Which Flight to Choose?
Jan 3, 2008 | 2:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12
Which Flight to Choose?
I will be flying from the East Coast to Hawaii on Frequent Flyer miles. I can choose one of these two flights:
First Class on Continental on their direct flight from Hou to Hnl on a 767-400.
Or
First Class on Northwest on their direct flight from Minn. to HNL on a Airbus 330-300.
I have checked out Seat Guru and know that Northwest seats do recline more than Continental, and that they have movies on Demand (Pause etc.). Continental say's that they have games and airshows. Not sure what the difference would be. Northwest has the 176 degrees of recline and 60 pitch. Continetal has a 55 pitch. I thought that I read that Continental has the best product for Hawaii.
What do you think?
First Class on Continental on their direct flight from Hou to Hnl on a 767-400.
Or
First Class on Northwest on their direct flight from Minn. to HNL on a Airbus 330-300.
I have checked out Seat Guru and know that Northwest seats do recline more than Continental, and that they have movies on Demand (Pause etc.). Continental say's that they have games and airshows. Not sure what the difference would be. Northwest has the 176 degrees of recline and 60 pitch. Continetal has a 55 pitch. I thought that I read that Continental has the best product for Hawaii.
What do you think?
Jan 3, 2008 | 6:04 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: PHL / KOA
Programs: DL PM / MM Ex UA & US Gold Starwood & Hilton Gold
Posts: 232
Depending where and when you are departing from the NW 330 through MSP is very good. If you departing from EWR then CO is the only way to go. Most people say that the CO service is about as good as it gets for domestic FC service to Hawai'i.
You should also Check out this Thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=774597
You should also Check out this Thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=774597
Last edited by JA610; Jan 3, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Jan 3, 2008 | 7:25 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 98
If you're flying through either of these airports during the winter months (sounds like you are), I'd take the CO flight out of HOU, rather than through MSP, only b/c of the weather risk.
I'd hate to lose a day or so of my Hawaiian vacation sitting in the MSP airport watching it snow/sleet.
Even if I had to fly coach from HOU.
(we got stuck (literally) in the MDW terminal last winter for 36 hours b/c of weather and won't risk that one again if we can avoid it)
I'd hate to lose a day or so of my Hawaiian vacation sitting in the MSP airport watching it snow/sleet.
Even if I had to fly coach from HOU.
(we got stuck (literally) in the MDW terminal last winter for 36 hours b/c of weather and won't risk that one again if we can avoid it)
Jan 3, 2008 | 10:47 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Four Seasons Aviara (owner), Starwood, Marriott, Hyatt, Hertz President's Circle, United MP 30+ yrs
Posts: 1,259
I will be flying from the East Coast to Hawaii on Frequent Flyer miles. I can choose one of these two flights:
First Class on Continental on their direct flight from Hou to Hnl on a 767-400.
Or
First Class on Northwest on their direct flight from Minn. to HNL on a Airbus 330-300.
I have checked out Seat Guru and know that Northwest seats do recline more than Continental, and that they have movies on Demand (Pause etc.). Continental say's that they have games and airshows. Not sure what the difference would be. Northwest has the 176 degrees of recline and 60 pitch. Continetal has a 55 pitch. I thought that I read that Continental has the best product for Hawaii.
What do you think?
First Class on Continental on their direct flight from Hou to Hnl on a 767-400.
Or
First Class on Northwest on their direct flight from Minn. to HNL on a Airbus 330-300.
I have checked out Seat Guru and know that Northwest seats do recline more than Continental, and that they have movies on Demand (Pause etc.). Continental say's that they have games and airshows. Not sure what the difference would be. Northwest has the 176 degrees of recline and 60 pitch. Continetal has a 55 pitch. I thought that I read that Continental has the best product for Hawaii.
What do you think?
Jan 4, 2008 | 8:35 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: HNL
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, NH, AA, HA
Posts: 68
Having recently endured a 3 hr. snow-related delay in ORD, I strongly agree with taking the more southerly connection on CO.
Additionally, from my experience, the food is MUCH better on CO.
Additionally, from my experience, the food is MUCH better on CO.
Jan 4, 2008 | 12:21 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 47,156
Adding flights from BOS to IAH is risky as that flight could have a problem, or your routing might need to connect in EWR first anyway - adding even more risk.
Be proactive - I had a flight scheduled from IAH to EWR one year when IAH was threatened by a hurricane. As soon as it became even remotely possible the flight might have a problem, I switched to EWR before that flight become sold out.
Jan 4, 2008 | 1:07 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Hawaii
Programs: Delta Platinum, Marriott Silver, Hilton Silver, Avis First
Posts: 394
I would fly NW through MSP to HNL on the A330. The A330 has the lie flat seats in FC and it is superior to CO's FC from HOU to HNL. The FAs probably are not going to be as friendly as on CO but the lie flat seats are worth it.
Weather is going to be a problem no matter what if you are leaving from the Northeast, so I would go through MSP.
Weather is going to be a problem no matter what if you are leaving from the Northeast, so I would go through MSP.
Jan 4, 2008 | 6:46 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 98
Jan 4, 2008 | 7:48 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,913
A lot of people are commenting on weather. Unlike ORD, DEN, or other northern hubs, Northwest's MSP and DTW are actually VERY good at handling snow situations. This is confirmed over on the NW forum. Believe me. It could be snowing and that MSP-HNL flight will take off on time if the concern is a wx delay.
Jan 4, 2008 | 9:19 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Hawaii
Programs: Delta Platinum, Marriott Silver, Hilton Silver, Avis First
Posts: 394
A lot of people are commenting on weather. Unlike ORD, DEN, or other northern hubs, Northwest's MSP and DTW are actually VERY good at handling snow situations. This is confirmed over on the NW forum. Believe me. It could be snowing and that MSP-HNL flight will take off on time if the concern is a wx delay.
Jan 5, 2008 | 1:32 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Kamuela, HI
Programs: Too many to name
Posts: 24
RE: CO or NW to Hawai'i?
Having taken both airlines......numerous times......I now only travel to Hawai'i on CO. Why? Check the following address for a comparison of both configurations: http://www.seatguru.com
With this information you will notice that CO has the finest domestic seating opportunities, with 3/4 flat seats. As a choice I make when I fly, seats are Number One, and Number 2 is the type of aircraft. It doesn't matter if it's a 757 with flat seats....I won't fly in a clostrophobic, elongated tube! The 767 isn't the 747, but it'll do nicely for my flights over 6+ hours.
With this information you will notice that CO has the finest domestic seating opportunities, with 3/4 flat seats. As a choice I make when I fly, seats are Number One, and Number 2 is the type of aircraft. It doesn't matter if it's a 757 with flat seats....I won't fly in a clostrophobic, elongated tube! The 767 isn't the 747, but it'll do nicely for my flights over 6+ hours.
Jan 5, 2008 | 1:33 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: here and there
Programs: UA Silver, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Avis CHM
Posts: 1,505
I'm also having some trouble deciding on which carrier to HNL from the NYC area. My preferred departure date is Feb 1, but CO's nonstop doesn't have any BF seats for that day, and neither does the NW MSP-HNL...ugh! So, the options are DL (which I haven't heard many great things about), or leaving a day earlier.
If I leave on Jan 31, CO EWR-HNL, EWR-IAH-HNL, and NW NYC-MSP-HNL are all available. ^ But the direct EWR-HNL is twice as expensive as the IAH connection or NW flight.
Thoughts? If I have to connect, would DL, CO through IAH, or NW through MSP be the best choice?
Thanks!
If I leave on Jan 31, CO EWR-HNL, EWR-IAH-HNL, and NW NYC-MSP-HNL are all available. ^ But the direct EWR-HNL is twice as expensive as the IAH connection or NW flight.
Thoughts? If I have to connect, would DL, CO through IAH, or NW through MSP be the best choice?
Thanks!
Jan 5, 2008 | 7:04 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: ALL / NO STATUS
Posts: 3,276
[Shameless plug]
If anyone is interested, Mrs. Ripper3785 is an Oahu based travel agent. She has found good deals for other FT'ers, including above poster JA610, who flies only in F from the east coast. She has access to some wholesale/bulk F tickets(as well as coach), which typically beat online prices at airlines directly or at places like the gnome. She's not always the cheapest, but is sometimes. IF anyone wants her contact info, shoot me a PM.
[/Shameless plug]
If anyone is interested, Mrs. Ripper3785 is an Oahu based travel agent. She has found good deals for other FT'ers, including above poster JA610, who flies only in F from the east coast. She has access to some wholesale/bulk F tickets(as well as coach), which typically beat online prices at airlines directly or at places like the gnome. She's not always the cheapest, but is sometimes. IF anyone wants her contact info, shoot me a PM.
[/Shameless plug]
Last edited by Ripper3785; Jan 5, 2008 at 7:17 pm