-inch screens, personal outlets and wireless charging, and direct aisle access.
Most significantly, the suites will boast sliding doors for extra privacy and “double seats” that allow couples to fall asleep under a starry ceiling.
In a 1-2-1 configuration, the suites were developed in an airline first partnership with Adient Aerospace, a joint venture between Boeing and car seat company, Adient.
Most beautiful cabin?
In its Main Cabin, the Dreamliner will feature 266 lightweight, economy seats with “ergonomically contoured” back and armrests.
The seats boast more shoulder and hip room and feature 12-inch seat-back monitors with USB-A and USB-C charging ports.
Additionally, the 787-9 will offer ‘Extra Comfort’ seats for more legroom and access to AC outlets.
Hawaiian says the interior design was inspired by early Polynesian voyages, with elements of sun, stars, wind, waves and wildlife featuring throughout the cabins.
Most notably, island-inspired sunrise and sunset lighting will make you feel as if you’re already in Hawai’i (which may be a bit of a downer when you’re leaving).
Less immediately noticeable, but perhaps more importantly, the 787 will feature enhanced cabin air filtration and a carbon-fibre composite airframe that allows lower-altitude flying, which in turn aids overall comfort and post-travel recovery.
The cabin will also be quieter, and offer extra-large, dimmable windows, spacious overhead bins, and touchless toilets and taps.
Importantly, the Dreamliner will be the most fuel-efficient widebody aircraft in the HA fleet thanks to its light-weight construction and General Electric GEnx engine.
None more Hawaiian
“The combination of our evocative cabin design and unparalleled service will make our 787 the most relaxing and enjoyable choice for travel to and from Hawaiʻi,” Hawaiian Airlines chief marketing and communications officer Avi Mannis said.
“We take pride in sharing our home with our guests, and the design and details of this product truly reflect what it means to be the flagship carrier of the Hawaiian Islands.”
Adient Aerospace CEO Tony Guy said it was “so rewarding to bring this vision collaboratively to life and see it realised in the delivered product”.
“It was evident from the beginning that Hawaiian Airlines is very passionate about its culture and branding, and making sure that this came through in the design language and in the passenger experience,” he remarked.
Loreto Julian, interior design and surface textile design manager at Teague, with whom HA worked to bring to life elements of Pacific navigation in a modern jet, said that “working alongside such an iconic brand in Hawaiian Airlines, we were able to create an experience that is true and authentic to what is Hawai’i”.
“Along the journey, guests will be able to appreciate the culture of Hawai’i and be surprised with discoverable moments.”
Hawaiian expects to receive the first of 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in November.
For more information, visit www.HawaiianAirlines.com/B787.
Here’s why you should stay ON the beaten path in Hawaiʻi (+ top TIPS for visiting).