Hawaiian Airlines closes this flagship lounge

Hawaiian Airlines will close its Apartment 1929 lounge

By Mark Reif Published February 17, 2025

Apartment 1929 lounge — Apartment 1929 lounge Hawaiian Airlines / Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines will close its Apartment 1929 lounge barely a year after its opening. The Honolulu-based airline will also wind down its premium airport VIP service. The closure occurs on March 14, barely a year past the lounge’s opening.

Hawaiian Airlines unveiled the VIP service and lounge in February 2024. The service didn’t require elite status, a special credit card, or a business or first-class ticket. Hawaiian passengers simply needed to pay for the service. But a year in, the tides changed, and both will be discontinued.

Recommended Videos

Hawaiian Airlines changes its strategy for premium experiences

Apartment 1929 lounge — Apartment 1929 lounge Hawaiian Airlines

Apartment 1929 was a truly premium experience, a small space within Terminal 1 at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). It carried a full menu from downtown Honolulu’s Bar Leather Apron, recipient of a James Beard award. Inside, there was space for 24 guests, along with showers for a refresh before or after a trip. Sofas and tables provided a relaxing space to recharge during travels. The lounge’s name hearkened to the airline’s founding in 1929.

Hawaiian Airlines passengers had to purchase Premium Airport Service to access the lounge. Prices began at $500 for two and offered concierge-like perks, including an escort through the terminal, priority baggage handling, and a private chauffeur between terminals or to rental cars.

But now, with the merger of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, changes are taking place, which includes a unified lounge strategy. Hawaiian Airlines stated that it’s “developing an enhanced lounge program with Alaska Airlines to bring greater value to more guests in Hawai’i and across our network.”

Mark Reif is a writer from Stowe, Vermont. During the winter, he works as a snowboard coach and rides more than 100 days. The…

Travel

Emirates expands A350 service to these seven destinations

Emirates adds A350 service to seven more destinations

emirates a350 network expansion air to

Emirates will continue expanding its Airbus A350 network, adding service to Oslo, Tunis, Amman, Istanbul, Dammam, Ho Chi Minh City, and Baghdad. With more daily flights, the airline’s A350 schedule from Bahrain and Kuwait will also grow. Lastly, Bologna will receive its first A350 one month ahead of schedule, on June 1.
The Emirates A350 offers three cabins and state-of-the-art tech
Emirates A350 Economy Class Emirates

The Emirates A350 accommodates 312 passengers across three cabin classes. The Business Class cabin has space for 32 in a 1-2-1 configuration, with lie-flat seats and a mini-bar with snacks. Premium Economy has 21 seats, and Economy Class has room for 259 passengers. The newest onboard products complement the flight and high-tech offerings, consisting of wireless charging in Business Class, 60-watt USB-C charging on all seats, touchscreen call bell buttons on inflight ice screens, and the availability of two Bluetooth connections for headphones.

Travel

JetBlue adds regular supply of sustainable aviation fuel at this East Coast hub

JetBlue now has a regular supply of SAF at JFK Airport

jetblue saf jfk airport a220 hops tailfin

JetBlue and its fuel partners are celebrating the first-ever regular supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). It’s a turning point for SAF availability in the Northeast and follows last summer’s announcement by JetBlue, where the company outlined a 12-month agreement with World Fuel Services (World Fuel), a World Kinect company (NYSE: WKC), for at least 1 million gallons of neat SAF to be procured by Valero Marketing and Supply Company (Valero), an arm of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO).
JetBlue’s corporate partners help make the SAF supply possible

JetBlue’s corporate business partners help cover the cost difference between traditional fuel and SAF. That support allows an additional four million gallons of neat SAF, according to the terms of the agreement. An even supply of SAF is made possible by Diamond Green Diesel LLC—a joint venture between a Valero affiliate and Darling Ingredients Inc. affiliate — who produces the fuel, which is then mixed with traditional jet fuel by Valero to make blended SAF. World Fuel delivers that through current infrastructure, and JetBlue then claims it to use at JFK Airport. Blended SAF can be used as a substitute for traditional fuel on modern aircraft and can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%.

Travel

Semi-private air carrier JSX expands network to these US cities

JSX adds service to three US cities

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Semi-private jet company JSX will add three seasonal routes as it keeps growing its U.S. network. The rollout begins in late spring, when the public charter operator adds flights to Santa Fe, New Mexico; Reno, Nevada; and Monterey, California. Those are in addition to the resumption of other seasonal routes, including flights to Colorado, Florida, and more. Here’s what to know.
The new routes begin May 22
Reno, Nevada Victor Hughes via Unsplash

On May 22, JSX begins service from Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) to Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF). The route will embark five days per week, once per day. Intro fares start at $349. Next, on June 19, a route from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) in Carlsbad, CA to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) debuts, flying four days per week, once per day. Introductory pricing starts at $269. Also, on June 19, flights begin from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), flying once a day, four days weekly. You can purchase an intro fare for $239.