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A First Timer's Guide to Flying in First or Business Class

"Roger"

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Overall, a good article, but one important clarification and one addition ...

Everything in the article refers to business or first class INTERNATIONAL. Domestic business, for example, does not give you access to the priority lounges.

If you check luggage, be sure that a priority tag is strapped to the suitcase. (This would be true for domestic travel too.) In theory, your luggage should be the first to be unloaded and the first to appear in the luggage return. I say "in theory," because, based upon my experience, the priority luggage gets unloaded first only about half of the time. Still, half a loaf is better than none.
 

pedro47

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Would flying first class to Hawaii be considered business or flying class International from California ? We have never flown first class from Virginia to the west coast.

Next question , what would be the very best airline to fly to Hawaii first class?

We will be flying from Virginia to Hawaii with a one day lay over in either San Diego or Los Angeles or San Francisco. I am shooting for San Diego.

Thanks for any assistance on this subject.
 
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vacationtime1

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Would flying first class to Hawaii be considered business or flying class International from California ? We have never flown first class from Virginia to the west coast.

First class from the west coast to Hawaii is nice, much nicer than coach, but it is not the kind of service alluded to in the article.

Wider seats, more overhead and legroom, better food, but no special lounges or chauffers.
 

artringwald

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Would flying first class to Hawaii be considered business or flying class International from California ? We have never flown first class from Virginia to the west coast.

Next question , what would be the very best airline to fly to Hawaii first class?

We will be flying from Virginia to Hawaii with a one day lay over in either San Diego or Los Angeles or San Francisco. I am shooting for San Diego.

Thanks for any assistance on this subject.
We've flown first class to Hawaii on Hawaiian, Alaska, and Delta. Hawaiian was the best, with Delta close behind, and Alaska not close. I'd advise choosing a west coast city with an Hawaiian non-stop to the island you're visiting, and get to that city on Delta if you can.
 

artringwald

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Overall, a good article, but one important clarification and one addition ...

Everything in the article refers to business or first class INTERNATIONAL. Domestic business, for example, does not give you access to the priority lounges.

I also thought they were referring to international flights. International business class is often better than domestic first class. I thought it was amusing to recommend asking for food if you get hungry. On a business or first class flight, I've never had a chance to get hungry. It seems like every hour they keep bringing more food.
 

Talent312

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BTW, you may find that nearly everyone else in First Class to Hawaii is a Honeymooner. It's almost too sweet.
 

artringwald

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DRI: The Point at Poipu, 3 deeded weeks, 1 of which is in The Club.
BTW, you may find that nearly everyone else in First Class to Hawaii is a Honeymooner. It's almost too sweet.
We've been married 48 years, but we still like to honeymoon in Hawaii every year. :)
 

Ken555

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Would flying first class to Hawaii be considered business or flying class International from California ? We have never flown first class from Virginia to the west coast.

Hawaii is still part of the USA...

Next question , what would be the very best airline to fly to Hawaii first class?

We will be flying from Virginia to Hawaii with a one day lay over in either San Diego or Los Angeles or San Francisco. I am shooting for San Diego.

Thanks for any assistance on this subject.

Domestic first class is much better than coach, but nothing like the international business or first class planes. On occasion you may find one of those planes on a domestic route, and that’s great, but none (to my knowledge) go to Hawaii.

BTW, there are several nonstops from the east coast to HNL, which may be an option for you especially if you go in first. It would be worth researching if those planes are more similar to international routes, as it’s about the same distance (and a ~10 hour flight). For instance, I believe there is an IAD-HNL nonstop.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
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pedro47

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We've flown first class to Hawaii on Hawaiian, Alaska, and Delta. Hawaiian was the best, with Delta close behind, and Alaska not close. I'd advise choosing a west coast city with an Hawaiian non-stop to the island you're visiting, and get to that city on Delta if you can.

Thanks for this information Hawaiian Air non stop. Domestic first class.
 

Tahiya

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Thanks for this information Hawaiian Air non stop. Domestic first class.
Make sure you get a plane with lie-flat seats in first. The Airbus a321neo only has 39 inches of pitch and it's sold as first class as well. By comparison, Alaska Airlines has 41 inches of pitch in their first class product to Hawaii.
 
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