My husband and I will be flying from Hartford to Honolulu in June 2008 so that he can speak at a conference. We are lucky enough to have the conference pick up both of our tickets--we just have to book them and will get reimbursed. Assuming that all of the airlines will be within about $100 of each other for the same dates, we can choose what we want. We both collect FF miles on Delta/NWA and on American, so I suppose we'd prefer to stick with one of them or their partners.

Which airline(s) would you recommend for the greatest comforts/amenities in coach? Who has the best seat pitch? Best inflight entertainment? Does anybody offer food in coach for this relatively long haul?

There is a remote chance that we can parlay my husband's speaking fee into two business class tickets instead. If that becomes the case, does your answer change for which airline(s) to fly?

Thank you!

I would avoid American and United on this long flight in economy as they offer no food unless you want to pay for the snack pack.

The new Delta is offering food. I flew Continental a few years ago to Honolulu and they offered a cheeseburger and chips.

Next summer I am planning to fly to Oakland, and pick up either an ATA flight or Aloha flight to break up the flight AND it is much cheaper.

Delta usually offers you two meals in economy.

Thanks, y'all. So what is the "new" Delta, Wally? Either way, I assume there's no free booze involved or else you would've mentioned it.

And if we're fortunate enough to get business class, does your answer remain the same?

Do the two meals on Continental only come on the Newark-HNL leg? Or also on the Houston-HNL? Two meals seem like a lot.

THanks!

CO will serve meals on the IAH - HNL leg as well. CO serves meals on all flights over 3.5 hrs depending on the time of day. They're pretty basic, but we think they're very decent (comparatively speaking) and don't cost extra.

As to your initial question, I don't think coach is much different among the airlines (other than maybe the meal issue) - pretty much the same pitch, service, etc. (don't think I'd classify any of these as "amenities" these days).

Personally, I would try to fly on Northwest, via Minneapolis. Ensure that you are on the A330, and you will have a new 2-4-2 plane, with AVOD, in seat power in the front section, and decent seat pitch. If you are elite, then you can book the exit rows, which are probably the best coach seat in the sky. If the A330 doesn't work out, then I would probably go with Continental via Houston.

Personally, I would never choose a carrier for the dining options. Bring a sandwich, as it will surely be better than anything that Continental or anybody else will serve you.

Didn't see the part about business class tickets...

If you are booking business class then there are only two real options. Either take the Northwest flight on the A330 via Minneapolis, or take Continental, via either Newark or Houston. Both of these options will offer seating that is the same as their international business class. Other carriers will give you domestic first class, which is not even close to the same level.

Between Northwest and Continental, I would probably choose on schedule. I personally like the Northwest seat and entertainment over Continental, though Continental probably has the edge in terms of food and service, but I find the seat and entertainment more tangible and I weight them correspondingly higher.

If you are into movies, check www.seatguru.com once you find out what type of plane they are flying. The Continental planes did have individual tv monitors. I don't believe Delta does.

travelgourmet is right now. If you're flying FC, it's CO or NW only. With CO, you can also connect via EWR to "maximize" your time on the international business class seats. Flying through IAH means a long 3 hour flight in regular domestic FC.