Flying First Class to Hawaii

[Carolyn Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carolyn]

We have saved up our points through our Starwood Preferred Guest AMEX card and will be booking first class tickets from Indianapolis to Kauai on the first day they are available Which airline is the best to fly first class to Hawaii? It looks like both AA and US Air (America West) have some good times for us, with US Air only making 1 stop in Phoenix. With AA, we would have 2 stops but not that much more actual travel time. United is out because of their poor ponts to mile ratio (2:1). I am open for suggestions. We had a great experience on AA a few years ago when we flew to Maui first class but is the extra stop worth it? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Carolyn

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

First Class to Hawaii

I'm also flying first class to Hawaii. I got one free ticket on US Airways and I'm paying for the other one. I've flown US Airways first class years ago, but not lately. So even though my past experiences were great, they were pre 9-11 and flying on any of the airlines sure is different now. I'm anxious to find out how this trip will be and will post my experience when I come back next month.

Sorry I can't help with answering your question now.

[susieq Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close susieq]

Lucky you!! What a dilemma ~ I can only tell you of our experiences flying. I always look for the least number of stops. You never know when the first of your flights will be late, if you'll have to run for a different terminal, etc., You don't need any more stressful situations if you can help it. Have a great one, (both of you!)
Sue

[Carolyn Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carolyn]

I think the US Air flight is America West so wasn't sure of their level of First class service. My husband is 6'8" so he REALLY needs the leg room!

Carolyn

[JROBIN Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JROBIN]

AA First Class

Try to get the flight from Chicago or Dallas to Honolulu on the 767-300 rather than the 757 flights out of LAX, even though that would add an additional stop (3 total, IND-ORD-HNL-LIH or IND-DFW-HNL-LIH). The 757 first class seats are ok, but only have a 39" pitch, while the 767 seats have a 62" pitch. AA is also reconfiguring the seats on the 767 plane to a more lie flat type of seat, but the conversion process is starting up very slowly (only one plane in the whole AA fleet has the new seats). You can find more details about the seats on this site:

www.seatguru.com

The planes that AA flies to Hawaii are the 767-300 and the 757-200 (not the ex-TWA version, these planes have all been sold off to Delta).

We have flown in both the 767 and the 757 first class AA seats and the 767 seat is much much nicer.

[Ann-Marie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ann-Marie]

I just booked first class FF seats on Delta. I am so excited. We fly from NYC to Honolulu. Leaving 6/24/07, and returning 7/10/07

[Carolyn Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carolyn]

JROBIN,

We went to Maui a couple of years ago and flew first class IND-DFW-Maui. You are right about those 767's. The seats were like recliners. I wasn't sure if the extra stop with AA was worth it but I sure enjoyed those mimosas as the plane was loading

Carolyn

[Carolyn Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carolyn]

Try to get the flight from Chicago or Dallas to Honolulu on the 767-300 rather than the 757 flights out of LAX, even though that would add an additional stop (3 total, IND-ORD-HNL-LIH or IND-DFW-HNL-LIH). The 757 first class seats are ok, but only have a 39" pitch, while the 767 seats have a 62" pitch. AA is also reconfiguring the seats on the 767 plane to a more lie flat type of seat, but the conversion process is starting up very slowly (only one plane in the whole AA fleet has the new seats). You can find more details about the seats on this site:

www.seatguru.com

The planes that AA flies to Hawaii are the 767-300 and the 757-200 (not the ex-TWA version, these planes have all been sold off to Delta).

We have flown in both the 767 and the 757 first class AA seats and the 767 seat is much much nicer.

DARN! All I can find are flights through LAX that offer FF tix. Of course my dates aren't coming up until Sept. I think the problem is that AA doesn't fly from HNL to LIH. They are showing Hawaiian airlines. AA flies direct into LIH from LAX.

Carolyn

[travelfan Member Find all posts View Profile Close travelfan]

I wouldn't worry about getting first class seats on the inter-island flights as the flight is sooooo short in duration. Ask for an isle seat for the husband or an exit row seat. Let the airlines know that your husband is TALL! Your biggest concern would be to get first class to Honolulu if you have to use that as a stop-over.