United Airlines Increases Service to Hawaii

[Justin]

Just took the ITO-LAX (Flight 1706) last night; probably the 30th or so time I've taken it by now. If we want costs to come down, and more options to appear, we should hope for better hotels in Hilo, and thus more tourists. Because as soon as there are multiple carriers serving Hilo from the mainland, there will be price competition. Right now, United has no one to compete with, which is why I was flying on a Tuesday night instead of a Friday or Saturday.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

737's ... is a crappy plane for a 5+ hour flight.

I'm not sure I fully understand your objection. Aren't the seat widths fairly uniform from plane to plane? If you require more leg room, then pony up for Economy Plus as Hunt Stoddard and Chunkster suggested. But Economy Plus legroom, like seat widths are relatively uniform throughout the United fleet.

If your complaint is with some undefined universal "crappy" essence that permeates the plane, my experience is that 30 minutes after takeoff 90% of the passengers are dozing or sleeping. The pilot doesn't wake them up until 20 minutes before landing. Barely enough time to notice... whatever.

[Durian Fiend]

quote:

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Originally posted by tweez

Plus ITO is AIR-CONDITIONED!

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I'm very thankful that the gate areas in both Kona and Hilo are not air conditioned.

737s are just fine by me for travelling to the mainland-35 inch inseam and 32" waist.

Would really like to support UA and avoid the Hawaiian air HNL connections.

[leilanidude]

737's ... is a crappy plane for a 5+ hour flight.

I'm not sure I fully understand your objection.
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I am always in Economy plus or 1st. Always pay extra if the points aren't there to do it for free.

It's a narrow plane and they are slow and noisy, they require a stepped climb out (due to takeoff weight) and the speed in that climb is slow, the overhead bin space is less than adequate, plus United charges much more for that extra legroom than American does. Also hate to go to LAX (a super crowded airport) just to switch planes and United has many of their resulting connections on regional jets which are even smaller and noisier than the 737.

First choice is Hawaiian (which means a hop to HNL or OGG) due to the nice new planes they are flying combined with a real meal and the friendliest personnel in the skies. They also codeshare with Virgin America (recently sold to Alaskan) which gives nice connection possibilities.

[randomq]

Long long ago you could buy books of inter-island tickets to save a big % of ticket price. Does anyone still do that?

[macuu222]

I know this is slightly off topic but Hawaiian is offering one way fares to Honolulu from "Hilo" for $79.00. Have to be purchased by tomorrow midnight and good from July 6th-August 31.

[KiminPL]

Describing my upcoming United reservation to Hilo to my aviation-savvy friend, he protested, "...but that's a Wednesday!" Haven't had that option for awhile, so it was nice to have it conveniently pop up. I do not do well on the red-eye to LAX even in economy plus, primarily because I am short. My head hits the seatback below those "wings" that fold out to support your head, and it's very difficult to get comfortable without some neck support. Plus in the older planes, not all the seatbacks recline, and not all the seatback tv screens can be powered off. Agony, but a mercifully short flight, often less than 4 1/2 hours. When I win the upgrade lottery, it's fine. I fly United for the international flights -- accumulating miles increases the possibility of an upgrade, but agree Hawaiian is more comfortable. If HNL could be avoided the travel day would be much shorter.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Also hate to go to LAX (a super crowded airport)

Just a note - - the United Hilo to LAX flight gets into Los Angeles around 5 AM in the morning. Even LAX is relatively quiet at that time of the day. I've often walked between the terminals to stretch my legs and the connecting walkways are nearly empty.

Also, as someone mentioned in a different thread a month or two ago, the United Lounge at LAX recently remodeled and is apparently quite nice.

I like that we have a connection from Hilo to the mainland available. I hope we're offered even more choices in the future. With United expanding flights at airports all across the state, it's a good sign that may happen. Alaska (Virgin) may see an opportunity to fill a niche between Hilo and the West Coast, as well as Southwest Airlines, with an announcement for their Hawaii service expected by the end of 2017, flights starting in 2018.

[EightFingers]

I'm never flying United again, their customer service is horrible.
One trip to the mainland, a connecting flight was canceled and they didn't bother to tell anyone at the gate. Then they changed the gate sign to the next outbound flight. So now everyone at the gate is wondering where our plane went. Nothing on the big terminals, no announcements, nothing. Finally, a few of us go to customer service and all they did was hand out pink notices about how you can book a room overnight. Three hours later we finally found out our flight was canceled due to weather.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

wondering where our plane went.

Probably to the undisclosed location where uncooperative remaining passengers are dragged down the aisle to be extracted from the plane, then held in the United Dungeon. It's under the newly remodeled United Club and Airport Lounge, which is rumored to have a glass floor and viewing area, with private, gentleman's betting allowed.

One of the many perks included every time you use your Platinum Explorer Card.