While the flights to/from Honolulu were utterly unremarkable/boring/had the most apathetic flight attendants I’ve ever had, I figured I’d review the Admirals Club in Honolulu.
The Admirals Club Honolulu is especially interesting because it’s not exclusively an Admirals Club. It’s actually a shared facility between American Airlines and Japan Airlines. So it’s not that one airline runs it and the other airline uses it, but instead there are elements of both airlines incorporated into the lounge.
Honolulu Airport, while well past its prime, has to be one of the cutest airports ever. It’s largely open air with great tarmac views, Japanese gardens, etc. I mean, hell, the TSA is even friendly.
Honolulu Airport terminal
Honolulu Airport terminal view
Beautiful open air Honolulu Airport terminal
The Admirals Club is open daily from 5:30AM until 10PM, and is located past the central security checkpoint, just above Kona Brewing restaurant.
Honolulu Airport terminal
You’ll see signage right in front of the restaurant, and the elevators which take you up a level are located immediately to the side.
JAL Sakura Lounge entrance Honolulu Airport
JAL Sakura Lounge signage Honolulu Airport
Once on the third floor, the entrance to the lounge is located down the hallway and through a set of double doors.
JAL Sakura Lounge entrance Honolulu Airport
The lounge has both American Airlines and Japan Airlines agents, so I approached the American agent on the left. One thing that was interesting is that I received an email from the Admirals Club the day before my flight telling me about the lounge, which was a first for me.
As the agent checked me in she said “your name sounds familiar, I think I sent you an email yesterday.” She did indeed!
Based on the finishes in the lounge, it feels a lot more like a JAL Sakura Lounge than an Admirals Club, which is pretty cool.
Admirals Club seating Honolulu Airport
Near the entrance was a large seating area which felt quite private thanks to the abundant use of partitions, as well as a long table by the window with “desk-style” seating.
Admirals Club seating Honolulu Airport
Then around the corner was a more exposed seating area, with a long row of seats.
Admirals Club seating Honolulu Airport
Admirals Club seating Honolulu Airport
Admirals Club seating Honolulu Airport
Admirals Club seating Honolulu Airport
Past that was the dining area, which had several dining tables with 2-4 seats.
Admirals Club seating Honolulu Airport
Admirals Club seating Honolulu Airport
The lounge also had a play area for kids.
Admirals Club kids area Honolulu Airport
As well as a business center with a couple of PCs.
Admirals Club business center Honolulu Airport
Rather than having a tarmac view, the lounge boasted views of the garden in the center area of the terminal, which is a rather tranquil view from an airline lounge.
Admirals Club view Honolulu Airport
The lounge had a couple of self serve food & drink stations. Near the entrance was a drink station with self serve coffee, soft drinks, and liquor.
Admirals Club snacks Honolulu Airport
Admirals Club coffee Honolulu Airport
Admirals Club soda fountain Honolulu Airport
Admirals Club liquor selection Honolulu Airport
Next to it was a fridge with beer, wine, juice, and bottled water. The white wine signage seemed very Japanese to me, heh.
Admirals Club wine signage Honolulu Airport
Admirals Club alcohol selection Honolulu Airport
But no doubt the better selection was in the dining area. No, this isn’t an international standard lounge, but it’s definitely better than what you’d usually get at an Admirals Club. There was snack mix and cookies.
Admirals Club snack selection Honolulu Airport
Admirals Club snack selection Honolulu Airport
Then next to it were pastries and buns (at first I thought they were egg tarts, but I don’t believe they actually were).
Admirals Club snack selection Honolulu Airport
And of course most exciting were the instant noodles. Perhaps I’m just easy to please, but I do enjoy some quality Japanese instant noodles.
Admirals Club instant noodles Honolulu Airport
Admirals Club instant noodles Honolulu Airport
Then there were also two types of soup.
Admirals Club soup Honolulu Airport
My one complaint about the lounge is that the Wi-Fi quality was horrible. It was barely usable, which as far as I’m concerned is the most basic amenity an airline lounge should have.
Admirals Club Honolulu bottom line
While this is by no means a lounge I’d arrive at the airport early to visit, there’s no denying that it’s a step up from a standard Admirals Club, at least in terms of the food and drink selection.
While the decor wasn’t the most modern and the Wi-Fi wasn’t great, I still think this is one of the better Admirals Club facilities in the US, and of course, Admirals Clubs are easily accessible thanks to a credit card with lounge access.
And I do love Honolulu Airport, dated as it may be.
Have you visited the Honolulu Admirals Club, and if so, what was your experience like?
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