HRT Guide — Updated April 2026

Airport Lounges at
HNL

Every lounge at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport — what's inside, how to get in, what credit cards unlock access, and two major new lounges coming soon.

By Scottie · Hawaii Reward Travel · Updated April 2026
HNL Airport Lounges — Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) — Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Quick Reference

All Lounges at a Glance

HNL Lounge Directory — April 2026
Lounge Terminal How to Access Rating
Plumeria Lounge (Hawaiian/Atmos) T1 · 3rd floor Business/First ClassPualani Plat/GoldDay PassAtmos Lounge+ ★★★ 3.5
Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club T1 · Gate A18 First Class HAPualani Plat/GoldDay Pass ★★ 2.5
ANA Suite Lounge T2 · above C4 ANA First ClassANA Diamond ★★★★ 4.2
ANA Lounge T2 · above C4 ANA BusinessStar Alliance Gold ★★★★ 4.2
Qantas Business Lounge T2 · Gate 26 Qantas Biz/FirstOneworld Sph/Emr ★★★★ 4.1
Sakura Lounge (Japan Airlines) T2 · Gate 31 JAL Biz/FirstOneworld Sph/Emr ★★★★ 4.0
Delta Sky Club T2 · Gate F1 Amex Plat/ReserveDelta OneSkyTeam E+ ★★★★ 4.0
United Club T2 · above G3 Chase Sapphire (visits)United Club membersPolaris Biz ★★★ 3.8
Admirals Club (American) T2 · 3rd level AA First/BizAdmirals ClubDay Pass ★★★ 3.7
IASS Hawaii Lounge T2 · Gate 14 Priority PassAmex PlatChase Sapphire ★★ 2.5
Korean Air Lounge T2 · Gate 31 Korean Air F/JSkyTeam Elite+
⚡ Southwest VIP Lounge T2 · Bldg 342 Coming Soon — TBD Not Yet Open
⚡ New Alaska/Hawaiian Premium T1 · Mauka Conc. Opening Late 2027 Not Yet Open
Breaking News

Two Major New Lounges Coming to HNL

HNL is about to get a major lounge upgrade. Two separate announcements — one from Southwest and one from Alaska/Hawaiian — will significantly expand the lounge options at Honolulu over the next two years. Here's what we know.

Coming Soon to HNL

Two New Lounges Are Coming — And Both Are Big

Lease approved · Opening TBD
Southwest Airlines
Southwest VIP Lounge
This is a historic first — Southwest has never operated an airport lounge anywhere in the world. HNL will be their debut.

Size: 12,241 sq ft across two levels (Building 342, former Garden Conference Center area)
Location: Terminal 2, near the outdoor garden space
Investment: $20 million minimum construction spend
Opening: No date announced yet — lease approved October 2025

Access is expected to be tied to a premium Southwest-Chase credit card or elite status. Southwest operates nearly 1,000 departures a month from HNL — making Honolulu the natural first choice for their lounge debut.
Opening late 2027
Alaska Air Group / Hawaiian Airlines
New Premium Lounge at HNL
Five times larger than the current Plumeria Lounge — this will be the flagship premium lounge for both Alaska and Hawaiian guests.

Size: ~15,000 sq ft (vs ~3,000 sq ft today)
Location: Terminal 1, Mauka Concourse entrance
Design: Hawaii-inspired with floor-to-ceiling windows, local art, wellness zones, sculptural elements
Opening: End of 2027

Will serve both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines guests. May carry "Atmos" branding. Expected to rival Delta One and United Polaris lounges in quality — chef-curated meals, premium amenities, and private areas. This will be the best lounge at HNL when it opens.
Lounge by Lounge

Every Current Lounge at HNL

Hawaiian Airlines / Atmos Rewards
Plumeria Lounge
★★★½
3.5 / 5
Hawaiian Airlines Plumeria Lounge at HNL
Hawaiian Airlines Plumeria Lounge — Terminal 1, 3rd floor
Location
Terminal 1 · 3rd floor
After TSA · near Wiki Wiki
Best for
Transpacific departures · long-haul premium cabin
Atmosphere
Island-inspired · serene · quiet

A serene, island-inspired space with local food and drinks, comfortable seating, and a calm environment before long-haul flights. Better than the Premier Club but not as impressive as the international airline lounges. The most accessible Hawaiian Airlines lounge for local travelers.

Access
Hawaiian/Atmos Business or First Class Pualani Platinum & Gold (now Atmos elite) Atmos Lounge+ members Day pass available
Priority Pass no longer accepted — effective April 1, 2025

The Plumeria Lounge stopped accepting Priority Pass members on April 1, 2025. If you were relying on Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve Priority Pass for this lounge, that access is gone. Use the IASS Lounge instead (Terminal 2, Gate 14) for Priority Pass access at HNL.

Hawaiian Airlines
Premier Club
★★½
2.5 / 5
Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club at HNL
Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club — Terminal 1, near Gate A18
Location
Terminal 1 · Gate A18
Near inter-island gates
Amenities
Wi-Fi · snacks · POG juice · power outlets
Vibe
Basic · simple · functional

A modest lounge experience — snacks, beverages, Hawaiian coffee, and comfortable seating. Often noted for being simple and sometimes crowded. Not a destination in itself, but functional for a pre-flight break. If you have access to the Plumeria Lounge, go there instead.

Access
First Class on Hawaiian mainland flights Business on Samoa/Tahiti/Cook Islands flights Pualani Platinum & Gold Day pass available
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
ANA Lounge & ANA Suite Lounge
★★★★
4.2 / 5 — Best at HNL
Location
Terminal 2 · above Gate C4
Cuisine
Japanese + Western · full menu
Atmosphere
Elegant · Hawaiian motifs · quiet

Consistently the highest-rated lounge at HNL. Adorned with Hawaiian motifs and Japanese design, the ANA lounges offer both Japanese and Western cuisine, a relaxing atmosphere, and exceptional service. The Suite Lounge is one of the few true premium lounge experiences at HNL.

Access by lounge tier
Suite Lounge: ANA First Class + ANA Diamond members ANA Lounge: ANA Business Class ANA Lounge: Premium Economy passengers ANA Lounge: Star Alliance Gold on international flights
How to access via points — fly ANA with Amex

Transfer Amex Membership Rewards to ANA Mileage Club (1:1) and book ANA Business Class HNL → NRT — you'll get ANA Lounge access automatically. This is one of the best redemptions in all of points travel, and the lounge at HNL is part of the experience.

Qantas Airways
Qantas Business Lounge
★★★★
4.1 / 5
Location
Terminal 2 · near Gate 26
Dining
Full range of food + beverages
Vibe
Stylish · relaxed · attentive

A stylish lounge with a range of dining options, comfortable seating areas, and attentive service. One of the better overall lounge experiences at HNL outside of ANA.

Qantas Business & First Class Qantas Club members Oneworld Sapphire & Emerald members
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Sakura Lounge
★★★★
4.0 / 5
Location
Terminal 2 · near Gate 31
Cuisine
Japanese + Western
Vibe
Serene · peaceful · attentive

A serene environment with Japanese and Western cuisine, relaxation spaces, and excellent service. One of the most peaceful lounge experiences at HNL — very popular with Japan-bound travelers.

JAL Business & First Class Oneworld Sapphire & Emerald members
How to access via points — book JAL with Bilt or Capital One

Book JAL Business Class using Bilt points (1:1 transfer to JAL Mileage Bank) or Capital One miles (with the 30% transfer bonus currently active through April 30, 2026). JAL Sakura Lounge access is included automatically.

Delta Air Lines
Delta Sky Club
★★★★
4.0 / 5
Location
Terminal 2 · across from Gate F1
Amenities
Snacks · beverages · Wi-Fi · Hawaiian art
Vibe
Modern · comfortable · cozy

A modern lounge with Hawaiian artwork, snacks, beverages, and comfortable seating. Access via eligible American Express cards makes this one of the most accessible mid-tier lounges at HNL for premium cardholders.

Delta Sky Club members Delta One (Business Class) passengers SkyTeam Elite Plus on international Amex Platinum / Delta Reserve cardholders
Amex Sky Club access — new limits in effect

As of 2024–2025, Amex Platinum cardholders have limited Delta Sky Club visits per year (unless flying Delta). The Delta Reserve card offers more access. Check current Amex terms before counting on this benefit at the gate.

United Airlines
United Club
★★★½
3.8 / 5
Location
Terminal 2 · above Gate G3
Highlight
Large tarmac-view windows
Vibe
Comfortable · spacious · bright

A comfortable lounge with ample seating, tarmac views through large windows, complimentary snacks, and business amenities. A solid option for United flyers or Star Alliance Gold members.

United Club members United Polaris Business Class Star Alliance Gold on international flights Chase Sapphire Reserve — 2 visits/year Day pass available
American Airlines
Admirals Club
★★★½
3.7 / 5
Location
Terminal 2 · 3rd level
Above The Local @HNL
Amenities
Snacks · beverages · Wi-Fi · business services
Vibe
Quiet · friendly staff

A comfortable lounge with complimentary snacks, beverages, Wi-Fi, and business services. A quiet atmosphere and friendly staff make it a solid choice for American Airlines flyers from HNL.

Admirals Club members AA First & Business Class passengers Day pass available
Independent
IASS Hawaii Lounge
★★½
2.5 / 5
Location
Terminal 2 · near Gate 14
Best use
Priority Pass fallback at HNL
Vibe
Basic · light snacks · quiet

The only Priority Pass lounge at HNL after the Plumeria Lounge dropped PP access in April 2025. It's basic — light snacks, beverages, Wi-Fi, and reading materials — but it's the go-to for Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve Priority Pass cardholders at HNL.

Priority Pass members Amex Platinum (via Priority Pass) Chase Sapphire Reserve (via Priority Pass)
Korean Air
Korean Air Lounge
No public rating
Location
Terminal 2 · near Gate 31
Amenities
Snacks · beverages · Wi-Fi
Vibe
Comfortable · pleasant

A comfortable lounge providing snacks, beverages, Wi-Fi, and reading materials. Primarily serves Korean Air passengers traveling through HNL on transpacific routes.

Korean Air First & Business Class SkyTeam Elite Plus members
Credit Card Access

Which Cards Get You Into HNL Lounges

You don't need to fly Business Class to access a lounge at HNL — the right credit card can get you in. Here's what each major travel card unlocks at Honolulu specifically.

Amex Platinum Card
Delta Sky Club — limited visits per year if not flying Delta (check current terms)
IASS Hawaii Lounge — via Priority Pass membership included with card
Centurion Lounge — HNL does not have one (nearest: LAX, SFO)
Chase Sapphire Reserve
IASS Hawaii Lounge — via Priority Pass (unlimited guest visits with card)
United Club — 2 complimentary visits per year
United Club Card (Chase)
United Club — full membership access for cardholder + 2 guests
Delta Reserve Amex
Delta Sky Club — access when flying Delta same-day
More visits per year than Amex Platinum
Citi Strata Premier / Prestige
IASS Hawaii Lounge — via Priority Pass on select Citi cards
Day Passes
Plumeria Lounge — available for purchase
Premier Club — available for purchase
Admirals Club — available for purchase (AA flights only)
Priority Pass at HNL — use IASS, not Plumeria

Since the Plumeria Lounge dropped Priority Pass access on April 1, 2025, the only Priority Pass-accepting lounge at HNL is the IASS Hawaii Lounge in Terminal 2 near Gate 14. This is important for Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders to know before arriving at the airport. If you're flying Hawaiian/Atmos out of Terminal 1, you'll need to go to Terminal 2 for Priority Pass access.

Want to fly into one of these lounges for free?

The ʻOhana Program helps you earn the right points to book Business Class from HNL — and access the ANA, JAL, and Qantas lounges on your next Japan trip.

Join the Free ʻOhana Program →
Scottie's Take

HNL is about to get a serious upgrade.

Right now, the honest truth about HNL lounges is: ANA and JAL are excellent, Qantas and Delta are solid, and everything else ranges from adequate to disappointing. The Plumeria Lounge dropping Priority Pass was a setback for most casual travelers, leaving the IASS as the only PP option.

But the lounge landscape here is changing fast. Southwest opening its first-ever lounge at HNL — not Dallas, not Denver, but Honolulu — says a lot about how important the Hawaii market is to them. And the new Alaska/Hawaiian Premium Lounge coming in late 2027 will be five times larger than the current Plumeria and designed to rival the best lounges in the Pacific.

For now: if you're flying ANA or JAL to Japan in Business Class, the lounges at HNL are genuinely part of the experience worth looking forward to. And if you're on a domestic flight, the IASS Lounge with your Priority Pass card is better than nothing while you wait for the new Southwest lounge to open.