Honolulu

[kiakaha]

I got a few weeks off, so the thai wife and I thought we might go to Hawaii.We want to go in the next few days if possible.

Is there any carrier that will fly direct ? If not, what carrier provides the quickest and most convenient route ?

[lanny]

I make this trip from time to time but haven't done so in over a year now. As far as I know (and I still keep in touch with things in Hawaii) you have two basic choices. No airline flies direct.

You can take China Airlines via Taipei. Or you can take JAL, UAL, Northwest, Korean, and maybe one or two more, via Japan or Korea. All are about the same flight times but layovers vary. Check the airline schedules for more details.

[JacksonGlurk]

We make the trip three or four times a year and I can tell you for sure that Lanny is correct. It's a bitch. Getting almost anywhere in the world from here is easier.

There are no direct flights from Bangkok to Honolulu at all. Lousy connections on lousy airlines are your only choice. Until about three months ago, EVA had good connections and good fares over Taipei, but they dropped the route completely on about twenty-four hours notice and left us here at the mercy of the crap airlines.

JAL is marginaly more professional and reliable than the other alternatives, it seems to us, although I have never tried to use Korean over Seoul. China Airlines is absolutely the pits and the two American alternatives (UA and NW) are pretty much in the same class. Connections in Tokyo or Taipei are of the four to six hour layover variety no matter who you fly.

Good luck.

[kiakaha]

Darn.

I am now thinking Thai airways return to LA in business class, with Hawaii as a domestic side trip for a week.

Missus hasn't been to LA before, so she'd probably like that.

[Gary A]

I flew Philippines Airlines ONCE. It was the worst travel experience I EVER had both going and coming back. Maybe they are better now but I'll never take the chance again. Stories like either the plane is full or it has been canceled don't cut it with me. The flight from Manila was canceled and I had to find a hotel for the night. I was really upset having to pay the airport departure tax. No apology or compensation. I made such a scene in Honolulu that they finally got me back to Bangkok on Continental Micronesia through Guam and Hong Kong.

[JacksonGlurk]

Darn.

I am now thinking Thai airways return to LA in business class, with Hawaii as a domestic side trip for a week.

Missus hasn't been to LA before, so she'd probably like that.

Not a bad idea, although that would be both an expensive routing and probably a tiring one, too. Don't forget that LAX to HNL is nearly six hours each way.

If you do fly that way, however, check to see if Hawaiian Airlines still operates the LAX route. A couple of years ago I know they did and they were a much better experience than any of the usual domestic suspects. Cheaper, too. First class for nearly the same price as economy on the standard US carriers.

[srowndedbyh2o]

For Hawaii/LA check out the Hawaiian Airlines web site. http://www.hawaiianair.com They sometimes have good deals. Also, while you are in L.A. you may want to take the missus to Wat Thai L.A. in North Hollywood. I know it may seem odd going to a Thai Wat when you are coming from Thailand, but visiting Thais really get a kick out of seeing a “real” Thai Wat, and so many Thai people, so far from home. Wat Thai L.A. is the largest Thai Wat in the U.S. It can get very busy on the weekends with a food court downstairs in the basement. http://www.watthaiusa.org/

[kiakaha]

For Hawaii/LA check out the Hawaiian Airlines web site. http://www.hawaiianair.com They sometimes have good deals. Also, while you are in L.A. you may want to take the missus to Wat Thai L.A. in North Hollywood. I know it may seem odd going to a Thai Wat when you are coming from Thailand, but visiting Thais really get a kick out of seeing a “real” Thai Wat, and so many Thai people, so far from home. Wat Thai L.A. is the largest Thai Wat in the U.S. It can get very busy on the weekends with a food court downstairs in the basement. http://www.watthaiusa.org/

I would quite like to visit the famous "thai town" in LA for curiosity sake. My wife, being born and raised in NZL, isn't really into that stuff much....but I sure am

[srowndedbyh2o]

I would quite like to visit the famous "thai town" in LA for curiosity sake. My wife, being born and raised in NZL, isn't really into that stuff much....but I sure am

If you are going to be in the Thai Town area of Hollywood, stop for lunch at Sanam Luang Cafe, 5176 Hollywood Blvd. They have the best Laad Naa I have ever had anywhere. The parking is difficult, as they share a small parking lot with a Thai book store and a popular Asian market. Just pull up to the parking lot, give them the keys and they will take care of it.

However, having said all that, I have to add a disclaimer as we moved to Hawaii 10 years ago and things do change!

http://www.experiencela.com/Adventures/ThaiTown.htm

Oh, and if you are into architecture, there is an interesting Frank Lloyd Wright house, the Hollyhock House at 4808 Hollywood blvd.

http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/hollyhock/index.htm

[mangoman007]

I got a few weeks off, so the thai wife and I thought we might go to Hawaii.We want to go in the next few days if possible.

Is there any carrier that will fly direct ? If not, what carrier provides the quickest and most convenient route ?

The fastest same-airline way is to take UA

United Airlines via Tokyo. If you want to visit LA as well, you would be better off flying UA BKK-LAX with a stop in HNL.