Consolidated HNL connection time/logistics-Domestic & International
Sep 5, 2018, 4:05 am
#31
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
i would be interested in a westbound redeye from EWR, but i wonder what UA would do with that 767. would it turn back to EWR at 7-8am HNL time for a midnight-ish arrival? that has no appeal to me, nor anyone i know. i like the later departures from the islands so i get a full last day before heading home.
Sep 5, 2018, 4:06 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA1K
Posts: 4,044
Sep 5, 2018, 4:18 pm
#33
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA1K
Posts: 4,044
Sep 5, 2018, 4:21 pm
#34
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Various tier levels of frequent flyer/hotel plans received for bellyaching about minor flaws in the service I received.
Posts: 610
Well, yes, I have (I live in DC). While they're terrible, I must just be used to them. However at least IAD has multiple food options. At HNL the line to order food at the one restaurant open at 2 pm was at least 100 people long. For all the kvetching that people do about the train to nowhere, at least you don't get off the plane and have to walk out into the heat simply to get your bags. Who came up with that idea?
Sep 5, 2018, 4:51 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,018
HNL bag claim is air-conditioned (although not as cold as some like). Other Hawaiian airports have no a/c bag claims, some no a/c'd waiting rooms, some no jetways. I personally enjoy the open-air walk to bag claim (or to/from inter-island terminal) - tells me I'm home. Houston has air-conditioning between plane and bag claim - maybe you want to vacation there, instead?
Sep 5, 2018, 5:28 pm
#36
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
While I make it a point to not eat at a airport unless I no other choice - I have never seen (at least 150+ flights HNL-mainland flights in early afternoon) the Mexican place immediately after security for UA to have a line - ever. Quite frankly, I've never seen a 100+ person at any restaurant at HNL - the Quizonos might have 20 people in line, or the bar that formally pizza hut (now some other people) usually always seats at the bar and certainly always has tables available - so, I'm not sure what place could have possibly had 100+ people in line.
Sep 6, 2018, 11:22 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United Premier 1K 1MM; AA Plat Pro; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Platinum; Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,529
Glad to see United continuing to invest in the islands. As others have indicated, HNL needs a ton of upgrades. Will be interesting to see what flight options come up allowing for an overnight flight arriving in HNL in the AM.
Sep 6, 2018, 11:40 am
#38
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: In between IAD and DCA
Programs: UA Plat 1.1MM , Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,262
IAD isn't comparable to HNL. IAD's main terminal is physically nice, and the immigration hall has plenty of GE kiosks for even the busiest times. A/B (excluding the UAX part) is very nice as well. C/D is bad, yes. But their food options are better, a Polaris lounge is coming in the next year or so, and the Metro will extend out to IAD in 2019.
C/D definitely isn't nice, but the airport as a whole is nowhere near 1B next to 1A as Honolulu.
C/D definitely isn't nice, but the airport as a whole is nowhere near 1B next to 1A as Honolulu.
Sep 6, 2018, 2:34 pm
#39
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Kaiserslautern
Programs: UA G 1.9MM, HH Diamond, Global Entry
Posts: 439
That's not really the same thing at all. If I arrive at 1pm, by the time I get my bags and uber/taxi/rental car to the hotel, it is definitely check in time. And a daytime flight, in my experience - is a heck of a lot different than a red-eye for most people especially in economy.
If I arrive at 5am (like the Vegas flight) - I'm groggy (it is not a fun flight - I've done it a few times) - you'd get to Waikiki by 6:30am, you have no shower - you are tired - after you change in a public bathroom and have breakfast (a lot of people don't have breakfast) it's still 8am - so I groggy it out until 10am for the pool - get sunburned off the charts - finally get drinks at 11am when the bar opens - and eventually get into my at 3pm checkin. Then, I'm so exhausted, I can't even rally for evening number 1.
I just don't see a market for that for tourists. Sure, some will do it - once. Fewer, twice or more.
I just don't see a bunch of people leaving at 3am (LAX/SFO) or 1am (EWR) to land at 5am. I don't see the mass market appeal at all. I think Oscar was either mis-quoted or meant something else.
If I arrive at 5am (like the Vegas flight) - I'm groggy (it is not a fun flight - I've done it a few times) - you'd get to Waikiki by 6:30am, you have no shower - you are tired - after you change in a public bathroom and have breakfast (a lot of people don't have breakfast) it's still 8am - so I groggy it out until 10am for the pool - get sunburned off the charts - finally get drinks at 11am when the bar opens - and eventually get into my at 3pm checkin. Then, I'm so exhausted, I can't even rally for evening number 1.
I just don't see a market for that for tourists. Sure, some will do it - once. Fewer, twice or more.
I just don't see a bunch of people leaving at 3am (LAX/SFO) or 1am (EWR) to land at 5am. I don't see the mass market appeal at all. I think Oscar was either mis-quoted or meant something else.
Sep 7, 2018, 2:51 am
#40
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
Really don’t get the negativity here for HNL. I personally really like the laid back vibe of the airport, and the very large amount of open air space.
My aspiration, and I know this is a very big ask, is that a renovated United club has at least one shower. So often flights are timed for a day at the beach with a long flight afterward. Would be so nice to board that red eye clean!
My aspiration, and I know this is a very big ask, is that a renovated United club has at least one shower. So often flights are timed for a day at the beach with a long flight afterward. Would be so nice to board that red eye clean!
Sep 7, 2018, 10:02 am
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,018
Ala Moana Beach Park on way to airport has outdoor showers (no hot water, of course). If I need a shower, that's what I do, then I'll hit Nico's Pier 38 for food that's better than at the airport (or on the plane). I don't think a UC Club shower will be in the cards. The airport (probably more than 10 years ago now) did have a shower concession not to far from CO's President Club, but didn't get enough business.
Sep 7, 2018, 10:12 am
#42
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,652
Ala Moana Beach Park on way to airport has outdoor showers (no hot water, of course). If I need a shower, that's what I do, then I'll hit Nico's Pier 38 for food that's better than at the airport (or on the plane). I don't think a UC Club shower will be in the cards. The airport (probably more than 10 years ago now) did have a shower concession not to far from CO's President Club, but didn't get enough business.
Sep 7, 2018, 12:33 pm
#43
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Kaiserslautern
Programs: UA G 1.9MM, HH Diamond, Global Entry
Posts: 439
Of the 100's of red eye flights I take heading home from the islands, I've somehow always secured a late checkout most times, or worst case I have enough friends that I use their house for a quick shower at the end of the day. Third option is paying for one more night at the hotel, but I've never had to do that, yet. I consider all of this first world problems, as I feel fortunate to even have the opportunity to afford to visit the islands. As much as I criticize Hawaii over the years, I still love it and look forward to every trip.
Sep 7, 2018, 4:50 pm
#44
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX & EWR/JFK
Programs: Fomerly UA 1K, now Gold... next year, who knows?
Posts: 1,432
Me too! I was wondering if I'm the only one reading through these posts who likes HNL. I fly LAX-HNL-LAX twice a year for the past 4-5 years, and find HNL one of the easiest airports to get in & out of... but I'm used to LAX and EWR (where the cars at arrival are triple or quadruple parked). Sure, HNL isn't the most modern, but the people are nice and helpful.
We usually don't eat at HNL but prefer a quick stop at nearby Mitch's sushi. If we have time, we dine in, if not, we get take out and eat at HNL or on the plane.
Sep 7, 2018, 11:48 pm
#45
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: United MP 1K, SPG Gold
Posts: 186
This is how i felt when I visited the sheraton in waikiki. Terrible service, no aloha spirit from any employees, and everything was designed to extract the most money out of tourists staying there. I'm just happy I have family there that I can stay with to avoid some of the touristy places.