Flying to Hawaii
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: luxembourg
Flying to Hawaii
Any suggestions as to the best route/airlines to use? We (2 adults, 2 teens) are visiting friends in Hawaii summer 2006. In the past we have used KLM and Northwest, flying AMS- Washington (stopover to combat jetlag) then Detroit San Francisco (stopover) Honolulu.
Now KLM is merged with Air France and Northwest was always awful.
I heard there are good deals Hawaii- Las Vegas (but maybe only originating in Hawaii, so could return that way).
Also, if we go eastwards it would be longer in airmiles, but do you gain a day crossing the IDL from east to west or other way round?
Are there any great circle polar routes which would work well, say Europe/Japan/Hawaii or Europe/Alaska?Hawaii?
We usually prefer to go in stages to lessen jetlag and see new places.
Any good suggestions?
Now KLM is merged with Air France and Northwest was always awful.
I heard there are good deals Hawaii- Las Vegas (but maybe only originating in Hawaii, so could return that way).
Also, if we go eastwards it would be longer in airmiles, but do you gain a day crossing the IDL from east to west or other way round?
Are there any great circle polar routes which would work well, say Europe/Japan/Hawaii or Europe/Alaska?Hawaii?
We usually prefer to go in stages to lessen jetlag and see new places.
Any good suggestions?
Eight Gun Fighter
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,126
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From: Western Approaches
Re: Flying to Hawaii
Well you can avoid the US immigration hassles and fly Air Canada from Heathrow to Vancouver - non-stop, great circle route. Vancouver is a great city for a day or twos stopover. Then AC on one of the frequent flights to Hawaii.
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: 39N 77W
Re: Flying to Hawaii
Note that the question comes from Luxembourg.
Going to Hawaii means entering the USA somewhere. Is there AMS-YVR service?
Icelandair has thrice-a-week service from AMS to BWI. BWI usn't much father from DC than IAD is. Baltimore is worth a day's visit, as is Annapolis. I've never entered the USA at Baltimore so can't comment on that aspect. I think their only other European arrival is a daily BA 767. BWI is a US entry point for charters returning US military.
Southwest-WN (and others) do BWI-LAX. WN has less-dense seating that Northwest from what I read - and newer planes. Their non-stop fare BWI-LAX is $218 round trip. WN and JetBlue (from IAD) are the cheap routes. AA's minimum nonstop for IAD-LAX & rtn shows $324. Both WN and AA use 737s on this route. I think you'll find the service is better on WN. Most of my flying is on AA and WN.
Do LAX-HNL as you wish.
Going to Hawaii means entering the USA somewhere. Is there AMS-YVR service?
Icelandair has thrice-a-week service from AMS to BWI. BWI usn't much father from DC than IAD is. Baltimore is worth a day's visit, as is Annapolis. I've never entered the USA at Baltimore so can't comment on that aspect. I think their only other European arrival is a daily BA 767. BWI is a US entry point for charters returning US military.
Southwest-WN (and others) do BWI-LAX. WN has less-dense seating that Northwest from what I read - and newer planes. Their non-stop fare BWI-LAX is $218 round trip. WN and JetBlue (from IAD) are the cheap routes. AA's minimum nonstop for IAD-LAX & rtn shows $324. Both WN and AA use 737s on this route. I think you'll find the service is better on WN. Most of my flying is on AA and WN.
Do LAX-HNL as you wish.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 73
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From: luxembourg
Re: Flying to Hawaii
Thanks for suggestions. Canada sounds good, esp. Vancouver.
Can anyone tell me about the International Date Line? Do you lose a day crossing it from east to west or west to east?
Thanks.
Can anyone tell me about the International Date Line? Do you lose a day crossing it from east to west or west to east?
Thanks.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 182
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From: London
Re: Flying to Hawaii
Going from Europe to HNL you don't cross the dateline, the quickest way is accross the atlantic then out over the pacific via either canada or the US mainland.
To cross the dateline you would probably have to go eastbound to Australia or japan then accross to HNL but it is definitely the long way round, and unless you are using a round the world ticket, not the cheapest nor quickest by any means.
To cross the dateline you would probably have to go eastbound to Australia or japan then accross to HNL but it is definitely the long way round, and unless you are using a round the world ticket, not the cheapest nor quickest by any means.
Last edited by Seat1APlease; 12th January 2006 at 09:52.
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: uk
Re: Flying to Hawaii
We always used to go AMS-LAX-HNL, but Northwest are getting pretty grim these days. Agree with Rollingthunder - Vancouver would be the best bet... or any route which avoids clearing Immigration in a large US City... nightmare.
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: at home
Re: Flying to Hawaii
LHR/LAX/HNL is a nice way to get there - the immigration isn't too bad at LAX, but the LAX nightstop is mandatory if you want to actually be awake and aware of your actions when you set foot on Oahu! I tried doing the whole trip in one go a few years back - bad move !
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: out there somewhere...
Re: Flying to Hawaii
Through YVR..? Not just AC as the only choice, beside YVR being a really awesome place to spend a day or so in the summer, the choices of airline are there as well. If you are paying (not industry) then have a look at HARMONY...less expensive than AC...they also work a little harder for your $$$ and have a new J class that is really very nice. Worth a look...(I can't believe I just did that...!)
Joined: Aug 2001
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
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From: se england
Re: Flying to Hawaii
Done it many times from LHR and unquestionably the best is via YVR . US use 'pre clearnace formalities at YVR and these are not that busy late afternoon when you get there for the onward sector to HNL.
Using any of the US airports reqires planning along interconnection due to the need to suffer the degrading treatment s called Federal Clearance formalities. Same proces in YVR but no pressure and nicer staff
Arrival in Hawaii is late evening and its not too busy as a rule but HNK is apoor airport with iys archaic little goldf buggy interterminal trains
Returning from Hawaii will likely require a daytime layover whether you go via US or Canada (it is possible to do it witha shorter connection in US but it takes a relaly early morning start in Hawaii). So you have ten ours or so at YVR a great city in summer-even if you do it in winter like I have to do the on airport Hotel at YVR is very nice and cheap for a day room too
Also remember if youare flying to one of the other islands than Oahiu then additional time for the inter island flight is required altho I think United might go to Hilo direct from LAx
PB
PB
Using any of the US airports reqires planning along interconnection due to the need to suffer the degrading treatment s called Federal Clearance formalities. Same proces in YVR but no pressure and nicer staff
Arrival in Hawaii is late evening and its not too busy as a rule but HNK is apoor airport with iys archaic little goldf buggy interterminal trains
Returning from Hawaii will likely require a daytime layover whether you go via US or Canada (it is possible to do it witha shorter connection in US but it takes a relaly early morning start in Hawaii). So you have ten ours or so at YVR a great city in summer-even if you do it in winter like I have to do the on airport Hotel at YVR is very nice and cheap for a day room too
Also remember if youare flying to one of the other islands than Oahiu then additional time for the inter island flight is required altho I think United might go to Hilo direct from LAx
PB
PB
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Edinburgh and 3C
Re: Flying to Hawaii
Originally Posted by pax britanica
Also remember if youare flying to one of the other islands than Oahiu then additional time for the inter island flight is required altho I think United might go to Hilo direct from LAx
PB
PB
PB
PB
