Taking a trip to Hawaii- need help choosing airline

[Aloha717200]

Hi all!

Maybe you've seen me mention it a couple of times, but sometime in spring of 2004, probably around March or April, I'm going tgo be taking a trip to Hawaii.

I've done alot of research into what airlines I can fly on to Hawaii, and options for connections to the islands, etc. I've got prices listed as well, and I don't want to pay more than $600 a ticket if i can avoid it. Which is fine, because most airlines don't charge quite that much for service into HNL. Service into the other islands...is another story. (If I flew direct to, say, Maui, I might remotely consider 650 but only as a last resort).

Anyway, I'm not here to ask about what the best prices are. I'm looking into that myself. What I'd like to know is:

Based on your experience, which airline would you recommend I fly on to Hawaii?


I plan on flying into Honolulu, and if the trip is long enough, I may fly to Maui as well. I'll be flying Aloha interisland, there's no question about that.

As far as flights to Hawaii from the Mainland, I have to consider that I'm based in SLC, so a connection in, say, MSP or DFW would not be good for me at all. To connect with a west coast gateway city, I'd probably fly Southwest, Delta, or America West, depending on price.


So with that in mind, here are my options:


Fly Aloha Airlines out of OAK, SNA, LAS, or BUR. Aloha offers the cheapest fares, but I'm not too sure about flying in a 73G for four hours over the ocean.

Fly ATA out of LAX or SFO. ATA's fares are quite good, but I've heard bad things about them, and that they don't serve food on transpacific flights.

Fly United out of LAX, DEN, or SFO, and also get the chance to fly on a 777! My flight would be a widebody, and I hear United's food service is good, but I've also hear they aren't too friendly. Your opinion?

Fly [font color=red]American[/font] [font color=blue]Airlines[/font] out of LAX, SFO, or SJC, and fly on a 767-300 to HNL, or a 757 to the other islands. I've heard similar things to United about American's service.

Fly Northwest out of SEA, and get my first chance to experience flying on a DC-10! I've heard Northwest's transpacific service is good, but heard complaints at their DC-10 cabins are poorly maintained. Your opinion?

Fly Delta out of LAX, SFO, or SLC. Fly on a 767-400, with possiblity of flying direct from SLC to HNL without any connections. I've never had a problem with Delta, despite some people's complaints, but I don't know what their transpacific service is like. Thoughts?

As a last resort, fly Hawaiian out of LAX, ONT, PDX, SAN, LAS, PHX, SEA, SMF, or SFO. I only say "last resort" because Hawaiian's ticket prices are outrageously high for their flights to Hawaii, but I hear that the reason is that they serve 100% gourmet food in all classes, prepared by a chef at a hotel in Hawaii. Worth the extra price? You tell me. All flights on a 763.



So, based on your experience, which of these airlines would you recommend? I could really use your help, as the only airlines I've ever been on have been SWA and Delta. And I'd like to have the most enjoyable flight possible to Hawaii. :)

[Wichita]

I've been on about all of them from Wichita,been to Hawaii 5 times in the last 20 years,my brother lives there which kinda helps. We were over there at this time last year.

This last time we went on Northwest,it was fine. I don't care if the cabin looks like it needs swept,I just want the thing to be on time--and it was. It also has a neat GPS type graphic on the screen when a movie isn't on. It shows your location,alt,OAT,etc...Its fun to watch.


David

[Aloha717200]

Northwest DC-10 cabins have PTVs? Didn't know that.

[Khirsah13]

I'd suggest ATA. I know quite a few people at ATA here in IND. Very friendly. Bummer on the no food deal, but whenever I fly during a normal mealtime with no food service I just bring something with me. I prefer a nice homemade roast beef sandwich or the like to airline food anyway.

Besides, fly ATA from LAX to HNL and you get to fly on a 757-300. Beautiful airplane. Sit as far back in the plane as you can, window seat, and look out when you takeoff. Ground comes up, ground goes down. Fun to see. Such a long aircraft.

[nwabri]

It's not a PTV, the GPS positioning that was mentioned is shown on the inflight entertainment TV's. As far as the DC-10's being poorly maintained? I really think they are maintained just fine. They are a bit on the aged side, but are very clean and fairly comfortable. In a few years it will be irrelavent anyways, as the DC-10 is replaced by the A330.

[toddrf]

It doesn't matter because it is still many hours in a pressurized tube over endless miles of ocean. Coach is coach and coach food is barely food.

Fly the cheapest and lug a backpack on board with some edible food and a DVD player and you won't much care...

Todd :-wave

[Erick_Cantu]

You can fly Northwest from LA too. I think the flight is still NW935, I may be wrong.

Their DC-10 interiors are maintained as well as any (I have pictures to prove it). The service is great (I wouldn't expect less from Northwest) and the food above par as far as airline food goes.

Do it soon, though, as NWA is getting rid of the DC-10 in favour of 767 clones.

-E

[pvalexl]

I've always flown Delta to Hawaii. They flew the L-1011 and now fly the 767-400's. I've never had a problem, always great service. I would fly Delta just because there aren't too many 767-400s around. The planes are practically brand new, nice and clean and very comfortable, in my opinion. And since your based in SLC (one of Delta's hubs) I'm sure you will find a great deal directly or on a Delta connecting flight through another city.

[F16_Driver]

Nortwest.. Fly the DC-10 while you still can!..

[Aloha717200]

>You can fly Northwest from LA too. I think the flight is
>still NW935, I may be wrong.


Actually, nope, I can't. Northwests' service from LAX to HNL will be discontinued on December 17th, and will be replaced by new service from SEA to OGG.

Since I'm flying in spring of next year, the flight will have been cancelled by then. :(

Todd: LOL! Umm, nope, actually I would like to have a good experience in service if possible. All the flying I've done to date has been on short hops throughout the west, longest flights I've taken were SLC-SEA and SLC-SAN, so I havent much had the opportunity to experience real inflight service, save for snack packs and peanuts. This will be my first time. And since this is going to be the "big vacation" we've been planning for the better half of 10 years, I'm hoping to find the best, most comfortable and ejoyable flight for reasonable fares to Hawaii.

From the cabin pics I've seen, Hawaiian seems to have the most comfortable seats, but at those prices, I can do without! :D

UA's 777 looks great. The cabin pic of the northwest DC-10 I found was from 1996, so, i don't think it's accurate. Didn't Northwest do a cabin upgrade on their entire fleet recently?