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Honolulu and the Halekulani via United and American First Class
Mrs. SFO and I are off today to Honolulu to attend a family function. As long as we have to go, we decided to stay an extra day and explore Oahu. We used to visit Hawaii a lot and indeed lived on the Big Island for year, but hadn't really spent much time recently in Honolulu. We're staying at Halekulani for the first time and naturally dining at Alan Wong's later this week.
No mileage run today as Mrs. SFO made it known that she wanted the nonstop. :( Although I did convince her that AA's HNL-DFW angled lie flat seat 767 redeye would be more comfortable even with a connection back home. We left home at a civilized 10AM and arrived at West Valet Parking lot a half hour later. PreCheck was backed this morning so we jumped the queue with CLEAR, arriving at the gate 5 minutes before boarding. And as usual with United, we became gate lice waiting to board. https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4073-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4074-L.jpg Denver-Honolulu UA 328 777-200 11:30A-2:40P July 28, 2015 Wifi and Personal Entertainment streaming Lunch First time on a UA Hawaii configuration 777 with 2-3-2 seat in the "First Class" cabin. Lots of leg room and good recline but I wouldn't want to do a redeye on this bird. https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4077-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4079-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4082-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4084-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4086-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4080-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4087-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4081-L.jpg What do you do when you want to hide controls that are no longer used? Tape it over of course, until inquisitive types start picking away at it. https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4090-L.jpg But there is power today. https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4092-L.jpg So far so good. Mrs. SFO is impressed with seating on this domestic flight. https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4089-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4093-L.jpg Although the seats are short, even with the dopey extender, and it takes a while to find a reasonably comfortable sweet spot. https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4091-L.jpg UA continues to impress. Exceptional and personable service by a wonderful DEN-based crew led by Purser Donna. Open bar PDB and three rounds of drinks before lunch. :) https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4097-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4098-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4112-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4099-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4101-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4103-L.jpg Three choices and a nice variety of mains fully and patiently described by Purser Donna. - Salmon with peppercorn, carrots, quinoa with lemon sauce - Chicken breast with BBQ sauce veggies and basmati rice - Indian paneer with tofu, rice and veggies https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4105-L.jpg My salmon was very good although a little dry. https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4108-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4109-L.jpg Passing over the Bay Area with only 4.5 hours to go. https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4111-L.jpg For dessert, the mango sorbet with mint was very refreshing. https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4119-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4123-L.jpg All in all, an excellent lunch and way better than the slop currently served on USdbaAA. But time to call the fashion police on Mr. 3F. :eek: https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4104-L.jpg About 90 minutes before landing, tasty freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4131-L.jpg On descent passing by the airport before the right turn back to land. https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4132-L.jpg https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4134-L.jpg Well United will never be confused with Lufthansa or Singapore, but today's flight was quite good for a North American domestic flight. |
Great start SFO777. I promise I'm not stalking you, I just found this at the top right when I clicked on Trip Reports! :D
I think UA's crews and food have been a lot better recently compared to right after the merger. Still room for improvement, but I have found no reason to leave. Hope you have a great stay. |
Originally Posted by SFO777
(Post 25196784)
UA continues to impress.
the cabin on those 772s doesn't look awful, but definitely lacks privacy. |
As a military person, I have always stayed at the military hotel down the beach by the HHV. I have walked through the lobby of the Halekualani many, many times.
In the picture of the room service menu, what was the invitation to? Great report. Enjoy the islands. |
UA food looks interesting...salad with a side of - stuffing? And bone-in chicken; gutsy move. Definitely better than AA.
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Halkelani or whatever is supposed to be the #1 hotel in Honolulu. So it was very interesting seeing the pictures.
In 1982 I stayed at the Pink Palace next door and it was fantastic. Flew on Pan Am F award. In those days it was so easy to get an F award. It included a limo from my apartment to the heliport and a free helicopter ride to JFK on New York Airways. The flights were discontinued. One passenger got decapitated boarding by a propeller. Awful. Originally they took off from the top of the Pan Am building. One propeller fell on Madison Avenue also killing a pedestrian. Sorry to be so morbid. But your trip to Honolulu in an old fashioned F configuration brought back memories. The so called F or C on UA looks like F in the 1970s on PAA and TWA. As to United economy must be awful. I better be careful how I am dressed if I ever sit next to you and make sure I am wearing the same color socks on each foot. But I doubt it as I sit in 3rd class. My last F flight was on Pan Am in 82. Thanks for an interesting fun report. |
Here we go again, stand by your iPads :) great start. The room certainly has a view to die for - stunning ^
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Your HNL-DEN flight looked good. It's been my experience that the strength of UA are the flight crews, when they're good it makes all the difference.
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What great timing SFO777 - I'm taking my first trip to HNL in a little over three weeks and your pictures of the views have got me just that little bit more excited.
Looking forward to the rest of this :) |
Great report so far. Love the Halekulani. Hope you get to check out Orchids for Sunday brunch! Love it.
Also excited to hear about Alan Wongs |
On my last trip to Honolulu we did Alan Wongs and were disappointed by the experience. Red curry paste has no business being on a piece of fillet steak - and I should have known this before ordering it.
Roy's - across the street from Halekulani blew us away with how good the food is - get a table outside though. |
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Nice report. I'll be stalking you (perhaps even looking down on you) from the "economy" (mauka) side of Kalakaua Ave. starting maņana.
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Originally Posted by SFO777
(Post 25196784)
On descent passing by the airport before the right turn back to land. https://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/...IMG_4132-L.jpg Now back to your regularly scheduled, award worthy, trip report! |
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