Description & Facts: Inside HNL's main terminal there are excellent views of aircraft (airside) for those awaiting their flights or baggage. There are quite a few open-air spots where photographers can get unobstructed views of most airliners parked at their gates. There are a few gates that can't be seen from these locations, though the internal areas close to them provide opportunities to photograph airliners either taxiing in, or being pushed back. Most of the flights to and from Asia, plus a smattering of mainland-bound flights can be seen during the morning. Mid-day is the time to see the remainder of the Asia-bound flights, and most of the domestic traffic, while flights from Canada, Australia and New Zealand tend to arrive in the evening. The inter-island terminal offers views of the airliners serving the neighbouring islands. It is possible to take photographs from here but the window glass is tinted.

There are two places to view and take photographs of aircraft on the southeast side of HNL on Lagoon Drive. The first is at the extreme south end of the road, in the car park close to the General Aviation apron. This location is excellent for watching traffic depart from the Reef Runway, and arrivals to both Runways 04L and 04R, during tradewind weather (which is 90% of the time).

There are several times during the course of the year when the winds shift from the norheast tradewinds to the southwesterly Kona winds. Landing traffic will then make thir final approach abeam the world-famous Waikiki Beach, and downtown Honolulu. Departing traffic will depart west-bound on the Reef Runway (mostly international), or south-bound on Runways 22 on Palekona Street, is a good location from which to watch 22L departures.

The top two floors of the inter-island Terminal's car park offer great views of the Ewa end of the main terminal and the Inter-island side as well. Though loitering is not advised.

Two caveats:
1) You may be subject to questioning by either the private security firm that guards HNL's parking areas, or the Hawaii State Sheriffs Department (the governing law enforcement agency of HNL), especially if they see you with any kind of camera in any of these spotting locations. Just co-operate with them.
2) There are no facilities at either of the Lagoon Drive spotting locations. They can get quite warm and sunny, and some form of protection is required from the sun. An observations deck was proposed for the roof above the Center Concourse, but with the heightened security concerns following September 11, 2001, those planse have been shelved. The DoT's latest modernization proposal made no mention of an observation deck.