After a LONG time saving frequent flier miles, my husband and I will be traveling to Hawaii from Washington, D.C. this November, 1st Class. On the way to Hawaii, we'll be flying through Chicago, and on the way home, through Dallas (I think). I've been told not to expect much from American's 1st class on planes to Hawaii. Can anyone share some information (seat-back tvs? seats? food? etc.) -- I'd hate to find out I'd wasted those 120,000 miles!

Don't know the answer to that but one more warning about AA to Hawaii. There are 3 flights of passengers currently stranded at SFO waiting to get to Hawaii on AA. Yesterday's morning flight was cancelled then yesterday's afternoon flight was cancelled because of "mechanical" concerns. They towed the plane up to the gate this morning and now say they've discovered more mechanical problems. Patience is wearing thin!! AA says they'll let the passengers know later--meanwhile they've "generously" given out food vouchers! This afternoon's 1 pm flight is overbooked! The story was actually broadcast on local radio because there's such outrage. So, Kristi, I just hope you get to Hawaii in time to enjoy it, first class or coach. Seriously, I would call to find out what type planes will be flying and see what aisle seats you can get in coach. Because you are connecting I doubt they will be big planes so you'll get an extra 6 inches, slightly better food and free drinks in First Class--you decide whether it's worth it. Oh, I forgot---you'll get 4 oz. of sparkling wine in a little wine glass before takeoff! Oh Goody! Last time I flew first class it was still a miserable plane trip with a late departure, late arrival and almost missed connection!

Kam's being a bit overly cynical.
First off, ALL airlines deal with mechanical problems and delay or cancel flights on a regular basis. To single out AA for the SFO problem is to ignore this fact. Could just as easily happen on any other carrier. It makes for good news copy because it's a problem most everyone can identify with and because lots of vacations were jeopardized. That flight to Fargo ND that was cancelled? Think that was on the 6 o'clock news?
As for domestic first class, I am myself a bit cynical, but value is in the eye of the beholder. Are you flying a 757? Aside from th obvious improvement in spatial restrictions, first class is a relatively moderate upgrade from coach. Seats are 39 inches apart versus 31-32 in coach. Width is 21 inches versus 17-18. Should be leather instead of cloth. Don't think they have personal video monitors in these, but they do in the 777's.
Transcontinental first class is almost always a major upgrade from coach, but even to Hawaii, the difference isn't what it should be for the relative cost. And don't even get me started about inland (non-transcont) flights. First class borders on rip-off if you're paying. Flight miles? Hey that's a matter of how hard you have to work to get them. If you accum them from biz travel, no big deal; the first class differential is worth it. Paying $400-1000 more? What a joke.
We flew St. Louis-Chicago-Anchorage-Cancun-St.Louis over 2 weeks last year and paid for the first class upgrade due to the length of the flights. Total cost difference was $280 coach vs. first. I say it was worth it in that case. Made the trips a lot less stifling. But first to Europe or Asia or Aussie is a whole different class of service.

Kristi:

I've been flying AA's First Class for a couple of years. The service is inconsistent. At DFW, you might get a drink, but the attendants often are so harried, they simply decide to skip it. The food is so-so, and depending on your seat location, you might not get what you choose from the menu. Still, they do have some good choices, and offer a huge dessert. Once in flight, the attendants are attentive.

The seats are great--leather, roomy, with a wide console.

I flown on all of AA's equipment except a 747, but I've never seen the seat-back TVs offered on some other airlines (perhaps the 747 has them--Virgin's does). On DC10s, 757s, and 767s, there are two drop-down ceiling screens--no video on Super 90s or smaller.

It's not a waste--First Class is really First Class. Kind of like like the minor leagues compared to the majors. You're pampered. And it feels GOOD.

PS: I'm envious. My teenage son went to Hawaii with his rich friend, but I have never been. Go First Class and have the time of your life when you get there.

Karl, you're absolutely right that I'm cynical--anyone who travels has become so. Your response is a bit suspect as well. I guess the point I should have made is that UA is so often harshly criticized while AA is promoted on this board.I've actually come to decide that there is no good domestic airline. And, you're right that it can happen to any airline, but they should be treating these poor folks who are watching their vacations slide out from under them a bit better. Food vouchers? They don't seem to be in any hurry to get them where they've paid to go.It seems to me that the aircrafts are kept in service so continually that there is never a reserve plane available in a situation like this.And, should that make us concerned that perhaps some maintenance isn't done or is done too quickly because the aircraft is needed immediately? (not safety things, just comfort things like broken seats, tray tables, toilets etc) Our flight out of Chicago recently was delayed while they replaced a seat cover in business--was that a "mechanical" problem or how would one characterize that? Now....watch the fog roll in and it will all be over! Sorry, Karl, I'm grouchy today!

I've flown AA First Class to Hawaii and it was well worth the money. It was a while ago, but the flight to Hawaii is a long one and it is well worth the 120K miles you gave up. You will really enjoy it. AA might not be the best - but they're certainly not at the bottom of the list either. I've used their miles for years for upgrading and free tickets and was always glad I did. Enjoy it!

Do none of you watch the Weather Channel? Hawaii is still getting pulled together from a hurricane. That sort of bad weather causes problems to ripple through the system for quite a while.

xxx, MECHANICAL problems?????

re: a previous message...

American does not fly 747s. Haven't in years!

Americans FC seating is the main reason I upgrade. As long as I can stretch my legs and not have someone's rear end spilling into my seat, I am a happy camper! And the flight attendants are a tad nicer to you than in coach. The last time I flew coach, they all had an attitude! They acted as if it were beneath them to serve us!

And Kam-You are right about the mechanical problems. I think the problem is the airlines fleets are getting older, the air traffic control system is outdated and the gate agents seem to lump everything together as "mechanical" Maybe you need to start praying to St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers or St. Jude, the patron saint for desperate causes! :0)

For Kam: actually I am in complete agreement with the point I think you were making about the decline in all major domestic airlines. No argument there from any observant traveller. And my airline of choice is United, dare I state that here. Several hundred thousand accum miles in the decade of the 90's and I still think favorably of them, though I haven't been burned by the recent work slowdown, either. We'll find out next week as I head from LAX to ORD via DEN. Holding my breath.
Kam, you need a week at the beach, preferably one like in the Corona commercials at which you can toss your pager or cell phone into the lapping surf as you bake in the peace and quiet of your own thoughts. Just don't fly there on AA.

as far as the type of plane to hawaii,from chicago we are flying direct to honolulu on a 767 appx 9-9.5 hrs check american's site(aa.com) or your reservation system such as sabre-virtually there. I don't know if you booked a hotel with your airfare but our airfare would have been appx 1500 r/t for 2 but with hotel pkg air was just under 1000 r/t for 2. we will be in hawaii 10/31-11/7(oahu)11/7-11/14(hawaii)11/14--11/21(maui)

Karl, and anyone else who is interested, AA flight #39 (I believe) finally departed SFO this afternoon at about 2:30 pm PDT for Hawaii. The first plane was cancelled for unknown reasons, the second for mechanical problems, the third again for mechanical problems, the fourth because they had no crew to fly it! The flight from SFO to Hawaii departed 31 hours behind schedule. The passengers
were given "food coupons". Do you think there was any cynicism/air rage on that flight? I hope those folks at least get free Mai Tais and leis on arrival, but I would doubt it! Karl, I'm not going to veg out on a beach--been there, done that--I'm going to Ireland! Bye! And, you might be interested that the airline we fly with the most is UA but it's getting pretty bad on all of them. Happy Trails. Guess my point to the original poster, Kristi, is don't waste your FF miles because the whole airline industry has gone to the dogs.

Just returned from Hawaii on FC on a DC10. Do not get the front center seats, no place to put your feet up. Also, try to fly out of LAX rather than SF as weather is often a problem there and you don't have to deal with it at LAX.

Just flew to Hawaii 1st class through Chicago in July. It is true that you shouldn't expect much, especially if you have ever flown business class to Europe. There is only 1 movie, which is shown on the front wall just like in coach (which we all saw Erin Brockevitch at the same time). The food also was mahi-mahi or duck, both were not good. But there was ice cream sundaes for dessert (I don't know if you saw the Seinfeld episode where Jerry had sundaes in first class while Elaine was back in coach, but I found this sort of humorous while I was eating mine!!) But while I'm complaining about all that was not great,I must saw having the extra room was definitely worth it. It is a very long trip from Chicago and after the movie ends, you'll be glad you're in that comfortable seat, although it could have used a foot rest. But coming home we stopped in Los Angeles and on that flight the seats had foot rests and each seat had a TV in front of it.

I just returned 7/12 from flying 1st class LAX/HNL. I'd agree that the room is definately well worth it. AA flies their old DC10's to Hawaii from LAX so these planes do not have some of the features that the newer ones have, like private video screens, footrests, etc... The food was fair, service ok, ice cream sundaes - great. It's a long flight and you'll definately appreciate the extra room.

I would agree with the folks above that the roominess is the major benefit to flying first class on AA to Hawaii. The other bonus to note is that these flights are CHRONICALLY overbooked, and you are much, much less likely to be hassled to give up your seats by the surly flight attendants if you are in first class. Food is still sub-par, but it's also quieter. In any case Hawaii's worth the torture in the flying tin can.