Hawaiian Air First Class for the Continental US
 

We are flying First Class on Hawaiian Air from Phoenix (starting in Tampa). Has anyone had experience with first class on Hawaiian? Which seats are the best? Thanks

I've flown HAL first class several times, the most recent HNL to San Diego 2 weeks ago. It is a very low-key first class...friendly service, but not as attentive as business class on many other airlines. The seats have foot rests, but don't recline that far and are pretty close together. There aren't individual tvs and the food, while served on real plates, is nice but nothing memorable. The seats are just the first few rows, and 2-2-2 not specially arranged.
In other words, it's a lot more pleasant than coach, but not how I think of first class.

Agree with Icuy--it's definitely better than coach but not that great. Seats didn't recline much. Flight attendants are very "relaxed". But considering coach on Hawaiian is terrible (seats uncomfortable with not much padding and really close together), it is way better than that.

Don't complain too much about the food. On a recent trip on an airline which shall remain unnamed, breakfast was a cold doughnut; lunch was a bbq turkey sandwich, limp salad and hard brownie; dinner consisted of a chicken patty sandwich, same limp salad and hard brownie. I know airlines are cutting back to save money but jeez!

Not to be a party puu puu'er (ha, ha) if you can change to Aloha Airlines, you'll be in one of the best FC's going. Really, really wonderful, right down to the fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and cold milk delivered as the islands stream into view.

Agree with above posts, just wanted to add that the planes are older and meal service is very mediocre. Movies are shown by front projection only, no mini tv's. Also, it us usually better to just upgrade at the gate for $400 ea way per couple. I've done it several times, the 1st class is never (in my experience only) full beforehand. Have upgraded many times from Las Vegas and LAX.