I had this flight as the free one-way of my AA HND-JFK ticket.Even that it was way over the MPM + 25 % limit AA did let me book it and ticketed for a 50k total p/p, Had the reservation for a random date in august but was waiting if anything opens up in september.Fortunately it did so called AA and managed to push the date a couple of weeks.Talked to a very kind CSR who quickly check for award availability and confirmed the 2 open spaces.She put me hold to check with the revenue department if it's a legal routing and came back within a couple of minutes wishing me a good trip to my final destination:)
Before I get into the flight let me mentioned that my trip was on 9/11.While going through TSA scanning agents were told to stop doing anything and they asked everyone for a 1 minutes silence in respect of the victims of that terrible event in the past.It was very emotional and even that I live here for a couple of years now I can't imagine the chaos and pain this city/country had to go through that day.My deepest condolences to everyone who lost their loved ones that tragical day.
This was my first time at T5 simply because I don't fly any of the airlines using this terminal.It's under renovation so you have to take a little detour from the Airtrain but no big deal.The terminal is on the smaller side but vey open and modern. We stopped by at the Airspace lounge to for a quick coffee and breakfast but since our gate was exactly on the opposite side of the airport we left about 15 minutes prior boarding.
The flight: HA51 JFK-HNL First class,seats:2H/2J
Once boarded we were greeted by an FA and were shown our seats.We found the whole staff to be incredibly welcoming with trying to interact with everyone asking them a couple of personal questions like purpose of the trip,first timer or not,final destination etc…You really felt that they're trying to put you in vacay-mode:) Once settled in menus were distributed and we were offered pre-departure drinks.We both opted for the Guava-Papaya mimosas what we found to be really tasty.
Shortly they came back and took our food and drink orders.After a short taxiing we were the 2nd plane in line so it was time for our 10.5 hour flight to Honolulu. Lunch service started right away.We were given macadamia nuts with our HUGE chardonnays:)
For starter I went for the smoked salmon with mixed greens,cucumber and sliced hard boiled egg:
While wifey had the cheese platter with crackers and red grapes:
For main courses they had the option of either minted beef stir-fry with green beens and steamed rice or spinach fettucini with mushrooms and fire roasted red pepper sauce. We both had the beef option so sorry no picture of the pasta
The flavors were pretty good actually so we both we're happy with our choices . Desert was plain cheesecake followed by some tea and Bailey's:
After lunch it was time to checkout the IFE which had a good selection of new/old movies and tv series.
Decided to watch Iron Man 3…
After the movie it was time to get some rest.Unfortunately the seats have a pretty limited recline so I had a hard time falling asleep.I only have this picture simply because all shades were down at it was pretty dark in the cabin for a good shot.
About 1.5 hour to HNL I started wondering when the second meal service will begin.Didn't see to much movement in the alley so kind of gave up on it…About an hour and little to landing they came for drinks orders and next course was distributed. Crab cake salad with mesclun greens,BBQ sesame ginger chicken croissant and fresh seasonal fruits:
Salad:ok….fruit:ok…croissant:amazing! Descending to HNL:
We landed in Honolulu about 25 minutes early.
Our bird at HNL
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Verdict
Hawaiian Airlines
7.9/10
Cabin6.0
Cabin crew10.0
Entertainment/wifi8.0
Meal/catering7.5
New York - JFK
8.9/10
Efficiency10.0
Access9.0
Services7.0
Cleanliness9.5
Honolulu - HNL
7.8/10
Efficiency7.0
Access8.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness8.0
Conclusion
It was a long but great flight!Of course the seats aren't as good as United's or AA's(from DFW with international J) lie-flat but the flight attendants made it memorable.They very genuine,smiling,no attitudes,very proud of their island and wanted you to feel its hospitality from the first minute you boarded.Food was great for a domestic flight(unfortunately that's how we have to look at it even that it's a 10.5 hours:).Drinks were good too the only bad thing is that they don't have menu for them so if you want to try the cocktails you'll have to ask for their options. Summa summarum for AA miles no questions it's the best option!
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Nice flight to report indeed. I would expect a little bit more from such an airline maybe but well its above the american standard i guess. Thanks for sharing ;)
Thanks for this report ! The flight really seems enjoyable, nice crew and catering. But what I find really suprising is the seat confort : the cabin looks like it is 15 y/o while the aircraft is barely 2 or 3 years old ! (Hawaiian's oldest A330 are from 2010). Anyway, your confort mark is still high so you probably enjoyed it :)
As for the seats expectations weren't too high as I exactly new what to expect.But yeah its ridiculous that they have those on international routes to Asian& Pacific...
Thank you for this FR. For an american airline the meals and the seat were pretty good, when you factor the duration of the flight, not so much actually...
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48 reviews
5 Comments
The flight really seems enjoyable, nice crew and catering.
But what I find really suprising is the seat confort : the cabin looks like it is 15 y/o while the aircraft is barely 2 or 3 years old ! (Hawaiian's oldest A330 are from 2010).
Anyway, your confort mark is still high so you probably enjoyed it :)
For an american airline the meals and the seat were pretty good, when you factor the duration of the flight, not so much actually...
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