Review of Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu to Lihue in Domestic First

HAL

HA - Hawaiian Airlines

Flight taken on 17 January 2018
HA503
15:40 00h 40m 16:20
Seat 02D
Esteban
584 · 126 · 0 · 4

hnl transit


We had a 3H layover in HNL and decided against taking the Wiki Wiki shuttle but rather go walking to the inter-islands terminal.


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A330 HA:


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Oakland Raiders sticker:


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Even if we had wanted, the Wiki Wiki wasn't operating that day:


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To go to the inter-islands terminal, all hand luggages must be scanned:


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As we had First Class tickets we were eligible to the Premier Club. It looks pretty fresh and modern but it is a blind lounge, without windows:


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This is the food offering:


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This and nothing else :)

There are also some soft drinks: POG (Passion Orange Guava 12% of juice the rest being water and sugar) or fountain drinks and coffee/tea;



My selection:


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I went for a walk:


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The garden here is beautiful and peaceful:


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A really nice place:


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Back to the terminal with this 717 HA:


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This ATR72 goes to  Lanai ops by Ohana for Hawaiian:


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Closer:


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Push back:


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A good old DC9-50:


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Break time :)


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Another 717 and a 767-300ER:


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717:


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The FIDS:


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The second A321neo delivered to HA:


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More walking:


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The neo again:


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Back to the lounge for another POG and more snacks :)


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Our flight was delayed by 20' as we arrived at the gate, we decided to stay there and not going back to the lounge.


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Then, a bit more walking :)


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F18:


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More 717 this time with the new livery:


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Our plane arrives and it has the old livery:


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Almost at the gate:


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the flight


Once all passengers disembarked, two minutes later, boarding started:


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The First cabin:


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Only 8 seats:


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Coach:


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The seats:


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The recline is good:


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PSU:


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Small tray:


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Safety card:


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In details:


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Big tray table:


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We pushed back still a bit late:


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Crew pannel:


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HA has no fwd lavatories, there is only one and at the rear of the plane, for 128 passengers. To my knowledge, nobody has that few lavatories in a 717. But with the always super short flights, that must be enough. During taxi the purser takes the drinks order, as the flight is scheduled with 17 minutes in the air, it will be quick :)


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757 ATI :


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A wonderful Boeing E-3 Sentry, known as AWACS:


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What a bird!


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Fast take off and we almost immediately turn right:


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Nice views over the airport:


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And leaving Oah'u:


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Service starts as we reached our low cruise altitude: 12'000 feet.


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There are pre-made cocktails available in First, I took a vodka litchees while my mom had a mai tai. Both came with snacks and were good.


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During descent, complimentary maps of Kaua'i were handed out, a very nice touch.


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Enter text here…


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For the time being, still no land to be seen:


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Land!


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Touch down:


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LIH has two runways:


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Control tower:


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A private jet:


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AA 757 to PHX:


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The terminal building:


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AA again:


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And the terminal again:


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Leaving the plane:


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Welcome to LIH!


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Our plane a last time:


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We picked up our bags and headed to the yellow car rental company.


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Courtyard Marriott Kauai (rebranded since as sheraton)


The price was really good, at least for Hawaii, we were at 200USD per night and I had enough points to pay for one room for my parents and bring my average night rate down to 150USD. The price tag was "low" since the hotel was on the old side and a full refurbishement was due to happen two months after our visit. Once completed the hotel would switch to Sheraton brand. This is now fully completed.

As expected the rooms were a bit worn out but still, very clean and comfortable.


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My room was a "full ocean view" which had amazing views at sunset:


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In the morning:


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I treated my parents to a "premium ocean view", which was awsome:


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The hotel from outside:


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The hotel is ocean front and there is a beach also, but the water is unswimmable. The reef is very high and there are lots of rocks. But the island has far better beach, more on a next bonus.


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Still, a very nice beach to have a walk or to just dip your feet in the water


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Display all

Product ratings

Airline

Hawaiian Airlines 7.8

  • Cabin8.0 / 10
  • Cabin crew9.0 / 10
  • Entertainment/wifi7.0 / 10
  • Meal/catering7.0 / 10
Lounge

Hawaiian Airlines Premier Lounge3.0

  • Comfort7.0 / 10
  • Meal/catering1.0 / 10
  • Entertainment/wifi1.0 / 10
  • Services3.0 / 10
Departure airport

Honolulu - HNL9.0

  • Efficiency10.0 / 10
  • Access9.0 / 10
  • Services9.0 / 10
  • Cleanliness8.0 / 10
Arrival Airport

Lihue - LIH9.2

  • Efficiency10.0 / 10
  • Access10.0 / 10
  • Services7.0 / 10
  • Cleanliness10.0 / 10

Conclusion

A super short flight but that comes with a service on board. Nice :)

The lounge is a disgrace given it is at their main hub. Having more substantial food and drinks would be a minimum.

As usual, a big thank you for reading!

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