Tier Point Run to Hawaii in Nov 2022 – Day 3 – Los Angeles (LAX) to Honolulu (HNL)

By Nige on Sat 12 Nov 2022 at 18:40
Type: Post
Story: Tier Point Run to Hawaii in Nov 2022
Tags: American Airlines | Hilton | HNL | Honolulu | LAX | Los Angeles | Trips

I occupied my room at the LAX Hilton for about 4 hours I think. In that time I was in bed for about 3 hours and asleep for about 30 mins. Not impressive after 29 hours of travelling. I started at 4am in Budapest and finished in LA at 1am the following morning (8 hours behind).

I just try and put sleep disappointments behind me! I would have plenty of time to sleep in Waikiki. Next flight was not until 8:50am but I suspected there were issues with my ticket since I couldn’t check in online with AA.

Headed out of the hotel at just after 4am. Its a 25-30 min walk and that would give the AA rep time to sort my ticket. I was hoping to be in the lounge by 5am and queuing up for my Starbucks shortly thereafter.

AA checked me in without any problem but they didn’t have my Known Traveller Number (KTN), which drives whether you are eligible for TSA Precheck. So it was the normal security queue for me today!

After doing my normal all terminals walk, I headed back to the Flagship Lounge and looked for my favourite English muffins. None in the Flagship Lounge so I went into the Business Lounge and found some there.

I toasted them and collected butter and jam onto a plate. I then headed back towards the Flagship Lounge before being intercepted by the Lounge dragons. Apparently, its against policy for taking food from one Lounge to another. I explained: (1) I always do this and have never been challenged before, (2) it’s because I can’t get this bread in the Flagship Lounge. Both good reasons in my eyes, but to no avail. I had to eat my muffins in the Business Class Lounge. I submitted my complaint online 15 mins later…

Flight: AA0031 Equip: A321Neo
Sched Depart: 08:50 Actual: 08:52
Sched Arrival: 12:58 Actual: 12:46
Takeoff: 09:08 Landing: 12:41

Left from Gate 53B in Terminal 5. Its a bit of a tight gate so there’s a bit of a funnel effect. Get to the gate too late and there isn’t enough space close to the boarding pass scanner to squeeze in. Top tip!

On board into seat 01F. Received the first AA menu for as long as I remember. Preordered the 3 cheese omelette with potatoes and a cup of tea.

Pushback was on time (for a change) and it was a relatively short taxi before we were hurtling down the runway with a destination of Hawaii! Years ago, the crew used to make an effort to instil some excitement in their passengers about flying to Hawaii; now it’s just another flight. Shame.

Got an older woman sat next to me (in 01D) that needed help with finding the tray and a power source for her iPhone. I do seem to find myself sat next to these older woman that need help. I’m happy to do my little bit to help the world continue to spin…

Up into the air and it was a very clear day in Los Angeles. There were good views of the airport, the shoreline and the city as the flight ascended on its way to Honolulu.

Found that AA offer free WIFI on this flight due to there being very little coverage (mostly over water). The aircraft hugged the coast for about 30 mins heading NW. I’ve not noticed that before. Perhaps it was an unusual routing for today? Anyway, that allowed me to stay in contact with the Vickster for a little while.

Breakfast was decent. The 3 cheese omelette was quite tasty. The potatoes were a little soggy however. I also had a pain au chocolate which was ok. The fruit was nice and fresh.

Tried to watch a movie using the AA in-flight entertainment system. It played the two 30 second ads ok and played the movie trailers too, but as you tried to play the movie it just refused to. Am I the only one thinking that might be a cynical ploy to get lots of ad revenue, since passengers will go through the ads multiple times to see whether they can get the movie to play?

After consulting with the cabin crew, I concluded that the standard Samsung Web Browser couldn’t play the full movies, but if I used Chrome I could. I started watching Thelma and Louise, but after about 10 mins of waitressing action, I decided I didn’t have the energy to see it through to the end.

I nodded off for an hour or two; not sure that comprised any meaningful sleep as such due to the upright nature of the seats. I do my best to avoid leaning my seat back on to the passengers behind me; it doesn’t feel quite right somehow. I also noticed that my seat neighbour had her feet on the bulkhead for almost all of the flight. Bit a no-no for me that: (1) it shows no respect for those people who try to clean the cabin; (2) you wouldn’t put your feet on your own walls at home would you? (3) how am I supposed to get out?

A combination of listening to music and playing a few games on my phone passed the remaining hours of the flight. It’s just not the same without my partner in crime on these flights: me looking forward to all of the exciting things we can do together and Vick complaining about why we are travelling such a crazy distance for a short break.

We arrived into Honolulu landing on a runway I don’t think I have ever landed on before. It’s still nice and easy to taxi on to the stand however. We arrived into Gate E10 – I think that used to be called Gate 18 back in the day. That’s another indication of expansion.

I was first off, and purposefully headed towards baggage reclaim. I managed to stay on the departures level (as opposed to going down an escalator into baggage reclaim) so I was on the correct level for picking up an Uber. I ordered that as I was exiting the building and by the time I was in the centre median between Lobbies 5 and 6, my Uber was arriving to take me into the centre of Waikiki.

My driver wasn’t very talkative. To be honest that suited me – I was just looking forward to arriving at the hotel and seeing whether I could get a room. Arriving at just after 1pm, when check in is normally 3pm, isn’t always possible, but perhaps they will do what they can, on the basis that I am a Diamond member.

Follow the whole story here: Tier Point Run to Hawaii in Nov 2022