Summer 2021 in Hawaii
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 270
Summer 2021 in Hawaii
Hello
Trying to plan our (family of 4) 2021 summer holiday in the west coast and Hawaii. Likely to be flying out from the Bay Area, but I can’t decide to go with HA or AS. Part of me want to go with HA to get the whole Hawaiian experience, but AS offers really competitive prices for First class, its even comparable to HA Extra Comfort. Also, their new lounge in SFO and AS should be a full member of OW by then and will be able to earn BA tier points with AS.
And after doing some goggling and looking at other threads, looks like AS is not updating their First class on the 737-800s. What’s the reasons for that?
Does AS First class worth the money or should I just save the money and spend it in Hawaii?!
Thank you.
Trying to plan our (family of 4) 2021 summer holiday in the west coast and Hawaii. Likely to be flying out from the Bay Area, but I can’t decide to go with HA or AS. Part of me want to go with HA to get the whole Hawaiian experience, but AS offers really competitive prices for First class, its even comparable to HA Extra Comfort. Also, their new lounge in SFO and AS should be a full member of OW by then and will be able to earn BA tier points with AS.
And after doing some goggling and looking at other threads, looks like AS is not updating their First class on the 737-800s. What’s the reasons for that?
Does AS First class worth the money or should I just save the money and spend it in Hawaii?!
Thank you.
#2
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
Spend the money in Hawaii. Alaska is a good ride over but so is WN.
Who knows what the routes and world will look like next year, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Hawaii funnels everyone thru Oahu for health checks. Considering they’re arresting and prosecuting people who disregard quarantine, it doesn’t seem that far fetched.
Who knows what the routes and world will look like next year, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Hawaii funnels everyone thru Oahu for health checks. Considering they’re arresting and prosecuting people who disregard quarantine, it doesn’t seem that far fetched.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
Spend the money in Hawaii. Alaska is a good ride over but so is WN.
Who knows what the routes and world will look like next year, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Hawaii funnels everyone thru Oahu for health checks. Considering they’re arresting and prosecuting people who disregard quarantine, it doesn’t seem that far fetched.
Who knows what the routes and world will look like next year, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Hawaii funnels everyone thru Oahu for health checks. Considering they’re arresting and prosecuting people who disregard quarantine, it doesn’t seem that far fetched.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
#5
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
Wait. Dont spend the money now.
As previously mentioned, a lot could change between now and then. HA may have incredible deals on their far superior lie-flat widebody (A330), or they may just be flying the A321 then. Hard to say.
The argument for AS is solid as well, especially w/Avios.
Once the CARES stipulations end at the end of September, you're going to be looking at a very different picture with any airline. I'd just wait.
As previously mentioned, a lot could change between now and then. HA may have incredible deals on their far superior lie-flat widebody (A330), or they may just be flying the A321 then. Hard to say.
The argument for AS is solid as well, especially w/Avios.
Once the CARES stipulations end at the end of September, you're going to be looking at a very different picture with any airline. I'd just wait.
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
I would not even consider booking to HI until the situation on the ground is crystal clear. That is likely to be sometime in April 2021, e.g. a year away. Not worth bothering doing any planning until then. Everything could change. Worst scenario is that there is air service, it's not cancelled, but you don't want to go and can't get your tickets refunded.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,849
I agree. But I don’t think AS or Hawaiian are actually selling tickets for summer of 2021 yet anyway. I know many people get antsy about planning (and booking) travel... I am one of them. But there are just too many unknowns at this time. Why worry about whether to fly AS or HI more than a year in advance.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SEA
Posts: 242
I'm debating if the lure of no change / cancel fees is incentive enough to book a planned February trip to Hawaii by the end of May. It's hard to think about wallet having any value though - we are flying to HI or staying home.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,631
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
AS F to Hawaii is not really worth the money. If you have AS miles it might be worth an upgrade but getting 4 upgraded on the same flight might be difficult but it can happen. You are paying for the seat and the seat is not exceptional.
Is the big difference in the F price on HA because they offer lie-flats in F on your route? HA's A330 F seats, even though lie-flat, are not worth it, they are my least favorite lie-flat, horrible padding, like a stone slab.
If the price were right I would shoot for extra-comfort seats. If not, HA's A330's have a 2-4-2 layout in coach so you might consider 2+2 at the windows on the A330 for a family of four. I don't mind so much being squeezed in a tiny coach seat if it's a family member sitting next to me and 2+2 would keep you separated from others. 3-3 Y seating on AS is not as attractive for a family of 4.
Is the big difference in the F price on HA because they offer lie-flats in F on your route? HA's A330 F seats, even though lie-flat, are not worth it, they are my least favorite lie-flat, horrible padding, like a stone slab.
If the price were right I would shoot for extra-comfort seats. If not, HA's A330's have a 2-4-2 layout in coach so you might consider 2+2 at the windows on the A330 for a family of four. I don't mind so much being squeezed in a tiny coach seat if it's a family member sitting next to me and 2+2 would keep you separated from others. 3-3 Y seating on AS is not as attractive for a family of 4.
#13
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SJC
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,117
If you can grab one of the current $349 SFO HNL one way First Class fare, I think it’s a good deal especially it earns you the BA status qualifying miles.
A lot more spaces, 2 free bags, free meal and booze.
A lot more spaces, 2 free bags, free meal and booze.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 270
Hello
Thank you for all the advice!
I probably won’t be booking anything till later this year, as some of you mentioned it’s not bookable so far out at the moment anyway.
My plan is, hopefully, we can get the flights out to the west coast on BA using Avios, so the tickets will be fully refundable minus £35 per ticket, so not worry any cancellation.
I think the big positive for AS First is the lounge and the 2+2 seating config. Being a family of 4, I don’t think 3+3 is going to work, so it will be either AS First or HA A330 econ/ extra comfort. I’m just thinking if HA EC is similar price to AS F, then I may as well do AS F to get the lounge access and extra Avios.
Totally understand things could be very different next year, but if AS is sell F for $349, I will be very tempted!
Stay safe!
Thank you for all the advice!
I probably won’t be booking anything till later this year, as some of you mentioned it’s not bookable so far out at the moment anyway.
My plan is, hopefully, we can get the flights out to the west coast on BA using Avios, so the tickets will be fully refundable minus £35 per ticket, so not worry any cancellation.
I think the big positive for AS First is the lounge and the 2+2 seating config. Being a family of 4, I don’t think 3+3 is going to work, so it will be either AS First or HA A330 econ/ extra comfort. I’m just thinking if HA EC is similar price to AS F, then I may as well do AS F to get the lounge access and extra Avios.
Totally understand things could be very different next year, but if AS is sell F for $349, I will be very tempted!
Stay safe!
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Never consider lounge access as a selling point, as many U.S. lounges are below standard, i.e. no decent food and you have to pay for alcohol.