Q&A TIME

In our April 2022 issue, advertising and production manager Yasser Ogando spoke about her criteria for a good vacation, particularly for a solo trip. She asked: What would you say is the best U.S. city for solo female travel? A few readers wrote in:

Anyone looking for some solo time in the great outdoors while also being near a city must consider Asheville, North Carolina. As a 30-year-old woman, I planned a solo trip to Asheville to experience its unique restaurants, bars, culture scenes and natural surroundings. Not only is the city situated less than an hour from some of the most stunning mountains and waterfalls on the East Coast, but Asheville has a rather young population with many solo travelers flocking to the area to enjoy both hikes in the parks and the amenities of a city.

LYNNA CORA, VIA EMAIL

No doubt, San Francisco, California, proves a great city for women wanting to embark on a solo trip. Not only is it safer than some of the other cities in California, but San Francisco also has a great public transportation system and a wide variety of restaurants, museums, beaches and bars.

COURTNEY HARRIS, VIA EMAIL

UNITED AIRLINES CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF SERVICE TO HAWAI‘I

Eric Chiang, one of our Globility Board members, shared his experience aboard United Airlines on its route celebrating 75 years since first flying to Hawai‘i. Flying the same route first offered in 1947, Chiang recounts his time on board the milestone flight:

At the departure gate in San Francisco, hula dancers and live entertainment welcomed travelers waiting to board, while United representatives distributed Hawai‘ian macadamia nuts and chocolates, along with other goodies. The counter at the gate was decorated with fresh Hawai‘ian flowers, balloons and vintage United Airlines Hawai‘i advertisements.

A number of United executives were in attendance and flying to Hawai‘i to take part in the festivities. In contrast to the usual boredom before a flight, the atmosphere was upbeat, and everyone was getting into the aloha spirit.

The boarding process included a shell lei greeting and a commemorative luggage tag for every passenger. On board, fresh Hawai‘ian flowers decorated the entire plane. Every seat was draped with a 75th anniversary microfiber cooling towel which passengers were encouraged to take as another memento of this flight. A small amenity kit, along with a commemorative Hawai‘ian toiletry bag, awaited each passenger.

After our 9:45 a.m. takeoff, the especially upbeat and friendly flight crew served breakfast along with a glass of Champagne. At exactly 75 minutes into the flight, a United executive made a toast to all the passengers and crew. The festivities continued throughout the flight. Hula dancers made their way down the aisles with an in-flight performance, and passengers played a game in which they guessed the exact time the aircraft crossed the midpoint of the flight (the answer was 8:58 a.m. HST), and the crew built suspense for what awaited us in Honolulu.

We landed in Honolulu at 11:28 a.m., and the aircraft received a proper Hawai‘ian greeting, with a 75-foot blue lei. Upon deplaning, we continued the party in the terminal. Every passenger received another lei (this one made with fresh orchids), macadamia nuts and the locally popular POG (passion-orange-guava) drink. Hawai‘i’s governor, David Ige, welcomed us and emphasized the importance of this milestone.

ERIC CHIANG, VIA EMAIL

INSPIRING WOMEN

In our March 2022 issue, Marlene Goldman wrote a piece on influential women in history. Globility Board member Sue Castorino sent in a letter in response to the piece:

A belated note to let you know I loved, loved, loved the article! (I saved the “required reading” for a flight last week.) It really struck a chord; Nellie Bly has always been my personal heroine. When I was younger, her legacy actually inspired me to become a reporter. Imagine my delight to discover we not only shared a love of travel and of journalism, but we also share the same birthday!

As for Bessie Coleman, upon whose road we drive to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, I’ve always believed she never got enough credit beyond the asphalt namesake.

SUE CASTORINO, VIA EMAIL

Q&A WITH KATIE SKRZEK, VICE PRESIDENT/DIGITAL DIRECTOR

My husband and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary last month. We spent our honeymoon exploring French Polynesia with stops in Tahiti and Bora Bora. I’m dreaming of an island getaway for our next anniversary. We haven’t traveled to the Caribbean together, so that is high on our list. Do you have a favorite island destination? Where should we go next?

Tell us. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com