Fly Southwest: OGG to Wichita, Kansas

My dear globetrotters, lend me your ears (or eyes in this case) as this humble guide takes you on a fun-filled exploration about soaring the skies with Southwest Airlines, from that tropical paradise, Kahului, to the bustling heartland city of Wichita. There are flights, and then there are 'great' flights. Southwest, faithful to their Austenian motto of 'In-flight service first, explanations must wait', always lean towards the latter.

Are you a freewheeling frequent flyer seeking the best possible flight duration? Or maybe a casual wanderer after the cheapest domestic flights on the planet? Fret not, as Southwest Airlines has been playing fairy godmother to travelers since time immemorial (or 1967 to be precise).

Let us embark on the journey with the first stride. How to catch these elusive 'Cheap flights' from Kahului to Wichita? Some whisper of a mystical concept, more curious than the sunset–over-Atlantic, known as 'Best time to book'. According to this theorem, tickets attract lesser dollar signs if acquired on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Indeed, it’s akin to playing chess with Chronos (or time) himself - complex but rewarding.

For the uninitiated, there are two types of flights that ferry souls from Kahului to Wichita - the non-stop and the connecting flights. Non-stop is akin to a thrilling sprint, taking you directly to the destination without pause, like an ambitious centenarian running a marathon. Now, the connecting flights, these are the leisurely strolls. Passenger alights at one or more locations, stretching legs, inhaling different airport air, effectively getting more steps on your pedometer. That layover, dear friends, is your free-of-cost tour of airports.

Many question, "What level of grandeur should I expect in-flight?" Well, of course, depending on your economic solidarity (or the lack of it), you are faced with two choices – Economy Class and Business Class. The Economy Class is the 'Happily Ever After' for the modern-day Cinderellas, with comfy seats and minimal teasing of your wallet strings. But if silver spoons clink in your home, the Business Class is your proverbial glass slipper.

Now, to the souvenirs from your great voyage. Southwest, unlike other Scrooge-like airlines, offers a baggage allowance that brings a tear to your luggage pieces. Each passenger may check in two bags, and they shan't be more than 50 pounds, each a gentleman’s agreement between the passenger’s need and the aircraft's weight capacity.

Talking about the in-flight services, if Shakespeare were traveling, he would quip, "All the world's an aircraft, and all the men and women merely passengers. They have their exits and their entrances, but Southwest provides beverages and snacks throughout." Their scintillating peanut comedy and complementary drinks would make even the direst red-eye flight a Shakespearean comedy.

In essence, voyaging from the bouquet-scented Hawaiian land of Kahului towards the wind-whipped wizardly lands of Wichita on Southwest Airlines is not just traveling. It’s a delightful saunter, an Oscar Wilde-esque satire directly targeted at mundane travels; it’s not just a journey, it’s a jest in itself!