United to Hawaii in First Class - What to Expect?
#181
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K - 1 MM, Marriott LT-Plt, Hyatt Glb
Posts: 227
HNL flights will almost always leave from the high numbered F gates. To get there go a little left after premier access and then right and down a long hall with a moving walkway. There's a food court at the end of the hall (your gate will be off to the left, most likely) that has a variety of good options. If it's just a sip of wine you're after, Vino Volo is halfway down that high F concourse on the left with lots of very nice wine options.
#182
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: California
Posts: 70
You're entitled to:
1. Premier Access Checkin at the airport - Dedicated Lanes
2. There are dedicated security lanes for premium cabin customers - They are probably labeled "Premier Access," but don't hold me to that.
3. You'll board in Group 1, which comes after pre-boarding. Pre-boarding is for the disabled, military personal in uniform, families with small children, and customers with high levels of elite status. mainly "Global Services" and "1K"
Note that unlike most international carriers, lounge access does not come with a domestic first class ticket on United.
1. Premier Access Checkin at the airport - Dedicated Lanes
2. There are dedicated security lanes for premium cabin customers - They are probably labeled "Premier Access," but don't hold me to that.
3. You'll board in Group 1, which comes after pre-boarding. Pre-boarding is for the disabled, military personal in uniform, families with small children, and customers with high levels of elite status. mainly "Global Services" and "1K"
Note that unlike most international carriers, lounge access does not come with a domestic first class ticket on United.
#184
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,401
#186
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,212
Honolulu used to have a Gold Lane for people who were flying First Class but I haven't seen it since the start of the pandemic. Today, I'm just happy that Pre-Check isn't all the way at the end of the airport with the normal check-ins.
#187
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,051
TSA-Pre area closest to United counters does close at 9pm, leaving later travelers to hike down to the general security area, where they do have a Pre line. Kind of annoying for some people who want to visit the UC as one has to walk all the way down to the combined area, hike back to the UC post-security and hike back to D1/D2 where the late SFO flight departs from. Such affected passengers might convince themselves they deserve a double-serving of Dole Whip to compensate for the walk.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Mar 23, 2024 at 9:48 pm
#188
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: California
Posts: 70
For both of those, get dropped off in the first five or six doors of Terminal 3. Depending on the time of day there may be curbside checkin. The Premier Access Security lanes are just inside where the curbside checkin is, and 150 feet or so to the left.
HNL flights will almost always leave from the high numbered F gates. To get there go a little left after premier access and then right and down a long hall with a moving walkway. There's a food court at the end of the hall (your gate will be off to the left, most likely) that has a variety of good options. If it's just a sip of wine you're after, Vino Volo is halfway down that high F concourse on the left with lots of very nice wine options.
HNL flights will almost always leave from the high numbered F gates. To get there go a little left after premier access and then right and down a long hall with a moving walkway. There's a food court at the end of the hall (your gate will be off to the left, most likely) that has a variety of good options. If it's just a sip of wine you're after, Vino Volo is halfway down that high F concourse on the left with lots of very nice wine options.
Edited to add: I'm not the lucky one flying first to HNL today, it's my older son.
#189
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: SFO
Posts: 272
Based on past data, UA1175 usually departs out of G, but may sometimes use F too.
#190
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Miami & Leon, MX
Programs: UA 1K, DL GOLD, IHG LIFE PLAT, BONVOY'ED GOLD
Posts: 556
To anyone who has flown DEN-HNL up front, is catering any different (better) from the standard domestic stuff? It looks like my upgrade will clear on saturday, so I'm curious what to expect
#191
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,734
Read through this thread. There will be 2 meals, and you can pre-select the first one if you're upgraded in time. Good luck!