Delta Air Lines 767-400 Delta Premium Select Review – Honolulu HNL to New York JFK

Flying from the tropical paradise of Maui to the bustling city of New York is a journey that spans nearly 5,000 miles and crosses multiple time zones. While the destination promises excitement, this long-haul (one of the longest domestic flights!) demands comfort and reliability. Enter Delta’s Premium Select cabin, designed to offer an elevated travel experience without the full splurge of Delta One. Join me as I dive into this 11-hour experience from Honolulu to New York’s JFK!

Don't forget to check out our epic Maui travel guide, and our 8-day adventure itinerary on Maui - the ultimate tools to plan your perfect Hawaiian adventure! Wondering about other ways to get to Maui or Hawaii? Check out our review of the reverse New York JFK to Honolulu flight in Delta One!

Booking

There are unfortunately no direct flights from Maui to New York. With around a hundred options, navigating the myriad of flight options from Maui to NYC has a crucial decision point: where to connect, and on what plane. To avoid potential delay or cancellation issues in the continental US (which seem to be the norm these days), I chose to connect in Honolulu. There are plenty of interisland flights from Maui (OGG) to Honolulu (HNL), and several carriers operate the HNL to NYC route. With flexible dates you can find a pretty good price and value in Delta’s premium cabins, when compared to the alternatives on United and Hawaiian Airlines.

But be careful what aircraft and product your flight search offers up! “Premium economy” searches will include a mix of short-haul economy plus (largely more legroom) and long-haul premium economy like Delta’s Premium Select (elevated amenities in what is essentially a domestic first class seat). Don’t hold your breath for a great redemption value of Skymiles though!

Points tip! Buying flights with any of the following cards earns 5 transferrable points per dollar spent, each worth about 2 cents per point (that’s 10% back!):

• The Platinum Card from American Express on flights booked directly with airlines or through the American Express Travel
• Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred (annual fee only $95!) on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal
• Capital One Venture X Rewards on flights booked through Capital One Travel

Purchases through these cards also come with a mix of trip cancellation, interruption, delay, and/or baggage insurance which have definitely proved useful.

Ground Experience

Since I was arriving from Maui with only carry-on luggage, I fortunately avoided the need to go through security in Honolulu. I grabbed a snack for the long flight ahead and made my way to the Delta Sky Club in Terminal 2. While Delta doesn’t provide Sky Club access for Premium Select passengers, I gained entry through a credit card benefit (check out the Platinum Card from American Express, or Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express). The Sky Club felt a bit cramped and had no windows, but there was plenty of seating. The staff were great, and everything was kept well-stocked with a variety of refreshments. The shaved ice machine was a fun surprise! Definitely added a local touch to the lounge experience. Additionally, Priority Pass members have access to the IASS Hawaii Lounge in Terminal 2.

Cabin

The Delta Premium Select cabin on their 767-400 has 20 seats configured in a 2-2-2 layout (3 rows plus an additional partial row). The seat is quite similar to a domestic first class seat, offering a welcome increase in personal space compared to economy. The wider seat, additional legroom, increase in recline, and adjustable footrest made a noticeable difference in comfort for this 11-hour flight. The smaller cabin ambiance was pleasant, with modern seats and a generally quiet atmosphere.

Dining

Delta’s Premium Select dining experience began shortly after takeoff with a welcome drink of sparkling wine (served in a plastic cup) and crackers. The main course options were teriyaki chicken or spinach ravioli with red pepper sauce. This was served with a salad and passionfruit dessert. Dinner was single-tray service but had tablecloth, glassware, and metal flatware (it was a cute tray though). Before landing we were handed a warm breakfast sandwich in a paper bag – I think it was egg and cheese on ube bread, actually quite tasty. While the dining definitely didn’t rival Delta One, you can pre-order meals and dinner did have an elevated presentation compared to economy.

Service

While not distinguished by any particular flight attendant or action, the service in Delta’s Premium Select cabin on this flight stood out for its overall attentiveness and professionalism. Flight attendants frequently checked on passengers when passing through the aisles, and maintained a warm and efficient presence throughout the flight.

Tech

My seat featured a personal USB/power outlet, noise-reducing headphones, and generous seatback screen loaded with Delta Studio’s wide range of entertainment options. I watched one of the newer James Bond movies during dinner, followed by Avatar. Didn’t use the WiFi.

Amenity Kit

The Premium Select amenity kit was a smaller version of their sustainability-focused Delta One kit from Someone Somewhere. It included a dental kit, eye mask, earplugs, Grown Alchemist products, and cozy socks. The sleek, reusable pouch was a nice bonus, perfect for upcycling.

Lavatory

You’ve got a choice between the business class lavatory closeby, or the economy lavatory 18 rows back (there were curtains in either direction, lol). They were kept clean and stocked whenever needed.

Conclusions

Flying from Honolulu to JFK in Delta’s Premium Select cabin proved to be a comfortable and enjoyable experience. The smaller cabin, increased personal space, and attentive service was a welcome upgrade from economy, making the long journey more pleasant. While it doesn’t offer dining or amenities of Delta One, Premium Select strikes an excellent balance between comfort and value. For travelers seeking a more comfortable way to travel on one of the longest domestic flights without breaking the bank, Delta’s Premium Select is a compelling choice.

Don't forget to check out our epic Maui travel guide, and our 8-day adventure itinerary on Maui - the ultimate tools to plan your perfect Hawaiian adventure! Wondering about other ways to get to Maui or Hawaii? Check out our review of the reverse New York JFK to Honolulu flight in Delta One!