United Is Adding Serious Capacity To Hawaii

a beach with palm trees and waves

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United Airlines has announced a substantial increase in the number of flights it will be operating between the mainland and Hawaii from the end of this year….and in the case of one set of routes it looks as if it’s taking the fight to American.

From 20 December 2017 United Airlines will increase the number of year-round flights it offers to Hawaii from Denver, Chicago, San Francisco and, interestingly, Los Angeles.

Denver, Chicago and San Francisco are all airports with a major United presence but, although the airline isn’t exactly insignificant in Los Angeles, it’s not exactly an airline I consider synonymous with LAX.

two chairs on a lawn with palm trees and water in the background

A Comparison of Old & New Services

United has been helpful enough to supply all the details we need to compare what was on offer before and what the airline will be offering going forward.

Denver

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No more having to connect if flying out of season to the Big Island, Kauai or Maui from Denver and all the new flights will be operated by 757 aircraft.

Chicago

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This is a serious increase in capacity between Chicago and Maui – not only is the service gaining 4 flights/week but it’s also going to continue operating with a Boeing 777 aircraft. That’s a lot of seats to fill!

San Francisco

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United claims to have “more nonstop service to more Hawaiian Island destinations than any other airline” and now it’s increasing just how much service it offers.

5 flights daily to Maui is fantastic news for travelers from the bay area (I have a big soft spot for Maui and it’s definitely my favorite of the Hawaiian islands)

Los Angeles

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Lastly we come to my adopted home city.

These are very significant increases to United’s capacity between Los Angeles and Hawaii and it comes at a time when American appears to be reducing it’s offering to the islands (albeit marginally).

I have flights booked on American for travel between LA and Hawaii early next year and I’ve recently had my ticket reissued to due a flight cancellation.

American had been offering three flights to Maui on the day I’m traveling and, after having chosen a sensible 10:30am departure time, I now find myself on an 8:30am flight thanks to a reduction in service – I wonder what American thinks about United’s latest move?

a sunset over a body of water

Lie Flat Seats Coming To Hawaiian Routes Too

Not only is United adding substantial capacity to its Hawaiian routes but there’s more good new for passengers too.

Per United:

Beginning this summer, premium cabin customers on all overnight flights between Hawaii and Chicago, Denver, Houston, New York/Newark and Washington, D.C., will enjoy 180-degree flat-bed seats for a more relaxing and sleep-enhancing flight with custom-designed duvets and pillows provided by leading luxury specialty store and New York-bred retailer Saks Fifth Avenue.

That’s excellent news….although I would have liked some of the lie-flat love to be heading in LA’s direction too 🙂

Bottom Line

This is good, positive news out of an airline that, let’s face it, could really do with being able to announce something positive after it’s recent few months. 2017 hasn’t been particularly good for United so far but, from the end of the year, it looks like those sticking with the airline will have a lot more choice when flying to the Aloha state.