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Delta Sky Club at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu [Review]

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Stella Shon

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With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in ...
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“Aloha” is the Hawaiian word for hello and goodbye — but when your vacation nears its end, parting ways with paradise isn’t easy.

Fortunately, many Delta flyers can enjoy one final taste of aloha at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) before embarking on a long journey home. While it’s a smaller Sky Club, the food and drink selection and the unique amenities of this airport lounge make it well worth the visit before your next flight.

Here’s a closer look at what you can expect from a visit to this Delta Sky Club.

Delta Sky Club Lounge Location at HNL

The Delta Sky Club is in Terminal 2 of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

Once you check in at Delta’s counter and clear security near Concourse F, you’ll find the Sky Club immediately to the left. Most of Delta’s flights depart Honolulu from gates F and G, making the location easily accessible for travelers.

Hot Tip:

There are 10 airport lounges in Terminal 2 alone, where most domestic and international airlines fly from. You can read our guide to the lounges at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) for more details on their locations and how to get access.

Gaining Entry to the Delta Sky Club

There are several ways you can enter the Delta Sky Club, although access policies can be a bit confusing, as the carrier seems to revise its policies every year.

Delta One or SkyTeam Premium Cabin Ticket

Delta Sky Club access policies are generally the same regardless of location. That said, travelers flying on a domestic or international Delta One ticket or a same-day international first class or business class ticket on a SkyTeam partner can enter the Delta Sky Club.

However, some travelers on certain domestic first class tickets need to be wary — most commonly on routes from Honolulu to Los Angeles (LAX). First class flyers on this route must double-check whether they’re flying in a true Delta One-marketed product.

Otherwise, you may just be in a lie-flat seat with domestic first class service — an ever-so-slight yet annoying distinction — and that won’t allow you to enter the Delta Sky Club with your ticket alone.

Eligible SkyTeam Elite Plus Members

SkyTeam Elite Plus members (excluding Delta Diamond members) traveling in any cabin on a SkyTeam international flight or a SkyTeam domestic flight connecting to a same-day international flight can enter the Sky Club. This excludes international flights between the U.S. and the Caribbean.

If you’re eligible to enter the Sky Club via this access method, you can bring 1 guest.

Eligible Credit Cards (Easiest Method!)

The policies for Delta Sky Club access via credit cards have also changed drastically over the past couple of years. In its most recent iteration, Delta announced it would limit credit card lounge access — but these changes won’t take effect until February 1, 2025 (more on this below).

Until then, people with the following cards can enter the Delta Sky Club anytime they’re flying on a same-day Delta ticket:

SCROLL FOR MORE

Card

Access Policy (through January 31, 2025)

Access Policy (effective February 1, 2025)

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  • Complimentary access when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight
  • 2 guests or immediate family (spouse or children under 21) at a $50 per-person, per-visit rate
  • Members will receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. To earn an unlimited number of visits each year, the total purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more in the 2024 calendar year (and each year thereafter).
  • Once the 15 visits are used, cardholders may purchase additional visits for a per-visit rate of $50 per person.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Complimentary access when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight
  • 2 guests or immediate family (spouse or children under 21 years) at a $50 per-person, per-visit rate
  • Children under 2 are complimentary
  • Members will receive 10 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. To earn an unlimited number of visits each year, the total purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more in the 2024 calendar year (and each year thereafter).
  • Once the 10 visits are used, cardholders may purchase additional visits for a per-visit rate of $50 per person.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Hot Tip:

Delta has announced that Sky Club visits will be measured as 24-hour periods in 2025. If you’re traveling on a multiple-leg segment, you can enter the Sky Club on all of the connections, and it will only count as 1 visit.

Delta Sky Club Membership

You can also visit the Sky Club with a membership and a same-day boarding pass. However, Delta has also limited annual membership purchases exclusively to Medallion elite status holders.

Bottom Line:

The easiest way to access the Delta Sky Club in Honolulu (or any other location) is by holding the right card. Can’t decide which American Express card is the best one for you? Read our in-depth comparison of the top-tier lounge cards: Delta Reserve card vs. the Amex Platinum card.

First Impressions

My mom and I were flying from Honolulu to Los Angeles (LAX) in Comfort+ seats, so we couldn’t access the Sky Club with our tickets alone. However, I entered with my Amex Platinum card. I’d added my mom as an authorized user to my card, so she had lounge access, too.

While there wasn’t a wait to enter the Sky Club on the Friday afternoon we visited, the location quickly got busy, with a slew of afternoon flights departing shortly after ours. Although we didn’t need them, Delta had 2 separate queues for Delta 360°, Delta One, Diamond Medallion, and qualifying first class tickets.

Delta Sky Club HNL Access
I was fortunate enough not to encounter any lines during this visit.

Once we opened the large wooden door to the Sky Club, we found the reception counter staffed by friendly, welcoming employees. Online, the posted lounge hours had been inconsistent, but when we visited, the Delta Sky Club had posted its daily hours outside the entrance as 6:45 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Delta Sky Club HNL Check in Counter
It took just moments to verify our access to the lounge, and the employees gave me a quick rundown when I first arrived.

As a network-wide policy, access to the lounge is limited to 3 hours before departure.

I’ve visited many of Delta’s next wave of fancy Sky Clubs, including locations at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia (LGA) airports. Even smaller airports like Nashville (BNA) are getting the lounge love, too. With so many recent lounge openings, many travelers regard Delta Sky Clubs as some of the best domestic airport lounges — and rightfully so.

Delta Sky Club HNL Christmas Time
Mele Kalikimaka from the Delta Sky Club in Honolulu!

While many of these newer Sky Clubs boast a modern feel and check-in kiosks, the location in Honolulu was much smaller and almost antiquated — but that was not entirely a bad thing. When I first walked in, there was a cozy, welcoming feel, as the Sky Club stuck true to its theme of local art and uniquely Hawaiian curios.

And just for Christmas, there were poinsettias and wreaths to get travelers in the holiday spirit.

Delta Sky Club HNL Seating
While the lounge felt dim and dated, the cheery staff revived the mood of the place.

There was also a departures board to the left of the front desk, and I appreciated that the employees informed me that my gate, G1, was approximately a 5-minute walk from the lounge.

Delta Sky Club HNL Departure Board 1
The lounge was plenty busy in the afternoon, with most flights going across the Pacific.

The only downside was there were no windows in this Sky Club. Honolulu’s airport is quite airy, thanks to its indoor-outdoor concept, so the lack of fresh air made this lounge feel considerably dark.

Seating

There was plenty of seating flanking the counter. The seating area to the right was smaller but was a respite from the bar and buffet traffic.

Delta Sky Club HNL Seating Areas
Hues of teal and violet are spread across this Sky Club.

Most chairs shared outlets with a small table with only enough room to rest a drink or a small plate.

Delta Sky Club HNL Lovesesats
The charging ports were typical USB-A jacks.

There was a noticeable lack of dining tables and chairs in this lounge, making eating difficult if you were sitting in an armchair.

Delta Sky Club HNL Main Seating
Almost every seat was full during my visit to the HNL Sky Club.

In the main seating area by the buffet, a large TV played an NFL game during my visit.

Delta Sky Club HNL TV
Catch the latest game from the comfort of your seat.

I managed to snag 1 of the 10 tables to enjoy my 2 plates of lunch without hunching over.

Delta Sky Club HNL Dining Seating
There weren’t many tables open, but they were a hot commodity.

Food and Beverage

The most impressive part of this Delta Sky Club was the quality and selection of the food and drink offered to its guests. The lounge offered a nice balance of Hawaiian dishes, easily portable sandwiches and wraps, and refreshing drinks.

Delta Sky Club HNL Sandwiches and Wraps
Charcuterie board lovers will appreciate this spread.

Buffet

As our flight departed at 1:45 p.m., it was nice to have plenty of time to enjoy lunch before hopping on a 5-hour flight across the Pacific.

I had last visited this lounge earlier in 2023, and the lounge seemed to have continued to use single-use cutlery and plates. Despite not being an eco-friendly move, it made it easy for staff to keep the dining areas tidy in the face of the constant flow of travelers.

Delta Sky Club HNL Condiments and Silverware
You can find forks, knives, spoons, and chopsticks here.

The hot buffet featured several surprisingly delicious dishes, such as the huli huli chicken with honey barbecue sauce.

Delta Sky Club HNL Huli Huli Chicken
I could have one last heaping of huli huli chicken before departing paradise.

Farther down the line, the Spam fried rice and traditional Japanese vegetable curry were some of my other favorites from the hot bar.

Delta Sky Club HNL Fried Rice
Kalua pork on the left, spam fried rice on the right.

In addition to the curry, corn chowder with bacon was offered.

Delta Sky Club HNL Curry and Chowder Look
Japanese curry and a bowl of white rice to appeal to the Tokyo-Haneda (HND) travelers.

The island had an even broader selection of finger foods and fresh selections, such as salads and local fruit.

Delta Sky Club HNL Fresh Fruit
The fresh food station was a hit, too.

This wasn’t your average lounge buffet — the Mediterranean salad and edamame were healthy and flavorful.

Delta Sky Club HNL Fresh Foods
The salad and edamame are your best bets if you opt for lighter choices before your flight.

This Delta Sky Club’s dessert game was strong, so those with a sweet tooth — myself included —were in for a treat. Near the dining tables was a snack bar with Maui chips, cookies, and chocolate mousse.

Delta Sky Club HNL Desserts
There weren’t many grab-and-go options, but the Lays and Maui Style chips were both popular snacks.

A dessert cooler was stocked with mochi ice cream.

Delta Sky Club HNL Mochi
Single-serving mochi ice cream — passionfruit on the left, green tea on the right.

But that wasn’t all. There was even a shave ice station next to the buffet.

Delta Sky Club HNL Shaved Ice Corner
Shave ice, anyone?

The bartender was happy to make me a Hawaiian shave ice when she wasn’t shaking up drinks, and it was a cool treat after hauling my bags through the open-air terminal, which lacked air conditioning. The syrup on top wasn’t too sweet, and the ice was shaved nicely, much like the ones I enjoyed while in Hawaii.

Delta Sky Club HNL Shaved Ice
My shaved ice dessert, topped off with piña colada and passionfruit syrup.

Drinks

Right next to the hot bar was a soda and coffee machine that made lattes and cappuccinos.

Delta Sky Club HNL Coffee and Soda
Make your own latte before your flight.

By the bar, there was also self-serve ice water, sweet tea, lemonade, and various tea bags.

Delta Sky Club HNL Drinks
There was no shortage of drink options.

Besides the buffet, the bar seemed to be a hit, with a decent liquor selection.

Delta Sky Club HNL Bar
The bartenders were friendly and willing to make any cocktails.

There were even mai tais and Blue Hawaiians on display for travelers who wanted to indulge in one more umbrella cocktail before heading home.

Amenities

While you’re likely to bump elbows with a neighbor during peak travel times, this Delta Sky Club offered a nice array of amenities — including hidden gems to look out for on your next visit.

Bathrooms

The bathrooms were near the main seating area, just past the buffet.

Delta Sky Club HNL Bathrooms
The bathrooms were small but adequate for a lounge of this size.

The women’s bathroom had a separate area with a large mirror and complimentary feminine products.

Delta Sky Club HNL Bathroom Foyer
The bathroom featured products from Grown Alchemist, Delta’s skincare partner.

There were no showers at this Delta Sky Club — just 2 stalls and 1 sink in each bathroom. However, the bathrooms were kept very clean.

Delta Sky Club HNL Bathroom Stalls
There were no showers for travelers who wanted to freshen up before their long flight.

Periodicals

A wide spread of magazines was on the wall behind the check-in counter. I grabbed a copy of the December issue of Global Traveler, which highlighted the best airlines, airports, and other travel products of 2023.

Delta Sky Club HNL Periodicals
I hadn’t picked up a magazine in so long, and it was nice to flip through mine when the Wi-Fi on board later was inoperable.

Business Center

To the right of the check-in counter was a small business center with shared desks, chairs, and a printer but no desktop computers. Unlike many new Sky Clubs, there were no individual phone booths or desks.

Delta Sky Club HNL Business Center
A small business center for folks who need to get work done.

Wi-Fi

A placard with the Wi-Fi password was at the front desk. I had no problem connecting with my phone and laptop, and the speeds were adequate for loading everything I needed for work.

Delta Sky Club HNL Wi Fi Speed
Image Credit: Speedtest.net by Ookla

Board Games

When I first walked into the Sky Club, there was a buffet table of fruit-infused water and a selection of board games.

Delta Sky Club HNL Board Games and Drinks
More lounges should have board games.

Whether you’ve got a long layover or a delayed flight, you can duke it out with a game of chess or Battleship.

Postcard

A sweet touch to this Sky Club was that you could send postcards before flying home — and travelers didn’t have to pay for stamps!

Delta Sky Club HNL Postcards
Send a postcard to your loved one from the Delta Sky Club.

After spending a week in Hawaii for my cousin’s wedding, I sent her a postcard. Let’s see if it ever arrives!

Staff and Service

The final highlight of this Sky Club visit was the pleasant staff — who went above and beyond to make each guest feel welcome.

There wasn’t a moment when I didn’t hear an employee greet a guest with “aloha,” whether they had just entered the lounge or were moving on to the next part of their travel journey.

Delta Sky Club HNL Art
Hawaii artwork is scattered throughout the lounge.

Even if it was a smaller lounge, the employees did a fantastic job keeping the space clean by picking up trash swiftly and constantly restocking snacks and hot food.

Final Thoughts

While this Delta Sky Club doesn’t boast the modern touches that other outposts have nowadays, the one in Honolulu was a surprisingly good find. You certainly won’t go hungry with its dishes and desserts galore.

Although having access to airport lounges is only a small factor in deciding which airline I fly, I would go out of my way to fly Delta to revisit this location on my future trips to Hawaii!

For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hours of the Delta Sky Club in Honolulu (HNL)?

The current hours are from 6:45 a.m. to 9:45 p.m daily.

How do I access the Delta Sky Club in Honolulu?

The main ways to enter the Delta Sky Club are: by holding a Delta One or SkyTeam premium cabin ticket, holding a card with access privileges (Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, Delta Reserve card, Delta Reserve Business card), or by purchasing an annual membership.

Where is the Delta Sky Club at Honolulu (HNL)?

This Delta Sky Club is to the left of security, near the F gates.

Does Delta Sky Club in Honolulu do single visit passes?

No, Delta no longer offers single-visit passes to the Sky Club. You need to access via a credit card, lounge membership, or an eligible ticket.

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About Stella Shon

With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in The New York Times, USA Today, and more.

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