22 thoughts on “Hawaii Flights: Doing It More But Enjoying It Far Less!”
Roy
When we used United to get to the island, we always had to use Hawaiian Air to make that last leg into Lihue. That’s been a good many years ago and, it would appear that nothing had changed with that being late always.
Same thing on the mainland! Arrived in Seattle from Kona week ago friday. Our connecting flight was 45 min late departing because our flight attendants were crewing a flight that was delayed arriving in seattle. There was another flight that looked full leaving at 10:30 pm ther was cancelled shortly prior to boarding likely causing those folk a night in the airport
Something else to remember is that the flight crews are required to have a rest period of a certain length, so when a flight is late arriving at a mainland destination that crew is probably the same crew for the next mornings departing flight and since their layover clock doesn’t start until after landing your departure can be delayed too. This happened to me on my first trip to Hawaii.
We flew over to Honolulu this past Friday (11th) on SWA at 2:25 pm, Gate 10A (walk downstairs and outside to board – other way around to deplane). We’re we on your flight?? Was on time. We flew back to LIH Sunday afternoon. A few minutes late, but not a big deal.
Yes, LIH is sad and tired. At least they finally have wifi (in the “outdoor” lobby bar only AFAIK).
Friday dinner at Merriman’s, excellent as always. Sunday brunch at Hana Koa Brewing – I highly recommend, if you have not been there. I have my eye on those big sports bars on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the downtown Whole Foods (across street from Merriman’s) for next visit.
We just spent this past weekend in Honolulu. Friday dinner at Merriman’s. Saturday on Kailua beach. Sunday Brunch at Hana Koa Brewing (highly recommend!). And, how about those sports bars on the 2nd and 3rd floors of downtown Whole Foods, of all places.
We took the 2:25 pm SWA flight from Lihue on Friday (11th) – were we on the same plane? Not the first time we’ve boarded gate 10A by walking down the stairs and outside. Not a problem for us, so long as not pouring rain. Flight was on time. Sunday afternoon return slightly delayed, maybe 15 minutes. Yes, LIH is old and tired. But, at least they finally have wifi in the (relatively recent) lobby bar. Also, not enough parking.
We just got back from Kaua’i. Our flight from Honolulu to Kauai’s was a 2 hour delay. Allot of shops and restaurants were closed in Honolulu and it was only 3:30 in the afternoon. Finally landing in the Kaua’i, I was surprised how old and antiqued the airport was. Not a good introduction to the beautiful Garden Island. Aloha🌺🌴🌺
Thanks for your comments. We recently had to switch arrival gates on a SWA flight from the mainland. The jet bridge was broken and no one to fix it. Please correct me, but the airports are managed by HDOT if I am not mistaken. One quick drive on most of Oahu’s highways and roads, and you can see how terribly mismanaged HDOT is. For example, after years of neglect, Hwy 98 near Schofield has finally been re surfaced, however about a half a mile at the end of the H-2 was not. One of many examples of gross mismanagement by HDOT. Sadly, very little change in our governance this last election! Sigh!
Yes, it is Hawaii DOT that is responsible for airport management. So it’s hard not to think of our roads and airports in the same bucket. We were told recently by someone employed at HNL that funding for roads and airports may be quite separate. The management, perhaps less so.
Back in the days when Hawaiian was well, less than stellar with its service, the acronym “HAL” meant “Hawaiian Always Late”. While Dunkerly and his successors, before COVID, were able to keep the airline generally on time, the situation now harkens back to the bad old days of Hawaiian. Now the reasons could be different than it is before, but it’s all about operations and performance, especially for passengers. While Southwest does run a more tight ship interisland, the coin flip could see them having problems, in the future.
We didn’t recall that expression, but a HA pilot friend of ours coincidentally just mentioned it. Those of us who rely on them as a utility sure hope that reverses, and their executives have assured us it will.
When we used United to get to the island, we always had to use Hawaiian Air to make that last leg into Lihue. That’s been a good many years ago and, it would appear that nothing had changed with that being late always.
Runway is down for repairs at the Honolulu Airport. Bathrooms in B gate are downstairs in the garden.
Same thing on the mainland! Arrived in Seattle from Kona week ago friday. Our connecting flight was 45 min late departing because our flight attendants were crewing a flight that was delayed arriving in seattle. There was another flight that looked full leaving at 10:30 pm ther was cancelled shortly prior to boarding likely causing those folk a night in the airport
Don’t forget the flight crews!!! They too want to get home or to the hotel.
Something else to remember is that the flight crews are required to have a rest period of a certain length, so when a flight is late arriving at a mainland destination that crew is probably the same crew for the next mornings departing flight and since their layover clock doesn’t start until after landing your departure can be delayed too. This happened to me on my first trip to Hawaii.
We flew over to Honolulu this past Friday (11th) on SWA at 2:25 pm, Gate 10A (walk downstairs and outside to board – other way around to deplane). We’re we on your flight?? Was on time. We flew back to LIH Sunday afternoon. A few minutes late, but not a big deal.
Yes, LIH is sad and tired. At least they finally have wifi (in the “outdoor” lobby bar only AFAIK).
Friday dinner at Merriman’s, excellent as always. Sunday brunch at Hana Koa Brewing – I highly recommend, if you have not been there. I have my eye on those big sports bars on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the downtown Whole Foods (across street from Merriman’s) for next visit.
Southwest does not employ “pursers” on any flight
We just spent this past weekend in Honolulu. Friday dinner at Merriman’s. Saturday on Kailua beach. Sunday Brunch at Hana Koa Brewing (highly recommend!). And, how about those sports bars on the 2nd and 3rd floors of downtown Whole Foods, of all places.
We took the 2:25 pm SWA flight from Lihue on Friday (11th) – were we on the same plane? Not the first time we’ve boarded gate 10A by walking down the stairs and outside. Not a problem for us, so long as not pouring rain. Flight was on time. Sunday afternoon return slightly delayed, maybe 15 minutes. Yes, LIH is old and tired. But, at least they finally have wifi in the (relatively recent) lobby bar. Also, not enough parking.
Hi David.
No neither of us were on your flight.
Aloha.
We just got back from Kaua’i. Our flight from Honolulu to Kauai’s was a 2 hour delay. Allot of shops and restaurants were closed in Honolulu and it was only 3:30 in the afternoon. Finally landing in the Kaua’i, I was surprised how old and antiqued the airport was. Not a good introduction to the beautiful Garden Island. Aloha🌺🌴🌺
Hi Michelle.
We’re so sorry about what you just experienced. Hopefully, your trip was otherwise wonderful.
Aloha.
Thanks for your comments. We recently had to switch arrival gates on a SWA flight from the mainland. The jet bridge was broken and no one to fix it. Please correct me, but the airports are managed by HDOT if I am not mistaken. One quick drive on most of Oahu’s highways and roads, and you can see how terribly mismanaged HDOT is. For example, after years of neglect, Hwy 98 near Schofield has finally been re surfaced, however about a half a mile at the end of the H-2 was not. One of many examples of gross mismanagement by HDOT. Sadly, very little change in our governance this last election! Sigh!
Hi Dan.
Yes, it is Hawaii DOT that is responsible for airport management. So it’s hard not to think of our roads and airports in the same bucket. We were told recently by someone employed at HNL that funding for roads and airports may be quite separate. The management, perhaps less so.
Aloha.
Back in the days when Hawaiian was well, less than stellar with its service, the acronym “HAL” meant “Hawaiian Always Late”. While Dunkerly and his successors, before COVID, were able to keep the airline generally on time, the situation now harkens back to the bad old days of Hawaiian. Now the reasons could be different than it is before, but it’s all about operations and performance, especially for passengers. While Southwest does run a more tight ship interisland, the coin flip could see them having problems, in the future.
Hi Stan.
We didn’t recall that expression, but a HA pilot friend of ours coincidentally just mentioned it. Those of us who rely on them as a utility sure hope that reverses, and their executives have assured us it will.
Aloha.