FirstClassFlyer

A rundown of routes with superior seats… to Build your Itinerary Around the Seat (BIAS).

There’s a big difference between a seat in First Class and a first-class seat. On domestic U.S. flights, the ‘twain (almost) never meet.’ On most domestic routes, the seats up front are worse than many international Premium Economy seats. On a three-hour flight that may not matter much; but the bottom line is different when you’re flying to Hawaii, especially on flights from the East Coast, which are 20+ hours round-trip.

But on some Hawaii routes, U.S. carriers offer a real premium seat experience—an international Business Class seat—and a real score.

Networking, Connections, and Upgrades…

Mainland Connections: If you live in Cleveland and have to make a connection en route to Honolulu, why not book a schedule on American through Dallas, instead of United through Denver or Los Angeles? If you do, you’ll get a free, in-class seat comfort upgrade, along with a much more pleasurable 20+ hours in the air.

Inter-Island Connections: Flying from Los Angeles to Maui, take Delta 611and 612 from Los Angeles to Honolulu, and book a separate inter-island flight (about $160 round-trip)—if in-aircraft comfort is very meaningful to you.

Building the Itinerary Around the Seat (BIAS)

See chart (top right) for routes to Hawaii with significantly superior seats, which we have a strong inclination toward.

Where to Find International Business Class Seats to Hawaii

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Good Upgrades Versus Great Upgrades

Good Seat Upgrades: American’s old international Business Class seats (171-degree recline) are still far superior to Alaska’s, Hawaiian’s, and US Airways’ domestic standard First Class seats. Fly these three only if you have no choice (i.e., due to flight schedule or price).

Great Seat Upgrades: You’ll find greats seats with Delta and United, as their seats are new international Business Class flat-beds.

The Bad Seats, Good Seats, and Great Seats to Hawaii

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[["Airline","Route","Aircraft","Flight Numbers (Departure\/ Return)","Current Schedule"],["American","Dallas - Honolulu","B767","AA5, AA123; AA8, AA102","June to April"],["#rowspan#","Dallas - Maui","#rowspan#","AA7, AA6","June to April"],["Delta","Atlanta - Honolulu","A330","DL837, DL636","June to April"],["#rowspan#","Los Angeles - Honolulu","B767","DL611, DL612","June to April"],["United","Newark \/ New York - Honolulu","B767","UA15, UA14","June to April"],["#rowspan#","San Francisco - Honolulu","#rowspan#","UA73, UA72","June to April"],["#rowspan#","Washington, DC - Honolulu","#rowspan#","UA145, UA144","June to Aug., Feb., March "]]

*For all bookings, re-check aircraft type at time of booking. Flight numbers change often, aircraft change often as well.

[["Airline","Seat Comfort","#colspan#","#colspan#"],["#rowspan#","Not Good","Good","Best"],["American*","x","x",""],["Alaska","x","",""],["Delta*","x","","x"],["Hawaiian","x","",""],["United*","x","","x"],["US Airways","x","",""]]