What to expect in Phoenix?
 

My mother-in-law will be joining us in Honolulu for Thanksgiving. She is flying out of Phoenix First Class on Hawaiian Airlines.

I was wondering....
(1) Does Hawaiian Airlines have First Class Check-In Counters in PHX and/or HNL?
(2) Does Hawaiian Airlines have a separate First Class Security Line in PHX and/or HNL?
(3) Does Hawaiian Airlines have a First Class Lounge in PHX and/or HNL?

Thanks

There is a sperate First Class check-in line in PHX. There is also one in HNL.

You can use the First Class/Elite security line in PHX, though in my experience the rush at PHX Terminal 4 is typically long over before she'll be boarding her late-morning HA flight, so it shouldn't be an issue.

There is no elite security line at HNL that I've ever found, but I've also never found a long line at security coming back on that flight, as it is so late at night. I just did it Saturday night - HA's biggest day of the week for HNL-to-mainland flights and was through security in 5 minutes.

If you are flying on a paid First ticket (such as full fare or their on-line reduced first class fare), you can use the America West club in PHX. Apparently, if you are on a frequent flyer ticket or doing the $250 upgrade-at-the-counter deal, you can't. If she wants to do this, she should ask the person at the check-in counter and he or she will call the club and advise them that she is coming up. She would use the club above the gate at B-4, as that is the closest of the three America West clubs. It's one concourse over from the HA departure gate, but only about 10 minutes away.

She can also use the Hawaiian lounge in HNL if she wishes, though, unfortunately, I don't know where it is, as I never get there early enough to make it worth my time to find it.

Thanks for the info

Is this something new? I never knew paid F pax get club access.

I just flew the non-stop last week in F. I asked about club access because I was curious. The agent checking me in paused and checked my reservation and then said, "You're paying for first, so yes, you get club access. If you like, I'll call the club in the B concourse and let them know that you're coming." She went on to tell me where the club is located, how to get there, and how long it would take me to get from there to the HA gate.

So, I asked, "what determines whether you get access?" She said it was whether you're actually a F-paying passenger or not. I told her I was already an America West Club member, so I didn't need her to call for me.

So, I don't know if this is new or not.

Hawaiian has its largest lounge in Honolulu. It's located in the inter-island terminal on the level above the gates. After clearing security, you'll be by the food court/newstand. As you face the newstand/food court, make a right turn past the bank machines. Take the esclators to the upper level. The lounge will be right in front of you after you get off the esclators. (This is the same way you take the WikiWiki shuttle to the US Mainland Flights) which make things rather convenient.

There is an elite security line in HNL. It's right next to the general security line however, there is a sign identifying a specific area for priority screening. The same agent that checks tickets for the regular security line will check your ticket for the elite line after "holding" the general public while they process you through the line.

Hawaiian will be discontinuing access to lounges on the Mainland with the exception to the LAX lounge which they operate themselves. This new rule is supposed to take effect 1/1/04 based on the letter I received from them earlier this year.

Hawaiian has always allowed their F and P fare customer as well as Premier Club, Platinum, and Gold Members access to lounges where available on the mainland as welll as in their airports in Hawaii.