Thank you for the great review. Love reading the reviews. Any suggestions on how to report a bad experience to an airline? For instance you said you received 100 bucks in in flight credit for a lousy meal. Thanks
I grew up with family on Big Island and so traveled to and fro often, usually on UA (out of SFO); haven’t been on UA to Hawaii in at least ten years (now SEA based and am usually on AS) – the one thing I want to know is do they still play the “halfway to Hawaii” game?!? I’d look forward to playing on each and every flight; I won on my last trip (large box of mac nuts was the prize) and this is still a very fond memory.
I bought 4 first class tickets to Hawaii the plane was very old no seats to recline into beds no television no radio no nothing I paid $9.700. Got a meal that was gross going to contact lawyer because United airlines will not return calls.
Please check the definition of Polaris class with United, preferably with their corporate offices. It is very specific and to my knowledge doesn’t apply to first class across the board. Unfair to mis-characterize.
United can’t decide whether routes to Hawaii are domestic or international, from anywhere on the mainland. Getting the right mix of revenue, amenities and plane is tricky. These routes are lost leaders, meaning demand is high but from vacation travelers, not corporate execs on expense accounts. Hence lower fares and less revenue. Also, longer route, bigger plane. Bigger plane, more comfort and amenities. West Coast flights are basically over-water, domestic flights. And flying domestically is pretty iffy these days.
My grandson and I flew United economy with a group to Honolulu in June 2023 and were extremely disappointed that there were no back seat video monitors for in-flight movies Or WIFI on the final leg-Frisco to Honolulu. It made the long trip very difficult for some of the high school kids who are usually on their phones all the time. I understand that wifi is iffy crossing the ocean, but think All flights from the mainland to Any of the Hawaiian Islands should have in-flight movies as some kind of entertainment for the long trip.
BOH: Flew UA 2380 from SFO to HNL last night, via a 737-800 MAX. There was no wi-fi or internet about 15 minutes outside SFO. For a plane that was only a few years old, the aircraft’s bulkhead screens were frozen to the previous flight (ORD to SFO) over Davenport, IA which was odd given the age of the A/C.
What was worse was the 24.5 year old 772 from EWR to SFO. During taxi, a light standard cover fell down and thankfully hit no one. And the climate controls for the A/C were frozen (pun intended) on full blase cold. Also, the A/C did not have individual fans for each seat, just the vents that ran the length of the A/C….which blew very cold air the entire time. I had a sweatshirt and two blankets on and was still quite cold.
Thanks for the report. According to FlightAware, that was a 737 Max 9 that you flew on last night. We’ll report back after two flights on that plane that are coming right up. Have been lucky to avoid the 772 with 8 across business. And really enjoyed their Dreamliner Polaris.
I have flown United to HNL through Houston (and often connect the same day- so I have a back end time constraint) at least once, sometimes twice a year, since 2008 from either DCA or IAD. I competitively shop other airlines, dates, times, you get the picture. In 2008-1011/2012 my ticket was no more than 850-900. In April 2021 it was just under 1700 for economy plus (upgraded for free bag and seating in that area); I flew American through Phoenix to Maui to connect later that afternoon this April and did a similar type of upgrade for just under 2K.
I am already looking at this April and man would I like some of that magic juice BOH is drinking to get the prices you are!
Have you sent in comments to United regarding the catering and about how you prefer a multi course service rather than a single tray? I also love multi course service, but my sources at United have told me that most customer’s have asked for one tray, and don’t want multiple courses anymore. I think the only way for it to change is Lots of customer feedback.
Love BOH. Maui residents for 15 years. Somehow, BOH got “pushed” on me via Google, probably based on my search history (aside, anyone who thinks we still have any privacy is living in the early 20th century). Anyways, keep the articles coming!
When we went to Hawaii in 2021 the rates for 1st class were fairly inexpensive ($400 RT Via SFO).
We decided to splurge and pay for 1st but I told my wife we could Only book flights on one of United’s triple 7s. No way I’d pay 1st class on a narrow body.
We didn’t tell our daughter about the seats and she was surprised and excited to see the lie flat seats. Being over 21 she immediately went for the booze but sadly United wasn’t serving Mai Tais during covid, and she had to ‘settle’ for champagne.
United Airlines in Hawaii was very disappointing. They cancelled my son’s non stop flight to LAX and put him on two 27 hour flights with 2 cancellations and rebookings through Denver and finally arrived at LAX 27 hours later. We had always flown United airlines every couple of of years or more but are now reconsidering and will now decide bto fly other airlines, rather than United after flying with them exclusively for 30 years.
Good for you because my flight from Washington, DC with American Airlines via Phoenix literally had 0 food (not even for purchase!) when I returned to Maui earlier this month. What was worse is we were told 5 minutes before boarding that there will be no food on the plane, so fries at Wendy’s across from the gate was my only option not to miss the flight!
I think business class everywhere has gone downhill. We flew back from Paris to O’Hare in May and I’ve never had a worse meal ever and then the snacks were non-existent. The service was serviceable. Lounge at the airport at Charles de Gaulle was very nice and the food was very good but we didn’t want to eat lunch because we were going to be eating on the plane, bad mistake!
So interesting to read other’s experiences. We’ve been flying to Kauai for many years, on Delta, American, Southwest, and most recently United. We had heard negative things about United over the years, so avoided the airline. About 4 years ago, United had a credit card offer I couldn’t refuse, so we began flying on United. Boy, were we surprised! United has now become our favorite, and not just to Kauai. We’ve flown it all over the US, even to Alaska. We rarely fly first class, usually just “preferred seating”, and are very comfortable. Good service, and plenty to eat. Flying on United to Kauai on Wednesday, and hoping the positive trend continues.
PS. Flying out of Denver, flights are $1000+ for direct flight mid-week
OH My! I am flyng Americannad have to as they would not refund from the Maui fire, but offered credit. Anyway, I am dreading the narrow body plane. I really dont care about eating as it is annoying and smelly and then everyone has to have their dumps in the tiny biffy. But I sure woiuld love leg room, and water, water, water. I am very tall and can not afford extra 6″ seating, so am just actually dreading the flight, plus now reading about bed bugs, and the iffyness on be welcomed to Maui. its been way too stressful to go on a paradisical trip, that if I had not planned it with a friend, would just not go. Dreading the air flight~whatever the company.
Aloha
When booking a flight, it shows the plane, however, I’ve also had the occasion where it was switched out after booking to a different aircraft. That would thwart attempts to have the kind of flight experience I’d like.
Am I understanding this correctly that you paid less than $400 for a flight from Europe to Hawaii on 1st class? If so, I wouldn’t complain, but agree it should not bee called “1st class” if the food is bad etc. We stopped flying United a long time ago.
Can you please review Hawaii Air nonstops from Mainland to HNL. In September we flew HA nonstop from Phoenix to HNL. We were in the seats/class immediately behind first class. At altitude, the attendant came through offering a breakfast sandwich in a wrapper. I asked for water, juice & coffee. The attendant seemed annoyed that I did. Good thing I did. After that we had no cabin service except for 2 walkthroughs offering water. Nothing else! Nadda on a 5+ hour flight. We were told if wanted coffee to go to a service area. If you wanted a snack, go to the back of the plane & buy something. Really? No other service on a 5+ hour flight? Unbelievable. Living in Kauai we’ve been loyal to HA, but that may change. We were so disappointed.
We received exactly the same service early this week in the 4th row of extra comfort on an A330 flight from PDX to HNL which is the same service we received back in April between PDX & OCG on an A321.
How much for from LA , California to Honoluu ( Hawaii)on Premium Economy( round trip)?
Please reply to me by email.
Hi Hanh.
Try checking Google Flights for your route and dates. https://beatofhawaii.com/find-cheap-hawaii-airfare-with-google-flights-alerts/.
Aloha.
Thank you for the great review. Love reading the reviews. Any suggestions on how to report a bad experience to an airline? For instance you said you received 100 bucks in in flight credit for a lousy meal. Thanks
Hi Mike.
Thanks. Tell us more about the circumstances, and we’ll see what we can suggest.
Aloha.
I grew up with family on Big Island and so traveled to and fro often, usually on UA (out of SFO); haven’t been on UA to Hawaii in at least ten years (now SEA based and am usually on AS) – the one thing I want to know is do they still play the “halfway to Hawaii” game?!? I’d look forward to playing on each and every flight; I won on my last trip (large box of mac nuts was the prize) and this is still a very fond memory.
Hi Pshen.
No more halfway to Hawaii game. Sorry to say.
Aloha.
It actually depends on the crew. They were still playing it as of just a few weeks ag.
I bought 4 first class tickets to Hawaii the plane was very old no seats to recline into beds no television no radio no nothing I paid $9.700. Got a meal that was gross going to contact lawyer because United airlines will not return calls.
Please check the definition of Polaris class with United, preferably with their corporate offices. It is very specific and to my knowledge doesn’t apply to first class across the board. Unfair to mis-characterize.
United can’t decide whether routes to Hawaii are domestic or international, from anywhere on the mainland. Getting the right mix of revenue, amenities and plane is tricky. These routes are lost leaders, meaning demand is high but from vacation travelers, not corporate execs on expense accounts. Hence lower fares and less revenue. Also, longer route, bigger plane. Bigger plane, more comfort and amenities. West Coast flights are basically over-water, domestic flights. And flying domestically is pretty iffy these days.
My grandson and I flew United economy with a group to Honolulu in June 2023 and were extremely disappointed that there were no back seat video monitors for in-flight movies Or WIFI on the final leg-Frisco to Honolulu. It made the long trip very difficult for some of the high school kids who are usually on their phones all the time. I understand that wifi is iffy crossing the ocean, but think All flights from the mainland to Any of the Hawaiian Islands should have in-flight movies as some kind of entertainment for the long trip.
BOH: Flew UA 2380 from SFO to HNL last night, via a 737-800 MAX. There was no wi-fi or internet about 15 minutes outside SFO. For a plane that was only a few years old, the aircraft’s bulkhead screens were frozen to the previous flight (ORD to SFO) over Davenport, IA which was odd given the age of the A/C.
What was worse was the 24.5 year old 772 from EWR to SFO. During taxi, a light standard cover fell down and thankfully hit no one. And the climate controls for the A/C were frozen (pun intended) on full blase cold. Also, the A/C did not have individual fans for each seat, just the vents that ran the length of the A/C….which blew very cold air the entire time. I had a sweatshirt and two blankets on and was still quite cold.
Hi Justin.
Thanks for the report. According to FlightAware, that was a 737 Max 9 that you flew on last night. We’ll report back after two flights on that plane that are coming right up. Have been lucky to avoid the 772 with 8 across business. And really enjoyed their Dreamliner Polaris.
Aloha.
Aloha BoH!
I looked up thr tail number/registration (N77558) and you are correct: it was a 737-9MAX. My apologies!
I have flown United to HNL through Houston (and often connect the same day- so I have a back end time constraint) at least once, sometimes twice a year, since 2008 from either DCA or IAD. I competitively shop other airlines, dates, times, you get the picture. In 2008-1011/2012 my ticket was no more than 850-900. In April 2021 it was just under 1700 for economy plus (upgraded for free bag and seating in that area); I flew American through Phoenix to Maui to connect later that afternoon this April and did a similar type of upgrade for just under 2K.
I am already looking at this April and man would I like some of that magic juice BOH is drinking to get the prices you are!
Have you sent in comments to United regarding the catering and about how you prefer a multi course service rather than a single tray? I also love multi course service, but my sources at United have told me that most customer’s have asked for one tray, and don’t want multiple courses anymore. I think the only way for it to change is Lots of customer feedback.
Hi TT.
United has already seen this. Thanks for your input.
Aloha.
Love BOH. Maui residents for 15 years. Somehow, BOH got “pushed” on me via Google, probably based on my search history (aside, anyone who thinks we still have any privacy is living in the early 20th century). Anyways, keep the articles coming!
Hi Robert.
Thanks, welcome and will do! We hope to hear from you again.
Aloha.
When we went to Hawaii in 2021 the rates for 1st class were fairly inexpensive ($400 RT Via SFO).
We decided to splurge and pay for 1st but I told my wife we could Only book flights on one of United’s triple 7s. No way I’d pay 1st class on a narrow body.
We didn’t tell our daughter about the seats and she was surprised and excited to see the lie flat seats. Being over 21 she immediately went for the booze but sadly United wasn’t serving Mai Tais during covid, and she had to ‘settle’ for champagne.
Nice review. So having wifi is imperative to draft an article on a computer that does not need wifi to work?
Hi Kimom
Thanks. While we do takes notes in offline Docs, to be honest, it is way better to work in the online website editor directly.
Aloha.
Chill out. For $300-odd for a flight half way across Pacific and you are complaining about WiFi?
United Airlines in Hawaii was very disappointing. They cancelled my son’s non stop flight to LAX and put him on two 27 hour flights with 2 cancellations and rebookings through Denver and finally arrived at LAX 27 hours later. We had always flown United airlines every couple of of years or more but are now reconsidering and will now decide bto fly other airlines, rather than United after flying with them exclusively for 30 years.
In March 2022 I flew American Airlines from Dallas to Honolulu and we were served a cheese sandwich LOL
Good for you because my flight from Washington, DC with American Airlines via Phoenix literally had 0 food (not even for purchase!) when I returned to Maui earlier this month. What was worse is we were told 5 minutes before boarding that there will be no food on the plane, so fries at Wendy’s across from the gate was my only option not to miss the flight!
i have had that same flight and ditto!
I think business class everywhere has gone downhill. We flew back from Paris to O’Hare in May and I’ve never had a worse meal ever and then the snacks were non-existent. The service was serviceable. Lounge at the airport at Charles de Gaulle was very nice and the food was very good but we didn’t want to eat lunch because we were going to be eating on the plane, bad mistake!
So interesting to read other’s experiences. We’ve been flying to Kauai for many years, on Delta, American, Southwest, and most recently United. We had heard negative things about United over the years, so avoided the airline. About 4 years ago, United had a credit card offer I couldn’t refuse, so we began flying on United. Boy, were we surprised! United has now become our favorite, and not just to Kauai. We’ve flown it all over the US, even to Alaska. We rarely fly first class, usually just “preferred seating”, and are very comfortable. Good service, and plenty to eat. Flying on United to Kauai on Wednesday, and hoping the positive trend continues.
PS. Flying out of Denver, flights are $1000+ for direct flight mid-week
OH My! I am flyng Americannad have to as they would not refund from the Maui fire, but offered credit. Anyway, I am dreading the narrow body plane. I really dont care about eating as it is annoying and smelly and then everyone has to have their dumps in the tiny biffy. But I sure woiuld love leg room, and water, water, water. I am very tall and can not afford extra 6″ seating, so am just actually dreading the flight, plus now reading about bed bugs, and the iffyness on be welcomed to Maui. its been way too stressful to go on a paradisical trip, that if I had not planned it with a friend, would just not go. Dreading the air flight~whatever the company.
Aloha
When booking a flight, it shows the plane, however, I’ve also had the occasion where it was switched out after booking to a different aircraft. That would thwart attempts to have the kind of flight experience I’d like.
Am I understanding this correctly that you paid less than $400 for a flight from Europe to Hawaii on 1st class? If so, I wouldn’t complain, but agree it should not bee called “1st class” if the food is bad etc. We stopped flying United a long time ago.
Hi Eva.
No that was the cost for that segment only. Still a great price.
Aloha.
Can you please review Hawaii Air nonstops from Mainland to HNL. In September we flew HA nonstop from Phoenix to HNL. We were in the seats/class immediately behind first class. At altitude, the attendant came through offering a breakfast sandwich in a wrapper. I asked for water, juice & coffee. The attendant seemed annoyed that I did. Good thing I did. After that we had no cabin service except for 2 walkthroughs offering water. Nothing else! Nadda on a 5+ hour flight. We were told if wanted coffee to go to a service area. If you wanted a snack, go to the back of the plane & buy something. Really? No other service on a 5+ hour flight? Unbelievable. Living in Kauai we’ve been loyal to HA, but that may change. We were so disappointed.
Hi Tom.
We’ve have done many Hawaiian reviews. And we’ll do more soon.
Aloha.
We received exactly the same service early this week in the 4th row of extra comfort on an A330 flight from PDX to HNL which is the same service we received back in April between PDX & OCG on an A321.