Flying
into Honiara from Brisbane
|
What
did TikiTouring think of flights with Solomon
Airlines?
|
Hopping
aboard Solomon Airlines was a bit like a trip back in
time.
The
aircraft was older but, and this is a massive but, it
had room.
The
seat configuration allowed you to actually breathe and
– wonder of wonders – you are able to move your legs
from around your neck to unwind in front of you.
The
business class seats were very comfy looking leather
havens for weary travellers and even in economy class
they were much more comfy than the modern variants.
As you would expect there were no screens on the back
of the seat in front – if you wanted to watch a movie
then you had to look down the cabin above the heads
of other passengers to two small 6” screens, or to PC
monitor sized units above the centre aisle.
Armed
with a laptop, though, means a lot of people can either
work or watch something on their PC and the seats allow
enough room to get those fingers flying over the keyboard.
On
our Solomon Airlines flights – both the international
and internal trips – the service has been excellent
with cabin staff who are attentive and professional
and pilots who seem to really know how to hancles an
aircraft. And they are friendly in a genuine way.
The
food is very good – when I flew it was a choice pork
and roast potato, or chicken and rice. I went for the
pork and it had a good amount of meat and potato. While
not a huge three-course meal it certainly was enough
to end the hunger pangs and was good and tasty.
I
was really impressed with Solomon Airlines at all levels
– from landing the international flights at major airports,
through to the smaller regional planes landing on grass
airfields.
In
the Air
IE700 Honiara to Brisbane
The
Plane: Solomon Airlines Airbus A320-211.
Class: Economy, but there is plenty of legroom and space
for even very large guys. Technology is older but in
every other department it rates well for comfort and
isn't that what we all like?
Price:
Varies. About $700 return.
On
Time?: About two hours late due to passengers' connection
problems in another Pacific country and a storm.
My
Seat: 13D, just behind the business class section with
its inviting big leather armchair-style places to relax.
The configuration is thrfee seats each side of the aisle
and, as mentioned before, plenty of room for people.
Fellow
Passengers: The usual mixed bag of folks from all ages
and countries.
How
Full?: Not very, with many rows occupied by only one
or two people. That boosted comfort levels and added
to the plenty of space feeling.
Entertainment:
Large monitors over the central aisle and small 6-inch
screens at the front of the cabin section. Headseats
were comfortable.
The
Service: The cabin crew were excellent. Friendly, professional
and always looking out for ways to make your flying
experience better. Cannot recommend Solomon Airlines
enough and I will gladly fly with them any time.
Food and Drink: Good food with selection of pork and
roast potatoes or chicken and rice. Wine was nice and
refill was without hassle.
Toilets: At back of plane for economy. Didn't use so
cannot comment on how they were.
Airport
Experience: Okay, but slow. A real bottleneck formed
at security and then at immigration. Solomon Airlines
Belama Lounge was first class and a welcome relief from
airport heat.
Would
I fly Again?: Absolutely. Solomon Airlines is a really
impressive little company with great staff.
