Micronesia Island Hopper Flight (United 154)

So I booked this flight literally last Christmas Day 2014 as soon as the seats open for the award travel.  It is a “hot award” ticket in the travel geek circle so much that I actually did not get my first choice of dates even though I was ready to book the day the seats opened 330 days in advance.  I attend several travel seminars over the last few years and had heard about this trip in one of the sessions.    After seeing a few aerial view photos it was immediately added to my wish list of travel ideas. So to say I was like a kid on Christmas morning getting ready to take this flight is an understatement. I had waited nearly a year.  I had obsessed over which side of the plane has a better view and based on reading many travel blogs of those who completed the journey before me.   I took their advice and choose to sit in a window seat on the right hand side of the plane (i.e. the right hand side when you are sitting down looking towards the cockpit).

  So the morning finally arrives I head to the Honolulu airport early in the morning to catch the 7.25am flight.  I spent the extra frequent flier miles and I am traveling first class with my award ticket as the total travel time is over 14 hours.  I have  an official “house policy” after flying 25 hours in economy class return from Bali last year.  House Policy:  If the flight is over 10 hours either split the journey into multiple legs or fly business class.  

So my first class ticket, my TSA Precheck, my carry on luggage and I go to security.  I get the TSA agent and the alarm bells go off.  “Excuse me miss but you have security code SSSS on your ticket and this will require us to search all of your belongings.”  OH NO!  Seriously?  So of course I am very patient as they do extra body screening and open all of my carry on luggage and test everything for chemical residue.  So my only guess is that not many people would on purpose make all these extra stops through Micronesia and Marshall Islands so it caused some alert to trigger.  There are plenty of direct flights from Honolulu to Guam that don’t stop 5 times along the way.  Anyway moving onwards…..  So by the way the TSA agent was so impressed with how incredibly organized my suitcase was on the inside.  Apparently she had never seen anyone with packing cubes before.  She loved them and was going to buy some!  

 

Interesting facts about United 154

So a few interesting facts about this flight that I discovered in preparation and during the flight.  Given that it is such a long journey with no nearby airports they take 2 entire sets of crew: pilots and flight attendants so they do not run into the FAA regulation.  In addition the flight takes their own mechanic every time in case there is anything that needs to be fixed along the way.  In the event that a part is needed the flight would be delayed until a new plane or part could arrive from Honolulu or Guam.  Hmm okay let’s get ready to roll!

 

                    Honolulu to Majuro (Republic of the Marshall Islands) There were some lovely views of Honolulu from takeoff that was great.  The flight was about 5.5 hours  with not much to see out the window during the flight.  I enjoyed the flight with a lovely breakfast, a movie and a wee little nap.  The arrival into Majuro had some amazing views.   Oh and we crossed the International Date line which is exciting in a very geeky travel way but this was the first time I crossed the date line I awake.  My historical trips crossing the International Date line I was sleeping as it was in the middle of the night on the way to Australia; by the way there is nothing to see when you cross the line…I checked : )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I deplaned and checked out the airport terminal which was a glorified bus stop.   There was a small snack shop that appeared to have coffee, chips, candy etc.  Although there was a local woman selling handicrafts at the gate….let’s be clear there is only one gate.   I bought a lovely handmade headband from her for a reasonable price.  We were on the ground for less than 1 hour then onto the next flight.

Majuro to Kwajalein (Republic of the Marshall Islands)

Once again the views at take off were amazing and I snapped photos like it was a major sporting event.   In first class they serve a variety of light snacks on the 1 hour flight between the islands. The island of Kwajalein is in a coalition with the US Military and you are not allowed to deplane the aircraft unless you are Marshallese, US Military or have a permit from the military.  US Miltary base with some crazy missile testing things going on here.

Kwajalein to Pohnpei (Federated States of Micronesia)

The flight to Pohnepei was just under 1 hour with continued incredible aerial views even with the rain!  It is apparently one of the wettest places on earth.  I deplaned to visit the small airport terminal to enjoy some free wifi!  I also was surprised to see an NBA basketball game as the group choice on the 1 TV for entertainment while waiting for the flight.

Pohnpei to Chuuk (Federated States of Micronesia)

This was another 1 hour and 20 minute flight with again light snacks served in first class.  They saved the best for last in regards the aerial views as Chuuk was absolutely incredible!  The island has many tourist for diving and snorkeling here including many WWII remnants which became famous after Jacques Cousteau visit.

I deplaned to the terminal which was little larger in size than the others.   I went immediately to the snack shop looking for something to eat of substance.  They don’t really plan for people to join the crew for the entire days journey and while I had an amazing breakfast that was now 8 hours ago.  The light snacks they served on the other flights were not holding me over.  I was pleasantly surprised to find available chicken veggie bao; if you have never tried a bao bun before check it out.   So while I am enjoying my bao from inside the terminal I am watching a heavy tropical storm blow from a clear blue sky.   They wait until the storm passes before we board the plane for the next flight.

Chuuk to Guam

Phew last flight of the day!  I am having a great time and totally enjoying this journey however the United safety video which is funny yet informative after the 5th time in the same day is wearing on me.  So the last flight of the day is 1 hour and 40 minutes with more amazing views that never stop.  On this last flight they served a light lunch which when the steward came to deliver he realized I had not eaten a meal for 8+ hours.  He apologized as of course most people don’t join them for the whole day.  No worries glad I always carry snacks in my bag as you never know what the journey will bring.

Summary 

It was an absolutely amazing experience to visit these tiny little islands literally in the middle of no where.  The views were so much more beautiful than I could have imagined or hoped for.  I am so glad I brought the nice camera and reserved the window seat on the right hand side.  It was a lot of flying time for the limited about of time I had to enjoy the aerial views yet I am very happy I had experience.

I had so many awesome photos I loaded them to a brief 1 minute video.  Enjoy!

Seek your adventure!