Originally Posted by
ACflyerDE
Yes, it is counted as international. The only chance to avoid sitting in Y is taking UA from CUN to HNL via LAX or SFO, as they offer C/D from CUN. This may require an overnight in LAX/SFO, but you also avoid the very tight First Class on the US (ex HP aircraft) flight PHX-HNL.
Thanks for the info. Now i just have to weigh up how upset my PHX friends will be if I ditch visiting them just to avoid 4 hours of economy and 6 hours of tight first class.