Hi, I am thinking of purchasing a first class ticket from BWI to HNL, HNL to SFO and then SFO to BWI it is only about $600 more for the first class seat. What type of service do they have on AA? The equipment listed is BWI to DFW (738) from DFW to HNL (763) from HNL to SFO (757) then from SFO to BWI via ORD (M 80). Is there any type of entertainment such as movies? How is the legroom and are the seats wide? I flew first class on another airline (can't remember which one) but was disappointed in that there really wasn't much leg room. Do they offer first class the day of the flight for a fee? My other choice would be Delta but they are not able to get me to HNL before 7pm.

Thanks fr your help

"it is only about $600 more for the first class seat."

More than what?

When you "flew first class on another airline", was it within the US?

First, any domestic airline's "first class" service will be significantly more pleasant than coach over the same distances; in the case of Hawaii it makes a big, big difference to arrive in some other condition than totally worn out, especially coming from the east coast.

American Airlines' 737-800 (738) is a pretty comfortable ride in first class - the seats are some of the widest in AA's fleet, and 40 inches of legroom vs. 31 or 32 in the back, now that AA has got rid of "more room throughout coach" in order to keep those who count beans happy. Food and beverage service will be okay to good, depending on time of day.

AA's 767-300s (763) are also quite comfortable; you'll get a slightly narrower seat (actually quite a lot narrower, but wider than coach) but tons of legroom - over 5 ft., so you can recline, put the legrest up, and have a very comfortable time. First class service on the 763s is generally excellent.

AA's 757s have similar seats (although older and often in rather shabby condition) to the 738s, but less legroom. However, they are infinitely better than coach seats on 757s, which most AA frequent fliers will avoid like the pox.

The MD-80s' FC seats are about the same width as those on the 763, but without the legroom hence the recline is limited. It's a plane that is only okay in FC, and only for a couple of hours. Unfortunately, AA runs them on some quite long segments (we're always stuck with them from Seattle to Chicago or Dallas, both 4 hrs. and more). Surprisingly, the MD-80s are not total torture in the back, if one can sit on the side of the plane with 2 seats instead of 3. But in general the MD-80s are not especially comfortable in either cabin, and no in-flight entertainment in either.

The DFW-HNL 763 is the one to shoot for; then I would work really hard to catch the DFW or ORD flights on the way back, rather than fool around with connections to smaller aircraft on the west coast. If you have to stay on the west coast, then I'd really try for one of the 763s to LAX rather than SFO, which is only served by 757s.

Thanks for the info, I will book the trip and hope that they will continue to offer the same type plane in Sept 06.

Let me emphasize Gardyloo's point again. Absolutely definitely book flights that are on the 763s, and not 757. HUGE difference between a domestic FC seat (757) and an international business class seat (763).