United Club Honolulu: the view is top, the rest much less so

Small premise, when you enter this lounge you will not be happy. The reason is simple: this is where you pass through when your Hawaii vacation is over. This lounge is perfect to sweeten the moment of parting from this paradise, at least for the view it gives, while everything else is ... meh.

Location

Honolulu International Airport is one huge E-shaped terminal; this lounge is at one end of the facility in the A-gate area, those used by United. Too bad that Air Canada, a member of the same alliance, leaves from the opposite end of the terminal.

For the lazy, there is an internal terminal shuttle service that takes passengers from one side to the other with stops in between.

I got around on foot with no problem, let's just say it's not JFK so the distances are not that huge, but the real reason is that much of the airport is outdoors. Something similar to what you see at some of the smaller stopovers in the Caribbean or Asia, so an incredible opportunity to take some nice pictures without glass in the way.

The lounge is located on the floor above the departure floor, accessible either by elevator or escalator.

Access

Like all official lounges of a company, access is restricted. Business class passengers may enter, of United and all partner carriers.

Green light also to those with at least Gold level in Star Alliance, with the possibility in this case of access even with a guest flying on the same flight even without status and even if you are traveling in economy.

The Lounge

The room is a large open space overlooking the runway; arriving here at sunset time gives a couple of beautiful shots perfect for Instagram.

In the US, 9 out of 10 lounges are waiting rooms in the true sense of the word, this applies to secondary ports of call such as San Jose or Albuquerque, but also to larger ones such as precisely Honolulu o Phoenix. Hard to find anything other than chairs/chairs, air conditioning, power outlets and little more than a meager buffet.

Of course American Express' Centurions are the exception that proves the rule, but other lounges like this, including official ones, are the bare minimum.

Without forgetting that American lounges often, as in this case, offer a paid menu when it comes to the bar. There is a small list of what is included, but the best things in terms of alcoholic beverages are considered premium and paid for.

Food & Beverage

I expected something better from a United Club, given the number of passengers passing through this lounge and also in general by the large number of Star Alliance carriers flying through this airport such as ANA, Air Canada, and Air New Zealand to name a few.

The buffet is paltry and sad, the only interesting thing being the hot offerings: we are in Hawaii, but the dishes offered were Thai cuisine. Nice was the self-service machine for getting a pineapple ice cream sundae. Of the bar I said above, a sad counter with a pay-what-you-want menu.

In conclusion

Without infamy or praise, is better than the Admirals Club usable by oneWorld passengers, especially for the view of the runway. If you are departing from this area of the airport it is worth the visit, otherwise you can also stay at one of the restaurants in the central area of the terminal.

• round the world tour

The verdict

Much more is expected from an official lounge, but here the bare minimum is offered. The only thing of note, besides the view, is the bar with bartender to serve cocktails (for a fee).

6.5

Rated Location

6.5

F&B

6.5

Services

6

Pro

• The view
• The bar

Against

• The buffet