For this trip, I flew from Honolulu (HNL) to Phoenix (PHX) on American Airlines’ Boeing 787-8 in Premium Economy. I recently flew the same cabin on a 777 from Dallas-Fort Worth to Honolulu, so I was interested in comparing the experience between the two aircraft. This was a redeye flight, and with no meal service onboard, I made sure to grab a bite at the Admirals Club before departure.
Let’s get into the details of this overnight journey from the islands to the desert.
Booking & Seat Selection
Originally, I was booked in 9H (aisle seat) but kept checking the website and was able to switch to 9L (window seat) when it opened up. If you prefer a window seat, especially on a night flight like this, checking frequently for availability can pay off.
This Premium Economy cabin is distinct from Main Cabin Extra, offering a separate seating section, larger seats, and additional amenities.
Honolulu Admirals Club – Pre-Flight Lounge Experience
Since this was an overnight flight with only a snack service, I stopped by the Honolulu American Airlines Admirals Club to have a proper meal before departure.
Food Offerings: The lounge had a solid spread, including the chicken curry, which I was happy to see still on the menu, a noodle dish, mini Spam musubi, and a plant-based poke, which was unique.
Soup & Snacks: The soup was perfect for the rainy Honolulu night, though the chicken karaage was too dry.
Drinks: The bar had the usual selection of alcohol, crackers, cheese, and snacks.
Since my last visit, it seems that food offerings have improved significantly. Post-pandemic restrictions have eased, and the overall lounge experience felt more like normal again. While Honolulu’s lounges don’t compare to some of the more luxurious mainland locations, the food at American Airlines, Delta, and United lounges here is among the best I’ve had anywhere.
Boarding & Cabin Experience
Aircraft & Layout
This flight used a Boeing 787-8, which has a 2-3-2 layout in Premium Economy. Compared to the 777 I flew previously, the seat felt about the same but just a bit newer.
Seat & Comfort
Each seat came with:
Adjustable in-flight entertainment screen with a hanging knob
Footrest (best for passengers under 6 feet tall)
Seat adjusters & a hidden charging port in the middle console (not the most convenient to access)
Tray table that pops out from the side – a bit tight when fully open but decent for working or eating
The seat was comfortable for a redeye flight, but not lie-flat, so expect a recliner-style experience rather than business class comfort.
Amenities
On each seat, there was a pillow, headphones, and a thick blanket. However, I noticed my seat neighbor had an amenity kit while I did not. After asking the flight attendant, he was able to find one for me.
The amenity kit included:
Earplugs
Socks
Sleep mask
Hand & body lotion
Lip balm
Dental kit (toothbrush & toothpaste)
Lesson learned: if you don’t see an amenity kit at your seat, ask for one!
In-Flight Experience
Departure & Takeoff
It was a rainy night in Honolulu, and unfortunately, I was sitting on the right side of the aircraft, which meant I missed the Waikīkī and city lights. If you want a view of Honolulu at takeoff, be sure to sit on the left side.
After a bumpy, cloudy climb, we reached a cruising altitude of 40,000 feet.
Entertainment & Service
Drink Service: I ordered a ginger ale, my usual go-to.
Movie Selection: A solid mix of movies, lots of horror films for some reason, along with action movies and surprisingly good kid-friendly options.
Food & Snacks
Since I had called ahead and confirmed no meal service, I ate at the lounge before boarding. The only onboard offering was a snack, which is standard for these shorter redeye flights.
Arrival in Phoenix
Before I knew it, we were descending into Phoenix. The Premium Economy experience on this flight was comfortable for a redeye, and something I look for on the aircraft I fly.
Final Thoughts – Is Premium Economy Worth It?
Pros:
More space & comfort than standard economy
Dedicated Premium Economy section (not just extra legroom seats)
Amenities like a blanket, pillow, and amenity kit
Footrest & seat adjusters for better comfort
Cons:
No meal service on this redeye flight
Some amenities may not be automatically handed out (ask if you don’t receive one)
Charging ports are awkwardly placed
Who Should Book Premium Economy?
If you want more space and comfort but don’t want to pay for business class, Premium Economy is a solid choice, especially for an overnight flight like this one. However, if you’re flying this route purely for the meal service, you may be disappointed, as only snacks are provided.
For longer international flights, I suspect Premium Economy would shine even more, and I look forward to testing that soon.
Related Content & Recommendations
Review: American Airlines Premium Economy – Dallas to Honolulu
Hawai‘i to Mainland Flight Times, How Long Is Are The Flights
Would you book American Airlines Premium Economy on a redeye flight? Let me know in the comments!
Nice review. I guess if I can’t get Business Class that Premium Economy would work especially with the bigger seat and you can stretch out.