--- iata: HNL name: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport city: Honolulu country: United States lastUpdated: '2026-09-01' officialWebsite: 'https://airports.hawaii.gov/hnl/' sources: - 'https://airports.hawaii.gov/hnl/' - 'https://airports.hawaii.gov/hnl/getting-to-from/ground-transportation/' - 'https://airports.hawaii.gov/hnl/flights/agriculture-inspection/' - >- https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airports/daniel-k-inouye-international-hnl-airport-lounges/ - >- https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/honolulu-international/hnl5-i-a-s-s-hawaii-lounge - >- https://www.pointswithacrew.com/i-may-have-found-the-worst-priority-pass-lounge-in-the-united-states/ - 'https://liveandletsfly.com/review-united-club-honolulu-hnl/' - 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_K._Inouye_International_Airport' - 'https://www.thebus.org/' - 'https://www.vielfliegertreff.de/forum/threads/lounge-fragen-fra-lax.137863/' - 'https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/honolulu-airport' - >- https://beatofhawaii.com/fast-3-airport-ride-to-waikiki-starts-today-heres-the-catch/ quickFacts: - >- Three terminals: T1 (Hawaiian/interisland focus), T2 (main overseas/international + most mainland), T3 (commuter/regional); connected airside by free Wiki Wiki shuttle and walking paths - >- Hub for Hawaiian Airlines; major gateway for US mainland, Japan, Australia, and Pacific islands - >- Open-air design with tropical gardens; long walks common and can feel hot/humid - >- ~22 million annual passengers; strong on-time performance (~84-87%) thanks to reliable weather - >- Mandatory USDA agriculture inspection for all mainland-bound bags (checked and carry-on) - >- Free intra-airport Wiki Wiki shuttle (buses + newer electric trams) runs roughly 6am-10pm bentoTips: - label: Timing title: Beat the 6-9am and midday TSA surges detail: >- Shortest waits early morning before 6am or after 8pm; PreCheck helps but still queues at busy checkpoints. summary: >- Arrive 2.5-3 hours early for mainland flights during peaks; security can hit 45-90+ minutes. category: timing - label: Terminal title: Use Wiki Wiki for T1-T2 or far gates detail: >- Shuttle stops near C/G gates and main areas; electric trams added for C-G and terminals; allow extra for baggage. summary: >- Walk T1-T2 in 10-15 minutes airside or hop the free shuttle to save time and energy in heat. category: terminal - label: Food title: Hit Lahaina Chicken or The Local for real plates detail: >- Kona Brewing for beer and solid pub fare; Mauka Market and food courts offer Hawaiian options but quality varies. summary: >- Skip generic chains; grab rotisserie chicken plates or local farm-to-table at The Local @HNL. category: food - label: Status title: Expect solid OTP but plan for ag and walks detail: >- No major chronic disruptions; monitor for holiday peaks when TSA and bags slow everything. summary: >- Weather keeps delays low (~15% late), but agriculture checks and terminal distances add friction. category: status lounges: - name: I.A.S.S. Hawaii Lounge hours: '07:30-18:00' access: - Priority Pass - Day pass if available bestFor: - Short wait only summary: >- Widely called one of the worst PP lounges in the US—no food at all, just drinks in a small crowded space; only if desperate. verdict: skip terminal: Terminal 2 amenities: - Soft drinks - Wi-Fi - Air conditioning - name: Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club hours: '05:00-22:00 (weekdays; 06:00 weekends)' access: - Priority Pass - Hawaiian first class (domestic/interisland) - Pualani Gold/Platinum - Premier Club membership - Day pass bestFor: - Hawaiian flyers - Quiet reset summary: >- Basic but clean and convenient for T1/Hawaiian gates; better than IASS for PP but no real food—fine for a short sit. verdict: depends terminal: Terminal 1 amenities: - Soft drinks/coffee - Snacks (limited) - Wi-Fi - Restrooms - Quiet seating - name: United Club hours: '05:30-22:30 approx' access: - United Club membership - Chase United Club card - Star Alliance Gold (with itinerary caveats) - United premium cabin (intl rules) bestFor: - Work - Longer layovers - United/Star flyers summary: >- Solid United Club with improved food, views, and Aloha service; one of the better options here despite dated bones. verdict: worth-it terminal: Terminal 2 amenities: - Hot/cold buffet (local touches like spam musubi) - Full bar (Mai Tais) - Wi-Fi - Power outlets - Tarmac views - Restrooms - name: Delta Sky Club hours: 'Closes ~22:15' access: - Delta Sky Club membership - Delta premium cabin - Amex Platinum (select) - Delta elite bestFor: - Delta flyers - Local food fix summary: >- Compact but strong local-flavored food makes it a highlight for eligible passengers; better than average Sky Club experience. verdict: worth-it terminal: Terminal 2 amenities: - 'Hot buffet with local dishes (huli huli chicken, spam fried rice)' - Snacks - Drinks - Wi-Fi - Seating - name: Hawaiian Airlines Plumeria Lounge hours: '06:30-22:00' access: - Hawaiian business/first (eligible long-haul) - Pualani elite - Day pass ~$40 - Limited other bestFor: - Hawaiian premium - Longer waits summary: >- Better food and space than Premier Club; day pass viable if flying Hawaiian and wanting a proper lounge meal. verdict: worth-it terminal: Terminal 1 amenities: - Hot food - Beer/wine - Wi-Fi - Dedicated agent - Charging - Restrooms - name: ANA Lounge (and Suite) hours: 'From ~08:35 to last departure (limited)' access: - ANA/Star Alliance premium - Star Gold (morning windows) - Eligible codeshares bestFor: - Morning Star Alliance - Quality food summary: >- Strong Japanese-carrier lounge with good food when open; prioritize if your timing aligns over basic options. verdict: worth-it terminal: Terminal 2 amenities: - Hot/cold buffet - Full bar - Kids area - Wi-Fi - Newspapers waterOptions: - kind: refill name: Hydration stations / bottle fillers zone: airside summary: >- Free cold drinking water from plentiful stations—bring an empty bottle and refill after security. location: >- Multiple airside near restrooms, food courts, and gate areas in both terminals (e.g., near Starbucks and main concourses) terminal: Terminal 1 and 2 isBestValue: true isBestQuality: true - kind: purchase name: Newsstand / Pages & Pages or HNL Life Quick Market zone: airside price: $3-4.50 for 500ml-1L bottle summary: >- Standard airport markup bottled water; cheapest convenient grab if you forgot a bottle. location: >- Near gates or main food court areas, opposite or adjacent to Starbucks and snack shops terminal: Terminal 2 - kind: purchase name: Starbucks zone: airside price: $3-5 for bottled water or larger summary: >- Reliable but pricier option; ask for free cup of water if just needing a drink. location: Several locations airside including near main lobbies and concourses terminal: Multiple (T1/T2) - kind: free name: Water fountains zone: airside summary: >- Basic free fountains available; pair with refill stations for best experience. location: >- Throughout airside near restrooms and gate clusters (e.g., Central Concourse / Garden Court area) terminal: Terminal 1 and 2 airportistScore: 6.9 slug: hnl region: North America --- > Markdown for [/airports/hnl](/airports/hnl). Append `.md` to any page URL (or send `Accept: text/markdown`) for an agent-readable copy. - [HTML page](/airports/hnl) - [Lounge directory](/airports/hnl/lounges.md) - [Sitemap](/sitemap.md) # Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) Honolulu, United States · North America HNL delivers reliable on-time flights and aloha vibes with gardens and local food touches, but trades off with dated open-air layout, long humid walks, and basic facilities that frustrate during peaks. ## Airportist Score **6.9 / 10** - Comfort: 6.5 - Navigation: 6.2 - Food: 7.0 - Transport: 7.8 - Disruption resilience: 7.5 ## At a glance - Passengers: 22M - Terminals: 3 active terminals - Typical security: 20 min - On-time: 85% - Disruption: normal ## Best for - Hawaiian Airlines and interisland connections - Cheap public transit to Waikiki - Reliable weather-driven on-time performance - Local food and tropical open-air atmosphere ## Watch out for - Long humid walks and heat between gates/terminals - Peak TSA waits of 45-90+ minutes mornings/midday - Mandatory agriculture inspections adding time outbound - Limited high-quality Priority Pass options (IASS is poor) ## More intel - [Lounge directory](/airports/hnl/lounges.md) (free) - [Getting there](/airports/hnl/getting-there.md) (free) - [Amenities](/airports/hnl/amenities.md) - [Traveler tips](/airports/hnl/tips.md) - [Water](/airports/hnl/water.md) - [Full guide](/airports/hnl/guide.md) - [Disruptions](/airports/hnl/disruptions.md) - [Reviews](/airports/hnl/reviews.md)