I am booked on the CO Mike island hopper (5-stopper; HNL-GUM) in May of next year and earlier today found that I'd been moved to the nonstop 777 despite the fact that UA154's schedule hasn't changed. I called UA and explained that the only reason for the trip is to experience the Island Hopper, and the agent (after initially claiming that UA154 no longer operates) was perplexed as to why my schedule had been changed. She had no problem switching the HNL-GUM segment back to UA154. Agent did advise, however, that the change was automated and to "keep my eye on it" because it will likely change again.

I have two questions (one rhetorical):

1. Is there anything I can do to make sure this change isn't made again?

2. Why should I have to risk losing my window seat and waste my time and energy calling (potentially multiple times) to get my originally booked flights back because UA arbitrarily decides that I'd prefer the nonstop instead of what I purposely booked?

With all of the "changes I'll like" in the past 18-24 months, it's still little things like this that absolutely boil my blood. If they change it again, I'm likely to just say screw it and cancel the whole damned (fully refundable) thing.