Do Overhead Bins Attack?

A few days after a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Honolulu, one statement keeps popping up into my mind: "Do not fight the overhead bin?"

As passengers boarded the flight, the gate agent kept on repeating the statement. He cautioned do not fight the overhead bin or it will break. I just kept thinking "Do overhead bins fight back?"

Arriving at HNL and Hawaiian Airlines Baggage Claim

Passengers arriving on Hawaiian Airlines flights should be aware that baggage claim is at the inter-island terminal but the flights arrive at the overseas terminal. So deplaning passengers have the option of walking (about 10 minutes) or using the airport's intra-airport shuttles. For the most part shuttle drivers attempt to be waiting for an arriving flight. The buses do crowded once you factor in everyone's carry-on bags.

Arriving at HNL tonight, I opt to walk. It's late evening and cool and I get to stretch my legs. At baggage claim are the usual lei greeters for passengers who have booked the packages.

I was originally scheduled to arrive at 7:15am on an American Airlines flight via a connection made in Los Angeles after what would have been an 11:35am departure from Vegas. But after my flight was cancelled and rebooked on a non-stop flight on Hawaiian, only get in two hours later. The Hawaiian flight left Vegas at 6:15pm and arrived in Honolulu at 9:30pm.

This is the last of my "Las Vegas May 2012" posts. I'll again posting feature articles until my next big trip which is my annual visit to New York City in June.

Hawaiian Airlines First Class on Boeing 767-300

Macadamia Nut Pistachio Pate, Braised Spicy Chicken and Asian
Mixed Greens.

Tiramisu (above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

Hawaiian Airlines has updated their fleet of wide-body long-haul jets with Airbus A330-200 jets and has place them in service on a few routes including select flights between Honolulu and Las Vegas. These jets are replacing the airlines aging fleet of Boeing 767s. This evening flight HA 5 to Honolulu has been assigned the airlines 767 jet. It'll be interesting to compare it to the A330 which was used on my flight three nights ago to Vegas.

There are 18 seats in first class and the remainder of the cabin devoted to coach class. The modern elements of the A330 are obviously missing like the spacious overhead bins and lighting. In lieu of the on-demand systems stored in the armrest for first class passengers, entertainment is via portable Digeplayers that are pre-loaded with movies, television programs, music videos and music and distributed by flight attendants. Coach passengers can rent the players for $15.

FLEET COMPARISON:

A330 Planes			767 Wide-Body Planes
Hawaiian's new wide-body A330s carry more passengers, fly farther, and are more fuel-efficient than our existing wide-body fleet of B767s. Specifics Seating Capacity: 294 Seats First Class Pitch: 45" to 46" Seat Configuration: 2-2-2 Coach Class Pitch: 31 to 32" Seat Configuration: 2-4-2 » A330 Seat Configuration » Learn More About A330 Planes			The twin-jet B-767 has earned an industry-wide reputation for being comfortable, fuel efficient, easy to maintain and environmentally friendly. Specifics Seating Capacity: 264 Seats First Class Pitch: 42" Seat Configuration: 2-2-2 Coach Class Pitch: 32" Seat Configuration: 2-3-2 » 767 Seat Configuration » Learn More About 767 Planes

The first class seats on either jets do not recline flat.

Hawaiian's first class meal service is comprised of the "Your Way" menu created by Chef Chai Chaowasaree. It's different compared to other airlines and it would be a success if it weren't for the time it takes for each passenger to be served made obvious by the duration between the first passenger served and the last. The fault has to be in the six selections of which passengers choose three. It appears its a time challenge for the flight attendants to prepare the trays for each passenger.

I pick the Macadamia Nut Pistachio Pate, Asian Mixed Greens and Braised Spicy Chicken. Flavor profile wise this is the best prepared combination of plates between the four Hawaiian Airlines flights I've taken in the past two months. Though each are mini-entrees, it was a nice progression from the appetizer-like lightness of the pate to refreshing tones of the salad to the heartiness of the chicken. I just wished the chicken had a bit more sauce. As common with these tiny plates, neatness is complicated when cutting the chicken on the bed or rice.

Thank goodness no rock-hard frozen dessert. If old-fashioned but still satisfying, the Tiramisu closes out the meal. But where's the coffee. For first class service, there shouldn't be a wait or the need to order a cup of coffee. I finally get some java and watch a movie on my iPad before resting my head for the remainder of the flight.

Hawaiian Airlines is well-known for their in-flight hospitality of the flight crew and that politeness was evident even if the crew on this flight seemed a bit more harried than on previous flights I've taken.

I've learned that American Airlines have again allowed the earning of miles in their reward program on Hawaiian Flights. Back in the mid 1990s American had nixed any mile earnings on Hawaiian other than on inter-island flights. The rule is still in place that you can't earn Aadvantage miles on Hawaiian's West Coast flights. However Aadvantage members can now earn flight on Hawaiian to destinations elsewhere including to the East Coast. This summer Hawaiian is flying non-stop to New York's JFK.

Hawaiian's "Your Way" menu. First class passengers choose three
of the six selections.

One of Hawaiian's 767 jets sits at the gate at McCarran. Strip hotels
can be seen in the distance.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

Interior of Hawaiian's 767 first class cabin.
(photo: Rick Schmitz/flickr)

Cancelled and Delayed at McCarran in Las Vegas

Terminal 1 has lot of eating and shopping options. American Airlines
departs from this terminal. Little did knew when I took this photo I
wouldn't have time to visit any of these retailers.
(above photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

 If you read my post from May 15th called "HNL to LAS: Solving a Delayed Flight Problem" one would think history would not repeat itself on the same trip. But my cell phone started ringing just a few steps from my gate at McCarran International Airport to catch an American Airlines flight to connect in LAX to head back home to Honolulu. It was one of those automated message letting me know (less than an hour before departure) my flight was cancelled and I was placed on another flight to leave the next day.

Now I would have loved to spend one more day Las Vegas but things would have been different if I was notified before I checked out of my hotel rather than minutes before my flight was supposed to have departed. So I had to rely on experience, knowledge and patience to solve multiple problems to get things in order to return home.

First thing I sat myself at the gate with a pen, paper and my boarding pass and called American Airlines. The airline was maintaining they could not get me on any American flight on the same day. This is where I had to interject and ask if they can get me on one of the Hawaiian Airlines flights that was scheduled to depart that day with non-stop service to Honolulu. After 45 minutes on the phone, I was confirmed on Hawaiian flight HA 5 that would depart McCarran at 6:15pm and arrive at HNL at 9:35pm. Problem 1 solved.

(story continued below)

Terminal 1 passengers take a monorail after security to the airline gates.

One of the stations to catch the Terminal 1 monorail.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

 Since I had already checked one bag, the gate agents informed all passengers that were booked on AA1308 from LAS to LAX that our bags were still at check-in. So it was return trip on the airport monorail and then another hour waiting in line at American's check-in desk to get my bag. There were only three agents working the counters so the long wait was compounded by passengers who were checking in combined with passengers who needed to be rebooked in addition to the added time for airline personnel to search for the checked bags. One passenger got so impatient that there was near fist fight when others complained. But by that time I had got my checked-bag and Problem 2 solved.

Now when American rebooks passengers on other carriers, the airline confirms the reservation but not the passenger's seats. So rather than waiting to check-in at the Hawaiian Airlines for a seat assignment, I was back on my cell phone calling Hawaiian customer service. Luckily the airline already has my reservation in their system and the rep was able to confirm a coach seat. I mentioned that I was an elite member holding Puulani Gold in their HawaiianMiles reward program. The agent confirmed that I was able to use my perks and have priority check-in no checked bag fees. Problem 3 solved.

Waiting out the time between my original departure of 11:35am to 6:15pm
cost me $25.35 for starters.

Booked in Hawaiian first class and my tags bagged.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

 My original departure from Vegas on American was at 11:35am and now I was to depart at 6:15pm on Hawaiian. So I would have time to spare at the airport. What to do? I headed over to the retailers outside of security and picked up some basics from Hudson News that would tide me over until my flight. This included a magazine, tropical trail mix, honey cashews, potato chips, bottled water and a Listerine pocket mist. Combined with my iPhone and iPad, I would be able to keep myself entertained until the 5:30pm boarding time. Problem 4 solved.

After spending more than a couple of hours on my phone calling the two airlines, my battery was extremely low. Finding a free outlet outside of security was not easy. A hallway on the departure level of Terminal 1 leading to airport office and a floor above baggage claim got me a free outlet and peace and quiet. I decompressed while I charged both my phone and tablet by sitting on the floor and closing my eyes. My electronics were fully juiced in less than hour and I headed to the Hawaiian Airlines terminal. Problem 5 solved.

From Terminal 2, one can get a view of many of the hotels along
the Las Vegas Strip: Mandalay Bay and Luxor to...

...Excalibur, Tropicana to New York New York.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

 I felt like I did everything I could do and just had to wait out the time until departure. Hawaiian Airlines departs from the McCarran's dilapidated Terminal 2 so it was a ten minute walk in the Las Vegas heat from Terminal 1. Waiting for Hawaiian check-in to open, I reconsidered my option and called Hawaiian. Could I upgrade? The answer was yes. Logging into my HawaiianMiles account I checked-in online even though I had no way to print my boarding passes. But it would allow me to upgrade to a first class seat for a fee of $270 based on my elite level with Hawaiian. I was feeling like crap after waiting at the airport for most of the day, stressing over re-booking my flights and walking through two terminals so the restful flight with a hot meal would help bringing this trip to end on a high note.

Once the kiosks at Hawaiian check-in were available for check-in, I printed my boarding passes. An agent working the kiosks tagged my bag and I was on my way to security. I could only hope there would be no further interruptions between now and my arrival in Honolulu. If life's problems were not solved, at the I worked the ones to get me back home. Thank goodness.

The view at Gate 5 at Terminal 2 offers a view of the hotels north
of the MGM Grand.

Pointing my camera further both, I can make out the Wynn and Encore.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

McCarran International Airport: Terminal 2

(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

Hawaiian Airlines flights operate at Terminal 2 at McCarran International Airport. I still can't believe the terminal is still in use as it's vastly outdated in terms of comfort, restaurants and shopping not to mention decor compared to the airport's other terminals. It's main purpose is to serve as the International Terminal for other airlines such as Air Canada and AeroMexico.

But the final days of Terminal 2 are numbered. With the shining new Terminal 3 on the verge of opening, all airlines operating from Terminal 2 will be moved to gates at Terminals 1 or 3. Word is that the new Terminal 3 will open within the next month. But the move out of all airlines from Terminal 2 will extend beyond that date.

However one this terminal's faults is actually a on the flip-side a plus. It's an awfully small terminal especially for one that serves international flights. But because it's not as large as it's neighbor terminals,  the walk from gate to baggage claim to curb is not as long.

On that note, I did check in one bag and I wait with the other passengers at the baggage carousel in Terminal 2. I'm hoping the taxi ride and hotel check-in are smooth and quick. I just want to grab a midnight snack and get some sleep.

Hawaiian Airlines First Class on the A330-200 Part 3

Here I am back on Hawaiian Airlines flight HA18 from Honolulu to Las Vegas taking the same flight I flew in April. And like that previous flight, I have the opportunity to fly in the first class cabin. Last month I upgraded by redeeming HawaiianMiles. Today I purchased a standby upgrade. As I reach the Ewa terminal at Honolulu International, one of Hawaiian's new Airbus A330-200 jets is parked at the terminal.

This will the third time I will fly the A330-200 on Hawaiian (Click HERE to read about the flight on 4/17/12; Click HERE to read about the flight on 4/21/12). This one sitting at Gate 26 is the plane for flight HA18. Hawaiian has named each of their A330s after a star or constellation used by Polynesian voyagers for celestial navigation. This jet is named

Hokupa'a which is the Hawaiian language name for Polaris, or the North Star. This particular A330-200 was the fifth to join Hawaiian's fleet in October 2011.

I love flying wide-body jets. Of course I can say that more often now then when I first started traveling.  As an elite member in American and Hawaiian's mileage programs, better seat choices are within my grasp then back in the 1990s and before the internet where it was more of an effort to purchase a ticket and shop for the best price.

Though the seats do not lie flat like on other carriers, the design of the cabin and seats do make the cabin feel roomy. Unlike the two flights last month, I am sitting in a window seat. Actually when I purchased the standby upgrade, there were only two seats left and both were by the windows so my choice was limited. The other was in the first row where there is no storage in front of you.

The beauty of flying in daylight over the Hawaiian Islands. In this photo, the jet cruises above the island of Molokai in the foreground. In the distance on the right is the island of Lanai. Beyond on the left is the island of Maui. The clouds all hover each island's mountains.

The menu choices are still the same from last month so I attempt to try something different. Unlike other airlines the meal service in Hawaiian's first class starts out with the usual bowl of warm nuts and drinks but there is no salad course. Instead each passenger picks three of the mini entrees from the list and they are served at one time with taro bread.

My three choices off the menu are the Hawaiian-Style Chicken, Crispy Wonton Tacos and the Spinach Gnocchi. I like eating Gnocchi so when I had it last month I was disappointed it was cold and tough. It was served hot today and it tasted much better. The big disappointment is the tacos with shrimp and crab salad filling. The filling needs more season and the gritty flour texture of the tacos is like eating paper. The chicken is best thing on the tray and the glaze and mango salsa is excellent. But have you ever tried to slice a piece of chicken over a bed of rice on such a tiny plate. It's quite a challenge to perform while keeping the entire dish including every grain of rice within the plate. Click HERE to view Hawaiian's in-flight dining menus.

The dubious Grand Mariner Ice Cream Truffle with Orange Creme Anglaise make an appearance for dessert. I say dubious because on the flight last month to Vegas, these were served frozen like a hockey puck. It was almost funny to watch the other passengers try to break the shell. It's less a challenge today as I guess the flight attendants had them defrost a little before serving. Now I like to put my own cream and sugar in my coffee but when I requested for a cup, the flight attendant serves the coffee with the cream and sugar already mixed in.  I had to request for a bit more sugar.

My JBL noise-cancelling headphones are likely nearing the end of their lifespan. So I used the noise-cancelling headsets offered by the airline. I brought my iPad with me loaded with a couple of movies. I see a lot of movies so the popular films usually offered on the plane are ones I have usually seen.

Looking at the choices of movies and television programs, I don't find anything I want to see. The monitor's touch screen is almost the size of my iPad and color and resolution not bad. The monitor is stored in the armrest between seats. Lift the armrest cover, push on the monitor and it slides out.

One of my favorite board games is incarnated in a touch-screen version. The entertainment options includes several video games. My game choice is Battleship. After a few rounds of the game and watching a movie on my iPad, I attempt to try and rest. I can't sleep so the quiet hum offered by the noise-cancelling headphones helps me to at least relax for remainder of the flight.

Honolulu International Airport: Traveling from Inter-Island Terminal to Overseas Terminal

Click HERE to view the larger version of this map on the
Honolulu International Airport website.

Check-in for all Hawaiian Airlines flights is completed at the inter-island terminal regardless of destination. This means if you're flying inter-island the walk to the gate is as close as passing through security. If you're flying to the U.S. mainland or to one the airline's international destinations, you will have a longer distance to walk to the gates at the Ewa overseas terminal. Click HERE to view and download airport terminal maps.

At the inter-island terminal Hawaiian Airlines passengers only one have one security check-point with two lines. After passing through security, you'll find gates 55 to 61 which are used for inter-island Hawaiian flights. Another set of gates numbered 49-53 are located on a peninsula at the south end of the inter-island terminal.

To reach the overseas terminal gates 26-34 where Hawaiian Airlines operates their flights to the U.S. mainland and international destinations, passengers have two options. One is to walk to the south end of the inter-island terminal, hop on to the moving sidewalk and pass through the agriculture station checkpoint to inspect carry-on bags. There is no metal detector to pass through.

After this point, passengers will have to walk along the bridge that connects gates 26-34 to the main terminal building.

Honolulu International intra-airport shuttle bus.
(photo: hawaii.gov)

The other option is take the intra-airport shuttle buses. After passing through security at the inter-island terminal. Look for the escalators or elevators that takes passengers to the third level. On this level is the route traveled by the shuttle. The shuttle drops passengers at an entrance to each of the overseas terminals. The buses operate between 6am and 10pm daily.

Of course if you have time to spare, it might be worth it to take a pause and enjoy the garden in the inter-island terminal. In case you need to purchase a meal before or for the flight, here are your options:

In the inter-island terminal: Burger King, Chow Mein Express, Lani Moo's Tropical Treats, Island Brews & Pizza Hut, Lahaina Chicken, Starbucks Coffee, Stinger Ray's Tropical Bar & Grill.

In the Ewa concourse: Gordon Biersch Restaurant Brewery, Hawaii Market and Starbucks Coffee in addition to some vending machines.

There is a newsstand in each concourse which also sells water, soft drinks, candy and snacks.

The garden open to all passengers in the inter-island terminal.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

Upgrading on Hawaiian Airlines: Hawaii to/from the Continental U.S.

Upgrading on Hawaiian Airlines is relatively easy compared to the methods followed on the larger U.S. carriers. The most common way is to redeem miles for an upgrade (click HERE to view Hawaiian's redemption chart).

HAWAIIANMILES REDEMPTION
Since I'm flying to Las Vegas, let's look at the Hawaii to/from the U.S. mainland redemption offers. The choices are under two categories:

• First/Business Saver - the lowest mileage First/Business Class flight award. This award does not have to be purchased online.
• First/Business Flex - can be redeemed for travel on Hawaiian Airlines with twice the miles of a First/Business Saveraward when a First/Business Saver award is not available.
• Upgrades - must be processed through Hawaiian Airlines Reservations. All award upgrades must be ticketed 26 hours prior to the flight departure.

For a first class ticket, the mileage options are:
40,000 First Class Saver
80,000 First Class Flex

To upgrade from coach ticket, the mileage options are:
25,000 First Class Saver
50,000 First Class Flex

So depending on the miles you have in your account, you have your choice of using miles to upgrade or to redeem them for a first class seat. Hawaiian keeps it simple by allowing you to call HawaiianMiles customer service for redemption. The agent will confirm your available miles and which reward is available for redemption.

Naturally the closer you book to your departure and the availability of first class seats will be the factors on whether a "first class saver" or "first class flex" reward is necessary. The scarcer the number of first class seats, the option using more points is then required. Keep in mind that the upgrade must be ticketed 26 hours prior to departure.

STANDBY FIRST CLASS UPGRADE
This option is available on the day of departure and available to all coach passengers. First class upgrades on the day of departure are completed through online or airport check-in within 24 hours prior to departure.

The catch is the fee for standby upgrade varies by season and route for International and North American flights. The fee also varies depending if the passenger is a Puulani Platinum or Puulani Gold holder in the HawaiianMiles program or Hawaiian Airlines Visa Card Holder.

Click HERE to view Hawaiian Airlines fee chart. According to this chart, standby upgrades cost $349 to $449 each way on flights to/from North America.

MY EXPERIENCE USING BOTH METHODS
Last month when I flew from Honolulu to Las Vegas I upgraded using miles. It cost me 25,000 miles each way and I redeemed the miles by calling the HawaiianMiles Service Center (Toll-Free 1-877-426-4537; Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm HST). I called a week before to book the upgrade to Las Vegas and two days before to book the upgrade to return to Honolulu. The customer service rep handled the transaction, advised me which first class seats were available and sent an email to confirm the details.

Today I had the opportunity to use the "standby first class upgrade" option for my flight from Honolulu to Las Vegas. Since I am a Puulani Gold member in the HawaiianMiles program, the cost to upgrade is $270 including all taxes. This is much less than what is shown on Hawaiian's fee chart. I booked this upgrade at the self check-in kiosk at the airport. I confirmed a seat in the first class cabin and a receipt for the transaction is printed at the kiosk.

Using either option is easy on Hawaiian Airlines and I would use either method again. Of course upgrades are always debated based on the comfort, amenities and service that is provided. But that's a different article.

Hawaiian Airlines Check-In at Honolulu International

It's all about self check-in at the Hawaiian airlines terminal.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

The ticket lobby of the inter-island terminal (or Terminal 2) is now exclusively used by Hawaiian Airlines. It is in this terminal where all passengers check-in for all of Hawaiian's flights regardless if it is overseas or inter-island.

Aloha Airlines used to occupy of half of the inter-island terminal before its demise in 2008. Mokulele Airlines used some of the gates here before it completely merged with go! which then had its flights relegated to the commuter terminal.

Four check-in pods at the overseas check-in lobby for Hawaiian Airlines.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

The inter-island ticket lobby which was transformed in 2011 to remove the traditional ticket counters is divided into two parts. Lobby 2 (on the mauka or mountain side of the terminal) is used to check-in for Hawaiian's overseas flights. Lobby 3 (on the makai or ocean side of the terminal) is used to check-in for Hawaiian's overseas flights. Each lobby holds pods and at each pod is eight self check-in machines. But what's great is there are one or two Hawaiian agents per pod assisting customers.

Check-in, pay any fees and weigh your bags all in one spot.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

Follow the instructions on the touch screen. Remember to have your confirmation code, e-ticket number or Hawaiian Miles number to access your reservation. Once you have confirmed the itinerary, passengers, seat assignments and weight of checked bags, your boarding passes and luggage tags are printed. Sharp eyed agents will be there to assist with tagging your bags correctly. If you need to pay for checked bags or upgrades, have your credit card ready to complete the transaction.

Agriculture inspection for bags on flights to the mainland or overseas
is moved to be completed after check-in.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

Formerly all bags heading for the mainland or abroad had to pass through agriculture inspection. Now the bags pass through inspection after check-in and after the bags are tagged. As a reminder the purpose of the inspection is to protect the fragile eco-systems outside of the islands. From the check-in kiosk, walk over to the agriculture inspection station located where where the tickets counters used to line the back wall. Your checked bags are also inspected by the TSA at this point.

Gone is the row of check-in counters that used to line this wall.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

Once your checked bag is accepted at agriculture, you can either head directly to security or you can watch your bag pass through the inspection as it rides along the conveyor belt until your bag is no longer in view. There is a separate counter to check-in odd sized bags and personal items such as surfboards. If you need an old-fashioned agent to assist with itinerary changes there is a small customer service counter located near the lobby entrance. But be aware the line at this counter can be long and move extremely slow.

Look for this sign if you need to do what is says.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

Find that your bags exceed the weight limit, head to the "weigh and repacking station" which allows you to shift belongings between bags or remove them completely. If you have no bags to check, you can use any of the kiosks spread throughout the terminal before making your way directly to security. Many passengers not checking bags (usually fliers on inter-island flights) check-in online.

MY EXPERIENCE TODAY
Check-in at noon is crowded at the inter-island terminal. I am checking in for a direct flight to Las Vegas on Hawaiian Airlines so I head to the part of the lobby devoted to overseas flights check-in.

There is one small problem with the pods. Each kiosk at the pods has its own line so this means eight lines at each pod. The bothersome thing here is if you're behind someone who is slow or having problems at check-in you may have to jump to another line. I think at each pod station there should be one line. Then passengers will have any one of the eight available as they become free.

I have used these check-in kiosks before. But for some reason the machines are running very slow as it changes from screen to screen. By the time my boarding passes were printed a Hawaiian Airlines agent was there to help me tag my one checked bag.

The line to drop off the bags at agriculture was long stretching almost the entire length of the lobby. So I waited at one of the few places to sit in the lobby. As soon as the line shortened I dropped off my bag and then made sure it makes its way onto the conveyor belt. Now on to the gates.

HNL to LAS: Solving a Delayed Flight Problem

An Hawaiian Airlines and American Airlines jet.
(photo: WorldNews)

Eventually it was going to happen to me. My flight would be delayed by so many hours that the airline would get me to my destination a day after my original arrival date. That is unless I could get some help to fix it.

My originally itinerary was as follows:

Carrier	Flight Number	Departing		Arriving		Booking Code
		City	Date & Time	City	Time
American Airlines	270	HONOLULU	TUE 15MAY 7:20 AM	LOS ANGELES	3:40 PM	N
				Economy	Seat 21H	Food For Purchase
American Airlines	741	LOS ANGELES	TUE 15MAY 5:50 PM	LAS VEGAS	7:00 PM	N
				Economy	Seat 9D

So at 2am on May 15, I get one of those automated phone alerts from American Airlines that flight AA270 is delayed and that my itinerary has changed to depart at 1pm from Honolulu and arrive in Los Angeles after 10pm and connect on flight that leaves at 9pm. I'm not sure which magical world the airline lives on but I can't connect on a flight that leaves before I arrive in Los Angeles.

As a platinum member in their Aadvantage mileage program I call American Airlines customer service using the platinum elite number. The service rep finds a flight where I would overnight in L.A. and then connect on a flight to Las Vegas to arrive on the afternoon of May 16th. Keep in mind the agent is trying to keep me on an American Airlines flight. I say I have already prepaid for my hotel. At that point she is able to find other flights that could get me to Vegas sooner. The best she found was to fly American to L.A. then in a 45-minute layover switch to a United Airlines flight. There's still something wrong with this picture. The two airlines are at different terminals and with any slightest delay I may not make the connecting flight. Also what irks me is I'm not told why my original flight was delayed. The automated message did not tell me nor could the customer service rep.

Keep in mind this is still after 2am on May 15th. This is where it helps to know alternate flights that the customer service agent on the phone may not find right away. So I say Hawaiian Airlines flies non-stop from Honolulu to Las Vegas. Can you get me on one of those flights. Surprise. The customer service representative finds that Hawaiian does have seats available and after being on hold for over 15 minutes, I am confirmed on HA18 to Las Vegas to arrive four-and-a-half hours later than my original arrival time on American. However the agent cannot confirm any seats nor any fees I may incur while flying an alternate carrier.

At this moment all I know is this:

Carrier	Flight Number	Departing		Arriving		Booking Code
		City	Date & Time	City	Time
Hawaiian Airlines	18	HONOLULU	TUE 15MAY 3:00 PM	LAS VEGAS	11:45 PM	Y
				Coach

This is where I probably had an advantage. I call Hawaiian Airlines where I also hold a Puulani Gold elite status in their  HawaiianMiles program. The customer service representative confirms an aisle seat. I then ask that since I am elite member on Hawaiian would I still have to pay the fee to check a bag even though I was rebooked from an American flight. Less than a couple of minutes later the agent says I can use my Hawaiian gold benefits which means early boarding and no checked bag fee.

Though I'm arriving near midnight I'd much rather arrive at that time than after 12 noon the next day. Since I have an extra few hours before my 3pm departure, I can get some extra sleep.

Lesson Learned: Be familiar with flights and routes on your preferred airline and on other airlines, keep airline telephone numbers handy and know your rights. By the way Rule 240 is owed some thanks. Click HERE to read American's in depth interpretation of the rule.

Hawaiian Airlines First Class on the A330-200 Part 2

Vegetable chips and lemongrass coconut soup.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

Hawaiian operates at least three departures daily from McCarran International Airport. This flight from Las Vegas to Honolulu HA17 departs at 1:55am. Despite the unusual time, the gate agents announce its a full flight and would appreciate if passengers remain seated until their row number is called.

The business organization paid for the ticket but that doesn't mean I couldn't take advantage of situation and with a call a couple of days earlier to the airline, I upgraded again from a coach to a first class seat by redeeming 25,000 miles from my Hawaiian Miles account.

It should be noted that the call center for Hawaiian Airlines operates from the Philippines but the service is thorough and polite. Anybody expecting no waiting has never ever called a call center. But once I got a service agent, the request was expedited.

So unlike the first class meal service on HA18 that I flew to Vegas, the return trip had a different service. What do you serve at 2am in the morning? The flight attendants still distributed a menu but there was only one selection which reads as follows:

Moemoe menu
Light, quick and delicious, this snack features the tastes of Hawai'i and is perfectly proportioned to enjoy just before a restful sleep.

- CRISPY VEGETABLE CHIPS
  Featuring carrots and taro

- CREAMY LEMONGRASS COCONUT SOUP
  With chicken, mushrooms, green onions and brown rice.

There was something comforting about this snack. It's warmth and light flavors was satisfying for the remainder of this six hour flight. There is no dessert or salad course but drinks still are poured freely.

Adding to the comfort is the mood lighting in blues and purples. No harsh fluorescents. I attempted to watch a movie "The Descendants" in an attempt to pass the time. The Airbus A330 is Hawaiian's newest jet and every seat has a personal monitor. In coach they are located on the seat backs. In first class they are in the arm rest and pop out with a gentle push.

Soothing mood lighting fills the entire cabin.

The personal entertainment center in first class.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)