Hawaiian Airlines Introduces Lie-Flat Seating

Hawaiian Airlines announces Premium Cabin redesign of its Airbus A330 fleet with lie-flat seating

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Hawaiian Airlines announced plans to introduce new luxury design elements and enhanced service options in its A330 premium cabins, including the addition of 180-degree lie-flat seats. The airline has developed its new seats in partnership with Optimares, an Italian manufacturer focused on traveler-centric design.

"We have designed an experience that will usher in a new era in premium service to Hawai'i, one that resulted from a thorough review of guest feedback and intensive research to develop a best-in-class product for our long haul aircraft," said Mark Dunkerley, President and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. "Together with our partners at Optimares and PaulWylde, we have created a truly bespoke design that delivers world-class comfort and style, while staying true to our island roots. Whether traveling for business, with family or on a romantic retreat, the new premium cabin evokes an engaging bold, contemporary sense of Hawai'i, complemented by the warm aloha spirit of our cabin crew. We're creating an environment of tranquility and comfort in the air."

The 180-degree seats will use an innovative seat platform to fold into 76-inch beds, maximizing living space for travelers while providing options for both privacy and a shared flight experience. They will also feature an advanced in-flight entertainment experience powered by the next generation of large-format tablets and equipped with a telescoping tablet arm that adjusts to optimize viewing angle and comfort.

Hawaiian worked with West Coast-based brand and design consultancy PaulWylde to translate the airline's signature design language, rooted in the natural colors and forms of the island landscape, into the cabin experience. The cabin design will incorporate flowing curves evocative of the winds and ocean, while marrying organic textures, pops of bright saturated color, and luxury materials like leather from Poltrona Frau.

Hawaiian, PaulWylde and Optimares collaborated intensively to ensure the seat and cabins are uniquely tailored to the needs of the Hawaii traveler. The seats will be installed in a 2-2-2 configuration ideally suited for couples and families traveling to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands.

The first newly outfitted aircraft is expected to enter Hawaiian's long-haul network in the second quarter of 2016. The airline will begin installing lie-flat seats in the remaining 22 A330 aircraft in September of 2016 through 2017.

As part of the cabin redesign, Hawaiian also announced it will add 28 additional Extra Comfort seats on each A330 aircraft in response to growing demand for its popular premium economy service. The Extra Comfort option features 36 inches of seat pitch; priority boarding at the gate; complimentary on-demand in-seat entertainment; and a personal power outlet.

Top 8 Beer-Loving Airlines Around The World

Raise a Toast to Airlines that Serve Up Tasty Brews

It’s beer season! Around the world, millions will pour a pint (or more) in celebration of Oktoberfest in the coming weeks. And those taking to the air shouldn’t be left out of the fun. So the travel experts at Cheapflights.com, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, have crafted their own menu of airlines with particularly tasty brews for travelers with Oktoberfest in the sky: Top 8 beer-loving airlines around the world. Let our list be your guide to flying with flavor.

Here are four of our picks for brewtastic airlines that put a focus on local favorites:

·         Air New Zealand - Air New Zealand has an award-winning meal and beverage service, and we think that might have to do with its long list of craft brews on board. Kick back and fly with some of the finest beverages available.

Inflight Offerings:

Macs’s Craft Beers, a macro brewery from New Zealand that brings big flavors. Try the smooth and refreshing Gold All Malt Lager.

Stella Artois, filled with yeast and Saaz hops that make for a crisp finish every time.

·         Frontier Airlines - This Colorado-based airline made it a priority to include a Denver beer on its menu. This move makes sense considering how much great beer comes from the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. Frontier has been flying with craft brew for more than 10 years now with no signs of stopping.

Inflight Offerings:

Oskar Blues Brewery’s Dale’s Pale Ale, one for hop lovers made with the mountain springs of Colorado.

·         easyJet - An English airline serving traditionally English beer is exactly what you’ll get from easyJet. This low-cost airline lets you travel cheaply, but drink like royalty.

Inflight Offerings:
Old Speckled Hen, a traditional English pale ale known for drinkability.

·         Hawaiian Airline - Everything about Hawaiian Airlines, from the flight attendants outfits to the pineapple snacks, looks and feels authentically Hawaiian. Fittingly, they’ve also brought one of the largest local breweries to the sky. As they say in Hawaii, Hipahipa(Cheers)!

Inflight Offerings:
Maui Brewing Company’s Biking Blonde Lager, a light 100% malt beer that’ll make you feel like you’re on a beach.

Want more full-flavored flight options? These are the beer-loving airlines that round out our list: Southwest, United, Lufthansa and Delta. To read the full details on these airlines’ beer menus and see Cheapflights.com’s complete Oktoberfest in the sky: Top 8 beer-loving airlines around the world, visit www.cheapflights.com/news/oktoberfest-in-the-sky-top-8-beer-loving-airlines-around-the-world.