How long does it take to get out of the Honolulu airport?

Question

Hi, my flight is arriving between 10.30 am to 11 am on 28 Jun. May I know how long it takes to get through immigration?

Answer

Getting through Honolulu International Airport (Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, HNL) can vary depending on a few factors, such as whether you are arriving on a domestic or international flight, the time of day, and airport staffing levels.

For your flight arriving between 10:30 am and 11:00 am, here’s what you can generally expect:

Immigration/Customs (International Arrivals): If you are arriving from outside the U.S., you will need to go through passport control. During late morning hours, wait times can range from 15 minutes to over an hour. Automated passport control kiosks (APC) and Global Entry (if applicable) can speed up the process.
Baggage Claim: Retrieving checked luggage usually takes another 10–20 minutes depending on the airline and how many flights are arriving at the same time.
Customs: After picking up luggage, you must go through customs. This process is generally quick, around 5–10 minutes, unless the airport is very busy or you are randomly selected for inspection.

For domestic flights:

Since there is no immigration, you generally just collect your baggage and exit the airport. This can take anywhere from 10–25 minutes depending on how busy the terminal is.

Additional tips:

Plan at least 45 minutes to 1 hour for international arrivals during mid-morning, but be prepared for up to 90 minutes if multiple flights arrive simultaneously.
Use mobile apps for airlines and airport to check real-time baggage carousel and security wait times.
Consider pre-arranging transportation or rental car pick-up, as lines at car rentals can sometimes add another 10–20 minutes.

In summary, if you are arriving internationally around 10:30–11:00 am, expect roughly 45–90 minutes to get from the plane to the airport exit, depending on lines and how quickly you retrieve your luggage. Domestic arrivals are typically much quicker, often under 30 minutes.