After flying from Tampa to Los Angeles in American's A321neo first class, and then spending the night at the Hyatt Regency LAX, it was time to fly from Los Angeles to Honolulu the following morning. Since this flight was also on the American Airlines A321neo in first class, I don't think it makes sense to…
Continue reading: Review: American Airlines First Class To Hawaii
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I actually think that the AA snack basket is the best of all US airlines. Those Brownie Britles are especially awesome. Never heard them before flying AA, but already bought a couple of bags after trying them.
I’ve traveled to Hawaii from the east coast a couple times, and completely agree on breaking the trip up (unless you can get a lie flat seat). 11 hours plus in a recliner is a lot. We usually try and go through LAX and have dinner in the Manhattan Beach area.
Does the streaming entertainment work when the internet is out? Or are you left with nothing for much of the flight?
Streaming will still work for most entertainment- just no internet/data. I'm unsure about live TV but would assume that to be out as well.
I just flew first (Flagship Business) to HNL from DFW this past Sunday (787-9). The service was phenomenal and meal selection was well above average for a domestic flight. Overall, an incredibly comfortable way to get to Hawaii.
I'm glad American rebranded this route as a "Flagship" route but it's unfortunate that the PHX or LAX markets don't get this designation. It's definitely nice to have the lie flat bed on a route that long. For the return, I'm still waiting to see if my SWU clears from LIH to LAX. This will be a lunch flight and curious what the catering options will be.
I can’t speak for every plane/airline, but all that is stored locally on the plane.
The LAX flights in years past used 767-300's and 757's on and off, which was a lot more comfortable.
DFW-Hawaii has thankfully had widebody aircraft for decades, and it is worth it to fly through that hub if you can. ( plus, now Flagship Lounge access is granted flying First on widebody aircraft to Hawaii )
Crew can be hit or miss, similar to many flights.
Did this trip recently and originally booked on a lie flat F ticket, paying a bit more for it, only to find that our flight was subsequently changed to regular F. No refund of course. Later we rebooked at a good price anyway. Spy versus Spy ... (btw, the crew were excellent, but not comics)
Do you get access to the Admiral’s Club in HNL in this case? We are doing that flight in Nay and it sure would be nice to be able to go in the Admiral’s Club before the flight.
Sorry, read this wrong. I am doing the reverse from HNL to DFW. Wondering if I can use Admiral’s club in HNL?
@Lucky....looks like you were sitting on the right side, so the island you saw was just the windward/northern side of Oahu. If on the left side, you might sometimes get to see Molokai, but it would have to be very clear. It's more likely that you'd see Molokai from the right side on departure.
I have flown the AA LAX-HNL route in F several times last year, and most recently in January. I remember lovely crews, but absolutely nothing else about the flights...and almost everything in the HNL terminal has been closed, maybe because I usually take the late red-eye flights on the return, so the ground experience has been a bit dreadful.
You are an experienced flyer, and you fly AA often. I would like to come upfront and clearly state that you know Hawaiian flights from/ to LAX and PHX are sold* as regular domestic first class. That's what you pay, and that's what you get. And it is the route of choice for many due to the increased chances of Upgrading for free from economy.
Currently the only AA Hawaiian Flagship route is from/to DFW. Lie flat seats, menus , 3- 4 choices of meals etc etc... chances of upgrading on the dfw flight are slim to none, and you know it. You should be a little more transparent with that.
I also flew to Hawaii from TPA a couple of weeks ago but chose to route via DFW. Even in economy I think this route is better due to bigger plane on the long leg. I paid about 200pp OW. I kept watching C space and at some point they opened up C7. Asked my EXP friend to upgrade me and flew in a lie flat. Service was nothing much and food not too good but comfort level was perfect.
Next time fly to DFW & cash out Marriott points at either the Hotel Bin or Drover. Best selection of planes to HI from DFW!
The one time we flew in American we had a terrible experience. I vowed I would never fly with them again. That was in 2011. I’ve flown quite a few times since and usually on United. My daughter has flown on American quite often over the last few years and has had really good flights. So who knows why ours was so horrible! And it was a trip to and from Hawaii!!!
I’m bummed you didn’t go into Flagship, I thought you did the Finnair deal a few months back. Wanted to hear about the entry experience.
Roughly twenty four hours to Hawaii on a non wide body, non true F class experience except that you flew technically F class by AA standards. So many better options IMHO.
United is pathetic. Evidently, no longer their "Little Corner of the World". Delta is no better and Southwest, well, you get what you pay for. Want fab service to Hawaii? Fly Hawaiian - it's the best service in either F or Y, the flight attendants are not snarly (like UA), tawdry (line WN) or wanna-bees (like DL). United is the biggest disappointment. BIGGEST.
Ben you’re giving out too many 4 stars. Don’t be afraid to throw a few 3 stars out there.
I flew KOA PHX last year on the red eye and slept the entire way. The a321neo is quiet and good cabin pressure . Still deep in the pandemic I cleared an upgrade as gold status lol. Bought my dad a last minute one way ticket on Delta KOA SEA BOS for something like $216. He still non revs and I don’t but although unlikely I don’t want to risk him being stranded he’s 76.
Getting upgraded to first class out of LAX or PHX on the narrow body is a safer play. The competition for an upgrade out of DFW with the lie flat seats is tough. I have platinum pro and an SWU so I’m going to try next month. Also fare differences. Going through PHX or LAX would have been $150 less.
Hot towels! The instant relief, followed by it becoming icy cold in under 3 seconds.
How ironic, earlier today I looked up Ford's email from an exchange back in 2018 so I could send hi a question about a hotel booking for an upcoming trip to NYC. Then a few minutes ago I realized it was no longer the current address so I resent the mail, and now I just saw this post and realize you both are on Oahu, where i live. Small world! I hope you have a great trip - and looking forward to working with Ford again!
Lucky you. But stand by what I said. Why didn't he choose the dfw flight? He can clearly see the equipment at booking..
@ Eric Reg. -- What should I be more transparent about? Correct, I knew all of those things...
I find many of these flight reviews totally useless. What exactly did You expect on a Domestic Flight within the USA? Hawaii is a Domestic destination and No One should be expecting an International Inflight Product (which many of you would still have issues with) and need to cease that train of thought. The travelling public has some Very Lofty expectations (delusions) of what they feel they are entitled to but I for one would like to see what type of Fare you are paying or better yet the amount of FF Points you may be redeeming. It is called a REALITY Check....many of You are very unrealistic with your expectations and have Nothing to stand on. pathetic.
Where did all the intelligent comments go?! Pre pandemic the comments could be as helpful as the review. Now it's full of angry peoole who think they are experts because they once took a flight in 2016!
As a United flyer, I am jealous of that catering. Decently healthy. Good presentation too.
@ Gustov -- Huh? Unrealistic with my expectations? I gave this flight a four star rating!
It’s a travesty that this cabin is allowed the label of “first class”. It’s barely fit for a dog.
So basically the breakfast choice was omelette or no omelette? I would have been irritated if I chose the fruit and then saw that the omelette people also got a similar portion of fruit.
I get the difference in US carriers calling their Premium Economy First Class compared to the rest of the world - Flying over the Pacific in a narrow body wouldn’t thrill me at all but looks better than my recent “filthy” Polaris on UA from Sydney to LA - the worst EVER and crew were appalling.
We had a great crew on our way to Kauai we went out of Santa Ana Airport to Phoenix then to Kauai we had a nice meal, cocktails and we arrived on time. I was surprised that they took away the TVs and you needed to use your phone, for any entertainment.
On our way back, it was a late return so we were offered soup, crackers and grapes.
I can’t sleep on a plane, so for me I was uncomfortable the seats in first class didn’t have any leg support, what happened to that?
It’ll be awhile before I fly again, but I’m definitely going to fly during the daytime.
When I flew with my wife on united to Honolulu in October and dropped $5k + on two first class seats I expected and got a lie flat seat both directions. Comfort costs money. If American charged me $2.5k to fly in an upright seat to Honolulu I'd pass. who cares about catering. It's about the sleep and avoiding blood clots.
Love Corn is a British snack company - they're very tasty and I'd definitely recommend!
Looking at the breakfasts it looks like the omelette is a better option as you get most of the fruit plate on the side anyway and everything else is the same!
@lucky : funny how u paint a picture that the wrist bands at admirals club make AA so wonderful, as if they’re going “above and beyond”,
and yet, willfully ignore the fact that UA offers wrist band pre clearance to all passengers - all class of service, all status levels. what we’ve been taken for granted for eons, apparently requires a gold star at AA to commemorate their ingenuity
and this is me speaking from my own EWR-OGG nonstop experience
Yea C Space is an opinion polling site and never heard of C7? And having an EXP friend doesn't do anything unless they book your ticket for you... If anyone can enlighten us that would be great?
We flew on a night flight on the A321neo and found first class to be horrible. The seat was nearly upright and so uncomfortable I went to coach and found a row of 3 open seats to lay across.
On a positive note, this was the first plane in 1.4M miles flow that was actually held so my wife, 12 others and I could make the connection.
On the trip home we paid more to get a first class ride in a 787. SO MUCH BETTER!
I'm glad to be telling you this long after your flight, but Southwest serves Brownie Brittle as one of their inflight snacks on their... wait for it... 'enhanced' flights. 'Enhanced' meaning the flight is over three hours, or something like that.
And to say the omlette lacked presentation is an amazing way to break the awful truth to anybody who saw the pic. Truly, an omlette only a hungry person could love.
We fly American to Hawaii every year First class, I get our tickets in Late Dec Price is awesome. We fly from from Phx To Honolulu, And are treated like Royalty!! We always get the same seats, We have great legroom, We are offered cocktail of your choice after take off, nice hot towel, Served Hot mixed nuts, Our lunch choice has been a bit different since pre covid but has gotten up to where they use to be, We had the pasta meal with salad , a Roll, wine of your choice red or white, Dessert was awesome…. Hot Fudge sundae… was great, we settled in got our blanket n pillows had another glass of wine and watched a movie on my tablet,,,, Flight attendants were Great,,, It was on the 321 Neo I believe…. Was a Perfect flight including our overnight return flight a week later….
Can’t wait to fly to hawaii this year!!!
Thank you for the thoughtful, detailed review. This was a great read as my wife and I are taking our first trip to Hawaii next year and decided to splurge for 1st class, to make the flight much more enjoyable.
We are both excited to be able to take that journey and know that it will be a very comfortable flight.
Thanks for taking the time to put this review out there!
The thing that bothers me the most is that if you buy a first-class ticket, you shouldn't have different planes flying on the same route. Keep it consistent and I don't think it's right for them to put you on a 321neo first class when the flight is that long. If someone is paying for first class, 1) they want to know what they are paying for 2) no one wants to pay first class for a sub-par looking first class
We had great AA flights from PHX to the big island in the fall of '21. First class experience similar to yours except no hot meals at that time and due to our noon departure time, lunch was served. Our return flight was in coach but had an exit row and no one in between us so were able to stretch out. I think AA has stepped up service during the past few years and seeing a more consistent product. I hope that continues as they are my airline of choice out of PHX.
Starting the new year flying back from MSY via DFW in first class on an A321 and Flagship Business on a 787-9. Hope it's starts off on the right foot for the new year!
Happy 2023!