NYC Area to Maui (OGG) - how best to get there
Jun 21, 2016, 8:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 111
NYC Area to Maui (OGG) - how best to get there
I realize there are no direct flight from the NYC/NJ area to OGG.
Is it better to book a one stop flight w/ change of planes in LAX or take a direct flight to HNL, and then book another flight from HNL to OGG?
Also, since this is a long flight, is one carrier better than other in terms of comfort and seating? Looking to travel economy and maybe econ plus, if not too expensive. Will likely be going last two weeks of July.
Is it better to book a one stop flight w/ change of planes in LAX or take a direct flight to HNL, and then book another flight from HNL to OGG?
Also, since this is a long flight, is one carrier better than other in terms of comfort and seating? Looking to travel economy and maybe econ plus, if not too expensive. Will likely be going last two weeks of July.
Jun 22, 2016, 5:23 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 179
my feeling is that its usually best to take the longest flight that will get you closest to your destination first. As long as that flight leaves you'll at least be in beautiful hawaii, even if your second flight got canceled or delayed.
If you make it to lax or sfo for a layover you never know if the second flight could be canceled or delayed before landing.
If you make it to lax or sfo for a layover you never know if the second flight could be canceled or delayed before landing.
Jun 22, 2016, 7:09 am
#6
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
my feeling is that its usually best to take the longest flight that will get you closest to your destination first. As long as that flight leaves you'll at least be in beautiful hawaii, even if your second flight got canceled or delayed.
If you make it to lax or sfo for a layover you never know if the second flight could be canceled or delayed before landing.
If you make it to lax or sfo for a layover you never know if the second flight could be canceled or delayed before landing.
As far as which carrier, none of the offerings out there will exactly blow your socks off...standard economy or economy plus mostly. Hawaiian has a slightly more pleasant experience in my opinion. But of course it depends on the cost of flight options, too and balancing things out.
Jun 22, 2016, 8:47 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA Silver; SPG Gold; Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 409
If economy plus I would go NYC-HNL. In economy I would stop on the west coast. I am 6'2". I flew EWR-HNL on CO in Business, which was basically international business class at the time.
Jun 23, 2016, 3:22 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,139
Check out the ontime performance stats of the flights you desire. Some UA SFO-Hawaii flights have terrible records.
The decision is basically one determined by your alliance, your budget, and your schedule.
I try to do the nonstop EWR-HNL.
Whatever you do, buy a ticket that will include all of the travel on one PNR, thus avoiding the problem of having to personally transfer your luggage between carriers.
The decision is basically one determined by your alliance, your budget, and your schedule.
I try to do the nonstop EWR-HNL.
Whatever you do, buy a ticket that will include all of the travel on one PNR, thus avoiding the problem of having to personally transfer your luggage between carriers.
Jun 24, 2016, 8:45 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,201
Jun 24, 2016, 12:13 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
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I would do the non-stop either from JFK or EWR and connect to OGG in HNL.
I've done the EWR-west coast stop - OGG a few times and it always seems to take longer than flying directly to HNL and making the connection to any of the other islands.
I've done the EWR-west coast stop - OGG a few times and it always seems to take longer than flying directly to HNL and making the connection to any of the other islands.
Jun 25, 2016, 9:30 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 1,289
Totally agree. If you can swing first, the UA non-stop is quite comfortable with lie flats.
Jun 25, 2016, 3:05 pm
#15
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
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My own personal preference is, like others, to make as long a non-stop leg on the Mainland to Hawaii leg as possible. I find the 5-6 hour legs flying East Coast to West Coast and then West Coast to Hawaii too short to get any decent amount of rest/sleep. If the EWR-HNL flight isn't do-able, I will look for other options like connecting through IAD, ORD, ATL, and MSP but I won't go further West into the Mountain or Pacific time zones.