Honolulu International Airport

Overview

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, known by the codes HNL and PHNL, is the main air gateway for Honolulu and the island of Oahu in the United States. As a large airport operating at just 13 feet above sea level, it sits close to the coast and plays a central role for both interisland trips and longer journeys across the Pacific. For travelers, that means a busy but important hub where arriving early, checking your terminal details in advance, and allowing extra time for traffic around Honolulu can make the day much smoother.

What Travelers Should Know

• The airport serves Honolulu on Oahu and uses the Pacific/Honolulu time zone, so double-check flight times if you are connecting from the mainland or abroad.
• Its official website is http://airports.hawaii.gov/hnl/, which is the best place to confirm airport updates and general passenger information.
• Because HNL is a large airport, walking times, curbside drop-off delays, and terminal changes can take longer than first-time visitors expect.
• The low elevation and coastal setting are part of what gives the airport its distinctive island feel, especially on arrival and departure.

Airfield and Layout

HNL has an unusually varied airfield, with six runways that include both standard paved runways and dedicated water runways. The paved runways range from 6,955 feet to 12,360 feet, including two very long runways that support heavy long-haul operations, while the water runways reflect Hawaii's aviation history and specialized seaplane use. Even if most passengers never notice the technical details, this mix helps explain why the airport feels expansive and why aircraft movements can be frequent throughout the day.