Pacific Island Hopper: The world’s most scenic flight?

By Chris Dwyer, CNN
Updated 4:39 AM EST, Tue December 4, 2018
<strong>Spectacular scenic flight</strong>: Aviation geeks call it "the holy grail of flight routes" -- welcome on board United Airlines 154, the Island Hopper.
Spectacular scenic flight: Aviation geeks call it "the holy grail of flight routes" -- welcome on board United Airlines 154, the Island Hopper.
Chris Dwyer
<strong>Incredible experience:</strong> The Island Hopper flight connects seven islands in a 16-hour flight, four times weekly.
Incredible experience: The Island Hopper flight connects seven islands in a 16-hour flight, four times weekly.
Chris Dwyer
<strong>50 year anniversary</strong>: 2018 marks half a century since the route was first flown. Back in 1968 Continental Micronesia was the carrier.
50 year anniversary: 2018 marks half a century since the route was first flown. Back in 1968 Continental Micronesia was the carrier.
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<strong>First stop:</strong> There are four pilots on board the plane to share the route. First stop? Marjuro, in the Marshall Islands.
First stop: There are four pilots on board the plane to share the route. First stop? Marjuro, in the Marshall Islands.
Courtesy Chris Dwyer
<strong>Marjuro harbor: </strong>The Marshall Islands comprises more than 100 islands and islets and receives 5,000 visitors a year.
Marjuro harbor: The Marshall Islands comprises more than 100 islands and islets and receives 5,000 visitors a year.
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<strong>Arrival and baggage reclaim:</strong> Facilities at the main airport on the Marshall Islands are small but welcoming.
Arrival and baggage reclaim: Facilities at the main airport on the Marshall Islands are small but welcoming.
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<strong>Street scene in Majuro</strong>: There's only one road in Majuro and it runs the length of the island.
Street scene in Majuro: There's only one road in Majuro and it runs the length of the island.
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<strong>Gateway to Micronesia:</strong> Bikini Atoll Town Hall in Majuro, Marshall Islands. Bikini Atoll is known for being one of the spots where the United States tested nuclear weapons.
Gateway to Micronesia: Bikini Atoll Town Hall in Majuro, Marshall Islands. Bikini Atoll is known for being one of the spots where the United States tested nuclear weapons.
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<strong>Next stop</strong>: The next stop from Majuro is the island of Kwajalein, an hour away on the plane.
Next stop: The next stop from Majuro is the island of Kwajalein, an hour away on the plane.
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<strong>Circling the Marshall Islands</strong>: Kwajalein is home to a US Army installation, the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site.
Circling the Marshall Islands: Kwajalein is home to a US Army installation, the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site.
Chris Dwyer
<strong>Scenes from the Marshall Islands</strong>: In case you were curious, here's what a Marshall Islands license plate looks like.
Scenes from the Marshall Islands: In case you were curious, here's what a Marshall Islands license plate looks like.
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<strong>Welcome to Kosrae: </strong>The next stop is Kosrae, an island of the Federated States of Micronesia which is only visited by three of the four weekly Island Hopper flights.
Welcome to Kosrae: The next stop is Kosrae, an island of the Federated States of Micronesia which is only visited by three of the four weekly Island Hopper flights.
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<strong>Kosrae scenes</strong>: The firetruck on standby at Kosrae Airport.
Kosrae scenes: The firetruck on standby at Kosrae Airport.
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<strong>Kosrae International Airport</strong>: Kosrae has a 5,750-foot airstrip -- less than half the length of a runway at London Heathrow.
Kosrae International Airport: Kosrae has a 5,750-foot airstrip -- less than half the length of a runway at London Heathrow.
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<strong>Pohnpei Island:</strong> Pohnpei Island is the next stop. Seen from above, it looks stunning.
Pohnpei Island: Pohnpei Island is the next stop. Seen from above, it looks stunning.
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<strong>Scenes of Pohnpei</strong>: Pohnpei is home to the mysterious Nan Madol ruins, sometimes called the Venice of the Pacific as it was a city of man-made islands.
Scenes of Pohnpei: Pohnpei is home to the mysterious Nan Madol ruins, sometimes called the Venice of the Pacific as it was a city of man-made islands.
Chris Dwyer
<strong>Incredible views</strong>: Pohnpei is full of stunning green forestry and mountains.
Incredible views: Pohnpei is full of stunning green forestry and mountains.
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<strong>Underwater wrecks: </strong>Chuuk has more than 60 wrecks of aircraft and ships in an area known as the Ghost Fleet of Truk Lagoon.
Underwater wrecks: Chuuk has more than 60 wrecks of aircraft and ships in an area known as the Ghost Fleet of Truk Lagoon.
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<strong>Foodie delight:</strong> Guam is known for its food -- this is a local Guam specialty of fresh coconut and wasabi, served sashimi-style.
Foodie delight: Guam is known for its food -- this is a local Guam specialty of fresh coconut and wasabi, served sashimi-style.
Courtesy Chris Dwyer
<strong>History and culture:</strong> Indigenous Chamorran culture on Guam has left its mark over the centuries, including these "latte" stones that once formed the foundations of houses.
History and culture: Indigenous Chamorran culture on Guam has left its mark over the centuries, including these "latte" stones that once formed the foundations of houses.
Chris Dwyer
<strong>Yokoi's Cave:</strong> Another place to visit in Guam is this underground cave, where Japanese solider Yokoi Shoichi spent 28 years in hiding after World War II in this underground cave he dug.
Yokoi's Cave: Another place to visit in Guam is this underground cave, where Japanese solider Yokoi Shoichi spent 28 years in hiding after World War II in this underground cave he dug.
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<strong>Luxury finish</strong>: Sunset at the end of the trip from Dusit Thani Guam resort, a five-star hotel.
Luxury finish: Sunset at the end of the trip from Dusit Thani Guam resort, a five-star hotel.
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<strong>Unique journey</strong>: Of course, there are more direct ways to get to Guam, but this is a far more unusual and memorable journey.
Unique journey: Of course, there are more direct ways to get to Guam, but this is a far more unusual and memorable journey.
Chris Dwyer
The world's most scenic flight?