Originally Posted by
obscure2k
Many years ago when I first started traveling to Hawaii from LAX, I felt it was important to fly FC, as that is when my trip would begin. INdeed, in the 1970's and '80's, flying FC to Hawaii was just wonderful. We had planes with upstairs bars and lounges and, IIRC, CO had a piano bar up front. AA served a lovely buffet deli breakfast, complete with smoked salmon, bagels, etc.
Lunchtime flights included NYstrip steak carved by your seat. Food and service in FC was nothing short of divine. The Mai Tais, the orchids on our trays, well it was surely as good as most transpacs. UA and Pan Am were fantastic. We hated to see those flights land.
Sadly, now there is little in the way of service and the only discernible difference, IMHO is a little more leg room and complimentary cocktails. I still fly to HI a couple of times a year and don't bother even considering flying FC. Not worth the miles and not worth the $$. YMMV
Indeed, those were the days. I remember FC in the 80's -- it was still very good -- although the bars were gone by then. The best was the 10K upgrade from anywhere in the US -- and you got bonus miles for flying FC. I usually flew BOS-LAX/SFO-HNL on UA. The transcon flight (a DC-10) left around 10am and featured the beef carved at your seat with a heavenly horseradish sauce on the side. The Hawaii flight (a 747) featured seafood and other island entrees and was truly a deluxe experience. What a fun way to travel! The FC meals today seem like the free Y meals back in the 80's!