Originally Posted by
HNLbasedFlyer
I took the HA due to 36 hour COVID test turnaround with a partner in LAS. A clear first world problem - I don't see myself in that HA seat again unless they somehow got price competitive - they are way way off the mark. My rt trip in a couple of weeks back to LAS on UA is literally less than 50% of HA's price in F, with the trans-pacific legs in a lie flat seat. Maybe HA really does get $950-$1250 each way from the nonstop, or maybe it is upgrades - if they get that in revenue, more power to them - they wanted an eye popping over 80,000 miles each way in F.
On UA 100% of the time I sleep perfectly on the 777-200 seats from SFO or LAX, many people complain about the 4 across seats in the middle, but I have no issue - they are well padded, have a large entertainment system built in right in front of you - and feel almost bed like when in lie flat mode - they also have multiple controls for the seat, not a single wheel to advance it back/forward. Sometimes you get lucky with the 777-300, no US carrier to Hawaii from the mainland has anything close - it is a spectacular private seat. My only issue with UA seats is when they run the 767-400 from EWR-HNL, it has this small footwell - but I even prefer that. As you said, I am a 4MM on UA - maybe I am a creature of habit. I posted on this thread simply because it already existed and concur.
Take away the seat - the HA service is very good and of course a nonstop has a huge benefit. One thing I did not mention in the good is the plane literally looked brand new inside and out - it almost seemed like an inaugural flight. I just think HA missed the mark on the type of seat they chose - I don't know, maybe it is a limitation of the A330 dimensions. I believe the main driver for HA to go lie flat was pressure from the international carriers coming into HNL with mostly lie flat, to be fair - I don't know how JAL, ANA, Qantas, etc seats compare and maybe that was based in the decision of the seat they chose.
Thanks for your insights.
I'm no fan of HA's A330 (seats are hard; AVOD difficult and needs to be distributed and collected), and aisle-side armrest does not drop down to allow easy access to aisle.). I do like that there are only 18 seats in the group as opposed to the doubling of seats with UA's 777-200 and their four-complex middle section.
HA's planes are a lot newer and better-maintained than UAs.
HA's FAs are typically perkier, but the UA attendants to/from Hawaii are usually pretty good compared to some of the more mature FAs flying internationally.
I actually like the 767-400 to EWR, where I choose the single middle seat. Access to both aisles along with drop-down armrest. Pull out my plush Polaris eyeshades, pop an Ambien, and I'm good to go!