When checking on recent posts to see what was still alive for this week’s Last Chance Deals, I stumbled on some very good business class prices on United between Toronto and several Hawaiian Islands — from $1079 round trip (prices are similar from Montreal as well and only marginally more from Haifax, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Edmonton).
Flights from Toronto/Montreal require 2 connections in each direction, but the good news is that you can snag at least one segment in a lie-flat seat on the way home, and I’ve found some itineraries with a segment in lie-flat seats in both directions. These prices are widely available between now and May 2018 (though not during some holiday periods). It’s also worth noting that there are 1-stop itineraries available on American Airlines for $1199. Unfortunately, those flights are entirely in recliner seats.
Some examples on United with lie-flat segments:
Toronto to Honolulu from $1079 round trip
On this route, I can only find a lie-flat segment on the return flight, which can be either the leg from Hawaii to the mainland or between San Francisco and Washington DC. Which options are available depends on the day of week you choose. Luckily, Google Flights makes it very easy to see which type of plane and equipment is scheduled:
If you’d like a lie-flat in both directions….
Toronto to Maui, $1085 round trip
For a few bucks more than Honolulu, you can potentially put together an itinerary with a lie-flat seat on one leg in each direction:
From Montreal, I saw some itineraries with a daytime departure from Hawaii in a recliner seat and an overnight from San Francisco to Washington, DC in a lie-flat on the 787. You’ll just have to experiment with different days of the week to fit your preferences.
Mileage earning
I believe that most Star Alliance programs credit these flights at 100% mileage flown (about 9600 miles). Air Canada Aeroplan offers 150% mileage flown and TAP Portugal offers 200% according to Wheretocredit.com. It’s definitely not a mileage run price, but you’ll earn something in return.
Bottom line
Business class fares to Hawaii are often reasonable given the distance, though the downside is that there just aren’t that many lie-flat options to get there. While these flights are less than ideal in terms of the number of segments (and considering that most readers would have to position to Toronto/Montreal to take advantage of them), the prices are certainly attractive compared to business class fares out of most US cities. Even those in Washington DC who can travel with just a carry-on might find it worthwhile to position to Toronto and simply throw away the last leg. Similar fares are also available
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