Before the busy summer, I wanted to try this one more time. I found tickets and was able to get the seat I wanted 8A. My routing would be: SEA-LAX-HNL-MAJ-KWA-KSA-PHI-TKK-GUM. The layover at each of those island would be around 40 minutes each. Most trips consist of a destination. This trip, was the travel itself not the destination, although I have always wanted to go to Guam. This time, I would not stay in Guam but continue onto another trip with a short (VERY SHORT) 50 minute layover in GUM.
The trip went much better than the previous. My seat didn’t change. time were a bit later. This trip basically went as planned with minor hiccups.
SEA-LAX
The trip started off with an arrival at the airport at 5:30 am. I got through security and waited for the Centurion Lounge to open at 6:00am. Upon entry to the lounge, I had a quick breakfast and a coffee.
I walked to my gate and boarded within minutes of arrival. The flight was empty just like the previous attempt. 3 hours later, we landed at LAX, and knowing from the previous attempt, I went directly to the Air Canada Lounge. I was able to have entry with my Chase CSR card and flying Star Alliance. Since I was on a layover, the 3 hour limit was waived. At first the attendant informed me that I could only enter 3 hours prior. I informed her I was on a layover, I just arrived from SEA and she may have to enter it differently. She reviewed her computer and as expected, it was entered wrong. She fixed it and I was granted entry.
The Air Canada, Maple Leaf Lounge, was very nice and modern. The food was delicious. Air Canada has around 6 flights per day, and the traffic was very low to where I could get work done and not be distracted. Much warming atmosphere for my personality.
I departed the lounge about an hour before my flight as I needed to find terminal 7. This flight appeared to be much more full than my previous. I did upgrade to Premium Economy so I had a bit more room and two seats next to me.
LAX-HNL
I had the 2 seats next to me and I was able to lay down and attempt to sleep on the 5+ hour trip, which I did some.
This leg didn’t have much to talk about. I guess the highlight was that we landed on runway 26L on the reef runway AGAIN. In all of my trips to Hawaii, (except the previous attempt)I have never landed this direction. I had always landed the opposite directions. This gave those who were sitting on the right side of the plane a great view of Waikiki beach.
After landing, a friend picked me up and we went out to dinner. I then went to my hotel and had a good night sleep. I stayed at a cute boutique hotel Shoreline Waikiki. It was a nice hotel.
HNL-MAJ
After a decent sleep, I woke early and decided to just to go the airport at 6:00AM and explore. Walking into the airport, I received the friendly “which airline” followed by a “Mainland or Majuro? I responded to the USDA Inspector confidently “United, Majuro”. and he responded, continue on then.
I found the TSA Pre-Check security line with “CLEAR” very quickly as I figured it out last time. After clearing security, I walked over to the only lounge that was open “Starbucks.” Unfortunately I had to pay, but it was sufficient. This time, I had multiple snack packs I purchased on the previous flights along with a few snacks from the lounge and hotel. I then walked to the gate that I thought was my gate only to find out I’m on the wrong side of the airport. So 30 minutes later (over exaggeration) I arrived at my gate in the “G” concourse.
At 7:00 AM, the door to the gate area was open, and we all walked in. They check your passport upon entry. Excitedly I boarded and sat in my seat 8A. I was a little apprehensive, praying that my flight would not cancel. Luckily, the middle seat next to me was open. My seat mate in 8C sat down, with a mask on and quickly began coughing. I adjusted the air hoping to make an “Air wall” between me and her.
Soon, we pushed back taxied out to the runway and took off. We were airborne heading to Majuro. I closed my eyes and tried to get some sleep. 4 hours later, I opened my eyes to clouds, and nothing but ocean. Soon we approached the islands and I began to get giddy.
The next 10 hours were both slow and quick. At each stop, we had to pull our luggage down from the bin, stay in our seat and wait for the “Security check” to complete. Once that was done, we could put our luggage back up and chill. Each stop was about 40 minutes and we were off to the next stop.
There were two flight crews (4 pilots). They take the first two seats in first class 1 A and 1B. 2A & 2B are not occupied so that the pilot seats could recline more. Also, in 7 D E, F was 1 mechanic who got off at each stop to look over the plane and give it a thumbs up.
MAJ
I was excited upon landing, however due to winds we were 40 minutes late and were not allowed off of the plane.
KWA
We were not allowed to take photos and we were not allowed off the plan. My perspective (opinion) is that there were a couple people outside the plane watching to see if photos were being taken. Kwajalein is a US military base and only those authorized are allowed to get off the plane. So again, I got to stay on the plane.
KSA
Kosrae, beautiful as it is, unfortunately was raining. Therefore I stayed on the plane.
PNI
Pohnpei was also raining, and I stayed on the plane.
TKK
Chuuk was beautiful. However, by the time we got here, I was so exhausted. So I stayed on the plane.
GUM
Guam was kind of the destination. I had tickets to continue on and had 50 minutes to clear customs and immigration. (completely different than mainland USA). At one point I had to download an app, fill it out and get a QR code. this was frustrating. However, I got through it ran to security and got to my plan that was being held for a few of us. Luckily I made it.
Overall, I had a good time. This was about a 15 hour flight overall. It was long and tiring. But beautiful and an experience I will never have again. I did meet multiple people during this time and enjoyed it. Next time I fly to these island, I want to actually spend a day or two. They are beautiful and amazing.
JetBoyErik 
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