Originally Posted by
Duke787
.Do you have SkyClub access? If so, that's an easy enough way to spend the extra time if you take the long layover.
OP is looking to book Delta One (per the thread starter) which would entitle OP to SkyClub access.
Originally Posted by
JyC9098
This all is definitely reinforcing my thoughts to opt for the longer connection because I would DREAD missing out on lie-flat seats and would be miserable if I had to reroute to HNL via the West Coast (and had to deal with regular domestic F for 9+ hours).
In IROPS, knowledge is your friend. If you experience IROPS in JFK that would cause you to misconnect on the MSP-HNL leg and you would be looking at domestic F options, at least know to ask for JFK-LAX-HNL, as JFK-LAX would at least get you a lie-flat on that segment. LAX-HNL would likely still be on an aircraft with a regular domestic F seat.
Even though it sounds like you will opt for the longer layover (and since you'll have SkyClub access, you'll have a nice way to spend the time during the layover), I will note, that while there is good advice above that the schedule is likely to change, it's still a gamble on whether that change would be big enough to allow you to rebook with a fare difference waiver. For example, if you book the 1 hour connection in MSP, and DL shifts the schedules and now you have a 30-40 minute layover in MSP, this is still a legal connection and also a change that, per the rules, is not a big enough change to warrant a rebooking. You may get an agent who will bend the rules, especially if you express that you are concerned about the tight connection, but any rebooking in this scenario would be a waiver/favor and is not guaranteed. (This last bit of data may seem extraneous, but perhaps it will further help reinforce your preference to book the longer layover).