Originally Posted by
navydevildoc
As a SAN based flyer, I will take SAN-HNL-SYD any day ending in Y. My only other choices are drive to LAX for LAX-SYD on Qantas, or AA SAN-DFW-SYD.
Just one example.
Same for Japan (even though we have direct, the prices are insane on JL) and Korea.
In addition, since I do defense work, going to some of the smaller islands in the Pacific is a thing. Now I will be doing it on AAG metal and earning miles and holding status.
Those options already exist now. You are assuming that the schedules to maximize SAN-HNL O/D are fully compatible with maximizing revenue with the HNL-Asia/Pacific schedules which is often not the case--hence the very long layovers in one or both directions. Just like those that will fly from Southern California through SEA to get to the East Coast--sure there are some people who will do it---but AS is not setting its schedules knowing how much people are wanting to spend the night in Seattle before getting to their destination. HNL is not exactly a big business market and people paying to sit up front are not going to fly with HA's product from the mainland through Hawaii to get to the Asia/Pacific in great numbers. HNL is not exactly a cheap place to overnight--especially at peak travel times.