Honolulu Transit - QF to HA

[justinbrett]

Has anyone tried a QF to HA (same ticket) transfer?

It seems this is possible if booked through a travel agent (or expedia), as both airlines have signed up to through check and baggage connectivity.

I would be flying to LAS and the idea of skipping LAX to get there is appealing, and the 5-6 hour stop in HNL would allow for customs and a long boozy lunch on Waikiki. Sounds great!

Only downside would be if bags don't get transferred - all sources say QF should check them through but then there's a bit about HA not accepting bags until 4 hours before; I assume that wouldn't count international bags already tagged.

Interestingly the fares can be cheaper than QF SYD-LAX direct, so it's quite an attractive option. On the return you'd need to stay overnight, but I wouldn't say no to that.

 

[cambriamarsh]

Has anyone tried a QF to HA (same ticket) transfer?

It seems this is possible if booked through a travel agent (or expedia), as both airlines have signed up to through check and baggage connectivity.

I would be flying to LAS and the idea of skipping LAX to get there is appealing, and the 5-6 hour stop in HNL would allow for customs and a long boozy lunch on Waikiki. Sounds great!

Only downside would be if bags don't get transferred - all sources say QF should check them through but then there's a bit about HA not accepting bags until 4 hours before; I assume that wouldn't count international bags already tagged.

Interestingly the fares can be cheaper than QF SYD-LAX direct, so it's quite an attractive option. On the return you'd need to stay overnight, but I wouldn't say no to that.

You might have to go through customs collect bags and drop off. Not sure how that would work if HA don't accept bags more than 4 hours before. Good luck.

 

[JessicaTam]

If the flights are on the one ticket then you will be fine. At checkin you will be able to see the transit airports on the luggage tag strip before it disappears down the conveyor belt..

 

[madrooster]

It seems this is possible if booked through a travel agent (or expedia), as both airlines have signed up to through check and baggage connectivity.

I would be flying to LAS and the idea of skipping LAX to get there is appealing, and the 5-6 hour stop in HNL would allow for customs and a long boozy lunch on Waikiki. Sounds great!

Only downside would be if bags don't get transferred - all sources say QF should check them through but then there's a bit about HA not accepting bags until 4 hours before; I assume that wouldn't count international bags already tagged.

If already tagged the bag can be dropped. It's only originating bags that are an issue - it's because the bag room is not large enough to be holding so many bags.

 

[justinbrett]

If already tagged the bag can be dropped. It's only originating bags that are an issue - it's because the bag room is not large enough to be holding so many bags.

That's what I thought - just a note on the QF HNL airport guide that had me concerned:

For customers transferring to another flight, you must collect your bags and take them to your next operating carrier for check-in. Due to the significant reduction in international flights, we are currently not operating a transfer desk in the customs hall.

That either that would mean QF wouldn't even check them further than HNL in SYD, or that by going to the check in desk the 4 hour rule applies.

I note that on HA-HA connections for this route, it is under four hours.

But I'm sure it would be fine as you say.

 

[madrooster]

QF will tag to final destination. There's no inhibitor to deny that.

 

[eric2011]

Has anyone tried a QF to HA (same ticket) transfer?

It seems this is possible if booked through a travel agent (or expedia), as both airlines have signed up to through check and baggage connectivity.

I would be flying to LAS and the idea of skipping LAX to get there is appealing, and the 5-6 hour stop in HNL would allow for customs and a long boozy lunch on Waikiki. Sounds great!

Only downside would be if bags don't get transferred - all sources say QF should check them through but then there's a bit about HA not accepting bags until 4 hours before; I assume that wouldn't count international bags already tagged.

Interestingly the fares can be cheaper than QF SYD-LAX direct, so it's quite an attractive option. On the return you'd need to stay overnight, but I wouldn't say no to that.

Dont expect 5-6 hrs to be enough time for a long boozy lunch. After the clearing customs you will have a minimum 30-40 minute transfer each way to Waikiki. Must admire the way you think though

 

[blackcat20]

We've done it the other way around, but that was pre-covid. We went to the QF lounge and they checked that the bags were transferred, and issued the boarding passes for the fight home.

 

[justinbrett]

Dont expect 5-6 hrs to be enough time for a long boozy lunch. After the clearing customs you will have a minimum 30-40 minute transfer each way to Waikiki. Must admire the way you think though

It’s enough time for me, though I guess more of a boozy brunch than lunch. I’ve been to HNL many times.

0915 land
1030 leave airport via uber
1100 arrive Waikiki
1300 depart Waikiki
1330 arrive HNL
1455 depart for LAS

 

[eric2011]

Not trying to teach you to suck lemons here but the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort has a great bar and restaurant. Its one of the first places you come to when entering Waikiki from the airport side so shouldn't get held up and delays with traffic etc.
This was true before covid.
If you've been many times you most probably know the place or else you will have your favourite

 

[justinbrett]

Not trying to teach you to suck lemons here but the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort has a great bar and restaurant. Its one of the first places you come to when entering Waikiki from the airport side so shouldn't get held up and delays with traffic etc.
This was true before covid.
If you've been many times you most probably know the place or else you will have your favourite

Do you mean Dukes? If so yes, that place is iconic!

 

[eric2011]

No, Outrigger Reef Waikiki beach resort is different to the Outrigger Waikiki beach resort (dukes). My one is before that basically at the intersection of Kalia Rd and Beachwalk. 2169 Kalia Rd. Next to Halekulani before the Sheraton heading in

 

[justinbrett]

No, Outrigger Reef Waikiki beach resort is different to the Outrigger Waikiki beach resort (dukes). My one is before that basically at the intersection of Kalia Rd and Beachwalk. 2169 Kalia Rd. Next to Halekulani before the Sheraton heading in

Oh right, yes I do know that one too - I usually stay at Hilton Hawaiian Village just up the road and walk past it on the beach on way down to Waikiki.

 

[eric2011]

Yes to get to Dukes your uber is going to have to navigate the downtown traffic and eat into your valuable boozy lunch available time

 

[cambriamarsh]

Do you mean Dukes? If so yes, that place is iconic!

Agree stayed there for 10 days in 2019 for our 25th wedding anniversary

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I haven't flown into Hawaii yet internationally (just domestically from Canada) but would suspect the procedures for arriving in Hawaii internationally would be roughly the same as saying flying into Chicago or New York from abroad. You'll clear immigration, collect your bags, clear customs and re-check the bag either at the international terminal if Hawaiian has the desk open or at the departure terminal for your Hawaiian flight. One thing to keep in mind is how many hours ahead of time you're permitted to re-check, per the Hawaiian website it's 4 hours before scheduled departure. So there is the distinct possibility you may be carrying your luggage around with you.

One thing to keep in mind is how long it will take to clear US immigration and customs. I can't comment on this since arriving into the US I don't deal with CBP agents and head straight for the Global Entry terminals meaning it's maybe a 5 minute wait. However, it could take time especially with the testing requirements currently in place in the US. There is also the queue for security although I doubt that will be anywhere as bad as the ports here in Australia.

If I had the choice, I'd stay a couple of days in HNL, or at the very least do something like get into HNL early in the morning and do a late departure so you have a solid day to enjoy the beach and booze! It's a pity they don't fly to Kona or Hilo out of Australia...yet!

-RooFlyer88

 

[jpp42]

You'll clear immigration, collect your bags, clear customs and re-check the bag either at the international terminal if Hawaiian has the desk open or at the departure terminal for your Hawaiian flight.

Minor point, but HNL doesn't have a domestic and international terminal per se, it has an inter-island and and overseas terminal. The overseas terminal handles both domestic and international departures from most gates. As with most US international airports, there is no difference in handling for departures whether domestic or international, as the US doesn't have outbound immigration facilities. Only arrivals are segregated in order to pass through customs. Hence, there is no transit area no way to perform international-to-international connections without passing through customs & immigration.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Hence, there is no transit area no way to perform international-to-international connections without passing through customs & immigration.

But that has been true at all airports in the United States since September 11, 2001. If you fly into the US you must clear customs and immigration. There is no concept of transit like other countries. Indeed, at many US airports you will see flights to Rome right besides the gate for a flight to San Francisco as they don't have emmigration like in Australia or segregated departure zones as in Canada (since 2015).

-RooFlyer88

 

[justinbrett]

I haven't flown into Hawaii yet internationally (just domestically from Canada) but would suspect the procedures for arriving in Hawaii internationally would be roughly the same as saying flying into Chicago or New York from abroad. You'll clear immigration, collect your bags, clear customs and re-check the bag either at the international terminal if Hawaiian has the desk open or at the departure terminal for your Hawaiian flight. One thing to keep in mind is how many hours ahead of time you're permitted to re-check, per the Hawaiian website it's 4 hours before scheduled departure. So there is the distinct possibility you may be carrying your luggage around with you.

One thing to keep in mind is how long it will take to clear US immigration and customs. I can't comment on this since arriving into the US I don't deal with CBP agents and head straight for the Global Entry terminals meaning it's maybe a 5 minute wait. However, it could take time especially with the testing requirements currently in place in the US. There is also the queue for security although I doubt that will be anywhere as bad as the ports here in Australia.

If I had the choice, I'd stay a couple of days in HNL, or at the very least do something like get into HNL early in the morning and do a late departure so you have a solid day to enjoy the beach and booze! It's a pity they don't fly to Kona or Hilo out of Australia...yet!

-RooFlyer88

I thought you were being controversial there claiming Hawaii for Canada... but I assume you went via the US and did pre clearance in Canada.

I fly to the US multiple times a year so well aware of what I'm in for in terms of the customs line - but in the context of SYD-HNL-LAS vs SYD-LAX-LAS, I'd chose the former any day of the week. I'd also prefer an evening arrival in LAS vs an early morning.

I had the same concerns as you regarding the time limit for re-check, but the experts above have said that's not an issue. As for the covid stuff, don't think that's an issue at all, that's all done on departure in Australia. When I went through LAX earlier in the year they waved me through. In fact probably easier than domestic - when I went to HNL in Jan there was a whole other process for domestic pax I had to do at the gate in LAX.

I don't need a day to see Hawaii - I'll stay on the way back (and been many times) - I'm just looking for a quick connection to LAS, and I'd rather spend time in the sun with a Mai Tai than spending 5 hours at an airport.

I've done Kona too - was very nice. Did a front seat 2 hour helo ride around the entire island.

 

[docjames]

Arrival at HNL just a small Scale version of LAX.

Same process, arrive, long queue to CBP process, pass that then through customs, do bag drop to next flight once you’ve “entered” the US.

Terminal Change needed if going to Hawaiian islands, otherwise same terminal (and bag drop not as easy).

Beware peak hour traffic too if heading into town (although timing sounds ok for that).