Priority Pass Is Back—Weeks After Hawaiian Airlines Marketed Premier Club as Exclusive to Local Members

When Hawaiian Airlines announced back in April that Priority Pass members would no longer have access to the Plumeria Lounge at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, I remember how sharply travelers reacted. For many of us who track Hawai‘i’s tourism trends closely, it was clear that removing Priority Pass from the more comfortable Plumeria Lounge would create a real gap—especially since the only other Priority Pass option at HNL was the bare-bones IASS Lounge in Terminal 2.

Now, Hawaiian Airlines is reversing course. Starting November 24, 2025, Priority Pass members will once again gain lounge access at HNL—but this time through the Premier Club in Terminal 1, not the Plumeria Lounge. It’s a meaningful change, and honestly, a complicated one.

A Quick Win for Priority Pass Members — but a Noticeable Downgrade

On the surface, this is good news: Terminal 1 travelers finally have a Priority Pass-eligible space again, and the Premier Club does offer slightly more snacks than IASS. But compared to Plumeria, the Premier Club remains a downgrade in almost every way—space, amenities, food selection, and the overall experience.

As someone who has visited both lounges, I’ve seen how these small shifts in the lounge landscape ripple out for both travelers and locals. When you’re flying with family, trying to work during a layover, or just seeking a quiet place to breathe after navigating HNL’s crowds, the difference between “snacks and soft drinks” and “a true premium lounge experience” really does matter.

The More Surprising Part: A Reversal on the Locals-Only Messaging

What stands out most to me isn’t just the downgrade—it’s the messaging turnaround.

Earlier this year, Hawaiian Airlines heavily promoted Premier Club membership as an exclusive perk for its Huakaʻi Members, positioning it as something designed specifically for Hawai‘i residents. I remember appreciating that angle; in a tourism-heavy economy like ours, seeing a benefit aimed squarely at kamaʻāina felt like a positive step toward balancing visitor and local interests.

But opening the Premier Club to Priority Pass—used by travelers from anywhere in the world, including through credit cards like the Amex Platinum—feels like a full 180 from that resident-focused narrative.

Here is a recent poster on flyertalk.com lamenting about the Premier Club lounge on Maui (OGG) that also accepts Priority Pass Members, will the same happen in Honolulu?

This isn’t inherently bad, but it’s something that needs to be acknowledged honestly. Hawai‘i’s travelers are increasingly savvy, and locals especially notice when programs pivot quickly. It’s another example of how airlines walk a fine line between serving visitors—who are essential to the economy—and maintaining trust with residents whose lives are intertwined with Hawai‘i’s tourism footprint.

How This Fits Into Hawai‘i’s Larger Travel Landscape

I see this shift as part of a broader pattern: airlines and travel brands trying to expand benefits while still navigating local expectations, visitor volume, and changing loyalty programs.

For travelers looking to understand the difference between Hawaiian’s lounges—or to figure out whether Premier Club access is even worth seeking out—I’ve broken down the full structure here:
Guide to Hawaiian Airlines Lounges

What’s clear is that lounge access continues to be a pain point at HNL, especially as the airport modernizes unevenly. Priority Pass returning is, on paper, a win. But the reality is more nuanced, especially for those of us watching how visitor amenities shape local experience and airport flow.

Bottom Line

Priority Pass returns to Hawaiian Airlines on Nov. 24, 2025, but only at the Premier Club.

It’s a significant downgrade from the former Plumeria Lounge access.

Hawaiian Airlines has reversed its recent positioning of the Premier Club as a locals-focused space.

The move reflects ongoing tension between serving travelers and maintaining meaningful local-resident benefits.

Even with the downgrade, having a Priority Pass option in Terminal 1 is a practical improvement. But as always, I’m watching how these shifts impact not just visitor convenience, but also how Hawai‘i’s travel ecosystem evolves in a way that genuinely respects the people who call this place home.