HNL-IAH what's it like?
 

I have never flown on CO and am just looking at booking HNL-IAH. What can I expect - are ther videos and food in the back, or should I stick with UA?

Individual screen with 9 video and 17 audio channels running on a 2.5 hour loop. Hot sandwich and pre-arrival snack. Since this is one of few domestic trips over 6.5 hours, it will continue to get the complimentary food.

Well, if you're looking at the CO non-stop (CO flights 001 and 002), they are great.

In my book non-stop always beats making a connection.

If you're looking at the premium cabin, you'll get the old-school business class type seats, but with 55" seat pitch and very comfortable for this flight, plus outstanding in-flight service.

If you're looking at business class, the advantage goes to CO, hands down, as on United, you would fly the "ghetto" bird 763 into LAX and then conect.

In the coach cabin, CO does not have E+, but at least the plane used on these flights (Boeing 767-400) has 32" seat pitch.

The In Flight Entertainment on these planes is old-school movies and TV shows, but better than what you would get on UA.

In economy is slightly more of a toss-up. I would still prefer the non-stop but on UA at least you can get E+, and although CO does have more legroom at bulkheads and exit rows, this particular type of plane doesn't really have economy seats with more legroom. The seats in row 16 have one more inch of legroom, but since they are at the bulkhead, there is nowhere to slide your feet, so it isn't really an advantage.

Meal service on Continental in economy is pretty much similar to what you would expect on UA.

Thanks, got my reservation.

I would stick with CO for HNL->IAH. Even with coach over 6 hours, it does not feel that long and fairly comfortable flight.

The 767 in coach is one of the better seats in the fleet, but the IFE is pretty bad. In BF it is the recliner seats for now, for domestic very good. I like the single middle seat when traveling alone!

Seems that HNL 767 BF looks pretty good.

Anyway to get upgraded?

Is it easy or hard? At what cost?

<doing it rong>

You can buy upgrades at the day of departure at a discount. I think it is about 450 bucks for non elites? Ask at check in. If they have seats they will sell the upgrades.

Compared to UA's Island service, yes. Compared to the 75s or 77s, not really.

Yup. Cash & miles in advance or cash on day of are both options.

Quite easy to request the upgrade. Whether it clears or not is a whole different story. For cost check out the REVUP bit of the FAQ thread or it is 7,500-17,500 miles each way plus a potential copay of up to $500.
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...?O=US&D=HI&P=U

HNL-IAH Upgrade
 

My wife and I missed the miles+$$ upgrade, so she was checking in on her iPhone and CO offered the chance of moving up to BF for $450 and no miles. Sure beat 17,500 miles and $500! We jumped on that deal and saved money AND miles. Thanks CO!

I recently flew CO73 over and CO02 back. I was close to the front of Coach both times, and other than the older movies entertainment, I thought it was pretty nice.

??? CO doesn't run 77s to HNL from the mainland and UAs 77s up front are standard domestic and suck as are the 75s on both from LAX, so what are you referring to?

Just the relative quality of BF on the 76s versus the converted 75s/77s. You are correct that the better products do not fly to the islands.

Roger that.