Alaska, Amex, Continental, Delta, Diners Club, Starwood, and Northwest Mileage Program Members Can All Play
It’s always hard to come back from vacation, but returning from Hawaii is usually a one-two punch: the fun is over and for many, the prospect of a red-eye flight home looms. Flying Business or First Class doesn’t soften the blow much because on most US airlines, domestic front cabin seats aren’t very good. That’s why I flipped when I learned that Northwest is using a new, internationally configured Airbus 330 on its Minneapolis-Honolulu route (one flight daily). Part of a Northwest fleet upgrade, these new planes have “World” Business Class seats, which recline 176 degrees, and in both cabins a personal audio/video entertainment system offering 40 movies, 4 short-subject video programs, 56 different audio selections, 6 games, and in-flight information, all available “on demand.”
An Easy Flight to Catch
Northwest is a SkyTeam member, which means Continental and Delta mileage program members can redeem miles for this flight. American Express Membership Rewards members can transfer miles to both Continental and Delta and then use them for this flight, too. Diners Club (via Delta) and Starwood’s Starpoints both net travel on Northwest.
Published Fares
Northwest does have some decent First Class fares to Hawaii. When you consider the flight time of 16+ hours round-trip, you’re looking at only about $100 an hour. Here’s a few of the least expensive one-connection routings via Minneapolis ($1,873 round-trip) to catch this comfy seat: Detroit, $1,915; Indianapolis, $1,805 Kansas City, $1,585; New York, $1,819; and Washington, DC, $1,999. Don’t forget, Northwest WorldVacations may have even lower fares: (800) 800-1504
But Don’t…
…book this flight using Northwest’s new Cash & Miles promotion to Hawaii. First Class costs $1,200 + 50,000 miles. But upgrading from economy fares—as low as $500—only requires 35,000 miles.
Alaska, Amex, Continental, Delta, Diners Club, Starwood, and Northwest Mileage Program Members Can All Play
It’s always hard to come back from vacation, but returning from Hawaii is usually a one-two punch: the fun is over and for many, the prospect of a red-eye flight home looms. Flying Business or First Class doesn’t soften the blow much because on most US airlines, domestic front cabin seats aren’t very good. That’s why I flipped when I learned that Northwest is using a new, internationally configured Airbus 330 on its Minneapolis-Honolulu route (one flight daily). Part of a Northwest fleet upgrade, these new planes have “World” Business Class seats, which recline 176 degrees, and in both cabins a personal audio/video entertainment system offering 40 movies, 4 short-subject video programs, 56 different audio selections, 6 games, and in-flight information, all available “on demand.”
An Easy Flight to Catch
Northwest is a SkyTeam member, which means Continental and Delta mileage program members can redeem miles for this flight. American Express Membership Rewards members can transfer miles to both Continental and Delta and then use them for this flight, too. Diners Club (via Delta) and Starwood’s Starpoints both net travel on Northwest.