formeraa
Nov 15, 06, 1:40 pm
I had the pleasant opportunity to fly ATA from PHX-HNL roundtrip and thought that I would share my experiences.
ATA 4587 PHX-HNL 04NOV
I wandered around Term 4 in PHX until I found the ATA check-in counter. I waited in line approximately 10 minutes as there were only 2 agents checking in a full, all-coach 757. The agent was courteous but not particularly happy today.
We started boarding approximately 45 minutes before departure. I had chosen seat 10D (an exit row) on-line and it has excellent legroom. However, the FA sits facing you on take-off and landing. I thought that we would be leaving PHX early. However, the FA's and GA's had to separate some rowdy guys (drank too much in the bar??) before departure and we ended up leaving about 10 minutes late.
Fortunately, the flight gods were with us and the headwinds were much lighter than normal. So, the captain announced that the flight would only be 6 hours and that we would arrive about 25 minutes early.
The in-flight service on this flight is minimal. There is one pass through the cabin for the various buy-on-board options (headsets, pillow/blanket, bottled water, and snack pack). Then, the FA's came through the cabin with a beverage service and offered the whole can if desired (no munchies though). Next, the movie "Monster House" was started.
About 30 minutes after the movie, the FA's came through with a second beverage service. Then, they had us fill out the Hawaii Agriculture forms. About an hour later, we landed in HNL. The baggage service was pretty speedy and started appearing on the carousel within 15 minutes of arrival. I collected my bags and went outside to catch the airport shuttle service to Waikiki hotels. Luckily, the bus left within 5 minutes and had a very pleasant driver. My stop was only the third stop on the bus! All in all, it was a pretty pleasant experience.
ATA 4586 HNL-PHX 12NOV
At HNL, it's always somewhat confusing but I've been there enough times to know the drill: USDA inspection first and then queue up for ATA. Nobody was in line at agriculture -- so it went fast. ATA had about 20 people in line but there were 6 agents checking in people. I waited about 10 minutes in line for a decidely unpleasant agent (but I was very nice and finally got her to warm up a bit).
Security was about a 10 minute wait (only one line open at a non-peak time). Our plane had arrived early from OAK and we started boarding approximately 40 minutes departure. There were several wheelchairs which took about 15 minutes to board. But, then, it seems to take forever to get everyone boarded. The GA's didn't help the situation. With ATA's configuration, rows 1-9 are to the left when boarding -- so you can board 30 and higher AND 1-9 at the same time. However, the GA's in HNL didn't do this (they did on the outbound in PHX).
The in-flight service was even more minimal on this redeye flight. One pass with buy on board (with no explanation as to what was on the cart) and one pass of the beverage cart. They started the movie (Pirates of the Carib 2) almost immediately. After the movie, they did a "water or OJ" pass and managed to skip me somehow. Oh well, I wasn't that thirsty anyway.
Shortly after, we landed in PHX right on time. We were the only flight arriving in PHX that early and had the luggage claim to ourselves (it was almost eerie down there). Our bags came out within 15-20 minutes of arrival.
All in all, ATA was decent despite the minimal service. By the way, ATA's planes were very clean, nearly spotless. The FA's were very nice, even chatty if you liked to talk. After all, I only paid $273 roundtrip and I got back and forth safely and on time. Oh yeah, I also got the double RR credit promo -- so a total of 8 RR credits!!! What more can you ask for at that price?
ATA 4587 PHX-HNL 04NOV
I wandered around Term 4 in PHX until I found the ATA check-in counter. I waited in line approximately 10 minutes as there were only 2 agents checking in a full, all-coach 757. The agent was courteous but not particularly happy today.
We started boarding approximately 45 minutes before departure. I had chosen seat 10D (an exit row) on-line and it has excellent legroom. However, the FA sits facing you on take-off and landing. I thought that we would be leaving PHX early. However, the FA's and GA's had to separate some rowdy guys (drank too much in the bar??) before departure and we ended up leaving about 10 minutes late.
Fortunately, the flight gods were with us and the headwinds were much lighter than normal. So, the captain announced that the flight would only be 6 hours and that we would arrive about 25 minutes early.
The in-flight service on this flight is minimal. There is one pass through the cabin for the various buy-on-board options (headsets, pillow/blanket, bottled water, and snack pack). Then, the FA's came through the cabin with a beverage service and offered the whole can if desired (no munchies though). Next, the movie "Monster House" was started.
About 30 minutes after the movie, the FA's came through with a second beverage service. Then, they had us fill out the Hawaii Agriculture forms. About an hour later, we landed in HNL. The baggage service was pretty speedy and started appearing on the carousel within 15 minutes of arrival. I collected my bags and went outside to catch the airport shuttle service to Waikiki hotels. Luckily, the bus left within 5 minutes and had a very pleasant driver. My stop was only the third stop on the bus! All in all, it was a pretty pleasant experience.
ATA 4586 HNL-PHX 12NOV
At HNL, it's always somewhat confusing but I've been there enough times to know the drill: USDA inspection first and then queue up for ATA. Nobody was in line at agriculture -- so it went fast. ATA had about 20 people in line but there were 6 agents checking in people. I waited about 10 minutes in line for a decidely unpleasant agent (but I was very nice and finally got her to warm up a bit).
Security was about a 10 minute wait (only one line open at a non-peak time). Our plane had arrived early from OAK and we started boarding approximately 40 minutes departure. There were several wheelchairs which took about 15 minutes to board. But, then, it seems to take forever to get everyone boarded. The GA's didn't help the situation. With ATA's configuration, rows 1-9 are to the left when boarding -- so you can board 30 and higher AND 1-9 at the same time. However, the GA's in HNL didn't do this (they did on the outbound in PHX).
The in-flight service was even more minimal on this redeye flight. One pass with buy on board (with no explanation as to what was on the cart) and one pass of the beverage cart. They started the movie (Pirates of the Carib 2) almost immediately. After the movie, they did a "water or OJ" pass and managed to skip me somehow. Oh well, I wasn't that thirsty anyway.
Shortly after, we landed in PHX right on time. We were the only flight arriving in PHX that early and had the luggage claim to ourselves (it was almost eerie down there). Our bags came out within 15-20 minutes of arrival.
All in all, ATA was decent despite the minimal service. By the way, ATA's planes were very clean, nearly spotless. The FA's were very nice, even chatty if you liked to talk. After all, I only paid $273 roundtrip and I got back and forth safely and on time. Oh yeah, I also got the double RR credit promo -- so a total of 8 RR credits!!! What more can you ask for at that price?