HA544 HNL-OGG 28 FEB 11 (FIRST)

Originally we had a 2 hour layover in HNL before the short flight to Maui (OGG). However, this was almost three hours as we arrived early. We eventually found the Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club lounge on the floor above the main Inter-Island terminal as the signage is not good. Were looking forward to some nibbles and maybe a drink, however, the facilities are very basic indeed. There were drinks machines for soft drinks and tea / coffee etc; no nibbles were available. Also the cups were very small for the cold and hot drinks. There was also free Internet. We asked if we could move to the earlier flight as we had arrived early - we were firmly told that that was not possible as we had to travel on the same flight as our bags were booked onto (see later, but it appears that the bags were moved to an earlier flight).

We therefore decided to wander the Inter-Island terminal and find some food from the bar down there - very expensive but that is always the case for airports I suppose. After the food, we wandered around the terminal which is all open plan and open to the weather there - usually hot! Great views of the planes on the apron and also taking off. We found a second Premier Lounge - slightly quieter and enjoyed the free WiFi and soft drinks.

Around boarding time, as no calls are made and there are no screens in the lounge, we headed off to the gate. Boarding started pretty much on time and we were in 1A/B on this flight. This row on this particular Boeing 717 has a huge amount of leg room. Boarding was completed fairly quickly and so we were pushed back on time and a taxi past all the big US Air Force planes and then we were off to Maui. The flight time was only 19 minutes - really good views of Waikiki on the way out and then over Maui as we came into land.

Drinks were offered - opted for diet cokes as we were picking up a car on arrival. Coach were offered a small carton of juice. The crew were efficient - they had to be on such as short flight.

We arrived in Maui and headed off to baggage reclaim - we were the first off and on the baggage belt (which wasn't moving) were our bags - looks like they were put on the earlier flight!

All in all a pleasant flight - one comment is minimise the amount of time in HNL airport (particularly the Inter-Island terminal) as there is not much to do!

19 minutes, that has to be a record!!! Hope you didn't pay too much for first!

Luke

And a Boeing 717 - haven't been on one of those for decades! What fun.

Thank you for the TR.