The Guide to Honolulu Airport Lounges

Honolulu International Airport, also known as Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, is a gateway to more than the Aloha State. It also serves as a major layover point for destinations between North America and Asia or the South Pacific.

Whether you’re starting your island adventure, making a connection, or boarding a flight to someplace perhaps not as tranquil as Hawaii, spend that time in style. Head to one of the lounges in the Honolulu airport.

Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are connected at Honolulu airport. That makes it possible to visit lounges in either terminal without having to exit security.

Because the airport is quite large, you might use the bus called the Wiki Wiki Shuttle. The Wiki Wiki Shuttle is located post-security, and it can transport you between gates and terminals if you’re not keen to walk.

• Location: Third level, Terminal 1.

• Accessible to: Certain business and first class Hawaiian Airlines passengers, Pualani Platinums traveling to specific destinations, day pass holders, as well as passengers with Priority Pass and their guests.

• Location: Second level, Terminal 1.

• Accessible to: Certain first class Hawaiian Airlines passengers, Pualani Platinum and Gold members, and Premier Club members.

• Location: Above Gate C4 in Terminal 2.

• Accessible to: Premium members in ANA’s Mileage Club (Bronze, Platinum and Diamond levels), passengers with ANA suite lounge vouchers, Super Flyer cardholders and the travel companions of these eligible guests.

• Location: Near Gate D1, Terminal 2.

• Accessible to: Guests of Four Seasons Resort Oahu.

• Location: Garden Court Area, Terminal 2.

• Accessible to: Passengers with Priority Pass.

• Location: Garden Court Area, Terminal 2.

• Accessible to: Eligible first and prestige class passengers, certain elite Skypass members and SkyTeam Elite Plus members.

• Location: Garden Court Area, Terminal 2.

• Accessible to: Confirmed guests and owners staying at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club, Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina, and the Beach Villas at Ko Olina. Reservations are required, though walk-ins may be allowed depending on capacity.

• Location: Garden Court Area, Terminal 2.

• Accessible to: Certain flyers on Qantas, including members of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program or Qantas Club Annual Guest cardholders.

• Location: Above Gate G3 in Terminal 2.

• Accessible to: Customers with United Premier Gold elite status (or higher) as well as customers flying business or first class on a United flight. You might also buy a United Club annual membership, which costs $650 (though discounts are offered to some elite status holders). Certain United Airlines credit cards also get you access. And since United participates in the Star Alliance, passengers on Star Alliance member airlines with Star Alliance Gold status, as well as those on partner airlines who hold a business or first class airfare, can also get in.

One of the best ways to gain airport lounge access is through the Priority Pass membership program. Priority Pass membership can net you entrance into more than 1,400 airport lounges worldwide at no additional charge.

Honolulu International Airport is home to two Priority Pass lounges. One is significantly better than the other.

• The IASS Lounge provides a pleasant waiting room filled with plumeria print chairs and a view of lush, tropical plants outside, but refreshments are extremely limited. Expect little more than some nonalcoholic beverages.

• Most Priority Pass travelers prefer the Hawaiian Airlines Plumeria Lounge. There, expect light bites such as soup and packaged snacks. Certain snacks are specific to Hawaii, such as the cookie jar filled with Honolulu Cookie Company shortbread.