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Big Island The Island of Hawaii
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Old 05-14-2012, 05:21 PM
 
Location: Denver metro
1,225 posts, read 3,228,119 times
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Hello!

I will be traveling to the Big Island for vacation this summer. I have never been there so I am very excited!

Can someone who has flown into Kona from the mainland tell me what side of the plane would be the best to grab some great views? I'm assuming that sitting on the left side of the plane would be best for views of the Big Island, but would sitting on the right side of the plane be better for views of Maui and Oahu? I know this all depends on winds and weather patterns, etc but I'm sure they try to follow a "standard" route. I'll be flying in from San Francisco.

Thank you in advance!
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Old 05-14-2012, 05:28 PM
 
Location: Kahala
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Quote:
Originally Posted by downtownnola View Post
Hello!

I will be traveling to the Big Island for vacation this summer. I have never been there so I am very excited!

Can someone who has flown into Kona from the mainland tell me what side of the plane would be the best to grab some great views? I'm assuming that sitting on the left side of the plane would be best for views of the Big Island, but would sitting on the right side of the plane be better for views of Maui and Oahu? I know this all depends on winds and weather patterns, etc but I'm sure they try to follow a "standard" route. I'll be flying in from San Francisco.

Thank you in advance!
Sit on the left hand side of the plane (your left facing cockpit) - you likely won't get much of a view of Maui if at all - and Oahu is to far away.
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Old 05-14-2012, 05:36 PM
 
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As far as trying to figure out the approach into the Hawaiian Islands .... views of other islands as you pass by..... good luck on that one, I've been on flights that have come in from every direction and even between islands.

For Big Island views, planes coming into Kona airport usually land on the north end of the runway, which will put the best view from the left side of the plane (that is, if you are a passenger seated in the plane, the left side windows will have the view).

But counting on a view is a toss-up. Some days, it is voggy (unimpressive view). While some days is it beautiful, especially if you can catch the golden late afternoon sun hitting the slopes of Mauna Kea and lava fields.

I'd value a choice of comfortable seating on the 5 hour flight as my #1 priority.

Enjoy your trip to an amazingly interesting island !!
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Old 05-14-2012, 07:25 PM
 
Location: Moku Nui, Hawaii
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Sit on the inside of the plane, it's much more comfortable than the outside. If you want closer views, see if you can catch a Pacific Wings flight. They are smaller and fly closer to things.
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Old 05-14-2012, 09:34 PM
 
Location: Volcano
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downtownnola, I'm with you, I prefer a window seat, even after a gazillion miles of flying.

Left side of the plane will usually give you glimpse of the Big Island as you come in, weather permitting, but probably only for the last few minutes. Still, it is great getting that first glimpse. The rest of the flight you'll be looking at clouds, or water, or clouds and water.
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Old 05-15-2012, 01:35 PM
 
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and what you see may not be all that. Expect to see the dry arid white rock graffetti fields with the sprinkling of green and blue metal roofs. Now the airport will sing Hawaii Tropical to you since its an outdoor airport.
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Old 05-15-2012, 01:44 PM
 
Location: Kahala
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PacificFlights View Post
and what you see may not be all that. Expect to see the dry arid white rock graffetti fields with the sprinkling of green and blue metal roofs. Now the airport will sing Hawaii Tropical to you since its an outdoor airport.
Hawaii Tropical - I feel like that when I land in Hilo - but I feel like I've landed on the moon when I land in Kona as the plane circles the tarmac - all you see is lava rock - no green lushness.
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Old 05-15-2012, 01:49 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whtviper1 View Post
Hawaii Tropical - I feel like that when I land in Hilo - but I feel like I've landed on the moon when I land in Kona as the plane circles the tarmac - all you see is lava rock - no green lushness.
Ah but the airport is a traditional tourist tropical feel being open and all .

But I agree, outside the airport and I think of the moon also.
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Old 05-15-2012, 05:04 PM
 
Location: Denver metro
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Thanks everyone! I went ahead and chose seats on the left side of the plane. I'm hoping that I'll at least be able to see some of the island when we come in for landing.
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Old 05-16-2012, 01:16 AM
 
820 posts, read 3,034,451 times
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What a terrific question! THANK YOU for asking something unusual.

OK, I'm a fan of pictures from plane windows. You can get views, and while they aren't commercial quality, the memories are priceless. When I took this one of a plane just off our wing, little did I know that Aloha wouldn't be flying much longer.
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