Hawaiian Airlines Expanding Check-in Operations at HNL

Hawaiian Airlines is changing the check-in experience for guests departing from its hub at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) by assigning dedicated lobbies for international, North America and Neighbor Island flights.

Hawaiian’s international check-in operations at HNL are moving from Lobby 3 in Terminal 1 to the nearby Lobby 4 in Terminal 2. The relocation, which will happen in two phases, begins Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018, when all guests traveling to Japan on Hawaiian’s non-stop flights to Narita and Haneda (Tokyo), Kansai (Osaka) and New Chitose (Sapporo) international airports will be directed to check-in at Lobby 4.

On Jan. 9, all guests flying to any of Hawaiian’s international destinations, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti (as well as American Samoa) will check-in at Lobby 4.

Also, effective Jan. 9, the check-in for Neighbor Island flights moves to Lobby 3 from Lobby 2, while guests on North America departures will continue to check-in at Lobby 2, both located in Terminal 1.

“As Hawai‘i’s airline, we look forward to offering our visitors and kama‘āina a streamlined check-in process in Honolulu, and we appreciate the state’s assistance in facilitating our expansion into our new Lobby 4 space,” said Jeff Helfrick, vice president of airport operations at Hawaiian Airlines. “This change will improve international passenger flow throughout our lobbies in time for the busy holiday travel season and we expect greater benefits in the new year as we continue to invest in our guests’ airport experience.”

Hawaiian, which welcomes roughly 32,000 guests each day on over 250 flights systemwide, accounts for more than half of all passenger traffic at HNL. Most of its guests—some 19,000—begin or end their trip at the carrier’s HNL hub, including some 11,000 Neighbor Island travelers.

To help make the Lobby 4 transition as smooth as possible, Hawaiian’s Team Kōkua employee volunteers will be positioned at Lobbies 2, 3 and 4 from Dec. 19 to 21, and from Jan. 9 to 11, to assist guests.

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation released the following statement:

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The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT), in collaboration with Hawaiian Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is announcing operational changes that will allow Hawaiian Airlines to relocate the check-in for international passengers from Lobby 3 in Terminal 1 to Lobby 4 in Terminal 2 at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to help the overall operational process.

The move is coordinated with a phased transition that began Dec. 12, 2018 with select tour group passengers on Hawaiian’s non-stop flights to Japan being dropped off by their tour operator directly at Lobby 4. All passengers traveling non-stop to Japan will begin using Lobby 4 on Dec. 19, 2018. The final phase of the move will begin Jan. 9, 2019 when passengers flying to Hawaiian’s international destinations (including American Samoa) will check-in at Lobby 4. Hawaiian Airlines has committed to increasing staffing during the transition by utilizing its Team Kokua volunteers to help direct passengers to the appropriate lobby.

“HDOT thanks the TSA, the airlines and employees for working toward a smooth transition. We appreciate the patience of the traveling public during the move as we aim to improve the airport facilities and operations,” said Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Director Jade Butay. “The change will enhance efficiency by having international travelers in Terminal 2, while relieving the congestion that is experienced in Terminal 1 during peak travel times, specifically 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.”

Hawaiian Airlines will share Lobby 4 with Qantas Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Air Canada and Korean Air. Terminal signage will be adjusted to reflect the change.

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Additional changes taking effect Jan. 9 include moving the neighbor island flight check-in from Lobby 2 to Lobby 3 in Terminal 1. Passengers traveling to North American destinations will continue to check-in at Lobby 2.

Hawaiian Airlines passengers using Lobby 4 will use TSA checkpoints 2 and 3, which are located in Terminal 2. Passengers on neighbor island and North American flights are encouraged to continue using one of the four available TSA checkpoints within Terminal 1.

HDOT has constructed a new TSA checkpoint on the ground level of Terminal 1 between baggage claim carousels 8 and 9 that is available daily between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide passengers another TSA screening option during peak travel times. The new ground floor TSA checkpoint accommodates general boarding passengers and does not have a separate Precheck line. It is also not recommended for travelers with strollers, large carry-on baggage, those requiring special assistance or those who are not able to stand on an escalator as passengers using the checkpoint must take an escalator to the second level.

HDOT and Hawaiian Airlines have coordinated with TSA leadership to prepare for the adjustment, which will monitor checkpoint lines and adapt as needed. The move is anticipated to ease the occasional long security lines at the Terminal 1 checkpoints.

During the busy holiday travel season passengers are urged to allow extra time to pass through security and arrive at the assigned gate. For information on security screening and travel tips, please visit the Transportation Security Administration website by going online.