You can be treated like a rock star when flying Hawaiian Airlines, escorted to the front of security, whisked away into a private lounge with shower, meal service, and award-winning cocktails, and then be chauffeur-driven or walked to your gate. If this sounds either intriguing or like you, read on for more details on what this new premium service is all about and our take on it.
Some of the best airport lounges in the world are private and only available to select travelers. But Hawaiian opens access to anyone from $500 for two people traveling together. It’s possible you may have seen the entrance door to this lounge marked 1929 (which is the year Hawaiian Airlines was founded).
Hawaiian Airlines’ executives recently invited us for an inside look behind the door at Apt. 1929. Here’s what we found and our own observations.
Apt. 1929 and premium airport service is available no matter what class of service you are ticketed in on Hawaiian Airlines. Offerings are tailored for passengers departing HNL, connecting to another Hawaiian flight, or arriving at HNL (note that international arrivals are excluded).
Before you gasp at the price, at least first consider what’s included. And, this could be a perfect gift for a special event like a honeymoon, birthday, or anniversary. Most of the services we saw appear best-suited for departing passengers. Connecting or arriving passengers may participate in this, although available services will depend on how much time a guest has at HNL.
Departing passengers are greeted curbside at HNL and receive an escort to the front of the TSA screening line. They’re then taken to Apt. 1929. While there, they can shower and have a pre-ordered meal with appetizer, entree, dessert, and cocktails from the nearly impossible to get into, James Beard award-winning, Bar Leather Apron. The maximum time allowed is 2 hours before departure.
There is a large private living room, common seating area near the bar, and outside sofas and chairs. The “astroturf” flooring outside seemed somewhat out of place as did an excessive number of very large potted plants. The rest of the design, however, is comfortable and the service is highly personalized. Part of the quirkiness of the facility stems from it having been a state-owned private lounge before this incarnation.
Connecting passengers will be met on arrival at the aircraft door with a lei greeting and escorted personally to Apt. 1929 if time allows for cocktails and beverages. They are then escorted or driven to their next flight.
Arriving passengers will receive a lei greeting too, and luggage transfer to their Honolulu hotel. Again, their time in Apt. 1929, and services offered will vary based on the amount of time available. A shower can be arranged in advance, for example, before heading to the hotel.
Does this sound like you? If so, contact Hawaiian Airlines at least 72 hours in advance to set everything up for you. Their phone number is 1 (808) 470-3988 or email [email protected].
Our take on Apt. 1929/Hawaiian Airlines Premium Airport Service.
It’s certainly a fascinating service that is somewhat akin to the Private Suite (“PS“) at LAX. PS, however, costs far more, starting at $1,095 per person, and has different tiered costs. This is a move by the Hawaii bellwether towards providing the feeling of flying private, but without the extreme associated expense. When paired with a business-class suite on Hawaiian’s Dreamliner, this will set a new standard, especially for flights commencing in Honolulu.
Would you pay for this service? We probably would not, if for no other reason, because we are not based in Honolulu and see this as largely a departure-based service. Others, however may feel quite differently.
Please let us know your thoughts on Apt. 1929.
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I would likw to know the cost for 4 people traveling together leaving Honolulu on april 29th 2025 would cost or if you can use airmiles how many. No alcohol, or showers. Leaving at 11:45 for PDX. Thank You
No thanks. A departing passenger can only use the lounge for 2 hours prior to departure? So, if a flight boards, say, 45 minutes before departure, that gives you about 75 minutes in the lounge. And during that time, you’re supposedly able to shower, then eat an appetizer, entree, and dessert, and have cocktails?
HA has unquestionably the very Worst lounges at their home airport, which should be a showplace for them. As a Hawaii resident, I was shocked at the shabby appearance and lack of Aloha from an incredibly nasty staff member manning the front desk. That was the last time I flew HawIian First Class overseas. Delta, United and the Japanese carriers are vastly superior.
They name this Apt1929. Interesting. I guess if it is a 2 hour apartment is could be taxed 12.75% plus excise and transient tax. Total is 18 percent by the state since it is on Hawaiian soil and considered a short term 2 hour rental. Drinks maybe considered food supplied and a shower and furniture make it a private booking. Just do the math. 500 dollar x 18% equals 90 dollars times 12 bookings per day. 90×12 equals 1080 dollars per day. That times 30 days per month equals 32,400 dollars per month in state taxes only. What if your flight arrives late or your arrival is delayed? Sorry no refund? You pay and no stay. Sure it’s not 590 dollars total not 500.
IMO terrible for tourists good for the state.
Weak, especially for that price! How about they worry and upgrade their already existing weak lounges?
This is definitely a bit of a head-scratcher.
For all the money HA likely invested in this lounge, it seems a bit of a waste. They could have freshened up their existing lounges for a fraction of the cost.
As a loyal HA customer, I would have rather seen the money spent on a massive mobile app upgrade and general automation upgrade.
HA should place a priority on fixing/upgrading check-in technology at the airport, their app and fixing whatever is causing the company to stave off bankruptcy instead. Can’t even make reservations using Hwn miles on the app and they want to do this is ridiculous. Priorities are definitely misdirected.
Hi Rob+Jeff. Was just reading about Bill 2406 regarding a $25 climate+Environment tax to be passed. So before you fork over the $500 for your Apt.1929, make sure you deduct this new tax off of your vacation fund. Gov. Green is going to make sure he gets some more money from us whether we like it or not. At least it’s $25 less than the $50 he wanted to charge for the “Green Fee”. How ironic seeing as his last name is Green. Are you going to comment on this new Bill in the future? Warm and sunny regards.
Hi Debra.
Thanks for all your comments! It seems nothing more will happen this year as the legislature will soon adjourn. We will of course keep watching for any travel related legislation.
Aloha.
Hello Debra,
I just read this bill, I would put a link of it here, but rules say one cannot. The reason for this bill, It goes on and on abut climate change.
I grow tired of people loosely using this term. If there was not climate change, the Hawaiin Islands would not be there. Humans would not be on the earth dinos would still be here. I believe humans need to stop polluting etc. What does this have to do with charging tourists?! The bill also talks of the nonnative grasses that fueled the Lahaina fires due to climate change. That’s on them to have removed grasses with the tax dollars they were collecting. That has nothing to with the tourists either. I got disgusted reading this bill it was blame & shame on everyone & everything else.
Hi Tom.
Both bills have been included in the article.
Aloha.
Christi says below, “flight arrived at 3:00 AM due a 14 hour delay”, then she proceeds to rave about the service she received from Hawaiian for an extra $500 dollars each way.
Fourteen hour delay????? Something doesn’t add up.
Is the new Hawaiian goal to make travelers so miserable they will fork over an extra $1000 just to get to their hotel before sunrise?
Sounds dumb. Not worth $500
Doesn’t work for me as I usually avoid HNL and fly to LIH or KOA.
I can see how the shower would be nice if you wanted to visit the beach before a late flight and had to check out of your hotel early. If I could afford this kind of service, I would def use it! Lunch and drinks, without waiting, would be a bonus before a 6-hour flight…..
Unless I am missing something, this is $500 for one hour, correct?
You can’t enter until 2 hours before departure, the plane boards at least 30 min prior to departure, and it would require you (in most cases) to head out at least 15 min before boarding time.
Hard to even enjoy that meal you pre-ordered in that 60-75 min you are allowed in the lounge.
Re: Apt.1929
We have been flying HA for over 30 years – always First
Class to HNL – have found the Lounges OK, but not great. Now, charging $500.00 for a service most airlines provide around the world.
Hard to understand ! It’s either $ or unable to different your your customers. The marketing folks need to wake up.
Ellie
Maybe they redid the lounge?
Didn’t the whole airport recently get redone?
I think it is a great idea and a nice service.
Do you know if single travelers can use it, or does it have to be for two?
Hi Tom.
You sure can. The $500 cost is for one or two.
Aloha.
I am getting the impression that Hawaiian will morph into Alaska Airlines alter-ego. Alaska will be the “cheap seats” while Hawaiian will be framed more “luxury ride.” Yes, people will pay, and $500 (for two people, right?) for those services doesn’t seem like a lot to those who are more liquid, of which there are plenty these days. Personally, I am not the kind of person that likes to “chill out” at airports. If I had my way, I’d get there just before takeoff, walk on, close the door and go. Why turn the experience into a day-long event.
So, this service is not offered for a long lay-over in Honolulu? And why not international flights? They are the longest ….
Uh, …no.
From what I’ve been reading, the Hawaiian Alaska Airlines merge is having difficulties.
Short answer: no.
Long answer: oh h*** no. 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
Maybe if you’re looking a long layover at the airport followed by an east coast or far east flight ok, but we travel regularly to Hawaii from the west coast I don’t see the value in it for us.
I would love this service for a special trip like our anniversary! That being said, we own a timeshare in Maui so probably would not be in Honolulu too often. Luckily we can fly Hawaiian Airlines San Jose or Oakland direct to Kahului. If they offer the service at OGG, in the future, I would consider it.
What a waste of money!
Why would anyone departing from Honolulu need a shower at the airport prior to departure, when they just departed their hotel/house/rental etc? Don’t get it.
And, coupled with: who used the shower prior – and will be be cleaned after each use? Mold grows so easily here in Hawaii and is tracked in by bare feet, shoes and slippahs.
If one is a tiered passenger – they usually are TSA which doesn’t take very long to get through and so you get a nice place to sit and wait to board? Big Deal.
Hawaiian Air needs to put their resources into better online customer service, better in-person customer service — yes, their niceness isn’t nice much anymore.
Ridiculous Waste Of Money!
We used the service from Vegas to HNL, totally worth it. Our flight arrived at 3:00 am due a 14 hour delay so we had to cancel our rental car and the employees still met us at the plane at 3 am with our fresh leis, grabbe our luggage and sent us off in the car service to our hotel. When we left HNL, they met us at the curb, got our bags checked, met us at the car rental center, drove us back to the airport, walked us through security and to Apt. 1929 where our lunch was prepared and drinks served while we did some work and relaxed a little on the lanai before our flight. Yumi and Brooke then walked us to our seats and wished us well. We were very impressed with the service. I was in constant contact with Yumi who took care of everything.