SYD-HNL: is DeathStar the only option?

[Warks]

I'm looking to go to Honolulu for a conference in October but searching Webjet and QF and everything (well not everything) the best fares I can get are around $1300 and only with DeathStar. QF comes in over $2000 as do AirNZ and others. Air Pacific has a similar price to DeathStar but involves a lengthy stopover as do all the other fares on Webjet. You're looking at 35 hours or more to get there on some of the not-so-cheap options with KAL etc. with ridiculous routing. Some of the routes send you to LAX then HNL.

I'd like to avoid Death Star but I can't see how I can avoid paying a lot more and/or going via the rest of the world. AirNZ only fly twice a week?
I could wait and see if specials come up of course.

Merci en avance.

 

[markis10]

Hawaiian is an options, similar to JQ in flight frequency and cost, or CO via CNS/GUM if you like an adventure but its not cheap.

 

[Osu]

Hello Warks, try doing the Air Pac route. I have done it before and it's much better then DeathStar.

 

[ChrisBNE]

We fly to HNL quite a bit, and I've flown on AC/HA/QF and JQ for this route. Peronsally I find the JQ/QF product comparable once you purchase meals/entertainment on JQ due to QF operating the older 763. NZ will use their 763s to HNL as well, so nothing really to gain there.

FJ also fly to HNL, fares can be ok, but doesnt always connect.

HA are also via 767, pay for entertainment unit, but meals included. One of the better US carrier service wise, but nothing ground breaking.

If QF changes to 333, then it's a no brainer.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Peronsally I find the JQ/QF product comparable once you purchase meals/entertainment on JQ due to QF operating the older 763. NZ will use their 763s to HNL as well, so nothing really to gain there.

.

Well, the NZ product on the B763 is far superior to anything Qantas offers on a 767 in economy class. AVOD being the most noticable thing.

 

[trooper]

Yup... NZ only flies AKL-HNL on Thursday and Saturday (back Wednesday and Friday).. the NEXT problem is that you have to fly SYD-AKL the night before - they don't have a flight out of SYD that connects to an 1100 AKL departure..

 

[anat0l]

What kind of dates are you looking at? Length of stay?

The only "real" options you have are JQ (not desired), QF (not overly recommended, unless for QFF ), NZ, HA and FJ.

Personally I'd be going for NZ, even if they do use 763s. Even if this means you need to invest a bit more money for a night at an airport hotel near AKL (otherwise sleep at AKL ).

FJ seems sufficient and at least you'll get fed, cf. JQ. They use 747s AFAICT.

Going by your quotes, it seems you're wanting to travel in early October, where most of the prices are oddly high.

On a side note, QF operating 763s on this route is ridiculous.

 

[Warks]

Thanks for all the replies.
Dates are around 16 to 24 October.

 

[ChrisBNE]

Well, the NZ product on the B763 is far superior to anything Qantas offers on a 767 in economy class. AVOD being the most noticable thing.

Sorry I didnt realise that their 763s ans 320s have AVOD in Y now. But going on Ops dates' don't think NZ will work unfortunately. Would have to leave on the 15th O'night in AKL and then return around the 26th.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Perhaps just swallow your pride and go JQ and try to get cheap upgrade to *class on check in?

or even just buy *class outright (they have sales often).

 

[Warks]

I must say I'm surprised at the lack of direct flights other than QF/JQ. I guess I'm living in the past when the flights to LAX used to stop in HNL (remember Continental?). Still you'd think Delta or Virgin Australia might think it worthwhile, it's not a bad place to visit and an easy way to get into the USA. If you could get there on a cheap direct flight then you'd avoid the dreaded LAX customs and immigration. You could also probably pick up a decent flight out of HNL into the domestic system. I flew DFW-HNL some years ago.

 

[blueflamenco]

Jetstar is certainly the cheapest option I have come across. I have done this route a couple of times and wish we had more choice. Hawaiian seems very expensive. Going via Auckland would end up costing almost the same as the Qantas option with the stopover and all that?

I have gone with Jetstar, I don't think it's so bad. Last time I was booked with Jetstar and they decided at the last minute to throw all the Jetstar passengers on the Qantas flight that night. My upcoming SYD - HON is with Qantas which was only slightly more expensive than Jetstar. And you get frequent flyer points

 

[tuapekastar]

Jetstar is certainly the cheapest option I have come across. I have done this route a couple of times and wish we had more choice. Hawaiian seems very expensive. Going via Auckland would end up costing almost the same as the Qantas option with the stopover and all that?

I have gone with Jetstar, I don't think it's so bad. Last time I was booked with Jetstar and they decided at the last minute to throw all the Jetstar passengers on the Qantas flight that night. My upcoming SYD - HON is with Qantas which was only slightly more expensive than Jetstar. And you get frequent flyer points

Welcome to AFF blueflamenco! Hope you stick around awhile.

 

[blueflamenco]

^^Thank you!

 

[maninblack]

The bad news for the OP is that there are no magic answers. I fly this route fairly regularly but from MEL and always in Business class. I have used NZ but coming from MEL we have to have a stop anyway. Last time was a re-furbed 763 then onto a 772 home, very comfortable and cheaper than QF.

A year ago the big talk (even the HNL grounstaff thought so) was that QF was going to switch to A330's as QF were wanting to get all the 763's off international routes...didn't happen. Then before Christmas there was a rumor that one JQ flight each week would be dropped and QF would change to 744's because of increasing volume on the route again...didn't happen.

One thing is for sure, there is nothing very appealing about the Y class on the QF 763. I don't know, maybe the service makes up for it, the service on this route up front is certainly exemplary.

 

[markis10]

HA will move to 333's next year on the route as more come on line, the new equipment and the fact they are the No1 airline on the DOT reports for being ontime, baggage handling & fewest flight cancellations might help change things!

 

[maninblack]

HA will move to 333's next year on the route as more come on line, the new equipment and the fact they are the No1 airline on the DOT reports for being ontime, baggage handling & fewest flight cancellations might help change things!

Whilst this is good news it may not be until 2012, the first 2 A330's wil run HNL-LAX and it is likely No3 which won't be in service until November 2010 will be used to inaugurate the planned HNL-NRT route.

Anyway once operating QF will have to do something about their Model T service.

By the way, they will be A332's

 

[Alanslegal]

I find JQi perfectly fine for these short'ish hops to HNL It's direct, allows access to QP/FLounge if eligible, and often the cheapest. Sometimes HA offers decent fares - again acceptable - but I find they are with an older crew and appearing twice the age of those working on JQi.

Glad to see JQ have just released their fares for the Xmas-NYE period, ~$1200return though.

 

[Voyages]

I also had a conference in HNL in October last year.

Did the U-turn thing. I flew to LAX for cheap with QF (when they had the $900 return fare promotion) for a status run, then LAX-HNL with AA for less than 200USD rt.

 

[Warks]

I also had a conference in HNL in October last year.

Did the U-turn thing. I flew to LAX for cheap with QF (when they had the $900 return fare promotion) for a status run, then LAX-HNL with AA for less than 200USD rt.

So how'd you get back to SYD?