Island Hopper Adventure

A Trip Through Micronesia

Saving the best for last - this was my biggest aviation adventure of 2018: the United Island Hopper.   

In April, I flew through Micronesia with my good friend Rick Covington on board the world-famous Island Hopper.  

This United Airlines (formerly Air Micronesia/Continental) flight took us through five exotic locales between Honolulu (HNL) and Guam (GUM): 

1. Majuro Atoll (MAJ), Republic of Marshall Islands
2. Kwajalein Atoll (KWA), Republic of Marshall Islands
3. Kosrae (KSA), Federated States of Micronesia
4. Pohnpei (PNI), Federated States of Micronesia
5. Chuuk (Truk) (TKK), Federated States of Micronesia

(Throughout the years, the Island Hopper also served Midway and Johnston Island.) 

See my video trip report 

(view in Youtube)

In 2018, United Airlines also celebrated their 50th anniversary in Micronesia.  Predecessor airline Air Micronesia – known affectionally by its radio callsign “Air Mike” – was founded in May 1968.  The Island Hopper is still a critical backbone for United’s Guam operations.  The airline produced this nice video about the Island Hopper, featuring Capt Katz, one of the pilots on board my flight!

Finally, my written trip report was published in print in the December 2018 issue of Airways magazine.

You can purchase the magazine direct (unfortunately, they no longer sell through newsstands), or

better yet, for instant gratification, get the e-zine via the Airways app from Apple iTunes or Google Play (it’s cheaper too!).

Many adventures are planned for 2019.  They will be coming fast and furious, so stay tuned!