Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), located in Honolulu, Hawaii, complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), making it fully accessible. The purpose of wheelchair assistance is to help travelers who have difficulty moving from the point of pickup to their destination plane.

Important Notice: It is the responsibility of the airlines, not the airport, to arrange wheelchair assistance for their passengers at HNL Airport.

How to Get Wheelchair Assistance Services at HNL Airport?

Arrange wheelchair assistance at HNL airport in advance for your convenience.

• Recommended Action: You may inquire about this service when making reservations or at least 48-72 hours in advance.
• On Airline Grounds: If you haven’t arranged it in advance, you may inquire at the airline counter (this may cause delays, and airlines give preference to those who have made prior arrangements).
• Inform your airlines about your requirements (manually operated wheelchairs, transferring to and from chairs, animal assistance, etc.).
• In Case After Landing: Let the flight attendant know before landing that you will require wheelchair assistance services.

Service Range (provided by your airline):

• Wheelchair assistance services from the drop-off point to the check-in counter.
• Passing through a security check (managed by TSA).
• Transportation from the check-in point to the gate.
• Transferring you to and from your seat.
• Loading/unloading your baggage after landing.

Please Note: There are no costs incurred for the provision of wheelchair services at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). Giving tips to the person who offers wheelchair services at this airport is not compulsory.

Where to Get HNL Airport Wheelchair Assistance

Wheelchair services can be obtained at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), depending on whether you are departing from or arriving at this airport.

• For Departure: Ask for wheelchair services from the check-in counter of the airline carrier. Please note that wheelchair services cannot be provided through the airport information desk.
• For Arrival: It is likely that you will be provided with wheelchair services upon landing at the gate or even the baggage claim area of the airport. An attendant from the airline, dressed in his/her airline’s uniform, will provide your wheelchair.
• Please keep in mind that it is essential to inform the gate attendant or flight attendant in advance.

Arrival Recommendations

To ensure that your travel via flights will go well and smoothly, you must arrive early at the airport in comparison to the rest of the passengers, since you may require assistance in using wheelchairs.

• It is highly advisable for you to arrive at the airport two hours before your scheduled departure time (even earlier if you travel overseas and use electric wheelchairs).
• If you use electric wheelchairs, it is advised that you arrive early at the airport.

Types of Wheelchairs Available

The airlines operating at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) offer manual wheelchairs that can be made use of at the airport.

• Wheelchair service is provided at the airport with the help of manual wheelchairs for the movements from the check-in counter to the security point, the gates, and eventually the luggage area.
• As far as the use of electric wheelchairs is concerned, it must be known that these are usually tagged and placed in the cargo section of the aircraft, while manual wheelchairs are offered to the passengers in order to move about within the terminal.
• Transfers take place during boarding and deplaning. Battery questions should be addressed with your airline.

Accessible Amenities Available at HNL

All necessary amenities required for passengers with accessibility needs when traveling via airports can be seen at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).

• Accessible Parking/Landing Spaces: Accessible parking spots can be found in all parking facilities, while curb ramps and accessible areas exist in terminals.
• Transfers: There is an accessible shuttle bus and accessible transportation available (as well as The Bus with wheelchair lifts).
• Elevator & Escalator: Elevator services are offered in HNL. It is recommended to opt for elevator rides rather than escalators, considering safety concerns.
• Restrooms: Accessible toilets are provided on all levels, including gender-neutral and family restrooms.
• Dining Options & Amenities: Dining services meet the needs of passengers with special requirements, such as wheelchairs-compatible counters and seats.
• Service Animal Relief Areas: Service animal relief areas are designated inside the terminals (after the security checkpoint) and outside the terminals (on the grassland between the two parking facilities).
• Additional Programs: Sunflower Program for individuals with hidden disabilities.

TSA Assistance

The TSA helps passengers with disabilities who need additional assistance with the security checkpoint process when traveling in/out of HNL Airport. Further queries related to disability assistance offered can be directed to the TSA Cares (toll-free) number 1-855-787-2227. It is suggested to contact within 72 hours prior.

Note: TSA provides services up to the checkpoint; wheelchair services are provided by the airline.

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Contact Information

For any inquiry regarding access services at the facility at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), you may use the information provided below:

ADA Coordinator/Accessibility Services

• Contact Number: 808-836-6413 (Visitor Information Program)
• E-mail: Please visit hidot.hawaii.gov for filing ADA complaints
• Airport Information: 808-836-6413 or airports.hawaii.gov/hnl
• Your Airline: Refer to the airline website or call the airline reservation office.

HNL Airport Wait Time & What You Can Expect

Since there have been previous arrangements for wheelchairs in the case of HNL, all will go well, but the waiting period might be different in certain cases.

• The whole arrangement that had been made before getting into the airport will be conducted after your landing, just before you leave the terminal/gate.
• When the need for a wheelchair arises at the very last moment at the check-in point, then there might be some waiting time of about 10-20 minutes before getting the wheelchair.
• Busy times like early mornings and evenings will lead to increased waiting periods.

Connecting Flights & Layovers at HNL

There should be no worries for the connecting flights at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport when it comes to wheelchair services.

• Passengers who have had the services of the wheelchair arranged in advance would get continuous services till the connecting flight.
• But, in cases where there would not be enough time to connect, then separate arrangements must be made for wheelchair services at each point of the journey.
• On the other hand, when advance arrangements have been made, chances are high that agents of the airline will meet travelers and escort them through the whole process.

Special Considerations for Children & Elderly Passengers

Kids and elderly people traveling at this airport are catered to the following services:

• Children who have been provided with wheelchairs are prioritized in terms of boarding, while those who have aisle seats are considered first.
• Elderly individuals should be willing to request decreased service speed and extra rest intervals, as well as assistance when transferring between different means of transportation.
• It will always be better if you notify the airline agent regarding your kid’s age and the level of tiredness before booking.

Things to Pack or Consider Before Leaving

Proper preparation will ensure your wheelchair travel experience is comfortable.

• Make sure your wheelchair or other related equipment is charged up to the required standard.
• Take along with you an extra bag containing essentials such as medication, personal identification documents, mobile phones, and foodstuffs that you will easily access while in the wheelchair.
• Confirmation of making reservations for assistance where necessary.
• Comfortable walking shoes to allow yourself to move around with ease within the plane.

Language Services and Assistance Apps at HNL

The passengers flying from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport who would need any help whatsoever pertaining to any kind of assistance, including language assistance, are assured of getting that assistance.

• Language and TTY services are offered by the airlines. You can think of contacting your particular airline before making your booking or during check-in.
• You can also contact your airline through its mobile app.

Additional Tips for HNL Airport Passengers

There are certain other helpful tips that you could utilize while using wheelchairs in HNL airport in Honolulu, Hawaii.

• Assistance with Luggage: There would be assistance with your luggage as well, along with the wheelchair assistance.
• Complaints: Any kind of complaint regarding ADA can be reported to the Department of Transportation ADA of the State of Hawaii.
• Transportation Services: There are transportation options like Roberts Hawaii Shuttle, TheBus (with lifts), and also taxi (lift-equipped). These need to be booked at least two to three days before the actual travel date.

Accessibility Features at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)

The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) has multiple terminals (Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and so forth) that are wheelchair accessible for people who need wheelchairs. There are many facilities at HNL airport that help disabled passengers feel comfortable while traveling through the airport.

Facilities at the Main Terminal

While traveling around the main terminal area of HNL airport, there are many important accessibility facilities, which include the following:

• Wheelchair-accessible elevators 
• Accessible toilets with wide spaces and grab rails.
• Wheelchair accessible walkways.
• Seats and holding areas close to gates.
• Visual and audio alerts.
• TSA accessibility screening service.

Pickup areas for wheelchair assistance are provided in the vicinity of check-in and departure areas.

Wheelchair Assistance at HNL Airport Terminals

In case you are leaving the HNL terminal, you may require the following assistance:

• Gate Assistance Service.
• Assistance while Boarding/Deplaning Wheelchair Services.
• Security Checkpoint Assistance.
• Transfer Gates Assistance for Connection Flights.

All helpful personnel at the airline and airports would take good care of you while providing assistance until you board the flight.

Accessible Parking at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport

Parking lots that can be accessed at the HNL airport. Spaces available for wheelchairs in all parking lots (according to the ADA standards).

• Access ramps leading to the entrance of the airport.
• Building elevators to reach the airport entrance.
• Accessible walkways for wheelchair users.
• Drop-off and Pick-up areas for curbside transportation services.

The parking facility might lack enough spaces during busy times.

Wheelchair Assistance for Arrivals and Departures at HNL Airport

Wheelchair assistance from the time of arrival to departure is normally provided for passengers requiring assistance by the HNL Airport during the following stages:

• Arrival at the curb or parking lot.
• Check in with the airline.
• Passage through TSA screening.
• Transfer between gateways for connecting flights.
• Boarding and disembarking process.
• Pick-up of baggage after arrival.

Please note that the type of assistance will depend on your airline and can be arranged in advance for convenience.

Final Thoughts!

Easy access is assured for every passenger to use HNL, due to the provision of free wheelchair assistance, state-of-the-art terminals, and full support services from curbside pickup to flight boarding through your choice of carriers. Book your service, be on time, and make contact with your required personnel, such as the ADA Coordinator and TSA Cares, for a comfortable experience. HNL Airport Wheelchair Assistance makes inclusive journeys a reality for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions!