Last week, I got back from an amazing trip to Hawai’i. I’m trying to keep that tan going as my summer meetings and business get back to normal. One thing that will last is my experience on Hawaiian Airlines’ newest aircraft: the Airbus A321 Neo. This mid-size jet was delivered in June and made its home at Long Beach Airport with new capabilities for the West Coast traveler. Hawaiian is using its A321neos to service mid-size mainland markets, and offer non-stop flights to islands other than O‘ahu, such as Maui and Kauai.

Long Beach Airport is a throwback to simpler times, with only two terminals, outdoor breezeways and local coffee and dining options. It was relaxing compared to LAX and got me in the mood for Hawai’i.

Hawaiian Airlines’ first class on this LGB route is a simple 2-2 configuration with oversized reclining seats, which were surprisingly comfortable and perfect for the quick five-hour flight. Other routes have the lie-flat seats in first class (check your flight’s listings). There were no built-in screens, but charged iPads and headphones were passed out during the flight, and the airline’s entertainment app had a wide range of new and classic movies and shows for passengers to experience aircraft-wide.

Breakfast on the way to Honolulu was a mushroom quiche; although I am not a fan of eggs on a plane, it was quite good, and a glass of their Prosecco was the perfect post-meal drink. My return flight’s lunch menu was even better, with smoked shrimp crostini and a short rib stew with coconut ginger rice. Yum!

What makes the Hawaiian Airlines flight so special is the aloha spirit from the cabin crew. Everyone is kind, generous and, most importantly, happy, setting the mood for a good time and what’s to come in paradise.

— Carly Allen, executive vice president, associate publisher