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Add to del.icio.usIf you want to fly First Class for the long flight from the mainland to Hawaii, consider departing from the “North Star State.”
Northwest is using a new, internationally configured A330 on its Minneapolis-Honolulu route (one flight daily). This is arguably the best airline seat to Hawaii, with the most room and comfort, if you want to fly First Class.
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Part of a Northwest fleet upgrade, the A330’s Premium seats recline 176 degrees. And they aren't considered the best airline seat based on creature comfort alone.
Fly First Class in these seats and you’ll enjoy a personal audio/video entertainment system offering 40 movies, four short-subject video programs, 56 different audio selections, six games, and in-flight information, all available “on demand.”
Northwest is a SkyTeam member, which means Continental’s OnePass and Delta’s SkyMiles loyalty program members can redeem miles to fly First Class to Hawaii.
American Express Membership Rewards members can transfer miles to both Continental and Delta and then use them to fly First Class on this flight, too.
Diners Club (via Delta) and Starwood’s Starpoints both net travel on Northwest.
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Seat looks EXTREMELY uncomfortable. Typical of those horrible seats that rather than being flat slant downward forcing one's body to constantly slide toward the foot rest.
re. GRussels comments My wife and I went to Amsterdam flying round-trip from Detroit on North West A330's with the above mentioned Premium Seats. The seat were truly comfortable with the high tech audio and video entertainment system overall a level higher then those on Continental transatlantic flights. Don't let the photo deceive you. You don't slide down towards the foot rests which has a support that at the touch of a button, slides up or down depending on your height keeping yout body in place. It also has a back massage. Overall a great seat which makes you look to North West's A330 and 747's as the ideal alternate airline on long hauls within the Skyteam Group.
We fly back from Hawaii in these seats last winter, and they were a big improvement over the old DC-10 first class seats. I did not notice any of the sliding down that has been mentioned. You do get more privacy and a quieter trip thanks to the seat dropping into the cone-like enclosure. The massage function did improve our comfort, and the choice of the multiple entertainment options helped the time pass better. Since we only had those new seats on the overnight flight back home, we slept most of the flight. We have reservations this winter again for a round trip flight, so we will comment after that on how the 8+ hours to Hawaii went. I know that these are not up to the quality of the likes of Singapore Airlines first class, but it seems to be one of the best domestic first class flights to Hawaii. And remember that this seat is only on the once a day non-stop MSP-HNL flights, not on any of the flights that use 757's and stop on the west coast.
I've been flying these seats MSP-AMS since they came out! I don't like them at all. For a "hefty" person they basically suck! Give me back the 10's and even the 747's that I used to ride in!!! They have uncomfortable bottoms, the sliding down is embarassing if sleeping, you can't get to the controls...all in all a disaster for me. On the other hand, I throughly enjoy the FA's on NWA. I guess a smile and a "please" still work well for Minnesota folks!
I have enjoyed these seats on numerous occasions flying the DTW-AMS route.Truely outstanding! Too bad they aren't available on NWA's DTW-DUS route.I have also found that Business Class cabin service on NWA's International flights has improved considerably in the past few years-yes,in addition to the comfortable seats, a GENUINE smile and a positive in-flight dining experience certainly makes me choose NWA for the majority of my Trans-Atlantic trips.
May I suggest that JKiser take a chill pill. What's up with this person? Did his/her mommy forget to hug them this morning? Did someone in a first class seat steal your teddy bear and you resent them for it? Your anger seems harsh and inappropriate. May I suggest an anger management class. A little therapy perhaps? I think his/her post is way over the line and should never have been allowed.
Yes, you slide a little, but try coach again. Then you will love the seat.
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