I'm going to Maui on my honeymoon in August and found a roundtrip flight from NJ to OGG for under $550. It is on US Airways flight operated by American West Airline which I have never flown before. Wanted to get some feedback on what people thought of this airline. Would I be better off spending the extra $700 on Continental?

sjwoodys:
no way if I were you I'd book right now. Short story I saw a flight from Mia to hnl returning from kona for $630. did not book thinking it would be the same price now that same itinerary is close to $800, I think it's a great price. Book it! Congratulation
p.s. August is high season

First off, the price is definitely right. However, do some web searching and see what type of aircraft each airline uses and the seat pitch for each class of seating. You'll find you'll be more cramped in the America West than the Continental flight. Makes a big difference for that long a flight. I didn't know Continental started flying direct to Maui again. They stopped last year, having to change to Aloha or Hawaiian for the short flight from HNL to OGG

Rex

America West (HP) and USAirways is the same company now. HP bought out US, but retained the USAirways name.

They operate the 757 from Phoenix and Las Vegas to OGG.

US/HP operate various 319/320 from EWR to PHX or LAS.

So, two relatively long single-aisle flight.

CO's best itinerary will be a 767-400 to HNL, then a short-hop on Hawaiian to OGG.

No, you would not be better off spending an extra $700 to fly in coach on any other airline. It is just not worth it. The differences are not that great.

But if you are even considering plopping down another $700 then you ought to check out the first class seat prices. You might be able to go first class for $1250.

Here is info about coach seats from seatguru:

USAirways A319/320
seat pitch 32"
seat width 18"

USAirways 757-200
seat pitch 32"
seat width 17.1"

Continental 767-400 (Hawaii)
seat pitch 32"
seat width 17.9"

Thanks for all the help! Rex you are correct it is a direct flight to hnl. and then a puddle jumper to ogg. Thanks for the tip rkk and the research mrw. I think we are going to go with AWA and save the $700 for dinners and booze! Again thanks for the help and i'm sure i'll be back with more questions before the trip!

Just a minor point of clarification: Direct does not mean non-stop. A direct flight DOES stop somewhere and you continue on the same flight. I don't mean to nit-pick at words, I'm telling you this just in case you are ever making a reservation and someone tells you they offer "direct service" to ________. I've known too many people who learned when checking in about direct vs. non-stop. Nobody likes surprises at the airport.

I suspect this is a flight which requires a change in PHX..am I correct, SJ?

I would not spend an "extra" $700 to get a little more legroom in an economy seat.

August is "high season" in Hawaii????? Seems a bit early since when i lived over there they called that the "low" season..perhaps global warming has changed thinking.

dukey:
excuse me I did forget to put my ? mark I was not sure. No need to be a smart a** basically clarifying would be much nicer. THANK YOU very much either way for the lesson

Dukey, yes, summer is high season. Hawaii is huge with families taking summer vacations. In fact, my most nightmarish flights have been to Hawaii in summer...imagine an entire plane full of kids, kicking seats, running, crying...ugh.