Friday marked my first IAD-HNL since last year. The first leg of this direct flight (UA83-IAD/LAX) was anything but special. The purser was as dour and by-the-book as possible. Never once did she even attempt to crack a smile. Of course, we were stuck with her up front.
She took meal orders by status, and bumped around the cabin, criss-crossing back and forth. She would ask 'Which do you prefer? The egg souffle or the fruit plate?' She offered this the same way to everyone, and inevitably, she had to go back to 6 MP general members and tell them they couldn't get their fruit plate, as 'we have run out'. Wouldn't it have been simpler to ask 'Which is your first choice for breakfast?' Some (luckily) had the cojones to scold her getting their hopes up, only to then quickly dash them.
The real treat was the LAX/HNL leg. The crew were cheery, all dressed in festive aprons, some with flowers in their hair. The service was excellent with salads prepped seatside. The meal was unreal...choices were Mahi-Mahi or Filet of Beef! It was a lunch service, so I was braced for 'Chicken Cold Plate' (GAWD, even the name gives me willys!). I chose the filet which was cooked medium. It was glazed with a teriyaki sauce and jullienned carrots and served with vegatables and seasoned rice. It was delicious! They ended with vanilla sundaes (which I passed on). Overall, I was very impressed by the second leg to HNL. Good job UA!!!