Hawaii: AA to resume ORD - HNL seasonally
Jun 4, 2018, 12:12 am
#46
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Location: Phoenix, AZ
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What?!? The DFW flights are perfectly timed for connections and have always contained a high percentage of connecting passengers like all flights out of DFW, which is AA's LARGEST hub. The LAX flights have always had a much higher percentage of local traffic (as LAX has far fewer connecting opportunities than DFW and ORD). Since this thread is about ORD-HNL, I would guess that a high percentage of the ORD-HNL passengers will be connecting.
Jun 4, 2018, 4:44 pm
#47
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
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I don't think LAX-HNL-LAX gets a widebody very often?
If it does, I feel like a real mug for taking so many of those overnight flights on the 321 without a lie flat seat ...
If it does, I feel like a real mug for taking so many of those overnight flights on the 321 without a lie flat seat ...
Last edited by Calchas; Jun 4, 2018 at 4:50 pm
Jun 4, 2018, 5:11 pm
#48
Join Date: Oct 2015
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https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...hawaii-routes/
Jun 4, 2018, 5:46 pm
#49
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Vail, CO
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Aug 20, 2018, 2:02 pm
#50
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: LAX/ORD/HNL
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Score! I was able to rearrange my Dec schedule such that I am now on flight 75 from ORD to HNL on Dec. 19th, the day service resumes (seasonally) on this route. Also I was able to snag seat 1A on the 788. I'll post a trip report. 
Dec 19, 2018, 10:37 am
#52
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: LAX/ORD/HNL
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I am presently on board flight 75. AA had a bit of hoopla at gate K9 for this flight with kitschy Hawaiian paraphernalia and refreshments. Surprisingly, amenity kits were handed out in first class. These are the old Cole Haan kits. Our purser, Charlie, was not sure if that would continue or if this was just for this flight.
Dec 20, 2018, 12:00 pm
#54
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: LAX/ORD/HNL
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Posts: 443
I was on the American Airlines launch flight (flight 75) for their renewed Chicago/Honolulu non-stop service and wanted to share the experience. The flight departed on Dec.19th from Gate K9 at ORD. American had decorated the gate area with kitschy Hawaiian themed paraphernalia. All the employees were either wearing real leis or plastic ones and there was a table where passengers could take one for themselves. There was also a table with light refreshments. Don’t know if there were any speeches as I arrived at the gate just after boarding began.
After boarding and depositing myself in 1A, the purser for the flight (Charlie) came by handing out amenity kits (Cole Haan). I asked her if AA was planning on handing out these kits on this flight in the future and she thought it may have been just for the inaugural launch.
The PDB consisted of Zonin Prosecco, OJ, or water. The FA doing the PDB service said she would be glad to do a mimosa if I wanted one. I went with water. Pushback from the gate occurred at 10:09 AM about one minute ahead of our scheduled departure. Shortly after takeoff, lunch service began with the usual warm towel. The first course was a tropical bean and edamame dip served with pita bread. This was paired with a baby boston red oak lettuce salad. The salad was pretty good but the edamame dip was a bit too cold in temperature for my taste.
For my entrée, I had preselected the macadamia-crusted chicken with soba noodles and sugar snap peas. This dish was very good. The chicken was tender and flavored well without being too dry. The FA offered a number of white and red wines but I stuck with water. After lunch, I put my seat in the lie-flat position and thought I would just catnap for a few minutes. When I woke, we were over Ventura County, CA with a beautiful view of the Channel Islands.
Charlie came by my seat and asked if I wanted anything. I went with coffee thinking this would keep me awake for the rest of the flight. I read for about three hours and, sure enough, fell asleep again. When I woke, we were about 600 miles from Honolulu. I did manage to stay awake for the remainder of the flight. We landed in Honolulu at 3:12 PM ahead of our scheduled arrival which was 3:40 PM. Some points about this flight should be made. The soft product in first class seemed more aligned with international J than domestic F, i.e., the amenity kit and two hot towel services (one before lunch and another prior to arrival). The infamous “coupled seat problem” on the 788 has been mitigated but not eliminated. I could feel it when the passenger in 2A adjusted his seat and I’m sure he could feel it when I did the same. However, it did not seem as severe as it did when the 788 was first introduced. The aircraft used was N802AN which was the third 788 delivered to AA on 5/14/15.
After boarding and depositing myself in 1A, the purser for the flight (Charlie) came by handing out amenity kits (Cole Haan). I asked her if AA was planning on handing out these kits on this flight in the future and she thought it may have been just for the inaugural launch.
The PDB consisted of Zonin Prosecco, OJ, or water. The FA doing the PDB service said she would be glad to do a mimosa if I wanted one. I went with water. Pushback from the gate occurred at 10:09 AM about one minute ahead of our scheduled departure. Shortly after takeoff, lunch service began with the usual warm towel. The first course was a tropical bean and edamame dip served with pita bread. This was paired with a baby boston red oak lettuce salad. The salad was pretty good but the edamame dip was a bit too cold in temperature for my taste.
For my entrée, I had preselected the macadamia-crusted chicken with soba noodles and sugar snap peas. This dish was very good. The chicken was tender and flavored well without being too dry. The FA offered a number of white and red wines but I stuck with water. After lunch, I put my seat in the lie-flat position and thought I would just catnap for a few minutes. When I woke, we were over Ventura County, CA with a beautiful view of the Channel Islands.
Charlie came by my seat and asked if I wanted anything. I went with coffee thinking this would keep me awake for the rest of the flight. I read for about three hours and, sure enough, fell asleep again. When I woke, we were about 600 miles from Honolulu. I did manage to stay awake for the remainder of the flight. We landed in Honolulu at 3:12 PM ahead of our scheduled arrival which was 3:40 PM. Some points about this flight should be made. The soft product in first class seemed more aligned with international J than domestic F, i.e., the amenity kit and two hot towel services (one before lunch and another prior to arrival). The infamous “coupled seat problem” on the 788 has been mitigated but not eliminated. I could feel it when the passenger in 2A adjusted his seat and I’m sure he could feel it when I did the same. However, it did not seem as severe as it did when the 788 was first introduced. The aircraft used was N802AN which was the third 788 delivered to AA on 5/14/15.
Last edited by marnold3; Dec 20, 2018 at 12:26 pm
Dec 21, 2018, 7:24 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
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Posts: 3,850
Thanks! Great to have the HNL-ORD-LHR option back again so I can get home to London and collapse into bed. Still waiting for the Mai Tais to return, however… Love that HA still serves them.
Dec 26, 2018, 12:00 pm
#58
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: LAX/ORD/HNL
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I guess Charlie, the purser on the inaugural flight, was correct when she thought the amenity kits might be a "one-off" for the launch flight last Wed.
Feb 25, 2019, 8:33 am
#59
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: LAX/ORD/HNL
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Posts: 443
I was back on flight 75, ORD/HNL, yesterday and wanted to share the experience. Got to O’Hare at around 8 AM, quickly cleared security, and went to the H/K Admirals’ Club for what I thought would be a brief visit since boarding was to start at 9:30 AM. Left for gate K13 at 9:25 AM. When I got to the gate, the gate agent was just announcing a delay of perhaps one to two hours and that food and drink would be brought to the gate area for the waiting passengers. The aircraft was at the gate, but maintenance was dealing with an issue that would take some time.
I decided to return to the club after the gate agent told me she would call the club when the flight was ready for boarding. Left the club at 11:30 AM but when I got to the gate a further delay was being announced. When boarding finally did start an announcement was made that Group 1 would be the last to board rather than the first. The reason given was that we were boarding through L1 rather than L2. I found that rather strange since boarding at HNL is through L1 and the regular group boarding order is always followed. Finally boarded and deposited myself in seat 1A. There were the usual amenities at the seat including a pillow and blanket, Bose headphones, and a bottle of water. Unlike the launch flight on Dec. 19th, there was no amenity kit at the seat or handed out. Also, no PDB was offered since first class was the last to board. Pushback from the gate occurred at 12:56 PM, two hours and forty-one minutes past our scheduled departure time. The cabin crew led by Kitty, our purser, did a great job. After lunch, I read for a bit and then sacked out for almost three hours. When I woke, we were just starting to head out over the Pacific Ocean. Landed in Honolulu at 6:25 PM about two and a half hours past our scheduled arrival. In hindsight, I think AA handled this delay well. The gate agent at ORD was proactive in keeping the waiting passengers informed, placated, and fed.
I decided to return to the club after the gate agent told me she would call the club when the flight was ready for boarding. Left the club at 11:30 AM but when I got to the gate a further delay was being announced. When boarding finally did start an announcement was made that Group 1 would be the last to board rather than the first. The reason given was that we were boarding through L1 rather than L2. I found that rather strange since boarding at HNL is through L1 and the regular group boarding order is always followed. Finally boarded and deposited myself in seat 1A. There were the usual amenities at the seat including a pillow and blanket, Bose headphones, and a bottle of water. Unlike the launch flight on Dec. 19th, there was no amenity kit at the seat or handed out. Also, no PDB was offered since first class was the last to board. Pushback from the gate occurred at 12:56 PM, two hours and forty-one minutes past our scheduled departure time. The cabin crew led by Kitty, our purser, did a great job. After lunch, I read for a bit and then sacked out for almost three hours. When I woke, we were just starting to head out over the Pacific Ocean. Landed in Honolulu at 6:25 PM about two and a half hours past our scheduled arrival. In hindsight, I think AA handled this delay well. The gate agent at ORD was proactive in keeping the waiting passengers informed, placated, and fed.
Feb 25, 2019, 9:16 am
#60
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
I was back on flight 75, ORD/HNL, yesterday and wanted to share the experience. Got to O’Hare at around 8 AM, quickly cleared security, and went to the H/K Admirals’ Club for what I thought would be a brief visit since boarding was to start at 9:30 AM. Left for gate K13 at 9:25 AM. When I got to the gate, the gate agent was just announcing a delay of perhaps one to two hours and that food and drink would be brought to the gate area for the waiting passengers. The aircraft was at the gate, but maintenance was dealing with an issue that would take some time.
I decided to return to the club after the gate agent told me she would call the club when the flight was ready for boarding. Left the club at 11:30 AM but when I got to the gate a further delay was being announced. When boarding finally did start an announcement was made that Group 1 would be the last to board rather than the first. The reason given was that we were boarding through L1 rather than L2. I found that rather strange since boarding at HNL is through L1 and the regular group boarding order is always followed. Finally boarded and deposited myself in seat 1A. There were the usual amenities at the seat including a pillow and blanket, Bose headphones, and a bottle of water. Unlike the launch flight on Dec. 19th, there was no amenity kit at the seat or handed out. Also, no PDB was offered since first class was the last to board. Pushback from the gate occurred at 12:56 PM, two hours and forty-one minutes past our scheduled departure time. The cabin crew led by Kitty, our purser, did a great job. After lunch, I read for a bit and then sacked out for almost three hours. When I woke, we were just starting to head out over the Pacific Ocean. Landed in Honolulu at 6:25 PM about two and a half hours past our scheduled arrival. In hindsight, I think AA handled this delay well. The gate agent at ORD was proactive in keeping the waiting passengers informed, placated, and fed.
I decided to return to the club after the gate agent told me she would call the club when the flight was ready for boarding. Left the club at 11:30 AM but when I got to the gate a further delay was being announced. When boarding finally did start an announcement was made that Group 1 would be the last to board rather than the first. The reason given was that we were boarding through L1 rather than L2. I found that rather strange since boarding at HNL is through L1 and the regular group boarding order is always followed. Finally boarded and deposited myself in seat 1A. There were the usual amenities at the seat including a pillow and blanket, Bose headphones, and a bottle of water. Unlike the launch flight on Dec. 19th, there was no amenity kit at the seat or handed out. Also, no PDB was offered since first class was the last to board. Pushback from the gate occurred at 12:56 PM, two hours and forty-one minutes past our scheduled departure time. The cabin crew led by Kitty, our purser, did a great job. After lunch, I read for a bit and then sacked out for almost three hours. When I woke, we were just starting to head out over the Pacific Ocean. Landed in Honolulu at 6:25 PM about two and a half hours past our scheduled arrival. In hindsight, I think AA handled this delay well. The gate agent at ORD was proactive in keeping the waiting passengers informed, placated, and fed.