2021 Onwards - Consolidated "F/J/C to/from Hawaii - Questions & Observations" Thread
Nov 6, 2023, 7:07 pm
#76
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 18
Was that in F? Did it have lie-flat seats? We did that (DEN-LIH) and now my wife prefers any route with lie-flat seats! If it was in coach, then I could understand objecting to the length of the flight.
What was the timing and where did you do it? We've done that multiple times and would do it again.
What was the timing and where did you do it? We've done that multiple times and would do it again.
When is your trip? You just said "next year", so I looked at flights on a random date in May. Given the options I'm seeing, I'd pick the 1:15-9:17 pm UA flight to SFO. It would be nice if it was a couple hours earlier, but I wouldn't call that "leaving mid-afternoon" or "arriving late at night". I'd go with SFO because staying at the airport Hyatt is so convenient. The next morning the only nonstops are in the 9:00 hour on UA and AA. If that's too early, there are some options with connections that leave between 11:00 and 1:00; you'd get a few more hours of sleep at the cost of arriving late into Philly.
I know my preference isn’t common, but I’m unwilling to extend actual travel time given how much I’m already spending both in the airport and in the air. My time is worth more than that, even if I’m tired.
Nov 7, 2023, 8:07 am
#77
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,663
No, this was in Economy Plus on a 772.
Honestly, no option is appealing to me. Since I can’t sleep on a flight, I would not be able to actually sleep if we stayed in SFO for the night after that KOA-SFO leg, so I’d just be even more tired by the time of departure for PHL. So, I just prefer getting it over with. My wife can sleep on a plane, so it’s not as bad for her. To add to this, we also want to get back home earlier in the day to recover.
Late June through early July, with the first week in Maui. As of right now, there’s only a single wide body flight from KOA, a 772 to DEN. But that one arrives late afternoon, and I’m fairly certain that it doesn’t have lie flats.
I know my preference isn’t common, but I’m unwilling to extend actual travel time given how much I’m already spending both in the airport and in the air. My time is worth more than that, even if I’m tired.
Honestly, no option is appealing to me. Since I can’t sleep on a flight, I would not be able to actually sleep if we stayed in SFO for the night after that KOA-SFO leg, so I’d just be even more tired by the time of departure for PHL. So, I just prefer getting it over with. My wife can sleep on a plane, so it’s not as bad for her. To add to this, we also want to get back home earlier in the day to recover.
Late June through early July, with the first week in Maui. As of right now, there’s only a single wide body flight from KOA, a 772 to DEN. But that one arrives late afternoon, and I’m fairly certain that it doesn’t have lie flats.
I know my preference isn’t common, but I’m unwilling to extend actual travel time given how much I’m already spending both in the airport and in the air. My time is worth more than that, even if I’m tired.
I don’t sleep well even in first just like you. But the long flight to DEN wrecks me the least. I’m a literal train wreck when I do the connection in LAX or SFO for eastbound. The flights tend to arrive early enough nothing is open. By the time I get home I crash so hard a tornado could hit my house and I wouldn’t know.😄
Nov 7, 2023, 8:37 am
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,743
If you aren't opposed to red eyes, and want to get home early the next day, what about flying to HNL and taking AA HNL-DFW, then connecting onward to PHL. Or HNL-ATL on DL. Or any of the UA HNL-middle of the country/east coast flights? Lie flats for the overnight flight, shorter time in domestic first for the onward flight to PHL and you'd probably get home earlier.
Nov 7, 2023, 1:32 pm
#80
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, HA Plat
Posts: 1,268
Honestly, no option is appealing to me. Since I can’t sleep on a flight, I would not be able to actually sleep if we stayed in SFO for the night after that KOA-SFO leg, so I’d just be even more tired by the time of departure for PHL. So, I just prefer getting it over with. My wife can sleep on a plane, so it’s not as bad for her. To add to this, we also want to get back home earlier in the day to recover.
Nov 8, 2023, 2:51 pm
#81
formerly wchinchen
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Honolulu
Programs: AA CK, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,309
Figuring out next year's flights, and I have the option of either flying on a UA 757-300 in First to SFO or an AA A321neo in First from Kona to LAX.
I'm usually on A321neos for my flights to Hawaii, but haven't been on a 757 in decades. I'm thinking that the more comfortable flight is going to be on that newer A321neo, right? Or am I making a poor assumption? Keep in mind that it is impossible for me to sleep on a plane so I'll be spending the entire flight watching movies, if it helps. No lie flats on either metal, which would have made this decision easier.
I should also note that comfort is my main priority, as this is only the first leg of the return, where I'll have a second flight from the west coast back to Philly. So, a long day of travel. With AA, that second leg is on another A321neo, and with UA it’s on a 737 MAX 8.
I'm usually on A321neos for my flights to Hawaii, but haven't been on a 757 in decades. I'm thinking that the more comfortable flight is going to be on that newer A321neo, right? Or am I making a poor assumption? Keep in mind that it is impossible for me to sleep on a plane so I'll be spending the entire flight watching movies, if it helps. No lie flats on either metal, which would have made this decision easier.
I should also note that comfort is my main priority, as this is only the first leg of the return, where I'll have a second flight from the west coast back to Philly. So, a long day of travel. With AA, that second leg is on another A321neo, and with UA it’s on a 737 MAX 8.
However, if your wife can sleep on the plane, then I would go with HNL/OGG to DFW so your wife can sleep and you can stay up using the much better IFE option versus the A321 where you have to rely on your own device. Food and comfort will be much better too on the wide body to DFW. Then you can take the DFW to PHL afterwards.
Nov 8, 2023, 7:07 pm
#82
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,738
look at doing a day or two in a west coast city on your return leg.
you can get later departure time for west coast terminating routes like departures from 12-4 pm.
spend 1-2 days in west coast city
then fly am departure flight home.
also…prices can be cheaper this way if you split book the flights than if you tried to do one ticket out of home airport in the east.
Apr 14, 2024, 2:36 am
#83
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat, EBG, FB Blue, Asante Platinum, AB Exec
Posts: 99
LAX-HNL-LAX
Planning my first trip to Hawaii in late September '24 with a friend. Any suggestion on airlines and what would be an affordable rate? Currently all carriers offer 387usd rt in basic economy, but according to Hopper, prices would go down to ~220usd rt. Priceline offers express deals at 250usd using a discount code. I am an OWE and *A Gold (through SAS, so probably won't apply at the time of travel). We will only travel with cabin luggage.
We're both tall, so prefer decent leg room. Meals and IFE are a plus.
We're both tall, so prefer decent leg room. Meals and IFE are a plus.
Last edited by Finaviator; Apr 14, 2024 at 2:42 am
Apr 14, 2024, 4:43 am
#84
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,043
United has a large number of flights and as a * Gold, you get lounge access; I’d look no further.
Apr 14, 2024, 5:07 am
#85
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat, EBG, FB Blue, Asante Platinum, AB Exec
Posts: 99
Apr 14, 2024, 5:18 am
#86
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,043
Similar benefits would be available on Delta as a SkyTeam elite after 1 Sept. Delta has slightly less flights to/from HNL. Google Flights is a decent search engine for finding and tracking fares. Southwest would be the other option.
Apr 14, 2024, 5:27 am
#87
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat, EBG, FB Blue, Asante Platinum, AB Exec
Posts: 99
I didn't even remember the Delta & SkyTeam connection. Thanks for the tip! What's your opinion on AA/AS or HA?
Apr 14, 2024, 6:28 am
#88
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,653
American has at least three daily flights between LAX and HNL. As a OWE, you'll have access to the Flagship Lounge at LAX and the Admirals Club / Sakura Lounge at HNL.