Rachel Leroy 
Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiʻi’s flagship carrier since 1929, has redefined luxury air travel by introducing its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner interior and premium service, known as the Leihōkū Suites. Embracing inspiration from the early Polynesian voyages, the airline promises an immersive experience filled with elements reflecting Hawaiʻi’s vibrant natural world, including island-inspired lighting and oceanic motifs.
The 787 Dreamliner, set to begin service next year on select routes, boasts a cabin design that merges contemporary technology with traditional Hawaiian aesthetics, creating a unique onboard environment. “The fusion of our evocative cabin design and unparalleled service will make our 787 the most relaxing and enjoyable choice for travel to and from Hawaiʻi,” commented Avi Mannis, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Hawaiian Airlines.
The airline’s 787 features its newest premium product, the Leihōkū Suites, within its 300-seat configuration. Leihōkū, meaning “garland of stars,” comprises 34 suites offering guests an elegant, tranquil space with fully flat seating, an 18-inch in-flight entertainment screen, personal outlets, wireless charging, and direct aisle access. The suites, set in a 1-2-1 configuration with doors, provide a versatile experience—ranging from private to shared—with double seats for couples, under a starlit ceiling.
Hawaiian Airlines has broken new ground by partnering with Adient Aerospace, a joint venture between Boeing Company and Adient, a global leader in automotive seats, to develop the Leihōkū Suite. Tony Guy, CEO of Adient Aerospace, praised Hawaiian Airlines’ commitment to their culture and branding, and the joy of bringing this vision to life in the delivered product.
The Main Cabin of the 787 Dreamliner, consisting of 266 Collins Aerospace Aspire seats, offers a lightweight, modern design that maximizes comfort and space. This includes a 12-inch seatback monitor with USB-A and USB-C charging ports, and more shoulder and hip room. Moreover, 79 Extra Comfort seats provide additional legroom and access to AC outlets.
Hawaiian Airlines worked with design consultant Teague to incorporate elements celebrating the Polynesian navigators who sailed the Pacific. Loreto Julian, interior design and surface textile design manager at Teague, expressed pride in creating an authentic experience to Hawai’i and filled with surprise discoverable moments.
The 787 offers an enhanced cabin air filtration, a quiet cabin courtesy of acoustic-treated engine inlets, and a lower cabin altitude for a more comfortable flight. The cabin also features extra-large, dimmable windows, spacious overhead bins, and touchless lavatory toilets and faucets.
The environmental impact hasn’t been overlooked. The 787 will be Hawaiian’s fleet’s most fuel-efficient widebody aircraft, thanks to its lightweight build, innovative aerodynamics, and modern General Electric GEnx engines.
The 787’s interior design is a tribute to Hawaiʻi’s pristine environment, with wall panels depicting native wood grains, laminates and fabrics reflecting native plants, and even lavatory floors inspired by black volcanic sand. Hawaiian language, ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi, is integrated into seat row numbers and placards, guiding guests through the cabin as they embark on their journey.
The first of 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners is scheduled to be received by Hawaiian Airlines in November, with remaining deliveries planned through 2027. This exciting development promises to revolutionize the air travel experience
