As someone who counts the hours she sleeps I’m not a huge fan of long haul flying, and yet I spend most of my travel life on planes heading from the southern to the northern hemisphere in search of snow.
But if we antipodean skiers and boarders want the joy of northern powder then we have to work for it with a minimum of 10 hour flights to Japan, 15 hour flights to North America and ye olde 24 hours to Europe.
This winter just gone I decided to break up my flight to the USA with some downtime in Hawaii and it was honestly one of the better life decisions I have made.
Not only did I get to enter the USA with an aloha via Honolulu customs and avoid the LAX queues, but I also got to tackle any timezone jet lag, catch up on sleep and cleanse myself with salt water before hitting the slopes.
My flights
Hawaiian Airlines recently launched direct flights via Honolulu to Salt Lake City (they already fly to Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle ski destinations) which worked perfectly for my FIS World Cup event in Deer Valley in Park City Utah. Ok, I wasn’t competing, but I was reporting and that always entails long hours and mainlining filter coffee, so it’s best to arrive with your A game.
I was already skiing in Japan so I flew from Tokyo to Hawaii and then on to Salt Lake City after some days in the sun and I returned from Salt Lake to Sydney with a short layover in Honolulu. So, really, you could choose to take your sun loving days on the way to or from your snow holiday (or both).
Cabins not classes
To me there was little downside to this route. Ok, it helped that I was upgraded to the front of the plane with a lie flat option in a 2-2-2 seat configuration on the Airbus A330. Though it’s good to note here that the overnight flights from Oahu (Honolulu) to Salt Lake City are on Airbus A321Neo and are recliner seats rather than flat but still with enough pitch to clock up some zzzz’s.
It’s also good to note the new swanky pointy-end Leihoku suites are available on the Boeing 787 aircraft for some domestic flights within the USA with a 1-2-1 configuration so everyone gets immediate aisle access and divider screens.
Sadly I didn’t get to trial these but there is talk they may extend them to the Hawaii to Sydney route, so fingers crossed that happens.
For the booking record, Hawaiian Airlines cabins are Premium (First and Business), Extra Comfort (available on Airbus A330, A321neo and Boeing 717) and Main Cabin (which also includes Main Cabin Preferred).
Baggage (we all have it)
As a skier with a packing problem, I chose, on this six week ski sojourn, to leave my skis at home and just take my boots. This still meant I had two bags, a ski boot bag packed to the brim with all my ski outerwear (and a bikini, just kidding a full neck-to-knee) and a suitcase filled with all the shoes I will never wear. With the upgrade I was covered, but without I’d have to pay for the extra sports bag.
Lounge around
Hawaiian Airlines has two lounges at Honolulu airport. The Premier Club lounge and The Plumeria Club. The former is used by mainly short flight passengers and the latter by international.
It’s easy to get confused, and one (Premier Club) has less offerings than the other (The Plumeria also has hot food includes alcohol) so check with Hawaiian Airlines staff to see what you are eligible for. It is possible to purchase a day pass to Plumeria so do look into that before you fly.
While the lounges could do with an upgrade to match the glory of the new sky high Leihoku Suites, the airline is improving in stages and really who needs much more than some wi-fi, coffee and a quiet corner away from the masses when on a layover?
Qantas Frequent Flyers can also now use their points to book Hawaiian Airlines reward seats.
In-flight service
In-flight service was seriously on point on every leg, how can you not smile while wearing tropical attire? And how can I not smile when offered a Mai Tai before take-off to get me in the Aloha mood.
The food and beverage offerings were an a total highlight for me (and the fast free Starlink wifi, AC power and USB ports). Seriously flavour-filled, well presented and inspired by Hawaiian chefs Wade Ueoka and Michelle Karr-Ueoka. I’d fly just for the food alone.
On both the Airbus A330 (Tokyo/Honolulu and Honolulu/Sydney) routes and the flight to and from Salt Lake City we were offered complimentary tablets to watch movies and given a selection of comfort ammenities. The new Leihoku Suits all have personal in-suite entertainment screens.
I slept like a baby (with a sleeping pill) on the lie flat recline, could not fault it. Though I would choose a middle aisle seat if in the 2-2-2 configuration again. That way you don’t have to climb over or have someone climb over to you when you need to stretch your legs in the galley. First world problems.
On the Hawaiian ground
Is there anything better than salt water to refresh the body after a flight? I chose to stay in Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber rather than head to the North Shore or another island. The hotel is one road back from the main beach (just cross the road and you’ll hit the walkway to the sand) and also home to Cirque du Soleil ‘Auana (a must-see experience).
The location rocks and it’s less expensive than absolute beachfront, though you have ocean views if you stay up high in the hotel. An easy Uber from the airport and with surprisingly decent Kona coffee for Aussie palates in the Hawaiian Aroma Caffe (double f is deliberate).
Utah Arrival
Where your trainers as the arrival gates for Hawaiian Airlines flights into Salt Lake City are quite far from the baggage carousels and exits. But it just gives you more time to check out the airport’s new terminals and nods to mountain landscapes within the architecture. Also you’ll arrive before breakfast so make sure you arrange an early check-in at your hotel.
I was staying at The Pendry in Park City at the Canyons so was able to ski by mid-morning. Next season they’ll have the Sunrise Gondola in the outside square that will practically pick up Pendry guests from the lobby.
*the writer was hosted by Hawaiian Airlines and Hawaiian Tourism
