Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
NO, USA-HNL is a domestic flight, although the ATL and MSP nonstops have enhanced service. Then HNL-Japan is a beach route so it's business class light. I would never route through HNL and pay TPAC business class prices (in miles especially as the prices in money might be discounted for such routings). The long TPAC flights are so much better as you can enjoy good meals and still get a good night's sleep.
Not so. Actually these are considered ultra premium routes (price-wise, I mean), and both in money and miles are priced much higher than other flights. Usually only way now to get normal cost HNL-JP/KR is to travel via LAX or SEA (which is silly, but that's the only way now as of the major Jan 1 award availability devaluation). The direct flights are always priced through the roof, both in miles (usually at about double to triple normal cost, sometimes at well over quintuple! and that is with the flights 80% or 90% open and empty) and money. DL is way out of touch with the market and is often priced at double+ of others (and hence keeps ceding more and more market to others and downsizing aircraft and frequency).