Key Highlights
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Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is the largest airport in Hawaii. Every year, it helps over 20 million people travel.
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The Honolulu Airport is a big hub for many airlines, like Hawaiian Airlines. You can get many direct flights from there on a lot of routes.
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At HNL, you can book direct flights from Honolulu to places in North America, Asia, and Oceania.
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The terminal at the airport has some special amenities. You will see lovely gardens that show Hawaiian, Japanese, and Chinese culture.
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Inouye International Airport is in a good spot. It is only five miles from downtown Honolulu and ten miles from Waikiki.
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It also has the first major runway built completely offshore. The Reef Runway is 12,000 feet long and is very impressive.
Introduction
Aloha and welcome to your guide on Honolulu’s airports. Your trip to Hawaii probably begins the moment you get off the plane. For most people, that first time is at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, also called HNL. This busy Honolulu airport is the main way that people get to Hawaii. People say it is fast, clean, and has good staff. With major carriers like Hawaiian Airlines, the airport is set up to make you feel at home and help you start your island trip in a good way.
Overview of Honolulu Airports
Honolulu International Airport is the biggest airport in Hawaii. But, it is good to know the list of airports that help people travel on the islands. The State of Hawaii Department of Transportation runs these airports. With this system, there is a way for people to move from one island to the next. The main airport on Oahu is in Honolulu. It has a long history and used to be called John Rodgers Airport.
Knowing about these airports can help you plan your trip better. You might fly straight into Honolulu or start on another island. Let’s talk about the main airport first. Then, we can see the other main airports in Hawaii.
Main Airport – Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
The main airport in Honolulu is the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). This is the largest airport in Hawaii. It first opened in 1927 and was named for Commander John Rodgers, who was a leader in flying. Today, this huge place covers 4,520 acres. The Federal Aviation Administration runs it. They work to keep things safe and smooth for millions of people flying each year.
One thing that stands out about the inouye international airport is the Reef Runway. This was the first major runway in the world to be built all the way out on water. It is a big deal in engineering. This runway is just one of four active runways at HNL. These runways take all kinds of planes. The airport is both big and full of history. It shows its key spot for travel across the Pacific.
HNL is a center for more than 20 airlines. You can find big companies like Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Qantas. They all help connect people to many countries and cities all over the globe.
Other Airports Near Honolulu
HNL is the main airport for Oahu, but there are other big airports in Hawaii on the neighbor islands. You might want to use these if your final stop is not Oahu. If you plan to travel to the Big Island, you get two good choices for an alternate landing site, so you may not need an extra flight between islands. Both big carriers and smaller commuter airlines go to these airports.
The list of airports for Hawaii covers the whole state. Key airports on other islands are:
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Hilo International Airport (ITO): On the east side of the Big Island. It’s good if you want to see Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
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Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA): This one is well-known for its open-air terminals sitting on top of lava fields on the Big Island’s west side.
These airports let you take direct flights from the mainland. They also help with travel between the islands. This makes it easy to explore more places in Hawaii besides Oahu. When you arrive, these airports have a nice local feeling that feels different from the big international hub.
Airlines and Destinations
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is the place where many major airlines meet. Big names like Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines use this airport as the main hub for a lot of Pacific routes. This airport lets Hawaii connect with the rest of the world and offers many direct flights.
If you need to travel from one island or another country, there are plenty of choices. Airlines like Japan Airlines and Qantas connect Honolulu with places in Asia and Oceania. Airlines from North America also give good service to people going across the country. Next, we will talk about the main airlines and their flight routes.
Major Airlines Operating at HNL
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is the main airport in Honolulu, and it hosts a wide array of airlines catering to both domestic and international travelers. As a major Pacific hub, you can find some of the world’s most recognized carriers here. Hawaiian Airlines uses HNL as its primary base, offering extensive inter-island and international services.
Alongside the state’s flagship carrier, you’ll find major U.S. airlines like United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, which provide countless connections to the mainland. For international travelers, numerous Japanese airlines and other global carriers make HNL a key stop.
Here is a look at some of the major airlines operating out of HNL:
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Airline Category |
Examples of Airlines |
|---|---|
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Domestic Carriers |
Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines |
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International Carriers |
Japan Airlines, Qantas, Korean Air, Air Canada |
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Inter-Island Carriers |
Southwest Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines |
Domestic and International Routes
From HNL, you can reach many parts of the world. The Honolulu airport has many direct flights, so you can go to different major continents. This makes it an easy place to start your trip. If you are flying for work or fun, you should find a flight that gets you where you want to be.
The airport connects with places in north america, asia, and oceania. This wide network is part of why honolulu airport is known as one of the busiest airports in the united states. You can visit the airport’s official site to see real-time info about flights that are coming in and going out. Here are some top direct flights you can take from hnl:
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North America: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, New York, Dallas
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Asia: Tokyo, Seoul
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Oceania: Sydney
Because of all these flights, you have a good chance to get to a major city or come to hawaii through honolulu. There are always planes coming and going. This helps make hnl an important spot for travel between the East and West.
Airport Facilities and Services
The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport terminal is a good place to be when you travel. It has many amenities to help you feel at ease before your flight. There is a business center you can use, along with plenty of ATMs and places to exchange money. You will also find federal agencies here, like the Fish and Wildlife Service.
At this terminal, you can stop at retail stores and souvenir shops. There are also many places to eat. If you want to buy a gift or you need to find your rental car, you can do that too. The inouye international airport is made to make things easy for you. Let’s see what other services and ways to get around are there for people.
Amenities Available at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
The amenities at HNL make your time in the terminal better. The airport wants you to have a good and easy visit. There are many services to help you as you move around.
For things you need, you will see ATMs if you need cash and a business center if you have work to get done. The airport also has a medical clinic in case you need help and a U.S. Post Office.
You will find more than just basic things at HNL. There are nice features that show the culture of Hawaii. You can walk through the cultural gardens, which are very calm and pretty. You can look at art made by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. There are also models of old airplanes that share Hawaii’s aviation story. These are good to see if you like to learn about sites like Pearl Harbor.
Key amenities to look for include:
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Shopping and Dining: There are many stores you can shop at, duty-free shops, coffee shops, and a big food court.
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Visitor Services: You can get answers at one of the 15 Visitor Information Program desks.
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Cultural Gardens: Stop for a quiet time in the Hawaiian, Japanese, or Chinese gardens.
Parking, Transportation, and Nearby Hotels
Getting to and from HNL is easy, and you will find many ways to park or get a ride. The airport is only about five miles from downtown Honolulu and close to ten miles from Waikiki. If you want to park at the airport, there are on-site spots. You should check the airport website for the latest parking prices and spaces.
If you want a rental car, you can find six rental car agencies right at the airport. There are also four others not far away. Taxis wait in front of the baggage claim and can take you wherever you need to go. Services like SpeediShuttle can bring you straight to your hotel. If you want to save some money, you can take a public city bus. These buses come about every 30 minutes.
If you plan to stay close to HNL, there are a few hotels within a short drive.
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Parking: There are garages for short visits and longer stays.
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Rental Cars: You will see popular rental car brands here.
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Shuttles and Taxis: You can use these to get to Waikiki or other places from HNL.
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Public Transit: TheBus is a cheap way for people to get around Honolulu and the rest of the island.
Conclusion
Traveling to Honolulu can be a fun and new experience for you. When you know what to expect at the airports, your trip can be easier. The main inouye international airport, also known as HNL, has many good amenities for you. There are also other airports close by. You have more than one place where you can fly in. When you learn about the airlines, places you can go, and services in each airport, you can make your travel better.
It is not only about getting to your spot, but also about having a good time during the trip. If you want to know more or need help with your travel plans, reach out to get help made just for you. Have a safe trip and enjoy your time in beautiful Honolulu!
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Daniel K. Inouye International Airport from downtown Honolulu?
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is near the center of Honolulu. The airport is only five miles away from downtown Honolulu. Because it is so close, you can get into the city fast. It is a good choice if you want to visit downtown Honolulu for work or start your Hawaii trip.
What are the transportation options from Honolulu airport to Waikiki?
You have many ways to get from the Honolulu airport to Waikiki. You can get a rental car from one of the main places right at the airport. You can also take a taxi. Another way is to use a ride-sharing app. You can get a seat in an airport shuttle too. The city bus is not costly and is a good pick as well.
What should travelers know about airport security and check-in procedures at HNL?
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the U.S. This means going through airport security can take some time. It is a good idea to get there early when you have a flight. This gives you enough time to check in and go through TSA screening. If you have an international flight, you will also need to go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection.