Kwajalein Atoll

Continental MicronesiabCS957 | KWA/KSA
Economy Class
N14250 | Boeing 737-800
ATD/1217 | ATA/1225

Transit passengers were not allowed to disembark at KWA. About ten passengers disembarked, and about another ten came on board. Thankfully, the seat next to me remained empty. Customs and immigration forms for the Federated States of Micronesia were distributed while we were on the ground, and the bar cart was replenished.

Unlike MAJ, KWA had a taxiway parallel to the runway, and the runway looked as if it was significantly longer. This should be no surprise given that KWA is a military installation used by the US. We taxied to the end of the runway and took off into the cloudy skies above KWA. The climb to cruising altitude was bumpy. Flying time to KSA was about one hour, and we adjusted our watches back one hour to FSM time. (The Marshall Islands are 22 hours ahead of HNL and we crossed the international date line en route).

A snack was served as soon as we reached cruising altitude. It came on a small tray and consisted of a bun with two very thin slices of ham and a leaf of lettuce, pineapple cubes, and a pack of cookies. The drinks cart came about and this time I got a whole can of diet coke. After that, the flight attendants came round to clean up, and Ron, the International Service Manager, pitched in. I jokingly asked him why he was slumming it out in coach and he laughingly replied that he always helps out where needed.

Before long, we started descending over a beautiful mountainous island with lush greenery. Landing was smooth, and we turned around at the end of the runway to get to the terminal.Read more