The Franken-Flight: Flying Alaska’s ‘Hawaiian’ 787 (and the Size 12 Foot Problem)

Alaska Airlines recently acquired Hawaiian Airlines to jumpstart their international ambitions. The result? A fascinating hybrid experience: flying a tropical-themed Hawaiian 787 Dreamliner on the freezing cold route from Seoul (ICN) to Seattle (SEA).

The Leihoku Suite: Pretty, but Tight

The hard product is the new ‘Leihoku Suite.’ Visually, it’s stunning—constellation lighting on the ceiling, Koa wood accents, and privacy doors. It feels premium and distinctively ‘Aloha.’

The Size 12 Problem

But there is a major design flaw.

If you are over 6 feet tall or have feet larger than a size 10, sleeping is a struggle. As you can see in the photo, the footwell tapers aggressively. My size 12 feet literally could not fit sideways, forcing me to sleep like a mummy on my back or twist my ankles in uncomfortable angles.

For a flagship business class product on a brand-new jet, this is a surprising oversight. If you’re petite, it’s a cozy cocoon. If you’re tall, it’s a bit of a foot-coffin.

Storage? What Storage?

Another odd choice in the Leihoku Suite is the lack of storage. Beyond a small shallow shelf, there aren’t many places to stash your phone, passport, or cables. You end up leaving your personal items scattered on the table all night, which feels cluttered.

The seat cushion itself is also surprisingly stiff. It lacks the plushness you want for a 10-hour transpacific flight. Combined with the lack of any turn-down service (no mattress pad offered), it made for a firmer sleep surface than I prefer.

The Welcome Mai Tai: A Genuine “Aloha”

One thing Hawaiian (and now Alaska) absolutely nails is the welcome. Before we even pushed back from the gate in snowy Seoul, I was handed a proper Mai Tai.

This wasn’t a pre-mixed, sugary mess. It was strong, balanced, and instantly transported me to vacation mode, even though I was heading home to work. It’s a signature touch that Alaska needs to keep forever.

Service: Good, but Not “Asian Tier”

Overall, compared to Asian airlines, it’s not a contest—carriers like Singapore or Turkish are in a different league regarding service and polish. However, this hybrid Alaska/Hawaiian experience is solidly on-par with US and European legacy carriers. The flight attendants were friendly and warm (that Hawaiian hospitality is real), but they lacked the hyper-attentive, anticipatory service you get on the best Asian airlines. It was very much a “help yourself” vibe rather than being pampered.

The Food: The “Single Tray” Letdown

Here is where the “American Carrier” DNA shows through. Instead of a multi-course dining experience plated seat-side (standard on Qatar, Singapore, or even Turkish), everything is plopped down at once on a single cafeteria-style tray.

It’s efficient for the crew (the classic “conveyor belt” service), but it feels decidedly less premium. You get your salad, roll, main, and dessert all at once, which rushes the meal and clutters the small table.

I selected the Hawaiian option (because when in Rome…), but it was disappointing. I’ve been to Hawaii 40+ times, and I have never tasted anything quite like what was served. It felt like a vague approximation of island cuisine rather than the real thing. It was edible, but certainly nothing to write home about.

Privacy & The “American Volume” Problem

One nice feature is the privacy doors on the Leihoku Suites. When closed, you feel secluded, which is great for trying to sleep on a stiff seat. However, the cabin environment itself fought against rest. The lighting was erratic—often turning on fully during what should have been sleep hours.

Worse, the flight attendants seemed to forget people were trying to sleep. Several times in the middle of the “night” (mid-flight), I was woken up by crew members having full-volume, enthusiastic conversations with passengers in the galley or aisle. This is a stark contrast to Asian or Middle Eastern carriers, where the cabin crew usually whisper like ninjas during sleep service. It’s a small detail, but it makes a huge difference on a long-haul redeye.

Quirky Detail: Flip-Flop Socks

One detail that definitely screams “Hawaiian Airlines” is the amenity kit socks. They are split-toe style, specifically designed so you can wear them with flip-flops. It’s a hilarious and charming touch, even if I definitely wasn’t planning on wearing sandals in the snow upon arrival in Seattle.

Final Verdict

Look, let’s be clear: This is still 100% better than flying in coach. Having a lie-flat bed (even with a tight footwell) and a real Mai Tai beats being upright in the back of the bus any day. It’s a huge upgrade for Alaska Airlines to finally have a widebody product.

But context matters. If I had the choice between this and an Asian carrier (like Korean Air or Asiana) for the same price, I would choose the Asian carrier every single time. The service, food, and sleep quality on those airlines are just simply superior.

Rating: 6/10

(Great Aesthetics, Good Vibes, Tight Feet, Noisy Cabin).