Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines' 787 Business Class is the best way to fly to Hawaii, period. We love these new business class suites, and we especially love that you can book them for just 40,000 Alaska Atmos Rewards points each way. 

But as good as that deal is, booking through Atmos Rewards is no longer the cheapest option: You can secure these same exact seats for just 26,000 Finnair Avios each way! Following its merger with Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines recently joined the OneWorld Alliance, opening the door to booking these flights through Finnair. 

Don't fly Finnair? You still might have access to Finnair Avios and not even know it. You can transfer points from Capital One and Rove directly to Finnair, or transfer Amex, Bilt, Chase, or Wells Fargo points to British Airways, which you can then transfer to Finnair! (Here's how to transfer Avios between accounts.) You can do the same thing with Qatar Avios – which means you can send your Citi points over to book these seats, too. 

Here's the catch: You have to book these fares with a Finnair agent – either over the phone or on a chat. 

While this is an annoying step, I've always found Finnair's chat agents incredibly competent and helpful. Whether you call or chat, make sure you have as much information as possible ready.

 

How to Book Hawaiian Biz Class with Finnair Avios

Here's how to book these seats from start to finish. 

Step 1: Search for Availability with American

American Airlines has the best award flight search tool in the business, and searching for Hawaiian First Class availability is best done here. 

You won't book with American; you just want to know what dates are available. Here's what you do: 

1. Search on AA.com and select “Redeem miles.”
2. Select “one-way” and the total number of passengers flying.
3. Choose “Business / First” under “Class.”
4. After searching, click on the “Calendar” tab to maximize the dates viewable.

 

AA calendar tool

5. Filter for “Nonstop” flights & “First” class. Read our guide.

Here's the tricky part. The calendar will show you lots of dates at 55,000 miles each way, but those 55,000-point flights are on a totally different type of plane with first class recliners – not the lie-flat suites you want. 

The rate you're looking for is 62,500 miles each way. That will indicate the lie-flat seats on either the 787 or A330. But that rate might be hidden on the calendar by the lower 55,000-point rate. (Example in the screenshot below.)

That means it may take some clicking around and some trial and error to find the flights you want.

 

How to Book Hawaiian Airlines Biz Class

 

The 787 is much, much better and the same price, so try to find flights on that plane if at all possible. Once you find your desired date, start taking down information. 

 

Step 2: Gather Your Flight Info & Sign Up for Finnair

Next, make sure you're signed up for a Finnair Avios account. Do this ASAP at Finnair's website right here. 

In fact, you should set up your Finnair Avios account (and all Avios accounts) more than a month before your first booking. (i.e., right now!) There's a new Avios rule requiring your account to be open for 30 days before you can transfer between accounts, which may or may not apply to you here. 

If you already have an account or you have finished setting it up, now is the time to compile all the flight information from the availability you found in the first step. 

Using that example above, you should have the following info ready: 

  • All of your personal information and your traveling companions (Dates of birth, Finnair Avios or other loyalty numbers)
  • Date of Departure (i.e., Sunday, January 10)
  • Route (i.e., SEA to HNL)
  • Flight Number (i.e., AS 121 or Alaska 121)
  • Departure time (i.e., 7:00 a.m., landing at 11:15 a.m.)
  • Class or Cabin (i.e., “First”)

Once you have your info ready, it's time to book. 

 

Step 3: Call or Chat with Finnair to Book (Transfer Points Now)

Let's book this thing. 

1. Call (929-474-6049) or chat online with a live agent to book with Finnair Avios. You can also call 323-694-7646.

2. Ask the agent, “Can you check for availability to fly Alaska Airlines, first class, using Finnair points?”

3. Give the agent the route & exact dates listed above. Have those flight numbers and departure times handy, too.

4. Transfer points only after you've confirmed the flights are available with Finnair. Transfers are usually instant; just ask an agent to stay on the line until your points hit your account. Reminder: Your Avios accounts must be at least 30 days old before you can transfer Avios between airlines.

5. Have the agent confirm your booking and ask for confirmation numbers from both Finnair and Alaska/Hawaiian. 

 

Step 4: Select Your Seats with Alaska/Hawaiian

Take your confirmation number from Alaska/Hawaiian and head to their website or app to make your seat selection. 

 

Aerolopa map of Alaska 787
Seat map courtesy of Aerolopa

 

If you're traveling as a duo, the two middle seats are amazing for couples. We did this with our infant daughter in March, and it was very comfortable. For views of Honolulu (HNL) on the way in or out, the window will be your best bet, of course!

 

Step 5: Take Your (Incredible) Flight

Booking with Finnair changes nothing about your experience flying Alaska or Hawaiian's 787 suites to Hawaii, and what an experience it is! 

My colleague Peter reviewed this experience when it first started flying a few years ago, and I can attest that his review still holds up after my trip back in March.

The guava juice mimosas, the huge, crisp onboard entertainment screen, the private suites with closing doors, the Alaska Lounge in Seattle (SEA), it was all stellar. Truly one of the best flights of my life to kick off our Hawaiian vacation. 

 

Bottom Line

There's a new best way to book Alaska or Hawaiian's 787 Business Class Suites to Hawaii, and that's with just 26,000 Finnair Avios each way. 

You have to call or chat with Finnair to book it, but if you follow these easy steps, it's one of the best deals in all of award travel.