Hey everyone,
I am considering redeeming miles for a first-class ticket to Hawaii from Chicago and was wondering what to expect. Two of the three flights would be on 767s; I would connect to a smaller plane on the way back. Anyway, would the seats on the 767s be similar to those on an overseas flight, or would they be like the domestic first-class seats on smaller planes? I used miles to upgrade to first on a United 777 from Hawaii a few years ago, and although it wasn't bad, it was nothing like international business class.

Yes, the seats are the same, international or Hawaii. The difference? No IFE and no club access. Food/drink service is great.

AA flies internationally configured planes to Hawaii? Is this something new? I thought only Continental and Northwest did this.

AA uses 767s and 757s to Hawaii. The 767s are the same that are used for international flights. At this point they are all equipped with the new business class seats, but as noted earlier, no IFE on this route since it's considered a domestic flight (never really understood that as the flight is just as long or even longer than some European flights???) but that's the way it is....

Ok. Interesting and very good to know. The lack of IFE seems a little silly, but what can you do?

I see that these are 2-class planes, do they book the front in F or J codes? In other words, is the accrual at 125% or 150% mileage?

2 class domestic front cabin books into F.

AA-son is using miles to fly business on AA to LHR then transfer to BA on business to Delhi this week. Will he be allowed to use the "lounge" at ORD before his departure? I thought that you could but could not find anything on the AA website concerning it.Thanks!

Dutyfree,

Your son will be able to use business class lounge at LHR. But, class consciousness in UK extends far beyond what most airlines seem to accept. (Perhaps I am just reflecting my ancestral origins in a flat over a sweet shop.) You son will, as we were, be directed to specific portion of the lounge where he is less likely to interact with the first class passengers.

Yes. Your son can use the AA AC, located between concourses H and K. He can't use the Flagship lounge located at the end of concourse K. I don't know if he drinks alcohol but if he does, tell him to ask for coupons at the check in desk at the club. He should get 2 but sometimes the club "dragons" forget to hand them out.

In London he will be able to use the BA Terraces Lounge in the terminal from which he will be flying from. If it's terminal 3, then he can also visit AA, Cathay Pacific and JAL clubs. The AA AC in terminal 3 is little worn down. Personally I prefer the JAL lounge, but again, he can only use the lounges in the terminal he will be departing from.

If he's flying to Delhi on British Airways, and it's next week, then he'll need to transfer from Terminal 3 at Heathrow (where AA arrives) to Terminal 4, where BA departs to DEL.

If he's on the 5:15 PM AA flight he'll have plenty of time to use the BA lounges at T4. If he's on the later departure from ORD (7:20 PM) and on the earlier departure from LHR (11:40 AM) he'll need every minute in London to get over to T4 for the connection to DEL.

It's off topic, but unless he has status with American I'm not sure he'd be able to use anybody else's lounges at T3, but it's moot given his itinerary.

J ticket allows club access with any OneWorld partner.

but as you said, it's a moot point.

<i>Lounge Access by Class of Travel

Customers flying First or Business Class have access to the equivalent class of lounge regardless of their frequent flyer status. (First Class passengers may be accompanied by one guest travelling on a flight operated and marketed by a oneworld airline).</i>

http://www.oneworld.com/ow/ffp/loung...lass-of-travel

A couple of notes about the T4 lounges:

1) I think the Gate 1 lounge is the better bet for biz-class passengers. There is a hot food station on the 2nd floor, some PCs with internet access, and plenty of different sections where one can find some sort of environment where they will feel comfortable.

2) At the main lounge complex, you don't have to worry about being ushered off to a separate corner, they give F pax their own lounges. While I prefer the Gate 1 lounge, note that the main lounge complex is where you will find the showers and spa treatments. If your son is keen on a treatment, he should head straight to the lounge to make an appointment. I've never bothered, but the wife is a fan.

I believe that the spa is for revenue ticket holders only.

&quot;I believe that the spa is for revenue ticket holders only.&quot;

I didn't think that was the case, but I could be wrong. There is definitely nothing on the BA website to indicate that it is restricted; it says this:

&quot;Complimentary treatments are available to British Airways FIRST, Club World and Executive Club Gold members when travelling on a longhaul British Airways flight.&quot;

ok, perhaps we're are on a different page and you are correct as far as the BA status holders go, but it looks to me that the son does not have BA status and is flying on an AA miles award ticket...thus no spa access

Actually, I wasn't relying on the BAEC Gold, just on the fact that it does not specify revenue pax only. Personally, I would give it a shot, as the worst they can do is turn you away.

They've turned by darling spouse away when we were flying on award tix. That was when Molton Brown was running them, not Elemis, so maybe things have changed. The showers and other facilities are certainly available for award pax though.

Thanks for the responses, everyone. Much appreciated.

Thanks for the tips-unfortunately he is on the 7:20PM flight out of ORD connecting with that 11:40am delhi flight out of LHR. The AA rep when I questioned how horrible LHR is with the traffic,etc. says that if he misses the connection that they will put him on the next one so hopefully that is true!