Qantas to Alaska via Hawaii. Possible?

[Quickstatus]

Have you tried a reputable bricks and mortar travel agent (not online TA)

 

[justinbrett]

First, the JQ flight is operating on a 787 which is way more modern than the dinosaur QF uses on that route (an A330) including higher humidity to reduce the amount of jet lag one gets from these flights. Second, the flight gets in super early (6 AM) meaning you aren't dealing with other international arrivals which can slow down baggage, immigration and customs. Third, if this is being booked out as a classic award booking you would need fewer points to make the booking requiring only 26,000 points each way versus 31,500 points each way (remember all QF classic awards include checked baggage, even on JQ)

-RooFlyer88

Pffft. JQ’s 787 are less than a decade younger than QF’s A330, and I refer people to the thread about JQ’s 787 seats being literally painful.

The seats on the A330s are newer than JQ’s and I’ve found the soft product on that route very good, even in Y. For returning to Australia the QF flight leaves at gentlemen’s hours rather than early morning with JQ. That’s no way I want to end my holiday.

 

[SYD]

Pffft. JQ’s 787 are less than a decade younger than QF’s A330, and I refer people to the thread about JQ’s 787 seats being literally painful.

The seats on the A330s are newer than JQ’s and I’ve found the soft product on that route very good, even in Y. For returning to Australia the QF flight leaves at gentlemen’s hours rather than early morning with JQ. That’s no way I want to end my holiday.

My last HNL trip just before Covid we scored the coal fired QF 744 over and back. Jumped at QF Y+ as a bargain compared with 1* class J. We got upgraded on the way over, which as WPs meant we were able to select 1st class seats in the nose for the night flight over and then that leisurely “day flight” home in PE was quite pleasant.

 

[jpp42]

I recently flew SYD-HNL return on JQ and although I made the right choice for us personally as we needed to save money, it was stressful with the multi-hour delays and the knowledge that this could become multiple days if our plane went tech. I totally agree with the others that this is no good of an option if connecting to another long haul flight on a separate PNR,
even with all day to connect. I also agree that the A330 is more comfortable; the paired seat arrangements are nice for couples compared with the 787's narrow 3-3-3, and while I personally didn't mind the harder cushions of the 787, it's definitely noticeably different.

I don't think age of the plane is that big a consideration. I also don't like the 787 electronic window shades on daytime flights. So yes absolutely choose Qantas over Jetstar if you can afford it.

 

[docjames]

Interestingly if i plus random dates into ITA matrix, one of the cheaper options (pricing around $2200) involves HA but goes SYD-HNL, HNL-KOA-ANC (on Alaskan) and direct back to HNL on Alaskan then back to SYD After 2 nights in HNL (random dates and flex chosen).

I missed if the OP answered the reason for going via HNL in both directions, and time on ground required? If connection only in one direction, many more (non-HNL) options may open up.

Spoecific dates may be relevant too - school holidays and easter both intersect with early April so how date flexible is the OP?

 

[Quickstatus]

than the dinosaur QF uses on that route (an A330)

I actually like the A330. It is hardly a dinosaur and has better seats than the JQ 787 whose seats are very hard
And I don't like the windows of the 787. It cannot block out light entirely.

Then there is....

Humidity
787 15-25%
330 - 5-10%

I have not seen any studies that show that people can discern a difference of 10-15% humidity. Most people will tend to say that the air is dry with anything less than 40% humidity. So by inference, the 787 air is also dry. As to whether this difference in humidity leads to a significant difference jetlag, well let's call it wishful thinking (see confirmation bias). Jetlag is a multivariate analysis. It is very difficult to study jetlag and humidity because you will need to firstly control for all the other factors that contribute to jetlag

Dehydration? No, alcohol contributes to more dehydration than a small difference in humidity. In any case, just drink more H2O.

Cabin altitude
Cabin altitude is a function of aircraft altitude - a pressure differential exists with respect to the outside air pressure. But at altitudes that all commercial aircraft commonly fly, the actual cabin altitude is not significantly different.
787 says 6000 ft at max altitude
Most commercial aircraft 8000 ft at max altitude
However they don't generally fly at max altitude. In the end cabin altitude between the 787 and 330 at the usual operating altitudes are not as widely different as one would imagine. And I suspect its more or less the same for all aircraft. Maybe @jb747, @AviatorInsight may want to comment.

Noise
Much is made about cabin noise and how the 787 is a quieter aircraft. Certainly it is quieter for the airports. But this is an external measurement. Most commentators/junket journalists then translate this to mean that the internal or cabin noise must also be less:
Well here is a study using actual acoustic measurements in actual aircraft. Can you tell the difference in cabin noise?




Im yet to be convinced that these 3 factors actually make a significant difference to the extent that people can say the 787 is a better aircraft in terms of personal well being.

Confirmation bias comes to mind. The 787 is aircraft which the junket journalists/airline/commentators have said improves well being, so therefore I must be feeling better...And because I am feeling better, the 787 must be a better aircraft.....

 

[offshore171]

I've now booked this one.

What I ended up doing was:

Ticket 1 QF return SYD <> HNL
Ticket 2 Alaskan Return HNL <> ANC. This one ended up being relatively inexpensive for a 6hour flight.

The HNL to ANC leg leaves Honolulu at 11pm.

Any tips on how to kill a day in HNL before an 11pm departure?

 

[SYD]

I've now booked this one.

What I ended up doing was:

Ticket 1 QF return SYD <> HNL
Ticket 2 Alaskan Return HNL <> ANC. This one ended up being relatively inexpensive for a 6hour flight.

The HNL to ANC leg leaves Honolulu at 11pm.

Any tips on how to kill a day in HNL before an 11pm departure?

If you’re unencumbered by luggage, head to the beach. Or wander around Downtown Honolulu or go shopping at Ala Moana?

Ala Moana Center

Shop the brands you love at the best shopping mall in Honolulu. Visit Ala Moana Center for shopping, dining, and entertainment activities.

www.alamoanacenter.com

 

[offshore171]

If you’re unencumbered by luggage, head to the beach. Or wander around Downtown Honolulu or go shopping at Ala Moana?

Ala Moana Center

Shop the brands you love at the best shopping mall in Honolulu. Visit Ala Moana Center for shopping, dining, and entertainment activities.

www.alamoanacenter.com

Thanks.

And it looks like the airport has a Luggage Storage, run by the SmarteCarte mob

Locker & Storage

ON-SITE BAGGAGE STORAGE™ BAGGAGE STORAGE™ HAWAII – WE STORE ANYTHING… ALMOST. Are you looking for a baggage storage service at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport? Would you like to drop your bags off and head into town for a few hours before your next flight? Baggage Storage™ has a safe...

airports.hawaii.gov

 

[offshore171]

Thanks all - this worked out brilliantly.

Trip report posted:

Landing in an Alaskan blizzard

This trip had us taking off in Sydney in warm autumn sunshine, and touching down in this:

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au