Which Airline?

[tropicalstorm]

We are heading to Hawaii next summer and just about to book flights.
At the moment AA, Delta, United and Alaska are all roughly the same price.

(We already have our flights to LA booked so it is LAX-HNL we are looking for)
TIA

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, Alaska allows you to get an account credit if the fare goes down and there is no fee for that. Only big airline that does that so it pushes them to the front of the line. But if you have status with another airline that's connected to the airlines in question, then maybe you can get perks like free bags or better seating through that.

 

[figment_jii]

I have a credit card associated with United, so that's the airline I use, but for the most part it seems like they're pretty inter-changeable. I've flow all of the ones you listed and none jump out as being markedly better than the other. I've had good flights and bad flights on all of them, so I'd go with whichever one is the cheapest and/or offers the flight at the best time.

 

[N365PA]

As a local Alaskan I'm kinda biased and I used to work for Continental (now United) and Delta. Alaska treats me better than every other airline I've been on. If its about the same price, I fly Alaska, hands down.

Clint

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

We are heading to Hawaii next summer and just about to book flights.
At the moment AA, Delta, United and Alaska are all roughly the same price.
We are from the UK and don't have much experience of flights within the US so
which of these would be best?
(We already have our flights to LA booked so it is LAX-HNL we are looking for)
TIA

What airline are you flying from the UK to LAX on?

BobK/Orlando

 

[sam_gordon]

I would not fly AA. No free snacks. Yes, it's a minor point, but all other things being equal, it's enough to base a decision on.

Other things to look at...
How many connections?
How long are the layovers?
Are there flights after your connections in case you miss the first one?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I would not fly AA. No free snacks. Yes, it's a minor point, but all other things being equal, it's enough to base a decision on.

This is no different from most other airlines flying to Hawaii (I believe Hawaiian Airlines serves complimentary snacks, others may as well). Food is available for purchase and you will be served a meal in premium cabins. I wouldn't base an airline choice on food, especially when it's so easy to bring better food with you.

I would assume a flight from LAX-HNL has no connections (unless you book some crazy routing).

 

[sam_gordon]

This is no different from most other airlines flying to Hawaii (I believe Hawaiian Airlines serves complimentary snacks, others may as well). Food is available for purchase and you will be served a meal in premium cabins. I wouldn't base an airline choice on food, especially when it's so easy to bring better food with you.

I would assume a flight from LAX-HNL has no connections (unless you book some crazy routing).

All the Delta flights I have been on over CONUS have at least offered cookies/pretzels/peanuts and a drink. This includes flight <1 hour in flight.

I also pointed out EVERYTHING else being equal, it's a decision maker for me. It is low on my priority list though.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using DISBoards

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

All the Delta flights I have been on over CONUS have at least offered cookies/pretzels/peanuts and a drink. This includes flight <1 hour in flight.

I also pointed out EVERYTHING else being equal, it's a decision maker for me. It is low on my priority list though.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using DISBoards

I can understand that, but a little bag of pretzels and a small package of Biscoff cookies isn't a deal breaker for me. All airlines serve free non-alcoholic beverages.

OP - all things being equal, I would first chose the airline which belongs to whatever alliance includes the airline you are flying for your trip from the UK. Might as well maximize those miles. Then check out plane type and seat availability on the airlines you are considering. This can make a big difference in trip comfort.

You can also buy up to more legroom seats on some airlines (ie UA's economy plus).

 

[Lewisc]

I would not fly AA. No free snacks. Yes, it's a minor point, but all other things being equal, it's enough to base a decision on.

Other things to look at...
How many connections?
How long are the layovers?
Are there flights after your connections in case you miss the first one?

Connections, layovers, other flights and PRICE are all good factors to consider. Availability of other flights, if you miss your connections is something to consider. Willingness of the airline to put you on another carrier is also something. Long flight, in flight entertainment is something else to consider. Not an issue if you're going to bring your own entertainment.

Lost*in*cyberspace--Although they currently don't fly to HNL, Spirit and Allegiant charge for soft drinks. I think airline should be required to offer drinkable water without any charge. . JMO, doesn't have to be a bottle of water. I'm fine with a cooler, water fountain or poured cups of water. Every sweeps period at least one media outlet tells us the water in airplane bathrooms doesn't meet health department standards for drinking water.

Snacks. NOT. I'll lump that in the same category as baggage fees and seat assignment fees. Add luggage fees, seat assignment fees (and a couple of dollars for snacks) in the fare when comparing price. The couple of dollars represents the cost of going to COSTCO ( or Target, Walmart...) and purchasing whatever snacks you enjoy.

You'd have a (small) point if you were talking about drinks. Buying drinks after security to bring on the flight might not be cheaper then paying on the plane. Unlike snacks bringing drinks through security isn't permitted.

edited to add--My comments were a general response. OP is only asking about flights from LAX-HNL. Those flights are generally N/S (or offer a very indirect connection). AFAIK all flights on that route include snacks.

OP already booked their flights to LAX. I'd plan on arriving in LA at least the day before my flight to HNL. Booking your "connecting" flight on a separate reservation means you may be out of luck if a schedule change, mechanical issue or weather issue results in arriving in LAX without enough time to catch your flight to HNL.

 

[tropicalstorm]

Thanks everyone- you have all been really helpful and from what I have gathered it looks like they are all pretty much of a muchness and it is basically going to come down to cost/convenience.

My transatlantic flights are with BA who have a tie-in with AA but their prices are the highest right now and i don't think the extra fare is worth paying just for some air miles.

Also, I am not looking to connect directly as it is such a long journey from here to HI - with domestic flights at this end plus connection times it is 16 hours travelling time to LA or 24 to HNL then we have to consider jet lag of 11 hours too - Hawaii is basically the opposite side of the planet! This is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime trip for me!

The plan is to arrive in LA check in to an airport hotel for the night and head to Yosemite for 3 days before flying to HI. On the way back we will be going to Disneyland for 4 nights -leaving us with 8 nights at Aulani and 3 nights on the Big island.

I though it would have been best to do a round trip from LAX-HNL but so far the cheapest option is looking like SFO-Honolulu and then Hilo-LA plus inter island flight - all for $800 and it's an overnight flight back to LA. (United)

I'll keep looking - wiil check out Alaskan next.

Thanks again!

 

[bumbershoot]

Given where Yosemite is I would say the SFO plan is a good one.

British Airways is partnered with Alaska Air as well.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Given where Yosemite is I would say the SFO plan is a good one.

British Airways is partnered with Alaska Air as well.

Yes, the best plan would have been to fly into SFO, then SFO-HNL, HNL-LAX, then return to the UK from LAX.

 

[JEWLSVERN]

I would either do Disneyland before you go up to Yosemite or do it after you return from Hawaii. It is about a 7 hour drive from the LA area to the San Francisco area.

 

[MillauFr]

We always enjoy flying Alaska. Never had any issues with them and they seem a bit better than most of the other major airlines.