Flying to Honolulu in comfort.....which airline is best?

[cove]

We are looking to go to Honolulu and then onto an outer island. Who has the most comfortable business class to get there from Australia?

 

[Ekka]

Oops. ☺ Sorry.

OPs, post didn’t mention Perth, and (at least in mobile view) cities aren’t mentioned in the member window next to the post.

Isn’t everyone from Sydney or Melbourne though??

Hawaiian apparently doesn't think so, robtemt, as they have run a direct flight from Brisbane to Honolulu for several years, which the Queensland ANTAS has not done for its home state.

Do you know anything about Charles Kingsford-Smith, by the way?

 

[psmall]

We are looking to go to Honolulu and then onto an outer island. Who has the most comfortable business class to get there from Australia?

I've only flown business class once on lay down seats and that was with Hawaiian Airlines. I've flown business class on Fiji airways but they weren't lay down seats. Fiji airways was comfortable. Hawaiian airlines, I found I got sore hips from the thin seats. Great service and a good size cabin. My son found it not that comfortable either and he is just under 6ft. If you are over 6 foot tall, it maybe tight. Haven't flown with the other airlines so I can't compare them.

 

[sjk]

Did he or she say he or indicate Perth? Good grief.

It’s obviously at least one part of the equation that needs to be considered, even if one ignores where cove might or might not be based. Good grief.

 

[robtemt]

Hawaiian apparently doesn't think so, robtemt, as they have run a direct flight from Brisbane to Honolulu for several years, which the Queensland ANTAS has not done for its home state.

I can't tell if you've taken me seriously or not.....

Do you know anything about Charles Kingsford-Smith, by the way?

I don't know if you're serious or not.....

 

[JohnPhelan]

I fly to HNL regularly in Business class and have done for the past 10 years. Have flown QF, HA and JQ.

If you are talking about comfort in J class, then QF is ahead by a long way, now that it has the new Business Suites on the A330 aircraft. Without doubt, this is the best hard product of the three, in its 1-2-1 config. Next comes HA with its flat beds, 2-2-2, so not as private or roomy. Some people also think the padding is a bit thin, whereas QF puts down a mattress on top of the seat pads.

JQ is a long way third, as it doesn't have flat beds, just recliners, in a 2-3-2 config. I wouldn't do this on the overnight flight to HNL, but have done the return sector back to Australia, as this is a day flight (so no need to try to sleep).

As others have noted, from PER there are other options, notably NH or NZ, or other combos with a change of airline in Asia.

As far as east coast flights go, HA has far and away the best timing. JQ arrives and departs HNL at a ridiculously early hour; QF arrives a bit too early for hotel check-in and the departure time means you are often getting up before dawn. HA arrives a little before lunchtime, and departs early afternoon - very civilised.

 

[cove]

Sure we are based in Perth but we can start from Sydney or Melbourne without any issues. I am ok with the QF A330 and I really don’t lIke the 737.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Did he or she say he or indicate Perth? Good grief.

No but I took the time to read their profile so I could give them relevant suggestions.
I wasn't having a go at anyone, just trying to elicit more useful information for the OP.

 

[Ekka]

I'm sure you know a fair bit about him, rob, including why Sydney Airport had the hide to name its current airport after a Queenslander instead of naming it after a NSW luminary. There must have been a few, after all, even though I can't think of them.

 

[lastrow]

I have flown JQ in business class and its suprisingly good. Ok there are no lay flat seats but for a 10 hour daylight flight who needs them. The FAs are attentive ,the meals are properly served and drinks are plentiful. Best of all the cost is well below that charged for a J seat on a "full service" airline.

 

[juddles]

I fly to HNL regularly in Business class and have done for the past 10 years. Have flown QF, HA and JQ.

If you are talking about comfort in J class, then QF is ahead by a long way, now that it has the new Business Suites on the A330 aircraft. Without doubt, this is the best hard product of the three, in its 1-2-1 config. Next comes HA with its flat beds, 2-2-2, so not as private or roomy. Some people also think the padding is a bit thin, whereas QF puts down a mattress on top of the seat pads.

JQ is a long way third, as it doesn't have flat beds, just recliners, in a 2-3-2 config. I wouldn't do this on the overnight flight to HNL, but have done the return sector back to Australia, as this is a day flight (so no need to try to sleep).

As others have noted, from PER there are other options, notably NH or NZ, or other combos with a change of airline in Asia.

As far as east coast flights go, HA has far and away the best timing. JQ arrives and departs HNL at a ridiculously early hour; QF arrives a bit too early for hotel check-in and the departure time means you are often getting up before dawn. HA arrives a little before lunchtime, and departs early afternoon - very civilised.

As is usual (with many years experience with AFF), whenever JohnPhelan makes a comment, it is spot on. To the OP, do yourself a favour and ignore every single other post

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have flown JQ in business class and its suprisingly good. Ok there are no lay flat seats but for a 10 hour daylight flight who needs them. The FAs are attentive ,the meals are properly served and drinks are plentiful. Best of all the cost is well below that charged for a J seat on a "full service" airline.

re bold... I do!! A sleep on board means arriving refreshed and having the option to go out for a good night.

Agree the service is pretty good on JQ business, and the food and beverage surpass J on QFd. But Jetstar delays are a real concern these days - Bali flights averaging 3, 4 or 5 hours delay almost every day for weeks on end.

Re Perth departures... everything is going to be at least one stop... whether that's Tokyo or east coast Australia.

Cove - any award availability on ANA? I thought they had their new F/J product on at least one of the flights to HNL?

 

[cove]

I am up to my armpits in frequent flyer points and miles so yes I look around for redemption flights when I am ready to book. This year we have London,Maldives and Tokyo booked and I haven’t done a US run just yet. I guess I could go to Honolulu from LAX As that is a short run

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I am up to my armpits in frequent flyer points and miles so yes I look around for redemption flights when I am ready to book. This year we have London,Maldives and Tokyo booked and I haven’t done a US run just yet. I guess I could go to Honolulu from LAX As that is a short run

I was meaning the ANA for the TYO-HNL route. I think their A380 is on that route. LAX-HNL can be a fairly brutal flight There used to be an ok mix of flat beds, but fairly scarce these days.

 

[cove]

We have enjoyed the Big Island and Maui so we need to go to some other islands. The flight from LAX is just a bit longer than SYD-PER.

 

[drross]

I was meaning the ANA for the TYO-HNL route. I think their A380 is on that route. LAX-HNL can be a fairly brutal flight There used to be an ok mix of flat beds, but fairly scarce these days.

2 A380 s alraedy and their 3rd A380 will start on that route shortly

 

[stevenaus]

+1 for NZ. Just booked for Xmas 2020. Qantas quoted 12K Air NZ $4.5 via AKL which I don't mind. On the way back overnight stop in AKL which I also don't mind at all. Its less than half the QF fare and I actually prefer the seat and inflight service. If Hawaiian flew from Melbourne I would have looked at that also.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Although QF has a sale at the moment for ~2350 return from MEL/SYD to HNL. That's a pretty good price, but limited to just a few weeks in March I think?