Honolulu Airport Guide

Item: Honolulu
Rating: 7
Author: Loungeindex

Honolulu Airport is the main international airport on Hawaii, the gateway to the Hawaiian islands, and a major stopping off point for trans-Pacific flights.

Honolulu airport

Just 3 miles (5 km) northwest of Honolulu's central business district, it is much larger than you might expect, with a long, complex, terminal concourse.

The design of the airport is a little unusual, with much of the airport being open to the elements; both at checkin, where the check in desks are not enclosed, and are instead called 'lobbies', from 2 to 8. Plus after security, where there are open walkways overlooking gardens, around which are many of the airport lounges. It is, at best, an unusual airport, but airside looks superb, with much more light and green space than usual at an airport, albeit with the aroma of JetA1 wafting through the concourse.

Honolulu airport

Honoulu Airport has 60 gates with 54 airbridge gates, in three terminals, T1, T2, and T3, however many still call the terminals the Commuter Terminal, (Terminal 1 gates 49 to 80) and the Main Terminal, the old Overseas terminal, built in 1962.

With 22 million passengers a year going through the terminal. Tokyo is by far the most popular international destination. Over a million passengers a year head to the most popular destination, Los Angeles, half a million to San Francisco, and 400,000 to Seattle.

Honolulu airport

Occasionally known as Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, after the US Senator, some still know it as John Rodgers Airport, after the US aviation pioneer, who failed to fly to Hawaii, and instead sailed his aircraft there.

Another novel feature of the airport is the Wiki Wiki shuttle, which connects all the terminals. It is actually just a bus, which runs at roof level, giving superb views. Although Terminal 1 and 2 are connected airside there is an agricultural inspection between the two.

Honolulu Airport International Terminal 1

This is the much smaller 'Commuter' terminal, stuck on the side of the main terminal, opened in 1993 with 25 gates, A1 to A20 are in the older part, and B1 to B5 are in the clingon extension, which also provides a walkway through to the older Terminal 1. The brand new Mauka Concourse with gates A1 to 12 was opened in 2021, and is clean light bright and modern.

Honolulu Airport International Terminal 2

Honolulu airport

Have you ever wondered what an airport terminal opened in 1962 looks like? Wait no longer, there is Terminal 2, formerly known as the "Overseas Terminal". Terminal 2 has gates 1 to 34, with three 'arms', C, E and G, plus 2 gates each on the main concourse at F and D.

A curious feature are the two outside gardens, with fountains, in an outside triangular shaped area. Around here are small concrete huts, forming a number of airline premium lounges.

Honolulu airport

Honolulu Airport Pay in, First & Business Class lounges

Honolulu Airport transport

Honolulu airport

Despite how close it is to the centre of things, getting from Honolulu Airport to the beach, or anywhere interesting, is a real pain, expensive, or both.

Honolulu Rail Transit will change all this, with phase II opening in the late 2030s, delayed by about a decade. There will be a station at the airport connecting it to Downtown Honolulu and points west of the airport.

Honolulu Airport bus

There is a bus into the main part of Honolulu City, and the beach.

Called, with unusual frankness, 'The Bus', Eastbound Bus Route No. 20 goes Eastbound to downtown Honolulu from the airport, via Kalihi, the Honolulu Civic Center, Ala Moana Shopping Center and ends in Waikiki.

Westbound route 20 goes from the airport to the Arizona Memorial, Aloha Stadium, Aiea and ends at Pearlridge Shopping Center. It runs every 30 minutes, and costs $2.75, cash only. It takes over an hour to get to Honolulu, and you'll certainly meet some interesting characters en route.

The other main bus Route No. 303 goes westbound from the airport to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

The bus stop is outside Lobby 6 of Terminal 1.

Honolulu Airport taxi services

Getting a taxi to and from Honolulu Airport is usually trouble free. There is a tax rank outside both main terminals, in the gap between the terminal and the multi story car park.

Honolulu airport

Car Hire at Honolulu Airport

Major car hire operators are located at the brand new consolidated rental car facility which opened in 2022. To save time and ensure you get the car you want, book your rental in advance. Rental car operators from Honolulu Airport include: Europcar, Thrifty, Avis and Budget.

Honolulu Airport Bars and Restaurants

The Local HNL Bar Honolulu Airport

The Local HNL Bar

Open: 900-2100 Airside

A pretty standard airport bar, right in the middle of Terminal 2.

Atrium Bar

Open: 1000-1800 Airside

Features locally brewed microbrews from various islands. Alas, it closes amazingly early.

Honolulu airport HNL: Honolulu Airport Guide - Terminal map, airport guide, lounges, bars, restaurants & reviews with images Airport review with maps by loungeindex
Loungeindex rating: 7 out of 10
Honolulu Airport Code: HNL
ICAO Code:	PHNL	Timezone:	UTC+24:08 (DST+26:08)
Elevation:	12 ft (4 m)	Runways:	4
Latitude:	21.318	Longitude:	-157.920