Review: Hawaiian Airlines Leihoku Suite Business Class (Seattle to Incheon)

Hawaiian Airlines recently launched a non-stop from Seattle (SEA) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) — approximately 5,200 miles, their longest route. We flew it in the new Leihoku Suite Business Class to see how it stacks up against other transpacific premium cabins.

Pre-Flight: Alaska Airlines Flagship Lounge

Now that Alaska owns Hawaiian, flying in Hawaiian's premium cabin gets you into Alaska Airlines lounges. At SEA we headed to the Concourse N North Satellite Flagship Lounge — spacious, great tarmac views, and a solid selection of Asian food options. A strong espresso martini made the maintenance delay much more bearable.

The Cabin & Suite

The 787-9 carries 34 Leihoku Suites in a reverse herringbone window layout and herringbone center "honeymoon" pairs. We chose center seats 9C and 9G. The standout feature: the middle partition lowers completely, turning both seats into one massive shared space — perfect for traveling as a couple.

• Privacy doors: Fully functional sliding doors (comparable to Delta One).
• Bed: True lie-flat with mattress pad, pillow, and recycled-material blanket. At 5'9" there was plenty of room to sleep on my side.
• Seatbelt: 3-point cross-body for taxi, takeoff, and landing.
• Tech: Crisp infotainment screen, international power adapter, USB-A, and a hidden wireless phone charger that pulls out from the console.

Amenities

The amenity kit is a collab with No Home, arriving in a reusable magnetic-clasp bag with: dental kit, pen, eye mask, earplugs, cozy socks, cushy slippers, hydrating face mist, lip balm, and coconut-scented body lotion.

Food & Beverage

• Welcome drink: Route-exclusive Soju cocktail (or the Signature Mai Tai — beautifully strong). Warm macadamia nuts.
• Hawaiian Fusion main: Braised short rib with wasabi sour cream, roasted vegetables, Okinawa sweet potato, Panzanella shrimp salad starter. Meat incredibly tender. 8/10.
• Korean main (Christina): Chicken bulgogi — tasted fine but lacked authentic Korean flavors. 6/10.
• Dessert: Pear-filled chocolate mousse by Executive Chef Michelle Karr-Ueoka. Light, decadent, culinary highlight of the flight.
• Mid-flight snacks: Shin Ramyun cup noodles + Hawaiian kettle chips on demand.
• Pre-landing meal: Weak. Western Cobb salad was basic; Korean Jajangmyeon missed the mark on both ingredients and flavor.

The Cons

Final Verdict

The Leihoku Suite is a massive upgrade over Hawaiian's older A330 product. The suite is spacious, private, and the crew was excellent throughout. Food consistency and the lack of Wi-Fi are the two areas holding it back — but for 75,000 Alaska miles (20,000 fewer than booking through Hawaiian directly), it's an outstanding value on this route.