Hawaiian Airlines has always offered a sub-standard lounge experience in comparison to its in-flight product. The lounges are often crowded and offer a limited range of coffee, snacks and POG juice, but little else. So the recent merger with Alaska Airlines has shifted Hawaiian’s ground experience up a gear as it looks to create synergies with its sister airline. Hawaiian has just unveiled a preview of its largest lounge investment at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), set to open at the end of 2027.
The lounge will be a welcome upgrade to regular Hawaiian fliers as it’s not just a larger lounge designed to respond to the current crowding in the airline’s current lounges but looks to offer a range of upgraded facilities based on the visualisations, although details still have yet to be announced.
“We are reimagining the travel experience with spaces that showcase our dedication to guest satisfaction and the unique culture of Hawai‘i,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, vice president of guest products & experience at Alaska Airlines. “Our new Honolulu lounge will be the first-of-its-kind within this space and will offer a modern oasis for our guests to enjoy.”
The first design concepts, which are largely inspired by Hawaii’s rich natural elements, include intentional areas of surprise, organic forms, and tactile discovery. The space will come to life through sculptural elements, bold pops of colour and reflective beams of light that create a relaxing environment for guests embarking on their own journey.
The lounge will be located at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1, perfectly suited to the long-haul and continental flights that Hawaiian flies to, and will be five times larger than the existing lounges in Honolulu. :Once opened, the lounge will offer an unparalleled travel experience for both Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines guests,” state Hawaiian Airlines. More details, including final design and guest access, will be shared at a later date but it’s clear the airline group looks to create a true competitor to the major three carriers in the US.
“Our new Honolulu lounge will be a celebration of our guest’s voyage, thoughtfully crafted to honour the beauty and warmth of our island home,” said Alisa Onishi, director of brand and culture at Hawaiian Airlines. “This space reinforces our commitment to providing an unrivalled travel experience that reflects the purpose and values of our hometown airline.”
Hawaiian’s new lounge at its Honolulu hub is the latest in a series of enhancements to deliver a superior airport guest experience across the islands. Last month Hawaiian opened its second Premier Club at Maui’s Kahului Airport – the airline’s sixth Premier Club in Hawai‘i – and is planning additional investments in its neighbour island lounges. Guests traversing through Honolulu can also enjoy Hawaiian’s Plumeria Lounge.
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