Hawaiian Airlines vs United (the ultimate comparison)

My ultimate goal with this Hawaiian Airlines vs United comparison to help you decide which one would be best for your next visit to Hawaii. Or, maybe you’re just looking to escape the Islands. I don’t know. Anyway, making a choice isn’t easy, since both of these airlines do a multitude of things better than the other.

When you step onboard any Hawaiian Airlines aircraft (no matter where in the world you may be), the cabin crew will greet you with an Aloha spirit that’ll make you feel like you’ve been instantly transported to Hawaii. You don’t get that same sort of vibe on United Airlines. Flights to Hawaii on United feel exactly the same as flights to Newark.

On the other hand, United has a better lie-flat business class seat than Hawaiian Airlines does. For some, that’s all that matters. 

1. Hawaiian Airlines vs United: a brief summary of all the similarities and differences

It’s amazing to me how two completely different airlines can be so competitive on routes to and from Hawaii. The company cultures of both Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines are completely opposite of one another (unlike the similarities you read in my Alaska Airlines vs Hawaiian Airlines comparison), but neither has a problem attracting and keeping loyal flyers.

Similarities

• Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines are the two largest airlines serving the Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye Airport (HNL).
• The lie-flat business / first class seats that both Hawaiian and United offer on some flights to the islands are some of the best in North America. The standard recliner-style first class seats they both offer on some flights are equally mediocre.
• The basic economy class experience on both airlines is about equal. It’s not good, but at least it’s equal.

Differences

• Hawaiian Airlines is currently flying 3 aircraft types to and from Hawaii (the 787-9, A330 and A321neo). United utilizes a larger number of aircraft types (including but not limited to the 737, 757, 767, 777, and 787).
• Hawaiian Airlines has a vast network of inter-island flights, but United does not.
• The fleet size of United Airlines is well over 10 times the size of the Hawaiian Airlines fleet (854 vs 61).
• United Airlines also serves 10 times the number of destinations of Hawaiian Airlines (342 vs 32).
• Hawaiian Airlines serves free meals in economy class. United does not.
• United Airlines is part of a global partnership of airlines from all over the world (Star Alliance). Hawaiian Airlines does not have any global partners.

2. Seat comparison

For the most part, United Airlines has more comfortable (and feature rich seats) than Hawaiian Airlines does. If the seats are the only thing that matter to you on flights to and from Hawaii, United Airlines should be your choice.

Hawaiian Airlines seats

Even though I don’t think that Hawaiian Airlines seats are very competitive with United Airlines seats, I do have to give them credit for greatly improving their product offerings over the years. Hawaiian Airlines seats are getting better – in all classes of service.

First class

There are currently 3 different types of first class seats available on Hawaiian Airlines. Well, technically there are 4, but I’m not counting inter-island flights since United doesn’t compete with them on those routes:

• A321neo first class
• A330-200 first class
• 787-9 first class

First class seats on the A321neo are standard recliner-style seats that are very similar to what you’ll find in Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 first class.

First class seats on the A330 are spacious and comfortable – but not so private. These are fully lie-flat seats, although they don’t feature video screens. Which is weird.

Extra Comfort

Although Hawaiian Airlines doesn’t officially have a premium economy product, they do offer something called “Extra Comfort” seats. These are standard economy class seats with a few extra inches of legroom.

Economy class

Economy class seats on Hawaiian Airlines are about the same as the economy seats on United Airlines. When comparing the economy seats of both of these airlines, there is no clear winner (in my opinion).

United Airlines seats

The thing about United Airlines seats to Hawaii is that there are a wide variety of choices. United isn’t as consistent as Hawaiian Airlines is when it comes to the kinds of seat types being offered across their entire fleet of aircraft, so you have to be really careful about which type of aircraft that you’re booking.

First class

In the most simplest explanation possible, United Airlines is offering 4 types of first class seats on flights to and from Hawaii:

• Narrowbody domestic first class recliner seats (737, A321neo, 757-200 and -300)
• 757-200 lie flat seats
• 777-200 lie flat seats
• Polaris seats (767, 777-300, 787)

United Airlines also flies the 757 to and from Hawaii, which features either a lie flat business class seat or a standard recliner seat. They’ll tell you which one it is when you’re booking the flights, so do pay attention to that.

The best United seats are found in Polaris Business class seats (on widebody aircraft such as the 777, 787, and 767). These are very private seats, and they are glorious. 

For what it’s worth, Hawaiian Airlines first class seats are better than United Airlines non-Polaris first class seats.

Economy Plus

Similar to the Hawaiian Airlines Extra Comfort seat, Economy Plus is essentially a standard economy class seat with a few extra inches of legroom. 

Economy class

Economy class seats on United Airlines are nothing special, and they certainly aren’t any better than what you will find on Hawaiian airlines. It’s basically all the same.

3. Food comparison

Spoiler alert: Hawaiian Airlines wins the food comparison. Except when it comes to economy class, which I’ll explain in more detail below.

Hawaiian Airlines food

The nice thing about flying Hawaiian Airlines to and from Hawaii is that you’ll be served Hawaiian-themed food. It’s just one of the extra little touches that Hawaiian Airlines has over United Airlines that may make your decision easier.

First class

First class food on Hawaiian Airlines is better than the first class food in United Airlines (again, that’s just my opinion). It’s not a drastic difference, but I’ve always felt that the Hawaiian Airlines cabin crews take more pride with the meal service. It just feels like a more luxurious experience.

In terms of quality, I would say the food is slightly better than what United Airlines serves in first class.

Extra Comfort

Food in the Hawaiian Airlines Extra Comfort cabin usually consists of a hot sandwich and some kind of a snack. This isn’t very high-quality food. As a matter of fact, you may want to bring your own food if you easily get squeamish.

Economy class

Economy class food on Hawaiian Airlines is exactly the same as what you’ll get in the Extra Comfort cabin. It’s not all that great, but at least it’s free.

United Airlines food

One of the things that has always disappointed me about United Airlines flights to Hawaii is that they don’t get very creative with the menu. They usually end up serving the exact same meals they serve in domestic first class back on the mainland.

First class

I would much rather eat Hawaiian Airlines first class food then United Airlines first class food. Not that the food served on United is all that bad, but it’s extremely repetitive and it tastes like something that would come out of a school cafeteria. I really wish they would take more creative freedom with the food on flights to and from Hawaii.

Economy Plus

In Economy Plus, your food options will be a snack consisting of one free drink and a bag of chips (or a cookie). You’re also have the option to purchase something off the in-flight menu. United Airlines does not serve free hot food items to economy class passengers like Hawaiian Airlines does.

Economy class

The food options in economy class on United Airlines flights to and from Hawaii are exactly the same as they are in Economy Plus. If you want something more substantial than a snack, you’re going to have to purchase something off the menu.

4. In-flight entertainment comparison

I proclaim Hawaiian Airlines the winner in the in-flight entertainment comparison. Just barely. Both airlines have rather significant disadvantages over the other when it comes to video content, so it’s important to know what those differences are before booking your flight.

Hawaiian Airlines in-flight entertainment

Hawaiian Airlines in-flight entertainment is…odd. It exists, but the experience will depend on not only the aircraft that you’re flying, but also the class of service.

• There are no video screens at any seat on the on the A330 and A321neo. They hand out large 11.5″ iPads with noise canceling headphones in first class only.
• Video screens are built into all seats on the 787-9 (first class and economy)

In terms of the selection of TV shows, movies, and audio entertainment, it’s all really good. There’s always a substantial collection of recent movies to choose from, and I’ve never not been able to find something good to watch on any Hawaiian Airlines flight.

Wi-Fi is available for purchase, though it can be quite expensive.

United Airlines in-flight entertainment

Just as how it is on Hawaiian Airlines, not every United passenger will get a personal video screen at their seat. At least not yet. United Airlines is currently in the process of upgrading their interiors (which will feature video screens at every seat), but it’s going to take a while.

First class seats on widebody aircraft such as the 777, 787, 767 feature video screens. Most other aircraft will not, but there are a few aircraft in the fleet of that do. It’s maddening.

The good news is that United offers a fast and stable streaming entertainment solution on all aircraft to and from Hawaii which can be accessed via your personal device. It’s completely free, and the selection of entertainment is excellent.

Wi-Fi is available add an extra cost. However, just as it is a Hawaiian Airlines, it can be exorbitantly expensive.

5. Route network comparison

Even though the route networks of both Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines are vastly different, they both have one thing in common: A very large presence in the Hawaiian Islands. While United Airlines doesn’t officially consider Honolulu to be a hub, they are one of the largest airlines that serve that airport in terms of total passenger volume.

Hawaiian Airlines route network

As their name implies, Hawaiian Airlines is based in Hawaii (more specifically, Honolulu). The majority of their flights are to and from the mainland, though they do serve a number of international destinations around Asia and the South Pacific.

Unlike United, Hawaiian Airlines has a vast network of inter-island flights. They are basically the airline you want to fly if you live in Hawaii or if you travel to and from Hawaii on a frequent basis.

It should also be noted that Hawaiian Airlines makes it easy for passengers on the mainland to connect through Honolulu to destinations in the South Pacific and Asia. A stopover in Honolulu on the way to Australia or Asia is definitely a fun (and competitive) advantage that Hawaiian Airlines has over United.

United Airlines route network

The only thing that United Airlines has in common with Hawaiian Airlines when it comes to route networks is the number of flights they have to and from the islands on any given day.

Other than that, these two airlines couldn’t be any more different. United Arlines is a global carrier serving destinations all over the globe. They also fly to Hawaii. Hawaiian Airlines is pretty much the opposite (a Hawaii-based carrier who happens to have a small number of international destinations).

United Airlines does not fly any inter island routes.

6. Why would you choose Hawaiian Airlines over United Airlines (or vice versa)?

In my opinion, Hawaiian Airlines is the choice for people who like the feeling of being in Hawaii as soon as they step foot on the plane. The service you’ll get onboard is Hawaiian-themed (right down to the uniforms of the cabin crew), and it’s a great way to get your vacation started a few hours early. If that’s not enough to help you make a choice, consider this:

Choose Hawaiian Airlines if:

• You want to be served free meals in economy.
• You want better food in first class.
• You want Hawaiian-themed service in all classes of service.
• You want a better ground experience at the Honolulu Airport (a better / newer terminal than what United uses, plus lounge access for premium passengers).
• You want an airline that can not only take you to and from the islands, but can fly you around within the islands as well.

Choose United Airlines if:

• You want to fly an airline that is part of a large global alliance (so that you can earn and redeem points on airlines all over the world).
• You would feel more comfortable flying a much larger airline (which is beneficial when cancellations and delays occur, because you’ll have more options for alternate flights).
• You like the option of choosing a variety of different aircraft types to and from the islands. United has a much more diverse fleet of aircraft than Hawaiian Airlines does.