First time flying 1st class-Going to Maui
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 220
First time flying 1st class-Going to Maui
My hubby and I will be flyng first class for the first time and not sure what to expect. We are flying BWI-PHX-OGG the same on the return flight. I am a little worried because I have been reading that the plane we will be flying on is not great. Should I be worried? I am not expecting the Ritz but hoping something better the coach class.
Will we be served meals on the flight? It really is not that big of a deal to me but I would like to know so I can plan my meals ahead of time since it is such a long flight.
I figure even if the flight is not great I am still going to spend 2 1/2 weeks in Maui so that will take the sting out of it some.
Will we be served meals on the flight? It really is not that big of a deal to me but I would like to know so I can plan my meals ahead of time since it is such a long flight.
I figure even if the flight is not great I am still going to spend 2 1/2 weeks in Maui so that will take the sting out of it some.
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,304
You will have a perfectly nice flight on US in First class on that route, and certainly be more comfortable than the coach passengers. Yes the 757s they use on the Hawaiian routes are a bit long in the tooth, but I find the seats to be perfectly comfortable. Meals will be served on all of your flights, except perhaps for the return segment from OGG to PHX. That's a late night flight, and won't serve dinner, so you'll want to have a nice dinner before you head to the airport. I presume there's an arrival snack/meal, but I don't know for sure. If so, it won't be substantial.
There is no in-flight entertainment between BWI and PHX. Between PHX and OGG you'll have an overhead movie or two. Best to bring entertainment of your own.
Have a great trip!
There is no in-flight entertainment between BWI and PHX. Between PHX and OGG you'll have an overhead movie or two. Best to bring entertainment of your own.
Have a great trip!
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 220
Thanks for all the info. I will make sure I bring some entertainment.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
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Well, since it's your first trip in First class (of any airline), it will definitely be a step up from coach.
But, sadly, US has the worst First class service to Hawaii. If you used US points, you might have been able to score seats on UA or CO (star alliance partners) and gotten a better overall experience. If you paid for your seats, I guess US was the cheapest of the bunch?
But, sadly, US has the worst First class service to Hawaii. If you used US points, you might have been able to score seats on UA or CO (star alliance partners) and gotten a better overall experience. If you paid for your seats, I guess US was the cheapest of the bunch?
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA Plat, Starwood Gold, AX Plat, Hertz Gold, Avis Preferred, Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 1,381
I've taken that flight many times and you will enjoy it. The time moves pretty quickly and usually the service is fantastic. Just picture First Class circa 1990 and you'll be satisfied.
These days, few carriers are using nice or new widebody jets into Hawaii. So, the 757s are old, but its not like everyone else has new 777s on the route.
Have fun. Love OGG.
These days, few carriers are using nice or new widebody jets into Hawaii. So, the 757s are old, but its not like everyone else has new 777s on the route.
Have fun. Love OGG.
#6
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: RIC
Programs: US CP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Plat, *wood Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,600
Meals will be served on all of your flights, except perhaps for the return segment from OGG to PHX. That's a late night flight, and won't serve dinner, so you'll want to have a nice dinner before you head to the airport. I presume there's an arrival snack/meal, but I don't know for sure. If so, it won't be substantial.
#7
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 350
Set your expectations very low so you will not be disappointed. This is possibly the worst first class seating on any long haul flight. Seats are old and you only get a couple of inches of additional width and maybe 5 or 6 inches of additional pitch over coach. I have taken these old birds to/from Hawaii in First many times and the seats seem OK on the way over but I have found them impossible to get comfratble in to try and sleep on the red-eye home. Service is usually pretty good. A notch above the typical US 48 state service. Yes, it is better than coach and the only option (besides Hawaiin) from PHX.
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 889
Well, since it's your first trip in First class (of any airline), it will definitely be a step up from coach.
But, sadly, US has the worst First class service to Hawaii. If you used US points, you might have been able to score seats on UA or CO (star alliance partners) and gotten a better overall experience. If you paid for your seats, I guess US was the cheapest of the bunch?
But, sadly, US has the worst First class service to Hawaii. If you used US points, you might have been able to score seats on UA or CO (star alliance partners) and gotten a better overall experience. If you paid for your seats, I guess US was the cheapest of the bunch?
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 220
I am new to using my miles and I did not know I could use Co or UA. I have been saving miles for years and never have used them. I finally had enough to get first class seats for my Maui trip. Sometimes it feels like there is so much info out there and there are so many ins and outs that it is hard to keep up.
Is there way I could change my tickets to CO or UA? If I can should I try? Is it worth it?
Is there way I could change my tickets to CO or UA? If I can should I try? Is it worth it?
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: US-CP, UA, Marriott Rewards, HHonors, Avis,
Posts: 4,549
I am new to using my miles and I did not know I could use Co or UA. I have been saving miles for years and never have used them. I finally had enough to get first class seats for my Maui trip. Sometimes it feels like there is so much info out there and there are so many ins and outs that it is hard to keep up.
Is there way I could change my tickets to CO or UA? If I can should I try? Is it worth it?
Is there way I could change my tickets to CO or UA? If I can should I try? Is it worth it?
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,067
If you are flying CO from IAH or EWR, they are much better than the other options. That route is flown with the 767-400 and businessfirst seating....
#12
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
If you can find availability on Continental via Newark or Houston it is totally worth it to pay the $150 redeposit fees. You will not be disappointed - that's a true first class experience worth the fee.
US Airways doesn't have first class service these days, just a bigger seat with some food, if even.
US Airways doesn't have first class service these days, just a bigger seat with some food, if even.
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 889
If you can find availability on Continental via Newark or Houston it is totally worth it to pay the $150 redeposit fees. You will not be disappointed - that's a true first class experience worth the fee.
US Airways doesn't have first class service these days, just a bigger seat with some food, if even.
US Airways doesn't have first class service these days, just a bigger seat with some food, if even.
While flying via IAH or EWR on CO would get you a better seat but not necessarily better service. CO is not all that.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Why would I fly US Airways on O'Hare-Philadelphia at 6pm when an American Airlines MD80 on that route has a four course dinner and WiFi?
Continental caters IAH/EWR-HNL as if it were international long-haul. I don't think CO is "all that," but that's not the point, it will offer a better soft and hard product.
#15
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: 2 many 4 2 long.
Posts: 324
I have flown repeatedly on US in F to HNL, OGG, and KOA. You can be 100% assured that it is sub-par. As one poster stated, it is a horrible sleeping situation coming back.
The bigger challenge is that US has ONE employee in all of the Hawaiian islands. Everything else is contracted. If their is an equipment or component failure on your way back, you will be stuck in Hawaii for an extra day. They ALWAYS either wait for s spare part to be flown in the next day or (if at an out island) you will fly to HNL for the repair THE NEXT MORNING (because HNL repairs end at 11 PM). This has happened to me on 3 out of 11 trips over the last 4 years.
The bigger challenge is that US has ONE employee in all of the Hawaiian islands. Everything else is contracted. If their is an equipment or component failure on your way back, you will be stuck in Hawaii for an extra day. They ALWAYS either wait for s spare part to be flown in the next day or (if at an out island) you will fly to HNL for the repair THE NEXT MORNING (because HNL repairs end at 11 PM). This has happened to me on 3 out of 11 trips over the last 4 years.