Need update on the Continental Micronesia "Air Mike" Island-hopping flight

I'm familiar with this type of ticket around ten years ago where one can come from LAX or HNL then hops through Micronesia (Kosrae, Yap, Phonphei, Chuuk, and Yap then to Guam). Continental would allow you to stop to any of the Micronesian islands on the way to Guam, then flying back directly to HNL or LAX. This type of ticket was ~US$1,200-1,500.

Im trying to find a similar deal but Continental Airline reps were always clueless about this. Of course you can purchase each island hop leg for ~$500-700 each way but it would be astronomical to do the same route.

Does this still exist and can you point me to the right direction? Thanks in advance.

Edited by: drgreenthumb

This old post says to try calling Continental's Hong Kong office: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1601645. Why you would have to call Hong Kong to travel on a U.S.-based airline in the North Pacific is beyond me. Please post if you figure out whether the micronesia air pass still exists.

I think you are referring to the island hopper route- it usually includes a stop or two and for a fee you can make more. The price is (or was) the same as directly to Guam, but then whatever fees they charge for extra stopovers.

Check out flight CO957- that is the one that goes from HNL through Pohnpei.

5Waldos: I think he wants the modern equivalent of a Visit Micronesia air pass that allows you to make multiple stops on the Island Hopper route (as opposed to only 1 break in travel). But I could be mistaken...

I am not entirely clear for sure- the pass used to require that you fly in and out of Guam and then go back and forth from there. It used to be possible to make extra stops on the Island Hopper- you had to pay for the stops but it was possible. Not sure what the rules are now.

There's a discounted Visit Micronesia fare. It's for travel between Hawaii and Guam, with you hopping one way.

I recently called Continental about it myself. It's not a set price but varies with what you want to do. I forgot the approximate number that she gave me but combined with a cheap flight to Hawaii it seemed quite reasonable. I understand that you have to fly to Hawaii (can't orginate there) but the flight doesn't have to be on CO.

So if I understand this Silvano- you have to fly to Hawaii then go r/t to Guam, taking the island hopper in one direction? Wonder why you would have to originate someplace other than Hawaii. Interesting. Thanks-

Thanks everybody for all your replies and suggestions.

I'm glad to see that there is continuing interest (and Im sure demand) for this adventurous ticket.

Just to clarify on the route, this island hopper ticket from Continental was indeed going either LAX or HNL to Guam or vice versa. So for example, you can depart HNL then stopover to various Micronesian island (i.e. Truk, Yap, Majuro, Kiribati etc) and finally arrive in Guam. You can then fly from Guam directly back to HNL (bypassing the other islands). This ticket is also reversible if you starting point is closer to Guam. Back then, the LAX option was just an additional 200-300US$.

I recently looked at Continental routing in the Pacific and they still have the identical flight routes. I really hope that they have not charge passenger exorbitant amounts of money just to have the island hopping adventure en route to Guam.

Except you won't be able to stop in Yap because it is west of Guam. You would have to go beyond Yap. You might want to see if booking from HNL to Manila on the island hopper, making your stops, then fly back from Manila. This is sometimes a cheaper option because there is a lot more competition on the Manila to LAX flight. Yap is certainly worth seeing, as is Palau. Kiribati is also not on that route.

The island hopper will continue to be in demand because it is largely booked by islanders and this is their only option. So plan your trip around school holidays and such- the fares will be higher and the planes packed. And a plane packed with islanders coming back from school is something to behold.

drgreenthumb--if you want to visit Kiribati, you will need to do it on Air Pacific's Bula pass, by way of Fiji. Continental doesn't fly there.

sorry Kiribati and Yap were typos. But any islands essentially that Continental would stop to load up passenger from either Guam- HNL or HNL to Guam.

Yes- the Marshalls, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Chuuk. You'll miss yap and Palau- two of my more favorite islands.

Does anybody know where i could buy Visit Micronesia or Circle Micronesia pass these days?

Those come and go- have no idea if they are available at the moment. Did you try googling it? Or call continental. Sorry can't be of more help.

I had done the same thing about 14 years ago and had a great trip planned and set up for about 2,500 but I was unable to make it. Just today I tried calling Continental to see if they had the same thing and they were clueless as to what I was talking about so I am in the same boat.