American Airlines Flight 8: Honolulu to Dallas/Ft. Worth

The interior of the Boeing 767 used by American Flight for this flight
from Honolulu to Dallas. (photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

American Airlines doesn't fly non-stop to New York City. The options are to fly to one of the airline's hubs in Los Angeles, Dallas/Ft. Worth or Chicago and connect to a flight to one of NYC's three major airports (JFK, LaGuardia or Newark).

I'm taking AA Flight 8 from Honolulu (HNL) departing at 5pm and arriving in Dallas (DFW) tomorrow morning at 5:25am. Then its onto a connecting flight (AA 708) departing at 7:30am and finally arriving at LaGuardia (LGA) at 11:55am Monday morning.

The jet for the flight to Dallas is a Boeing 767 wide-body jet. Thank goodness for priority check-in. It's one of the things that has reduced some of the stress that goes with travel: worrying about overhead bin space for a carry-on bag. Just as I reached the gate at 4:15pm, the passengers were already boarding.

My seat is 21H which is an aisle seat in the exit row. It's one of my favorites seats on this jet since it provides extra legroom. As I got settled in I took the photo above. Seeing the interior of an empty jet is the only way to admire the simple but sleek design. By the way that guy in that center seat already looks uncomfortable.

The American Airlines Boeing 767 jet waiting to depart at Honolulu International.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

Heavy Insult or Advisory on Checked Bag

(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

Today I leave for my annual visit to New York City. Checking my bag at the American Airlines counter at Honolulu International Airport, the airline agent stuck a new tag onto my bag I never saw before. I just saw the words "heavy" and I knew I weighed my bag before I left home to be sure it weighed less than 50 pounds.

In full the tag reads: Heavy. Assisted lift may be required. Bend your knees."

As I handed it to be x-rayed another passenger saw me looking at the tag. He said its a just a reminder for the passenger to lift at the knees when living a bag even one that meets the weight limits. He added it's probably because someone tried to blamed the airline that he hurt his back for lifting his own bag which he backed. I just wondered: could that be true? In this world of blame, it just may be.

Cancelled and Delayed at McCarran in Las Vegas

Terminal 1 has lot of eating and shopping options. American Airlines
departs from this terminal. Little did knew when I took this photo I
wouldn't have time to visit any of these retailers.
(above photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

 If you read my post from May 15th called "HNL to LAS: Solving a Delayed Flight Problem" one would think history would not repeat itself on the same trip. But my cell phone started ringing just a few steps from my gate at McCarran International Airport to catch an American Airlines flight to connect in LAX to head back home to Honolulu. It was one of those automated message letting me know (less than an hour before departure) my flight was cancelled and I was placed on another flight to leave the next day.

Now I would have loved to spend one more day Las Vegas but things would have been different if I was notified before I checked out of my hotel rather than minutes before my flight was supposed to have departed. So I had to rely on experience, knowledge and patience to solve multiple problems to get things in order to return home.

First thing I sat myself at the gate with a pen, paper and my boarding pass and called American Airlines. The airline was maintaining they could not get me on any American flight on the same day. This is where I had to interject and ask if they can get me on one of the Hawaiian Airlines flights that was scheduled to depart that day with non-stop service to Honolulu. After 45 minutes on the phone, I was confirmed on Hawaiian flight HA 5 that would depart McCarran at 6:15pm and arrive at HNL at 9:35pm. Problem 1 solved.

(story continued below)

Terminal 1 passengers take a monorail after security to the airline gates.

One of the stations to catch the Terminal 1 monorail.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

 Since I had already checked one bag, the gate agents informed all passengers that were booked on AA1308 from LAS to LAX that our bags were still at check-in. So it was return trip on the airport monorail and then another hour waiting in line at American's check-in desk to get my bag. There were only three agents working the counters so the long wait was compounded by passengers who were checking in combined with passengers who needed to be rebooked in addition to the added time for airline personnel to search for the checked bags. One passenger got so impatient that there was near fist fight when others complained. But by that time I had got my checked-bag and Problem 2 solved.

Now when American rebooks passengers on other carriers, the airline confirms the reservation but not the passenger's seats. So rather than waiting to check-in at the Hawaiian Airlines for a seat assignment, I was back on my cell phone calling Hawaiian customer service. Luckily the airline already has my reservation in their system and the rep was able to confirm a coach seat. I mentioned that I was an elite member holding Puulani Gold in their HawaiianMiles reward program. The agent confirmed that I was able to use my perks and have priority check-in no checked bag fees. Problem 3 solved.

Waiting out the time between my original departure of 11:35am to 6:15pm
cost me $25.35 for starters.

Booked in Hawaiian first class and my tags bagged.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

 My original departure from Vegas on American was at 11:35am and now I was to depart at 6:15pm on Hawaiian. So I would have time to spare at the airport. What to do? I headed over to the retailers outside of security and picked up some basics from Hudson News that would tide me over until my flight. This included a magazine, tropical trail mix, honey cashews, potato chips, bottled water and a Listerine pocket mist. Combined with my iPhone and iPad, I would be able to keep myself entertained until the 5:30pm boarding time. Problem 4 solved.

After spending more than a couple of hours on my phone calling the two airlines, my battery was extremely low. Finding a free outlet outside of security was not easy. A hallway on the departure level of Terminal 1 leading to airport office and a floor above baggage claim got me a free outlet and peace and quiet. I decompressed while I charged both my phone and tablet by sitting on the floor and closing my eyes. My electronics were fully juiced in less than hour and I headed to the Hawaiian Airlines terminal. Problem 5 solved.

From Terminal 2, one can get a view of many of the hotels along
the Las Vegas Strip: Mandalay Bay and Luxor to...

...Excalibur, Tropicana to New York New York.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

 I felt like I did everything I could do and just had to wait out the time until departure. Hawaiian Airlines departs from the McCarran's dilapidated Terminal 2 so it was a ten minute walk in the Las Vegas heat from Terminal 1. Waiting for Hawaiian check-in to open, I reconsidered my option and called Hawaiian. Could I upgrade? The answer was yes. Logging into my HawaiianMiles account I checked-in online even though I had no way to print my boarding passes. But it would allow me to upgrade to a first class seat for a fee of $270 based on my elite level with Hawaiian. I was feeling like crap after waiting at the airport for most of the day, stressing over re-booking my flights and walking through two terminals so the restful flight with a hot meal would help bringing this trip to end on a high note.

Once the kiosks at Hawaiian check-in were available for check-in, I printed my boarding passes. An agent working the kiosks tagged my bag and I was on my way to security. I could only hope there would be no further interruptions between now and my arrival in Honolulu. If life's problems were not solved, at the I worked the ones to get me back home. Thank goodness.

The view at Gate 5 at Terminal 2 offers a view of the hotels north
of the MGM Grand.

Pointing my camera further both, I can make out the Wynn and Encore.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

HNL to LAS: Solving a Delayed Flight Problem

An Hawaiian Airlines and American Airlines jet.
(photo: WorldNews)

Eventually it was going to happen to me. My flight would be delayed by so many hours that the airline would get me to my destination a day after my original arrival date. That is unless I could get some help to fix it.

My originally itinerary was as follows:

Carrier	Flight Number	Departing		Arriving		Booking Code
		City	Date & Time	City	Time
American Airlines	270	HONOLULU	TUE 15MAY 7:20 AM	LOS ANGELES	3:40 PM	N
				Economy	Seat 21H	Food For Purchase
American Airlines	741	LOS ANGELES	TUE 15MAY 5:50 PM	LAS VEGAS	7:00 PM	N
				Economy	Seat 9D

So at 2am on May 15, I get one of those automated phone alerts from American Airlines that flight AA270 is delayed and that my itinerary has changed to depart at 1pm from Honolulu and arrive in Los Angeles after 10pm and connect on flight that leaves at 9pm. I'm not sure which magical world the airline lives on but I can't connect on a flight that leaves before I arrive in Los Angeles.

As a platinum member in their Aadvantage mileage program I call American Airlines customer service using the platinum elite number. The service rep finds a flight where I would overnight in L.A. and then connect on a flight to Las Vegas to arrive on the afternoon of May 16th. Keep in mind the agent is trying to keep me on an American Airlines flight. I say I have already prepaid for my hotel. At that point she is able to find other flights that could get me to Vegas sooner. The best she found was to fly American to L.A. then in a 45-minute layover switch to a United Airlines flight. There's still something wrong with this picture. The two airlines are at different terminals and with any slightest delay I may not make the connecting flight. Also what irks me is I'm not told why my original flight was delayed. The automated message did not tell me nor could the customer service rep.

Keep in mind this is still after 2am on May 15th. This is where it helps to know alternate flights that the customer service agent on the phone may not find right away. So I say Hawaiian Airlines flies non-stop from Honolulu to Las Vegas. Can you get me on one of those flights. Surprise. The customer service representative finds that Hawaiian does have seats available and after being on hold for over 15 minutes, I am confirmed on HA18 to Las Vegas to arrive four-and-a-half hours later than my original arrival time on American. However the agent cannot confirm any seats nor any fees I may incur while flying an alternate carrier.

At this moment all I know is this:

Carrier	Flight Number	Departing		Arriving		Booking Code
		City	Date & Time	City	Time
Hawaiian Airlines	18	HONOLULU	TUE 15MAY 3:00 PM	LAS VEGAS	11:45 PM	Y
				Coach

This is where I probably had an advantage. I call Hawaiian Airlines where I also hold a Puulani Gold elite status in their  HawaiianMiles program. The customer service representative confirms an aisle seat. I then ask that since I am elite member on Hawaiian would I still have to pay the fee to check a bag even though I was rebooked from an American flight. Less than a couple of minutes later the agent says I can use my Hawaiian gold benefits which means early boarding and no checked bag fee.

Though I'm arriving near midnight I'd much rather arrive at that time than after 12 noon the next day. Since I have an extra few hours before my 3pm departure, I can get some extra sleep.

Lesson Learned: Be familiar with flights and routes on your preferred airline and on other airlines, keep airline telephone numbers handy and know your rights. By the way Rule 240 is owed some thanks. Click HERE to read American's in depth interpretation of the rule.

Airlines Expand Overhead Bins

(photo credit: msnbc)

In response to checked-bag fees and more passengers boarding with larger carry-on bags, many airlines have replaced overhead bins with larger ones or will usher in new jets with expanded bins.

The Associated Press reports the following:

• United will replace bin doors on all of its Airbus A320s. The doors curve out more to let passengers slide bags into bins wheels first. These planes will hold 106 roll-on bags, up from 64.
• New American Airlines 737 jets will hold 48 more bags than the planes they are replacing. These planes however hold 24 more seats. Older 737 are getting new bin doors that curve out more.
• Delta Air Lines is adding new bins to 767 jets on international routes which hold 26 more bags than the ones they are replacing.
• Boeing is designing the bins on its new 787 Dreamliner to hold a standard 9x14x22-inch roll-aboard bag wheels in first. It you bought your roll-aboard from Costco, it should fit as bags from the retailer were used to test out the fit of the bins.
• US Airways had already enlarged bins in 2008 on its 757 planes flying long-haul routes that allow bags to be stowed wheels in first.

At the same time airlines may be getting tougher in enforcing carry-on bag rules. It is reported that if you cannot find space for your carry-on bag in an overhead bin or under the seat in front of you, you may no choice other than to check your bag. Be careful because airlines may still be able to charge you a checked bag fee even if you have to check it at the gate. In the cabin, flight attendants may or may not be available to help you search for space for your carry-on bag in the cabin.

Note: The MSNBC video below may not play on mobile devices.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

American Airlines Announces Main Cabin Extra

In 2000, American Airlines implemented "more room throughout coach" that the airline heavily advertised which added extra leg room on several of their aircrafts by removing at least two rows of seats. By 2004 and with the difficult economy, American replaced the removed seats to squeeze in more passengers to generate more revenue.

This month the airline announced that select rows in the front of the coach cabin in their aircrafts will include extra legroom (approximately four to six inches) classified as Main Cabin Extra. The changes in American Airlines cabins will begin later this year. Those seated in these rows will also enjoy priority boarding privileges.

The first jets that will include Main Cabin Extra is the airline's new Boeing 777-300ER which will fly select international routes starting in December.

Main Cabin Extra will be complimentary to elite mileage members who hold Aadvantage Executive Platinum and Aadvantage Platinum status as well as those holding a full-fare economy ticket. Until December 2013, Aadvantage Gold members will be able to gain complimentary access to the cabin as well. After that date, Gold members and other passengers interested in Main Cabin Extra will be able to purchase the privilege when booking a flight or up until airport check-in cut-off time. Prices will range between $8 and $108 per segment. The longer the airline flight, the longer the segment and the higher cost for Main Cabin Extra.

As an elite member I'm looking forward to this change. Up to now the only way to get the extra leg room in coach on American was to reserve a seat in the exit row located mid-way in the coach cabin where some of the seats did not recline. This feature will allow extra leg room but access to the front of the coach cabin and allow not only early boarding but also allow these passengers to be among the first to deplane.

Visit aa.com for more information and FAQ about Main Cabin Extra.

American Airlines First to Take Delivery of New Boeing 777-300ER

American Airlines 777-300ER will feature mood lighting, archway
ceiling treatments and a walk-up bar offering snacks and drinks.
(images credit: American Airlines)

I always compare the introduction of a new wide-body passenger jet into service to the opening of a new house or condo. Especially on long-haul flights, and I'm talking about the ones that have flying times of eight to ten hours, the plane is your home away from home albeit up in the sky.

After experiencing all three cabins of service over the years to London, I have to admit it was definitely worth it to squander so many miles two years ago for a Flagship Suite on a round-trip flight between Los Angeles International and London Heathrow. I'm earning and saving my miles again to repeat the experience.

Last month American Airlines announced it will be the first air carrier to take delivery of the new Boeing 777-300ER beginning in 2012 and will continue throughout 2013. Customers in Dallas/Fort Worth, London Heathrow, New York's John F. Kennedy and Sao Paulo will be among the first passengers to experience the new aircraft. Additional markets are being planned.

Among the jet's new features are unique mood lighting and ceilings with archways to create a spacious feeling and, the first for any U.S. carrier, a walk-up bar in the premium cabin stocked with snacks and refreshments. Entertainment options will offer up to 120 movies, over 150 TV programs and 350 audio selections. Each seat will feature international Wi-Fi capability, a universal AC power outlet and a USB jack.

According to American Airlines these are the features of each cabin on their 700-300ER:

Updated First Class Flagship Suite

• Swivel seats that transform into a fully lie-flat 80-inch bed.
• Drop down armrests that allow for easier access and more sleeping space.
• Aisle access from every seat
• Privacy dividers
• Two universal AC power outlets
• One USB outlet
• Two large tray tables
• Water bottle holder and headset stowage
• Boise Quiet Comfort 15 Acoustic Noise Canceling headset
• 17-inch TV screen and touchscreen video handset that also serves as remote

Business Class Cabin

• Fully-lie flat seats
• Aisle access from every seat
• Large tray table in addition to a work surface
• Water bottle holder and headset stowage
• Boise Quiet Comfort 15 Acoustic Noise Canceling headset
• 14.5-inch touch screen monitor

Economy Class Cabin

• American is expecting to designate some economy rows with extra legroom (part of new seating product announcement)
• Seats will have a higher recline pivot providing increased knee room
• Seat bottom articulates producing a cradling motion increasing the recline angle of the setback while protection personal space for passengers seated in the row behind
• 9-inch touchscreen monitor