Hawaii First Class seating options
Jan 8, 2014, 3:38 pm
#62
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Jan 9, 2014, 12:08 pm
#64
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Strictly speaking this is not 100% accurate. During peak holiday periods, UA has been known to run 744s on this route. Friends of mine who booked months in advance saw their flight was indeed a 744...and it actually ended up flying the route on that day. It's a rare occurrence, but at least historically they have been scheduled to fly ORD-HNL once in a while.
Jan 9, 2014, 1:58 pm
#65
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Jan 9, 2014, 2:03 pm
#66
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Strictly speaking this is not 100% accurate. During peak holiday periods, UA has been known to run 744s on this route. Friends of mine who booked months in advance saw their flight was indeed a 744...and it actually ended up flying the route on that day. It's a rare occurrence, but at least historically they have been scheduled to fly ORD-HNL once in a while.
Jan 9, 2014, 2:55 pm
#67
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Thanks for all the help...guess we'll either have to fly through SFO on the way out, or just deal with the antiquated equipment. I'm really puzzled why UA wouldn't upgrade their planes for the ORD-HNL ~8 hour flight?!?!?
Jan 11, 2014, 3:13 am
#70
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We can question the analysis that led them to believe that this would be viewed as a sufficient upgrade from domestic F seating, but not their intent.
BTW, I see recliners as something of a plus for day flights because I suspect they might seem more roomy than lie-flats, but I will wait to see what people who've actually sat in them say. Generally, I have found dedicated (airline) seats more comfortable than seats that convert to beds.
Jan 11, 2014, 12:01 pm
#71
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When ORD-HNL starts fetching the same fares as IAH-LHR (also an ~8hr flight), and there's competition with lie flats, you may see lie flats.
Jan 11, 2014, 12:49 pm
#72
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"Yields" would explain why Hawaii routes in general do not see the same kind of soft or hard product that true TPAC and TATL routes have but do not explain a difference between ORD/IAH to Hawaii routes.
"Competition" wouldn't explain it either as AA flies ORD - HNL seasonally.
Of note, AA also flies lie-flats on ORD/DFW-HNL and DFW - OGG on their 763s (although they are angled).
That being said, it's pretty obvious that there's just not much money to be made on true premium service to Hawaii - there's a small market for it, but not a large one.
Jan 11, 2014, 1:14 pm
#73
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Jan 11, 2014, 1:19 pm
#74
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Far lower volume market and UA has a dearth of equipment to match the volume. Subfleets complicate things and are only worth it when you can have enough in a subfleet (like the 9 Hawaii 777s) to make it work efficiently.
Jan 11, 2014, 4:18 pm
#75
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UA will be flying an int'l 752 LIH-LAX on selected dates in 2014. Check UA1134 on 2/22 and UA1219 on 3/1. A $1747 A/P fare, which is a very low price for UA on a Hawaii route. They typically charge over three grand for a 737 with a recliner seat.