Hawaii In-flight Service on HP

[SegmentKing]

Well, I am back on the boards... the company that required I stop posting is not operating anymore, but that's about to be fixed and the new owners don't care I'm here... but anyway...

I've traveled to/from Hawai'i more than 10 times in the past year, travel was mixed between America West, Delta, and United.

I won't lie when I say that United is my favourite, even though it requires me to fly from Phoenix to LA/SFO/DEN/ORD to hop on, but after my 1st trip to Hawai'i on HP, I did everything I could to avoid them.

I recently did a roundtrip on HP to Hawai'i and it hit me 2 hours into the flight.

This is really a pathetic service.

The flight crews were awesome (for once) -- I've had some really bad & grumpy HP guys though -- flights were on time.

But the service was *lightyears* below Delta and United, especially for Hawai'i.

After takeoff, we got our drink service & snack mix. 20 minutes later Buy-On-Board. Then about an hour before landing another drink service (only the cup though).

On United, its full drink and food (at same time), water service *every hour* with drinks on request, then a full drink service about an hour before landing (and snack mix).

On the return, we only got a drink service & snack mix on HP.. no inflight movie. On United & Delta, its been full drink service/snack mix, Buy On Board if they want it, movies, etc, and before landing another beverage service.

Why can't America West spruce it up a bit? I mean, United is tied into Hilo Hatties/Mauna Loa chocolates and does the Halfway To Hawai'i game... Menu by Trader Joes... Delta has upgraded service alot, and I even got a mojito (although that's more Cuban than Hawai'ian).. and upgraded food when compared to the domestic DL operation.

Would it be too difficult for America West to do this? I mean, they spear headed the Buy On Board program, so there are creative people in Tempe..... why not trash the BoB and have a different menu that rotates? Why not consider the lil mini's of Mai Tais, or do what United does and pay $4 for a bottle of Mai Tai mix and offer a few pours, pineapple & cherry, in a cocktail glass?

I know I'm just ranting, but HP's Hawai'i service is equivalent to ATA, when HP is trying to rebrand itself as USAirways and as a "Full Service.." airline.

And for longer-haul flying, add additional services and options to the customers... such as a new menu for First Class and a different menu for Buy On Board... or am I the only one that misses the Philly Steak sandwiches from HP?

(and again, my last r/t to Hawaii, the flight crews were awesome, it was like they were on prozac compared to my other trips on HP where you couldn't get anyone to smile at the passengers, let alone acknowledge them).

 

[etops1]

it's not america west anymore. it's usairways .

 

[BuffaloJoe]

it's not america west anymore. it's usairways .

If it was American West, the plane would have had to come back for repairs!

What is their Succes rate at Making/Reaching Hawaii on the first attempt? 50-50 Chance?

 

[CV580ETOPS]

Well, I am back on the boards... the company that required I stop posting is not operating anymore, but that's about to be fixed and the new owners don't care I'm here... but anyway...

I've traveled to/from Hawai'i more than 10 times in the past year, travel was mixed between America West, Delta, and United.

I won't lie when I say that United is my favourite, even though it requires me to fly from Phoenix to LA/SFO/DEN/ORD to hop on, but after my 1st trip to Hawai'i on HP, I did everything I could to avoid them.

I recently did a roundtrip on HP to Hawai'i and it hit me 2 hours into the flight.

This is really a pathetic service.

The flight crews were awesome (for once) -- I've had some really bad & grumpy HP guys though -- flights were on time.

But the service was *lightyears* below Delta and United, especially for Hawai'i.

After takeoff, we got our drink service & snack mix. 20 minutes later Buy-On-Board. Then about an hour before landing another drink service (only the cup though).

On United, its full drink and food (at same time), water service *every hour* with drinks on request, then a full drink service about an hour before landing (and snack mix).

On the return, we only got a drink service & snack mix on HP.. no inflight movie. On United & Delta, its been full drink service/snack mix, Buy On Board if they want it, movies, etc, and before landing another beverage service.

Why can't America West spruce it up a bit? I mean, United is tied into Hilo Hatties/Mauna Loa chocolates and does the Halfway To Hawai'i game... Menu by Trader Joes... Delta has upgraded service alot, and I even got a mojito (although that's more Cuban than Hawai'ian).. and upgraded food when compared to the domestic DL operation.

Would it be too difficult for America West to do this? I mean, they spear headed the Buy On Board program, so there are creative people in Tempe..... why not trash the BoB and have a different menu that rotates? Why not consider the lil mini's of Mai Tais, or do what United does and pay $4 for a bottle of Mai Tai mix and offer a few pours, pineapple & cherry, in a cocktail glass?

I know I'm just ranting, but HP's Hawai'i service is equivalent to ATA, when HP is trying to rebrand itself as USAirways and as a "Full Service.." airline.

And for longer-haul flying, add additional services and options to the customers... such as a new menu for First Class and a different menu for Buy On Board... or am I the only one that misses the Philly Steak sandwiches from HP?

(and again, my last r/t to Hawaii, the flight crews were awesome, it was like they were on prozac compared to my other trips on HP where you couldn't get anyone to smile at the passengers, let alone acknowledge them).

Thanks for the informative post. How's your new job as Orensteins towel boy going? Is "Go!" profitable yet or is it being subsidized by Mesa mainland operation just to undercut Hawaiian and Aloha? And speaking of "Go!" what do they offer for inflight service?

 

[SegmentKing]

Thanks for the informative post. How's your new job as Orensteins towel boy going? Is "Go!" profitable yet or is it being subsidized by Mesa mainland operation just to undercut Hawaiian and Aloha? And speaking of "Go!" what do they offer for inflight service?

I'm not his towelboy anymore

Not sure go! was ever meant to be profitable, just be an insurance policy in case a major were to shut down (Mesa is one of the few regional airlines with its own code, res office, interline agreements, etc) so that YV could come in and fill in the gaps left by the airline.

regarding go!'s inflight services, they offer 100% buy-on-board but its cheaper than the airports. Soda/Juice is $1.50, beer is $2.50 (Heineken & forgot the other brand), minis are $3.50 (mixer included), and they have appletinis and margaritas for $3.50 again.

Its sad when go! has a better liquor selection than HP, that's for sure.

 

[Dog Wonder]

Soda/Juice is $1.50, beer is $2.50 (Heineken & forgot the other brand), minis are $3.50 (mixer included), and they have appletinis and margaritas for $3.50 again.

Its sad when go! has a better liquor selection than HP, that's for sure.

What is this?

Some one has better liqour than US.

Send Doug and his staggering entourage out on a company paid investigation.

This is something they know about.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

What is this?

Some one has better liqour than US.

Send Doug and his staggering entourage out on a company paid investigation.

This is something they know about.

WOW!!!!! DoUgIe is gonna get a Cheap Load Now.

 

[Jetsetter2Ord]

ALOHA!
Just FYI, in regards to your level of service, US flight attndants have stated several suggestions for these Hawaiian destinations.

It would be great to treat these flights like they should be, starting with boarding music with the sounds of the islands...presenting every passenger with a lei, (it doesnt have to be a fresh lei, even a lei made of shells is a nice treat.)

How about a nice mai tai for pre-departure in First class?

Instead of the normal BOB in coach, offer additional choices, afterall, this is at least a 6.5hr flight.

In reality, the beverage service is limited after the first full can service, due to the flight being double provisioned out of PHX. (double provisioned with 2 full beverage/liquor carts and 2 support carts) These carts are to provide a service for the flight out to Hawaii and the return to PHX. The company feels it saves $ by not having to pay for full service out of the Islands. So there are times that we run out of several choices, and or alcohol.
This is the reason why when you request a certain beverage it is not available. We can apologize a hundred times over, but without the proper tools we can only do so much.

Glad to hear that your HP crew were pleasant, they should be as these flights are fun to work and especially knowing you will have a 32hr layover on the island after landing. Some of the crews even wear a Hawaiian theme styled apron that they have purchased on prior trips to provide a bit more ambience for your enjoyment. You may even see a few of us wearing a hawaiian styled lei.

No movies is due to the flight leaving after 10pm, you will find that on any other domestic flight as well. Too many people complained that they wanted to sleep and having the movie play in the cabin keeps them up. So a catch 22, cant please everyone. Guess thats why people bring their own DVD players.

Hope this helps explain why our service is so-so for the islands...hopefully we can improve the level of service for the future.

Again, thanks for the post.

Mahalo!

 

[700UW]

it's not america west anymore. it's usairways .

Funny than why is there a sticker on the airplane that says "Operated By America West Airlines"?

Also flies on the America West Operating Certificate, not US Airways.

It was a rhetorical question.

Don't let the facts get in your way.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

Funny than why is there a sticker on the airplane that says "Operated By America West Airlines"?

Also flies on the America West Operating Certificate, not US Airways.

It was a rhetorical question.

Don't let the facts get in your way.

Is May 15th still the target date for unification?

 

[mga707]

I've traveled to/from Hawai'i more than 10 times in the past year, travel was mixed between America West, Delta, and United.

I won't lie when I say that United is my favourite, even though it requires me to fly from Phoenix to LA/SFO/DEN/ORD to hop on, but after my 1st trip to Hawai'i on HP, I did everything I could to avoid them.

I recently did a roundtrip on HP to Hawai'i and it hit me 2 hours into the flight.

This is really a pathetic service.

The flight crews were awesome (for once) -- I've had some really bad & grumpy HP guys though -- flights were on time.

But the service was *lightyears* below Delta and United, especially for Hawai'i.

Try Hawaiian Airlines from PHX to HNL/OGG. You won't want to fly anyone else to the islands!

 

[N924PS]

Try Hawaiian Airlines from PHX to HNL/OGG. You won't want to fly anyone else to the islands!

I have tried Hawaiian Airlines 3 trips SAN-OGG. The coach service is better the what you would receive on LCC.

You can't beat having people that live in the islands and fly for the home town airline as your operating crew. The boarding video and arrival video cater to the island experience and you just can't wait to get off the airplane and enjoy all the islands have to offer.

I hope Hawaiian and Aloha Airlines are able to send Johnny O's Go Jets straight the the Mojave Desert. I would never fly on that scab operation at any price and hope the good employees of all the airlines that sacrificed in bankruptcy so their airlines survived prevail over this ratjet imposter.

 

[SegmentKing]

I guess that's why I'm surprised at the vast difference in service between America West and other airlines... I mean, even USAirways Trans-atlantic flights border on 8-9 hour flights, and Hawaii is maybe 7 at the most, yet US trans atlantic has a MUCH MUCH different approach.. you KNOW you aren't on a domestic US flight on the trans-atlantic.

The leis (wood and flower) are a nice touch by the FA's, and like I said, this last roundtrip was fantastic... some of the best HP crews I've ever flown with. I just wish that they'd do something to make these flights appear more "special"... I mean, even a video intro from Gov Linda would be nice.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[USCREW]

ALOHA!

...presenting every passenger with a lei, (it doesnt have to be a fresh lei, even a lei made of shells is a nice treat.)

How about a nice mai tai for pre-departure in First class?

Some of the crews even wear a Hawaiian theme styled apron that they have purchased on prior trips to provide a bit more ambience for your enjoyment. You may even see a few of us wearing a hawaiian styled lei.

Again, thanks for the post.

Mahalo!

You sound like a tacky tourist. Travel much?

 

[Dog Wonder]

Is May 15th still the target date for unification?

No