Remind me never to fly Hawaiian Airlines again....

[BriarfoxinWA]

The actual flight from Seattle to Honolulu, Honolulu to Maui, and the Maui back to Seattle wasn't bad at all. But just getting our boarding passes and onto the flights in Seattle and Maui were horrible.

Seattle just opened a new wing for Delta and Hawaiian the day we flew out. Instead of checking out luggage and getting our tickets in at the ticket counter we were re-directed to a line outside. Thank goodness we were really early! The line was fairly long and very disorganized. There were Delta, Sun County and Hawaiian passengers all in the same line. A porter took our luggage - I really wasn't sure we would ever see it again - but it did make it to Hawaii with us. The lady seated next to me on the plane arrived about 15 minutes after us and it took her 1 1/2 hours just to get through the ticketing line. I heard that there was nearly a riot in the line later in the day due to all of the poor organization and the extremely long wait time.

The line for ticketing in Maui was even worse. It went waaayyy down the front of the terminal building. When you made it to the front of that line you were directed inside to a NEW LINE! Took about an hour to get our boarding passes and get our luggage checked in.

I'm a compulsively early person - so I always make sure that we arrive at the airport at least 2 - 3 hours early - not the recommended 90 minutes. We had 15 minutes to get the boys some lunch and run for the gate. Turns out the flight was 30 minutes late leaving - so there was a lot of hurry up - and wait.

We had a great time in Hawaii but next time I think I'll try ATA or United....

 

[mommytotwo]

Sorry you had a horrible experience with Hawaiian Airlines. I have never traveled with them to the different states, but only within Hawaii, and wish that their service was better also. Unfortunatly, we only have two airlines to choose from, and I usually fly with the other airlines anyways. Do you have pictures from your trip to Hawaii? What did you do in Maui?

 

[WebmasterAlex]

talk about weird coincidences.. we are at the lounge at HNL after flying the "other" airline (aloha airlines) from Maui.
Waiting for the 1159 red eye to SFO...

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Mommytotwo - what had a great time on Maui! We snorkled Molokini which I'd recommend that everyone should at least do once. The visability is over 100 feet and the fish are beautiful. We drove the road to Hana, played on the black sand beach (Koki Beach), saw the Ioa Needle, went to Lahaina, basically spent the whole time at the beach or shopping!

We took lots of great pictures - but I'm terrible at posting them! I guess I need to find one of those free websites to post them on...then I can post a link.

 

[mommytotwo]

BriarfoxinWA-Sounds like you had a great time. When we flew to Maui from Kona, we had seen Molokini, and it looked very nice. I would go snorkling there, but I have one big problem...lol I can't swim. I had gone on a snorkling cruise here before and when we fed the fishes, they would come and even nibble on your toes. It didn't help that I was ticklish either-lol.

We were planning on doing a family trip before summer to Maui, but instead my DH, DD, and I had gone to visit DH's brother and other family in Vegas, and we went to California and Disneyland. I would choose Disney anytime.

I can't figure out the picture postings and such either

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I had a great time in Hawaii - but I agree - it's not Disney

DH had never been - so that's what prompted the trip to the islands. Personally I would have rather done the DCL trip sooner. Besides - DH had a misguided notion that going to Hawaii would be cheaper than DCL...wait til he gets the final bill for this trip

 

[Meriweather]

Ohhh...I shouldn't have read that
DD leaves on Hawaiian on the 5th.....she's going to freak if it doesn't go well

She's also headed for Maui and is very excited (her college graduation present).

 

[mommytotwo]

Don't worry Nancy, Hawaiian Airlines is not always like that. Hopefully everything will go smoothly with your daughter's trip.