dailynewsnblog
The carrier’s new menu will be available for pre-order on Hawaii-Mainland service from July 1, offering a wide range of locally-inspired dishes to replace its complimentary Main Cabin meal service. This is an extension of Hawaiian’s pre-order model first introduced in First Class earlier this year, and a service that Alaska offers across much of its network.
As per Beat of Hawaii, the Hawaiian carrier’s free meal service has notably declined in recent years, downgrading from a full meal to a complimentary sandwich or other snack-based offering. Nonetheless, many passengers will feel the loss of one of the last ‘Hawaiian Difference’ perks that set the airline apart from competitors. The airline says the move is in line with modernizing its onboard product while retaining its local identity.
Alisa Onishi, Managing Director of Hawai‘i Marketing at Hawaiian Airlines, commented,
“We designed our new Main Cabin meal program based on guest preference for more control and choice, while allowing us to deliver food that better reflects the richness of Hawaiʻi’s culinary traditions. By moving to a pre-order model, we’re expanding beyond a single standard meal to offer a broader menu that reflects how our guests want to dine today.”
A Look At The New Meals
Chef Sheldon is a celebrated Hawaiian chef and restaurateur, teaming up with the airline’s culinary team after the addition of fellow Hawaiian Chef Dell Valdez earlier this year. The new Main Cabin menu will be split into two sections, consisting of breakfast options on morning flights and a standard afternoon/evening menu for flights after 10:00 AM.
Morning Menu (Departing 6:00 AM – 9:59 AM) | ||
|---|---|---|
Dish | Ingredients | Price |
Corned beef hash and eggs | Roasted potatoes, poached egg, hollandaise, spicy-K mayo | $15.99 |
Island-style French toast | Custard-soaked Hawaiian bread, scrambled eggs, Portuguese sausage | $15.99 |
Banana pancake breakfast | Banana-filled pancakes, scrambled eggs, Portuguese sausage | $15.99 |
Coconut overnight oats | Coconut milk, chia, berries, granola (vegan, gluten-free) | $10.99 |
Cheesy omelet | Tillamook cheddar, chicken sausage, roasted potatoes (coming in fall) | $13.99 |
The majority of hot dishes are priced at $15.99 or above, with the cheapest option on the menu — coconut overnight oats with berries and granola — at $10.99. The most expensive dish is a crispy mochiko chicken & garlic noodles at $16.99, while additional options, such as a cheesy breakfast omelet and a cheeseburger mac and cheese, will be introduced in the fall.
Afternoon/Evening Menu (Departing 10:00 AM – 8:29 PM) | ||
|---|---|---|
Dish | Ingredients | Price |
Crispy mochiko chicken & garlic noodles | Tin Roof–inspired; rice-flour chicken, Sun Noodle, mac salad | $16.99 |
Barbecue teriyaki chicken bento | Grilled teriyaki chicken, rice, tamagoyaki, kamaboko, shoyu hot dog | $15.99 |
Teriyaki cheeseburger | Teriyaki beef patty, American cheese, house pickles, mac salad | $15.99 |
Grilled chicken bánh mì | Lemongrass chicken, pickled veg, cilantro, jalapeño | $15.99 |
Sweet and tangy tender greens | Li hing mango, kale, almonds, edamame, quinoa (vegan, gluten-free) | $14.49 |
Italian sub | Salami, ham, pepperoni, provolone, giardiniera; with mac salad | $12.49 |
Cheeseburger mac and cheese | Ground beef, two cheeses, onions, pickle, tomato (coming in fall) | $11.99 |
250 Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants Told To Drop Leis & Aloha Shirts On New Seattle Routes
Alaska Air Group executives admitted that the move was a “difficult decision.”
Alaska Ownership, Hawaiian Identity
Since Alaska Airlines finalized its merger with Hawaiian in 2024, the two airlines have steadily integrated their operations while making an effort to preserve the two distinct brands. However, long-time Hawaiian flyers have criticized a perceived erosion of Hawaiian’s brand by Alaska management. For example, Hawaiian’s iconic ‘HA’ flight code was officially dropped last month in favor of Alaska’s ‘AS’ prefix, while Hawaiian’s own loyalty program, HawaiianMiles, has been absorbed into the shared Atmos Rewards program.
Hawaiian pilots and flight attendants have also been asked to make key changes. Earlier this week, around 250 flight attendants reassigned to Alaska-branded long-haul flights from Seattle were informed they were no longer allowed to wear lei, aloha shirts, or flowers in their hair on those services. Meanwhile, Hawaiian pilots have also been told to shave their beards, a move that Alaska says is motivated by safety, as beards can reportedly interfere with oxygen masks.
