MilesBuzz! - Best first class seats to HNL Hawaii

My family and I are considering a return visit to Hawaii soon. The last trip about 3 years ago was on Continental (IAH) flying their DC10 BusinessFirst. We like the seats and food but would like to know which of the following is better, worse, or equal: American's 767ER (DFW), TWA's 767ER (STL), United's DC10 (ORD), Delta's L1011 (ATL). We would be using points or purchase coach tickets and upgrading to First using points.

Thanx in advance!

UAL's DC10 out of ORD are now out of the question unless you are going in the next few months, as they are discontinuing those flights. You will still be able to get there from ORD, but only on a connecting flight thru LAX or SFO.

Where would your flight be originating, as that would help F/Ter's in answering your question best?

If you're going to fly Delta, you'll need to buy coach and use miles to upgrade or just use miles to get F tickets. You cannot upgrade a coach award ticket on DL. Also, be aware that you'll need to buy one of Delta's "select fares" to be able to upgrade with miles - that means a Y, B, or M class ticket, I believe. Your best bet is just to book the award tickets in F as it's 60k miles per ticket, whereas the upgrades will cost you 30k per ticket, round trip + the cost of an M ticket or higher.

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Time..... is on my side.

In response to both responses http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The Delta response... I know about the use of the points for tickets and select fares. I purchased a select fare Delta coach ticket for a relative and upgraded her to their 767ER BusinessElite using 40k points on an SAT/ATL to FRT Germany flight. I don't think Delta's doing BusinessElite to Hawaii, just the standard First Class. How does Delta's L1011 First Class to HNL compare?

I would use United out of ORD sometime next year so the direct flight is out. I am originating from Austin, TX but would go to ORD to meet family who live in the cheese state. It appears that UAL is using the standard First Class so I'm curious how that compares to Continental's BusinessFirst, or the others that I mentioned, especially TWA as I haven't flown TWA in 18 years. I priced a First Class ticket on TWA 767ER from AUS thru Saint Louie to HNL for only $2,100, about $1,000 less than the other airlines!

Thanx for the responses!! I didn't realize there were others out there that enjoyed points points points like I do. My wife has often suggested I go see a doctor about this http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

TW is better than DL, UA or AA, not quite as good as either CO or NW for seating comfort (issue is narrow seats--6-across in a 767 versus 6-across in a DC10). TW's planes are their 767s which go to Europe, so they have the whizbang seats with big pitch.

I haven't flown them out to Hawaii on the 767s (did years ago) but someone said that the catering is very good, not quite TW1 standard (i.e. European) but good nonetheless.

You might want to check NW for an alternative, if they have a n/s from MSP it would be pretty equivalent to the n/s from STL (time wise) and NW has had some good biz class fares.

jl

One thing to watch if you are considering Delta is that the new 767-400's, which according to a delta press relase will be used for US domestic and Hawaii service have only a 39" seat pitch in F/C as opposed to the greater pitch in BizElite, which is intended for international service.

>>I didn't realize there were others out there that enjoyed points points points like I do.

You're in the right place. Welcome.

>>My wife has often suggested I go see a doctor about this

Some are sicker than others. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by dgolds (edited 10-13-2000).]

I've flown to HNL twice from the East Coast. The first time was 4 years ago on TWA, back when they were flying 747s. That was my "first" FC trip, and it was wonderful. Wide seats, like a La-z-boy, your feet went up and everything. Trolley Service. Fresh baked cookies. The food was great. The FA's were charming. And I was on my honeymoon. It was perfect.

Okay, I guess the plane was a bit beat-up, but it really was good.

1 year ago I flew DL fron DFW. Well, the plane was beat up, the FAs were indifferent, the food was standard domestic FC fare (no record of my wife's special meal request), the seats were just like flying ATL to FLL. Nothing to write home about.

You may wish to consider UA, I think they are the only ones who still have 3 class 747 service to HNL. As mentioned above, TW has a big seat with video to HNL from SLC.

Of course all this is meaningless because once you get to Hawaii, you'll be one laid-back dude! Have fun... it's the most relaxing place on earth!


[This message has been edited by pdx_dr (edited 10-13-2000).]

Ahh... yes. The first class seating, the scenery, food, and ambiance of the Hawaiian Islands. The return trip in first class, the silly little grins sent back-n-forth between newlyweds... then plane's wheels touch down...then all of the sudden...reality! HAH... sorry, a little joke from an old married guy http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The CO business level on their DC10s sounds like the best still. UA's 3-class deal isn't an option since it takes 80k points for a first-class ticket v. 60k for CO. I'm curious to see what CO will do as they phase out their DC10s. I hope they stick with BusinessFirst. TWA's 767ER from STL sounds like a good runner-up, NW an alternative out of MSP since their's is 2-class.

It seems as if TW and CO are the only two airlines flying to Hawaii with a "true Premium Business" cabin- the other airlines seem to jam as many seats in the F and C cabins as possible. Can't comment on CO's Business First cabin to HNL, as I have not flown it. I did fly TWA STL-OGG in April in FC, and found it to be quite comfortable.

The food was nothing spectacular, but the service was good, and there was plenty of room. While perhaps not as comforable as the TWOne cabin on the old 747s, the 57 inches of pitch is still nice to have. As mentioned before, the seats are a bit on the narrow side, given the 6 across seating, but it's not a big deal for me.

The extra room is especially nice as it allows for a decent chance to sleep on the red-eye return. The in-seat video is also a nice touch to have.

I'm not sure if TWA's "Y-Up" fares apply to Hawaii, but it might be worth checking into if connecting through STL.

Thanx for the feedback on TWA's STL/HNL flight. TWA would be a good second choice especially if I had to pay for at least one ticket. I'm still amazed that a first class ticket AUS/STL/HNL can be had for about $2,100. TWA might become equal should CO choose to use 767ER's when they phase out the DC10s.

CO's BusinessFirst offered individual video monitors plus a large screen for the in-flight movie. Food was very good and plentiful. There was a good 12 inches between the footrest and the seatback in front when the seat is fully reclined.

The most comfortable first class seat I've found so far for U.S. flights was AA's LAX/DFW on their 767ER with two classes. The configuration is 2-1-2. It's a shame that AA can't do this more often.

Don't forget to check lowestfare.com. They have 25% off even first class tickets for TWA.

767ER's? UA DC-10 from ORD?? A Hawaiiana bonfire of inanities on this topic, indeed. Is this rookie FF babble to be brooked? Of COURSE there is only one plane to fly to the Sandwich Isles, the 747. Biz upstairs on UAL is only 60K miles with great Sam Choy meals and the signature UA MaiTai. And the ol' UA girls can sling it with the best of the Singapore nubility.

Dear Juancho...
Oh boy! Must have had to use an English dictionary to figger out them words! Inanities, brooked, nubility... hang on... I have to type slow with one hand whilst I look dem words up...
747 Business class to HNL. Gee...didn't read very closely the requirements, huh?
Whatsa matter, can't afford first class??
Does UA fly a 747 to HNL? If it did, I'd be on FIRST CLASS, not business class.

Also, them girls are referred to as women, you sexist fool.

Next time we rookie FF's want your opinion we'll give you one to post.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

With the upcoming closing of Sam Choy's second restaurant on Maui, maybe there will be even more meals served on UA. I should of known something was wrong at the Sam Choy's in Lahina when I asked what pupus were included in the newspaper special. The gum-chewing seater-person responded by saying "I dont read no newspapers". We wisely left and went to the nice Makai Lounge at the Marriott. Oh, yes, itsa gone too.

My Sept trip to HNL, the equipment was 747-400 with internat'l biz seats (I'm not sure about First Suite). My wife & I had Sam Choy's tuna dish but we didn't like it. It was too well done and had too much peppers; it should been served rare inside but that doesn't work for inflight food. We learned the lession. If tuna, order something else.

On the way back from HNL, the equipment was 747-200 with domestic C seats. What a difference! I would upgrade if F & C seats are internat'l not domestic.

If you are flying from IAD/ORD, try to catch domestic legs of internat'l flights. The equipments and services are much better.

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Gum-chewing or not, even with a little chaw in the jaw I bet SHE could have spelled Lahaina. And WHO the hell goes to Lahaina (the quintessential Hawaiian tourist gulag) anymore?? 5A in C on a UA 742 beats anything AA or DL have to offer in F. Period.

Are the seats on AA's 767-300 First Class on the HNL runs the same seat pitch as their Business Class on transcon runs? If that's so, then I'll just suffer the run in coach rather than using the miles to upgrade for that little bit more food.

I'm doing LAX-HNL-ORD in Nov. Can't beat the economy class L fare for $220!

FWIW, there have been a lot of TW F tickets on skyauction.com to Hawaii and everyday they go relatively cheap!!! I haven't flown them, but have talked to several people who have done the Hawaii trip and all say it is a very nice experience.

I've decided not to do the long overnight run between HNL and ORD and opted for a simple SFO-HNL , stay for 3 days, and then HNL-LAX. Fare is still the same for $220.

In case some of you might be wondering if that is a legit fare, it is. It costs me $220 on a direct (one flight number) flight between mainland and Hawaii. It's called a visit USA fare and valid for non residents only, and ticketed outside N. America.

GuyBetsy, don't get your hopes up on the Hawaii First class seat pitch. AA's regular domestic seat pitch in F, which includes Hawaii flights, is 39" Transcon J pitch is 48-50" on 767-300s and 40" on 767-200s (fortunately, there aren't a whole lot of the -200s around and I avoid them like the plague!). But AA's reconfig of Biz class will increase J pitch on the 767-300s (as well as 777s and A300s) to 60". That's quite a difference, 60" in Business vs. 39" in First - almost two feet of extra room!

On any flight, the best first class seat is the one I'm in!

I have had the good fortune to work in Hawaii earlier this year and have flown Delta, American, and TWA in first class with n the past 12 months to either HNL or OGG. American's seats were comfortable and the food was quite good, warm mixed nuts, ice cream sundaes, etc. The flight was supposed to be direct from DFW but we had to stop and change aircraft in LAX so it was 3 hours late. (Although we did get fed twice due to a mistake made by catering.) However on AA if you use points to upgrade a ticket you purchase you may have to pay an expedite fee ($75) if your travelling within 21 days (I think) which stinks. Delta was nothing to write home about. Seats were similar to domestic FC and food was average. I used Systemwide Upgrades (a thing of the past for us Gold Medallion members) so I didn't have to redeem points. I have to say I don't think it would be worth it to pay or use points to upgrade on Delta. TWA had great seats to OGG from STL. Almost a full recline and personal video screens too. What a treat! However the food was substandard and the flights back to the mainland seem to me to be somewhat more limited in case something happens. Which of course it did. They dented the nose of the plane while backing away from the gate at OGG on the way home so we were like 4 hours late and I missed my connection to MSY so I must say I was quite grumpy sitting in STL.

All in all, my vote is for TWA especially if you can get a good price on the tickets. I didn't have any problems using points to upgrade and they were able to do it over the phone.