This is a bit nostalgic, but my favorite plane has always been the 747. First time on a 747 was on a flight to HNL on our honeymoon in 1990. An experience I’ll never forget, for many reasons.
My first trip to Hawaii was a choice between wide body 767 Hawaiian or Aloha 737. Having flown coast to coast in a 737 a couple of months earlier I chose Hawaiian and was pleased with it. I have since flown on A330, 737 and A321. I’m not a fan of the narrow body planes on this route especially with reduced seat pitch. Moooo. On some level even Hawaiians old 717s feel a little roomier than the 737 or A321. I have flown on 707, 720, 727, DC8 and 747 on other trips just not to Hawaii. That said I guess I’ll take one of the wide bodies first. Sorry I missed the 757 though.
Loved the old 757. It was very fast with lots of performance. We used United. I remember one time coming out of Kona we had missed our departure time. We ended up sitting out on the tarmac for over an hour. We finally got a departure time and as we were headed to our runway, the pilot came on the speaker and said, not to worry folks he would get us into SFO on time. That flight took 3 hours. That’s normally about a 5 hour flight. I have no idea how fast we were going but, it was very fast! From what I understand the pilots loved to fly that aircraft. The new Max is not all that fast but does get better fuel economy and that’s what airlines want and need.
Aloha
Keep in mind that some of the infrastructure at some of the non-Honolulu airports were built out before the introduction of the 757 in a big way. Memory serves that United Airlines, in the early-to-mid 1980’s funded the building of a new runway and ramp area at Lihue to accommodate larger jets to fly directly from the mainland to Lihue. The DC-8-71 (maybe better described as a fat flying pencil) was the workhorse of UAL non-Oahu flights for many years before its retirement of the type in 1991. There was also concern by the residents on the islands if you will of over-tourism even then from direct flights, which we still have today, regardless of plane type flying here.
My favorite plane to Hawaii and all long-distance destinations has always been the Boeing 747. In number 2 position, the 757 – the greatest single-aisle plane ever.
Flying in Sep on the A321neo. Not a memorable aircraft. I may have to fly out of a more distant airport to get a better plane. Looking forward to flying on the 787 Dreamliner one of these days.
The 757 was (and still is) one of the best airframes Boeing ever built. Sadly instead of redesigning the 757 and producing the 797, Boeing cut corners and this you have the unsafe 737 MAX. Hopefully the MAX-10 will never see the light of day and Boeing will finally make a new aircraft that is safe to fly on and easy to work on. Their wasn’t anything sexier than the 757
Western Airlines DC 10. First class. The travelers up there were wealthy locals and brought their maids on board with food cooked at home by them. Maids sat in Coach. If you were lucky enough to get a seat next to one of these locals you ate much better than the food supplied by Western. They always shared. Travel was fun then.
My favorite plane to Hawaii was the Pan Am 747 and the Continental DC10 was 2nd.
Hi Ken.
👍
Aloha.
Aloha BOH,
This is a bit nostalgic, but my favorite plane has always been the 747. First time on a 747 was on a flight to HNL on our honeymoon in 1990. An experience I’ll never forget, for many reasons.
Aloha and have a great weekend!
Hi Jim.
Thanks. Seems that many of us share great 747 memories.
Aloha.
We prefer AA 777 first class from Dalas. The meals are not always up to speed. But its nice to lay flatt ad get some sleep.
My first trip to Hawaii was a choice between wide body 767 Hawaiian or Aloha 737. Having flown coast to coast in a 737 a couple of months earlier I chose Hawaiian and was pleased with it. I have since flown on A330, 737 and A321. I’m not a fan of the narrow body planes on this route especially with reduced seat pitch. Moooo. On some level even Hawaiians old 717s feel a little roomier than the 737 or A321. I have flown on 707, 720, 727, DC8 and 747 on other trips just not to Hawaii. That said I guess I’ll take one of the wide bodies first. Sorry I missed the 757 though.
My favorite plane is the one that gets me to Kauai safely in the shortest amount of time with only 1 stop. Florida to Kauai is a long haul.
Loved the old 757. It was very fast with lots of performance. We used United. I remember one time coming out of Kona we had missed our departure time. We ended up sitting out on the tarmac for over an hour. We finally got a departure time and as we were headed to our runway, the pilot came on the speaker and said, not to worry folks he would get us into SFO on time. That flight took 3 hours. That’s normally about a 5 hour flight. I have no idea how fast we were going but, it was very fast! From what I understand the pilots loved to fly that aircraft. The new Max is not all that fast but does get better fuel economy and that’s what airlines want and need.
Aloha
Keep in mind that some of the infrastructure at some of the non-Honolulu airports were built out before the introduction of the 757 in a big way. Memory serves that United Airlines, in the early-to-mid 1980’s funded the building of a new runway and ramp area at Lihue to accommodate larger jets to fly directly from the mainland to Lihue. The DC-8-71 (maybe better described as a fat flying pencil) was the workhorse of UAL non-Oahu flights for many years before its retirement of the type in 1991. There was also concern by the residents on the islands if you will of over-tourism even then from direct flights, which we still have today, regardless of plane type flying here.
My favorite plane to Hawaii and all long-distance destinations has always been the Boeing 747. In number 2 position, the 757 – the greatest single-aisle plane ever.
Flying in Sep on the A321neo. Not a memorable aircraft. I may have to fly out of a more distant airport to get a better plane. Looking forward to flying on the 787 Dreamliner one of these days.
The 757 was (and still is) one of the best airframes Boeing ever built. Sadly instead of redesigning the 757 and producing the 797, Boeing cut corners and this you have the unsafe 737 MAX. Hopefully the MAX-10 will never see the light of day and Boeing will finally make a new aircraft that is safe to fly on and easy to work on. Their wasn’t anything sexier than the 757
In the early 70s flying TWA 707s in first class was always an enjoyable ride.
Western Airlines DC 10. First class. The travelers up there were wealthy locals and brought their maids on board with food cooked at home by them. Maids sat in Coach. If you were lucky enough to get a seat next to one of these locals you ate much better than the food supplied by Western. They always shared. Travel was fun then.