Kumulani

The interisland terminal is where all of HA's facilities are, including baggage, so it's easiest for them to do it that way. But since the gates there are too small for the A330, they can't park the plane there. It really isn't a big deal; they usually park at one of the gates closest to the interisland terminal, so the walk to the interisland baggage claim isn't much different from the walk to the main baggage claim.

If you don't check any bags, you can exit at the main terminal baggage claim, but be aware that if someone is picking you up, the road signs for "Hawaiian Airlines arrivals" will direct them to the interisland terminal.

Also be aware that for your return flight, check-in and bag drop will be at the interisland terminal. Though if you don't have any bags, you can check in online and go through security at the main terminal.

The new Mauka Concourse, when it's done in a few years, will include A330 capable gates in the interisland terminal. So they will be able to reduce their use of the main terminal.

azj

JFK consistently departs and arrives from the overseas terminal. In that terminal, HA primarily uses gates 24-34, but also certain gates in the central concourse, usually gates between 17-23 and in the rare overflow situation, HA will use gates 12-13. The state controls the gates and assigns them daily, all are common use. This terminal is officially called Terminal 1, but the moniker has failed to catch on.

T2 is what is most commonly known as the "inter-island" terminal, because when it was built in the early 90s, it housed Hawaiian and Aloha's inter-island flights. It was purpose built for two inter-island carriers, with everything split into two. Since the unfortunate demise of Aloha, HA has taken over the entire terminal and has centralized is check-in and bag drop. HA has adapted its current operation to the set-up but behind the scenes it is less than ideal.

One can't really call it "inter-island"anymore because on a daily basis 767s will depart and arrive from gates 57, 59 and 61. Occasionally 54 will be used. This gate, is the only 330 equipped gate in T2 and is generally only used for the inter-island segments the plane operates like the seasonal HNL-KOA and KOA-HNL on Saturday and Tuesdays.

Long story short, with only 1 gate able to handle the 330 in T2, the odds are slim you'll depart/arrive there.

gkbiiii

Alaska does.

Kumulani

Good point, I forgot that. Their international network is tiny though, so unlike the other carriers they can't reserve the lounges for that.

NotAFreqFlyer

As my user name suggests, we are not a family of frequent fliers. We fly once or twice a year for vacation and/or to visit family. For next year's vacation, we are looking at Hawaii to celebrate my 40th birthday, and I'm considering splurging on first class for this long flight. We would be looking at traveling in March or April to coincide with our daughter's break from school. I do not eat meat, so do not want to pay a lot for a flight where I won't be able to eat the meal, and I recall reading somewhere that HA does not offer the ability to specify a vegetarian meal when booking. Is this true? Alternatively, are there other airlines that I should be looking into that offer direct JFK/HNL service?

Thank you!

Kumulani

You can't pre-reserve a vegetarian meal, though there are often vegetarian options on the menu. The only other year-round nonstop service from the NYC area is EWR-HNL on United.

747FC

There have been seasonal Delta nonstops beteeen HNL and JFK. Not sure of their schedule.

mileageplusorminus

If you want to check the current offerings for first class JFK-HNL check this link: https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/our...s/new-york-jfk. The first class menus are shown below those of the main cabin. It appears that there are a few veggie options in the current menu. However, the menus change roughly every 6-9 months and there's no guarantee what they will be offering on your flight. The first class seats on these flights are "lie flat" and that comfort level alone is worth the splurge if you are able to do it. Of course that is just my opinion and yours may differ.

Kumulani

Oh yeah, I forgot about that! It runs for a very short period of time over the holidays. This year it looks like it's running December 20th to Jan 2nd.