HA2 HNL-LAX 7 APR 11 (FIRST)
Posted: 17 Apr 2011, 10:18The timings were such that we had a couple of hours to burn at HNL, but it really wasn’t worth doing anything much, and there isn’t much to do!
Moving from our arrival gate to the departure gate, we needed to put our hand luggage through this agricultural screening again – largely, this involved putting on a conveyor belt that scanned it – don’t know how what and why, but no big deal really.
After mooching around a couple of stalls, and grabbing a coffee etc in Starbucks, it was off to the gate.
Short wait, then priority boarding as I’d upgraded to First for this leg.
On boarding, got a very nice welcome from a crew that I grew to respect a lot throughout this 5.5 hour flight back to LAX.
Seated, and rapidly offered drinks – I took the champagne, of course! Mini had juice, and theMrs also sampled the champagne –which was very good indeed.
A top up was offered before takeoff, and it would have been rude to refuse.
My first impressions of the First cabin was like a VS premium cabin on Viagra! It wasn’t massively luxurious, but had a very nice feel, and the seats were, as I say, like VS premium, but slightly better – if that makes sense.
The service though, was highly attentive and professional throughout.
It also seemed policy that crew used first names for everyone, which I found a nice touch – they had obviously memorised them all by the time we took off (talking about the First cabin here), but I can imagine some people finding that a little too familiar – I was fine with itthough.
I was sat next to a gent who was very clearly a frequent flyer with HA, as the crew appeared to know him well, and had a very easy going relationship andused phrses like “your usal drink….”.
I was also in 1B, which had a great deal of leg room –absolutely fantastic!
Just prior to take off, orders were taken for drinks once airborne.
After take off, one of the crew gave a nice littletalk about sights out of each side of the aircraft, demonstrating in his voice his pride of Owahu and Hawaii in general – something I witnessed a great deal with the locals. The commentary was well done, providing some information, but not overly hard to listen to, fairly succinct, but interesting at the same time – a really nice touch, I thought.
Still climbing, an the pre-ordered drinks were brought around, and orders taken for dinner.
Dinner, as I saw another V-flyer report, was choose 3 out of 5 tapas style dishes. I took the Lamb cutlet, shrimp and pasta, all of which were excellent, and surprisingly filling andsatisfying. Desert was some sort of chocolate, fudge, cream concoction than was far too sickly for me! Mini-Concorde had it though, and thoroughly enjoyed it!
The crew continued to be highly attentive, providing additional bread rolls, and more drink top ups than even I could handle!!! Later in the flight, another drinks round was carried out, perhaps 50 minutes or so before landing, but really, drinks were available all the time, you just had to ask, and the crew were almost constantly on their feet, offering this and that to people, but didn’t disturb those that looked satisfied and were relaxing.
The IFE was good, mini and Mrs told me, although I generally stick with podcasts and audio books, so no details, I’m afraid.
Touching down at LAX, it seemed a short taxi, off quickly with a nice farewell from the crew, bags out after about 5 minutes and in the taxi, less than 15 minutes from leaving my seat.
This flight, then, concludes my four-flight tour with HA, and whilst they were all very good indeed, this flight was a highlight for me – the upgrade is very good value for money on this sector and with this level of service ($349 per person).
I can’t praise this crew enough, they were a great example of a hardworking crew that really put the customer first. Making food/drink available at all times, but not crossing the line in terms of constant questions – they seemed to know who wanted something, or who wanted to be left in peace.
A cracking flight, with a cracking airline – thanks you guys!
