Hawaiian Airlines is set to discontinue its premium airport VIP service and close the Apartment 1929 lounge on March 14. This decision comes just over a year after the introduction of the lounge, which was located near The Plumeria Lounge in Terminal 1 at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).
The airline confirmed this strategic shift to TPG, with a spokesperson stating, “we will sunset our Premium Airport Service on March 14 to focus on delivering an elevated lounge strategy.” Hawaiian Airlines plans to develop an enhanced lounge program in collaboration with Alaska Airlines, aiming to provide greater value across its network.
Apartment 1929 offered a private experience with a full dining menu from Bar Leather Apron and could accommodate up to 24 guests. Access was limited to those who purchased the airline’s Premium Airport Service, which started at $500 for two people.
These changes occur as Hawaiian Airlines integrates with Alaska Airlines, focusing on developing a joint network strategy and unified lounge approach. Despite these developments, some industry observers view this move as contrary to the recent trend of enhancing premium experiences in air travel.
Zach Griff from The Points Guy noted that even budget carriers are introducing premium products. However, it remains unclear why Hawaiian Airlines is ending its VIP services so abruptly. Whether or not these services will return in the future remains uncertain.
