Check-in for all Hawaiian Airlines’ international departures to be located at HNL Terminal 2 starting Oct. 3

HONOLULU - The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) reminds travelers that starting Saturday, October 3, 2026, check-in and bag drop for all international departures on Hawaiian Airlines will be consolidated in Terminal 2, Lobby 4 of the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). Travelers are encouraged to check their flight information before arriving at the airport and allow extra time to familiarize themselves with the updated lobby location.

The change is being implemented to improve lobby flow for passengers traveling through both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

All Hawaiian and Alaska neighbor island flight check-ins and bag drops will remain in Terminal 1. This includes three daily flights between Honolulu (HNL) and Kahului (OGG) on the Alaska Airlines-branded 737 aircraft starting Oct. 3.

Alaska and Hawaiian announced the addition of these flights to support neighbor island capacity even as they proceed through integration. The merged company has announced a longer-term plan to retire the 717 fleet and transition to 737s carrying the Hawaiian Airlines brand, to be based in Honolulu, in the 2028 timeframe. In the meantime, Hawaiian will continue to maximize use of the 717s for neighbor island flights.

Passengers flying from Honolulu to Kahului on Alaska Airlines' 737 aircraft should continue to check in online or via the company's app and drop their bags at Terminal 1, Lobby 3, using the self-service bag-tag stations. In Kahului, passengers departing to Honolulu on Alaska Airlines' 737 aircraft should visit Alaska's counters, located next to Hawaiian's, for check-in services and bag drops.

Hawaiian is also informing all neighbor island travelers to check in and drop checked bags at least 50 minutes before departure, up from the previous guidance of 30 minutes. The earlier check-in will help improve baggage handling and support on-time departures.

The 737 Honolulu-Kahului flight will serve as a case study for airport operators, state transportation officials and the airline to gain valuable operational experience and important insights to prepare for the full 737 fleet. This includes determining the plane geometries needed to set jet bridges and other gating requirements for a plane of that size, shifting gates to accommodate spacing, as well as other adjustments needed to maximize efficiency of passenger flow, baggage handling and aircraft servicing.

"HDOT is working closely with Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines to ensure airport operations are prepared to accommodate the 737 interisland fleet," said Hawai'i Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen. "We appreciate Hawaiian Airlines' and Alaska Airlines' commitment to maintaining robust interisland connectivity with the deployment of temporary 737 flights as part of Hawaiian Airlines' fleet modernization transition."

"Safe, reliable neighbor island service is a critical part of who we are - and something we will continue," said Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow. "These adjustments in lobby flow, timeline and capacity enable us to continue connecting our communities while preparing for the future. We love our 717 fleet - and are deeply grateful to the teams who continue to fly and maintain it as we have for years. And, we look forward to learning alongside HDOT and our airport partners to prepare for a fleet transition that preserves the reliability and connectivity our communities depend on while delivering an enhanced experience for our guests."

###