Upping the comfort ante in the race to capture the discerning leisure passenger, Hawaiian Airlines’ newly launched Lie-Flat seats are the centrepiece of the premium cabin redesign aboard its Airbus A330 fleet, connecting Sydney and Brisbane to the airliner’s central hub in Honolulu.

Hawaii’s flagship carrier, blends Island-inspired luxury with relaxation in its recently unveiled premium cabin, featuring 18 Lie-Flat seats aligned in a 2-2-2 configuration that convert into flat beds equipped with retractable privacy screens in a commodious  52cm wide by 193cm long design.

Premium Business class guests ease their Lie-Flat seats — which are luxuriously lined with soft Poltrona Frau Italian-made leather — into 180-degrees using the intuitive reclining wheel seat control and have access to multiple power points including two USB connections and one A/C outlet.

An advanced in-flight entertainment system with over 100 hours of movies and TV content is displayed on a 13-inch wide-screen iPad Pro, resting on an adjustable telescoping arm for optimal viewing angle and comfort.

Hawaiian Airlines developed its innovative new Lie-Flat seats in partnership with Optimares; an Italian manufacturer focused on traveller-centric design and reflects the predominance of leisure travellers on the airline’s long-haul flights.

In choosing Optimares’ seat design for its fleet — the first major airline to do so — Hawaiian Airlines wanted a bold expression of Hawaii that would differentiate its cabin design, aesthetically, from its competitors reflecting the uniqueness of both the Airline’s brand and the Island destination itself.

By taking distinct elements of Hawaii’s environment and what is core to Hawaiian culture, then expressing it in a forward-thinking contemporary way that defies conventional expectations, the airline delivers a travel experience with a strong sense of place attached to it.

Optimares’ Lie-Flat seat design drew upon the design firm’s array of experience outside commercial aviation — in particular, the luxury automotive engineering tradition in northern Italy’s industrial cluster.

As a result, the curves of the Lie-Flat seat shell are built with the same translucent materials used in high-end Italian sports cars, which creates an open, airy feel and evokes gentle ocean waves.

Nestled in premium bedding and armed with an amenity kit — all adorned in an ‘Auli‘ilani lehua flower pattern created by local designer Sig Zane — premium cabin guests receive a selection of soothing products as they relax on their way to Hawaii.

The in-flight amenity kit contains a hand and body balm, lip balm, hydrating mist, dental kit, a bamboo comb, and socks. An eye mask, plush mattress pad and pillow are provided for added comfort and ensure a restful sleep.

For added cabin privacy, a divider rendered in twinkling fibre-optic lights featuring the constellation Makali’i — the Northern Hemisphere star cluster that appears during winter — separates premium class from the main cabin.

Guests enjoy Island-inspired cuisine with Hawaii’s unique interplay between East Asian and Western cultures permeating Chef Chai Chaowasaree’s regional menu, served on custom-crafted dinnerware, linens and trays.

The sumptuous fare is paired with a full beverage bar service that offers signature Mai Tai cocktails, wines curated by Hawaiian’s master sommelier Chuck Furuya, local craft beer and Hawaiian-made spirits.

Premium class passengers looking for pre-flight quietude can seek solace in the 3,000-plus square-foot Plumeria Lounge at Honolulu International Airport. International business guests flying outbound with Hawaiian Airlines from Australia have complimentary access to the Qantas business lounges.

Arriving relaxed and on-time in Hawaiian’s new premium cabin, guests will also value the authentic hospitality experience, Mea Ho‘okipa — vernacular for ‘I am host’. The Airline’s excellent ground handling and logistics have led it to be named the world’s most punctual airline in 2016 by air travel intelligence company, OAG.