Commuter Airline Inter-Island Flying Experience
May 24, 2022, 11:24 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: PDX, OGG or between the two
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 2,868
Commuter Airline Inter-Island Flying Experience
First for me today flying inter-island on a commuter airline and I have to say I'm sold. Southern Airways Express/Mokulele Airlines (same thing apparently) was the airline and they were great but I'm really sold on the overall experience and highly recommend it. No security check-in, super quick boarding/de-boarding, park literally 50 feet from the check-in desk and a REALLY fun flight in a small plane. I've heard a lot of people don't like the small planes (my wife for one - I was solo today) but I love it.
The saved time is the real appeal to me. I pulled into the airport on Lanai today and was in my driveway in Maui an hour later. It can take an hour to get from my house in Kihei to the Lahaina Ferry port. Let alone the seasick trip that takes 45 more minutes. Maybe I've been living under a rock since I really wasn't even aware such a thing existed.
The saved time is the real appeal to me. I pulled into the airport on Lanai today and was in my driveway in Maui an hour later. It can take an hour to get from my house in Kihei to the Lahaina Ferry port. Let alone the seasick trip that takes 45 more minutes. Maybe I've been living under a rock since I really wasn't even aware such a thing existed.
May 25, 2022, 2:22 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
I pulled into the airport on Lanai today and was in my driveway in Maui an hour later. It can take an hour to get from my house in Kihei to the Lahaina Ferry port. Let alone the seasick trip that takes 45 more minutes. Maybe I've been living under a rock since I really wasn't even aware such a thing existed.
May 25, 2022, 2:57 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: PDX, OGG or between the two
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 2,868
Yeah, it looks like they go to/from Honolulu. I actually missed that when I looked at the map yesterday. I looked down and got a good view of the airstrip as we were flying over but didn't realize it was one of their stops. Certainly, a nice alternative to the drive all the way to Kahului which can be so long and unpredictable with the traffic. Also, lots more flight options into HON. Of course, you'd miss out on the obligatory airport Costco experience landing at OGG!
I live down in Kihei so OGG is just fine but having the option to fly out of Lahaina area is pretty sweet if you're staying up there.
I live down in Kihei so OGG is just fine but having the option to fly out of Lahaina area is pretty sweet if you're staying up there.
May 26, 2022, 12:49 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: PDX, OGG or between the two
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 2,868
When I was sitting at OGG waiting to depart to Lanai they called a flight to Waimea but I thought they said Wailea (which is about a 25 minute drive from OGG). I thought.... Wow! I can fly from Wailea? That's even better than OGG... which is already great... LOL. At the same time I thought I should inform the people boarding that an Uber would only be half as much as the flight 
