Flying over to one of the sunniest spots in the South Pacific, we bring you all the essential info from the fresh service to the Solomon Islands.
Flight: Sydney-Honiara.
When: Tuesday 2 June 2015
Aircraft: A320, Flight IE 711
Class: Business (16 seats in total)
Seat: 4D
Duration: 3.5 hours
Frequency: Once a week (Tuesdays)
Baggage: Checked baggage allowance was a generous 40kg (30 kg for Economy passengers), and carry-on could reach 7kg.
Check-in
Check-in was smooth and queues were non-existent. After the standard meandering through customs, I arrived at the designated gate, where I hopped on a shuttle bus that transported passengers to the tarmac. Here we boarded the aircraft.
Food
For lunch passengers were given a choice of beef tenderloin steak or blue-eyed fillet. Due to my vegetarianism I sampled neither, but my fellow passengers informed me that the fish was top notch.
No vegetarian meal options were offered, but the staff provided me with an assortment of fruit, cheese and crackers, nuts and cake – more than sufficient for the short-haul flight. A range of beverages, alcoholic and otherwise, was offered regularly.
Entertainment
The absence of personal video screens and power points for devices meant that inflight entertainment consisted of one movie (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) shown on a screen at the front of the cabin. An inflight magazine was also provided, as was a set of headphones.
Staff
Solomon Airlines staff members were polite and responsive. Business Class passengers were given a battery-operated model of the A320.
Comfort
The quasi-retro burgundy leather seats were spacious and comfortable; and the 3.5-hour flight passed by pleasantly enough.
Added bonus
Given that this was the inaugural flight from Sydney to Honiara (and thus a milestone for Solomon Airlines), seated aboard the aircraft was a host of VIP passengers, including Bartholomew Parapolo, the Solomon Islands’s Minister of Culture and Tourism; Marion Crawshaw, the New Zealand High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands; and Denton Rarawa, the chairman of Solomon Airlines.
