Brief
Hawaiian Airlines Premium Class on Sydney‑Honolulu Route Offers Half‑Price Comfort
Passengers find the former Extra Comfort seats on Hawaiian’s Sydney‑to‑Honolulu flight to be a mixed experience, offering more legroom for a lower price but with awkward positioning and limited amenities.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On 28 September 2026, a review of Hawaiian Airlines’ Premium Class on flight AS852 from Sydney to Honolulu highlighted that the seat 11C, formerly part of the Extra Comfort cabin, is positioned awkwardly and can be uncomfortable for passengers. The Premium Class cabin, which costs about half the price of Qantas’ premium economy on the same route, offers a seat pitch of 36 inches (91 centimetres) compared to 31 inches (79 centimetres) further back in economy. However, the reviewer noted that the aisle cuts diagonally through the floor space, reducing usable legroom, and that the seat padding could be improved. The cabin layout is 2‑4‑2, matching the rest of economy, and the seat width is 18 inches (45.7 centimetres). Passengers receive a slow‑charging USB‑A port, with Premium Class offering AC power for laptops and higher‑speed charging, as well as a small amenity kit. Entertainment screens are 10.6 inches (27 centimetres) and the selection is modest, with titles such as Cry Stupid Love, The Intern and Moulin Rouge. Free Starlink Wi‑Fi is available, with download speeds reaching 250 Mbps. Baggage allowance includes two checked bags of 23 kg each and two cabin bags, with no weight limit if the passenger can lift the bags themselves. The review also mentioned that the Premium Class queue at check‑in is not separate from economy, suggesting the cabin is not a true premium economy experience.
Key facts
- Premium Class seat 11C offers 36‑inch pitch, 18‑inch width (smh.com.au)
- Seat 11C positioned awkwardly, aisle cuts diagonally (smh.com.au)
- Premium Class costs about half price of Qantas premium economy on same route (smh.com.au)
- Free Starlink Wi‑Fi available with 250 Mbps speeds (smh.com.au)
- Baggage allowance: two 23 kg checked bags and two cabin bags (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Hawaiian Airlines Premium Class review, Sydney to Honolulu: Avoid this seat in the former Extra Comfort class”
