Hawaiian Airlines has begun construction of its new premium lounge at Honolulu Airport, following a traditional Hawaiian blessing earlier this month. The nearly 13,000-square-foot facility, still unnamed, sits at the entrance to the Mauka Concourse and is expected to open in the first half of 2028. It sounds impressive, but one detail in today’s announcement caught our attention: the lounge will accommodate only about 200 guests.
That’s not many people for an airport where the airline handles multiple widebody departures to the mainland and international destinations. Hawaiian has revealed what passengers can expect inside, but it still hasn’t answered who will qualify for admission.
Who gets in, and who doesn’t?
Hawaiian previously indicated that access would resemble its existing Plumeria Lounge, with passengers traveling in the new Leihōkū lie-flat suites among those eligible. The airline’s October 26 announcement provided no further details on access, leaving questions about Atmos Rewards elite members, Alaska lounge memberships, credit card benefits, and paid day passes.
Plumeria Lounge access currently depends on the route, ticket type, or lounge membership, not simply on flying First Class. Oneworld eligible guests traveling to or from an international destination also qualify. Hawaiian passengers who don’t otherwise qualify can also purchase $40 day passes when space is available. If you were upgraded to First, a $25 fee applies for entry.
But when we were there recently, lounge access was full, and no paid guests were admitted. Both Alaska Lounge membership tiers currently include Plumeria access, while Hawaiian’s separate Premier Club offer a considerably simpler experience familiar to many interisland travelers.
With about 200 seats available, Hawaiian will have to balance premium-cabin passengers with other eligible travelers. Limited capacity could make broad access difficult during busy departure periods, as it has been with the existing lounges. Hawaiian also hasn’t said specifically whether its existing Plumeria Lounge will remain open once the new facility welcomes passengers in 2028.
Hawaiian’s ultra-premium lounge is back, too, as Plumeria Loft.
Hawaiian has another Honolulu lounge update it hasn’t made much noise about. The former Apartment 1929, which we toured when Hawaiian introduced its $500 premium airport service, has reopened as the Plumeria Loft. That expensive concierge program ended last year, but the small lounge is back in use, now offering food, cocktails, showers, and outdoor seating.
Access is by invitation only, primarily for select international Business Class passengers and those flying to New York in First Class. Invitations depend on available space, so even eligible passengers aren’t guaranteed entry. We’ve been inside the facility when it was Apartment 1929, and while it’s an interesting and intimate space with shower access, its limited size makes it a very different proposition from the much larger lounge Hawaiian is now building.
A bigger lounge, with a different experience.
When we covered Honolulu’s competing new airport lounges in September, the Hawaiian/Alaska project was planned at 10,600 square feet. The latest design is nearly 2,400 square feet larger, with locally inspired food, a signature coffee experience, a full-service cocktail bar, private workspaces, and artwork by Hawaii artists.
We’ve visited the existing Plumeria Lounge many times and appreciated its calm atmosphere and service, although the space felt small, dated, and limited in offerings. The new lounge looks like a significant improvement, especially for passengers on long flights who want a comfortable place to eat, work, or relax before departure.
Would you pay for a day pass to Hawaiian’s new Honolulu lounge if it’s offered, or do you think its limited capacity should be reserved for premium-cabin passengers?
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