Article by Dylan Clements of Clements Travel (Four Seasons Preferred Partner)
One of the unusual things about staying at Four Seasons Resort Lanai or Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort is that getting there is part of the trip.
Most guests fly into Honolulu International Airport (HNL) and then continue to Lanai on Lanai Air, which operates from its own private hangar and lounge away from the main commercial terminals.
For eligible stays at either Four Seasons property, round-trip Lanai Air flights between Honolulu and Lanai are currently included for arrivals through December 31, 2027. The flight takes around 35 minutes.
It works very well when the hotel, Lanai Air flights and your wider Hawaii itinerary are planned together. The main thing is not to treat Lanai Air like a normal connecting airline flight and assume any HNL schedule will work.
How Lanai Air Works
Lanai Air operates between Honolulu and Lanai using aircraft including the Pilatus PC-12 and Cessna SkyCourier.
In Honolulu, flights do not leave from a normal airline gate. Lanai Air operates from its own facility at 100 Kaulele Place, Honolulu, a short transfer from the main HNL terminals.
If you are connecting directly from a commercial flight at HNL, transportation between the main airport and the Lanai Air facility can be arranged around your arrival.
Lanai Air also operates a courtesy shuttle with pickup points at Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and the Consolidated Rental Car facility.
Your commercial flight details are provided when the Lanai Air reservation is arranged, and the final itinerary will include the relevant meeting and transfer instructions.
Four Seasons currently recommends allowing around 2.5 hours for a connection in Honolulu.
The Lanai Air Lounge in Honolulu
One of the nicer parts of the Lanai Air experience is the dedicated Lanai Air Lounge in Honolulu. A new private hangar and lounge opened in 2025 at 100 Kaulele Place, replacing the previous Four Seasons guest lounge arrangement inside the main HNL terminal.
Once you arrive at the Lanai Air facility, you are away from the main airport crowds and can wait for your flight in the dedicated lounge.
There is comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, charging points and a workstation area, along with a self-service refreshment counter with snacks, soft drinks, coffee, tea and a hydration station.
TSA security screening for Lanai Air is also handled at the Honolulu facility, so once you have transferred over from the main airport you can check in, complete screening and wait in the lounge before boarding.
It is not designed to be a huge international airline lounge with restaurants, showers and dozens of facilities. It is a comfortable private waiting area specifically for Lanai Air passengers, and it makes the connection between your commercial flight and Lanai feel far less like another airport transfer.
Arrange Lanai Air Early Where Possible
Four Seasons recommends arranging the included Lanai Air flights at least seven days before travel, and we would generally book them as soon as your hotel stay and flights into and out of Honolulu are confirmed.
That does not mean a last-minute Four Seasons reservation cannot be booked. We can still request Lanai Air for short-notice stays. It will come down to availability, which can be more limited close to arrival, especially over holidays and other peak travel periods.
The complimentary flights also need to correspond with the arrival and departure dates of your Four Seasons stay. If your Four Seasons reservation begins on Monday, for example, your included Honolulu to Lanai flight would normally also need to operate on Monday. If you choose to travel to Lanai before the hotel stay begins, or leave after the stay ends, additional charges may apply.
Do Not Rely Only on the Public Lanai Air Schedule
The flight times displayed on the public Lanai Air website do not necessarily represent every flight option available to Four Seasons guests.
Guests using the included Four Seasons air benefit may have access to additional flight times based on their wider travel arrangements and availability. So if the public Lanai Air timetable does not appear to work with your HNL flight, do not immediately assume the itinerary is impossible. It is worth checking with Four Seasons or having us arrange the flights first.
Lanai Air Check-In and TSA Security
Lanai Air passengers should check in at least one hour before departure.
TSA passenger and baggage screening now applies to Lanai Air departures from both Honolulu and Lanai. That means this is not the type of private aviation setup where you can arrive 15 minutes before departure and walk straight onto the aircraft.
If you are flying from Lanai to Honolulu and then connecting to a mainland or international flight, you will also need time to transfer to the main HNL terminal and go through the normal commercial airport process for your onward flight.
US travelers should also make sure they are carrying an accepted TSA form of identification. Travelers without a REAL ID-compliant driver's license may need another accepted form of ID, such as a passport.
Lanai Air Baggage Allowance
Lanai Air currently allows two checked bags per passenger on scheduled flights at no additional cost.
Each checked bag can weigh up to 50 lb and measure up to 62 linear inches. Passengers can also bring one personal item weighing up to 15 lb. Additional, oversized or overweight baggage can be subject to extra charges.
The aircraft are much smaller than normal commercial jets, so baggage capacity is also more limited. In some cases, luggage may need to travel on a later flight if the aircraft reaches its baggage limit.
If you are traveling with golf clubs, several large suitcases or unusual baggage, tell us when we arrange the Lanai Air reservation.
Watch Your Flight Home From Honolulu
This is probably the most important part of planning the itinerary.
Many flights from Honolulu back to the mainland United States leave very early in the morning. If your HNL flight leaves at 7:00 am, 8:00 am or 9:00 am, you will generally not be able to stay on Lanai the night before and fly to Honolulu that morning.
You need time to check in with Lanai Air, complete security screening, fly to Honolulu, transfer from the Lanai Air facility to the main airport terminal, check luggage where required, clear security again and reach your onward departure gate. In that situation, you may need to leave Lanai the previous afternoon and spend your final night on Oahu. For example, if your mainland flight leaves HNL early on Saturday morning, you could check out of Four Seasons on Friday, take Lanai Air to Honolulu that afternoon and spend Friday night near the airport or in Waikiki.
The same issue can happen at the start of the trip. If your international or mainland flight arrives into Honolulu late in the evening, you may need to spend your first night on Oahu and fly to Lanai the following morning. This is why we recommend looking at your Honolulu flights and Four Seasons dates together before booking the trip.
Leave Enough Time in Honolulu
Even when a connection works on paper, we would avoid building an extremely tight mainland or international departure behind a Lanai Air flight. Lanai Air can be affected by weather and other operational issues, just like any other inter-island flight.
Four Seasons currently recommends allowing around 2.5 hours for HNL connections. Depending on the itinerary, we may recommend more time, particularly if you are connecting onto a long-haul or international flight.
Can Lanai Air Fly From Other Hawaiian Islands?
Yes.
Lanai Air also offers private charter flights between Lanai and Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island. These flights are separate from the complimentary Four Seasons Lanai Air benefit. The included Four Seasons air arrangement is generally for Honolulu to Lanai and back.
If you would rather fly privately between Lanai and another Hawaiian island, that can often be arranged, but it would usually be an additional charter cost.
What About Maui to Lanai?
If you are combining Maui and Lanai, you do not necessarily have to return to Honolulu. Passenger ferry service operates between Maalaea Harbour on Maui and Manele Small Boat Harbor on Lanai.
Air options may also be available depending on the dates and itinerary. For a multi-island Hawaii trip, we can look at whether flying, taking the ferry or routing via Honolulu makes the most sense.
How Many Complimentary Lanai Air Seats Are Included?
The number of complimentary Lanai Air passengers depends on the Four Seasons property, accommodation booked and room occupancy. At Sensei Lanai, the complimentary air arrangement generally covers up to two adults per room or suite.
Sensei itself welcomes guests aged 16 and over.
At Four Seasons Resort Lanai, the number of passengers covered can vary depending on whether you are booking a guest room, suite, specialty suite, villa or residence.
Families and larger groups using several rooms should have the Lanai Air arrangements checked against the exact reservation.
Groups of more than six passengers may also require special arrangements with Lanai Air.
Four Seasons Resort Lanai or Sensei Lanai?
The two resorts share the same island but offer very different stays.
Four Seasons Resort Lanai sits above Hulopoe Bay and is the more traditional Hawaii resort experience, with beaches, swimming pools, golf, ocean activities, restaurants and plenty to do around the property.
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort is inland in Lanai's cooler uplands and is focused on wellness, spa, fitness and relaxation.
Sensei is for guests aged 16 and over.
You can also combine both properties during the same Lanai trip, with transportation available between them.
Getting Around Lanai
Four Seasons operates island transportation for resort guests, including services connected with arrivals, departures and transportation between resort facilities.
The exact transportation arrangements can depend on the reservation and itinerary, so we confirm what is included when we make the booking.
Private transportation can also be arranged where required.
Booking Through Clements Travel
Clements Travel is a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, which allows us to add additional benefits to eligible Four Seasons reservations at no additional cost.
For eligible bookings, Preferred Partner benefits can include:
- Daily full breakfast for two guests per bedroom
- USD 100 hotel or resort credit per stay when booking a guest room
- USD 200 hotel or resort credit per stay when booking a suite or specialty suite
- USD 200 credit per bedroom on eligible villas and residences
- Priority for a room upgrade, subject to availability
- Priority early check-in and late checkout, subject to availability
- Four Seasons Preferred Partner recognition by the hotel
In many cases, these benefits can be added while booking the same eligible public rate available directly through Four Seasons.
We also check the current Four Seasons offers for your dates and see which eligible promotions can be combined with Preferred Partner benefits.
There is no Clements Travel hotel booking fee. Your reservation is made directly with Four Seasons and you pay Four Seasons directly.
We Can Arrange Lanai Air for You
When you book Four Seasons Resort Lanai or Sensei Lanai through Clements Travel, our Guest Experience team also offer a complimentary Lanai Air booking service.
Rather than confirming the hotel and then leaving you to work out the flights separately, we can coordinate the Lanai Air arrangements with your flights into and out of Honolulu.
To arrange Lanai Air, we will need:
- Full names as shown on government-issued ID
- Date of birth for each passenger
- Gender for each passenger
- Weight in pounds for each passenger
- Mobile phone number and email address
- Incoming flight to Honolulu, including airline and flight number
- Departing flight from Honolulu, including airline and flight number
- Approximate number of bags
- Details of oversized luggage, golf equipment or unusual baggage
- Any relevant assistance requirements
If you are not connecting directly from or onto another HNL flight, let us know where you will be coming from or going to and your preferred Lanai Air timing.
Once we have the information, we can submit the Lanai Air request and send you the confirmed itinerary.
We can also catch potential problems before travel, including late arrivals into Honolulu, early mainland departures, short connections, baggage issues and situations where an overnight stay on Oahu would make more sense.
There is no additional Clements Travel fee for this service when your Four Seasons Resort Lanai or Sensei Lanai stay is booked through us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lanai Air and Four Seasons Lanai
Is Lanai Air complimentary with a Four Seasons stay?
Round-trip flights between Honolulu and Lanai are included for eligible stays through December 31, 2027. Coverage depends on room category and occupancy, typically covering up to two adults per room at Sensei Lanai, with variable allocations for suites and multi-bedroom villas at Four Seasons Resort Lanai.
Where does Lanai Air depart from at Honolulu Airport?
Flights operate out of a private hangar and lounge at 100 Kaulele Place, completely separate from the commercial airline terminals. Lanai Air runs a dedicated courtesy shuttle to transfer arriving passengers directly from Terminals 1, 2, and the Consolidated Rental Car facility.
How much connection time is needed in Honolulu?
Allow at least 2.5 hours between your commercial flight and your Lanai Air departure. Because incoming commercial flights require baggage collection and transit to the private facility, tight connection windows carry serious risk if your inbound flight experiences delays.
Does Lanai Air require TSA security screening?
Yes. Full TSA passenger and baggage screening takes place directly inside the private facilities in Honolulu and Lanai. Arrive at least one hour before departure, and ensure you travel with a REAL ID compliant credential or a passport.
What are the baggage allowances on Lanai Air?
Each passenger is permitted two checked bags up to 50 pounds each, alongside one 15 pound personal item. Because the aircraft are smaller turboprops like the Pilatus PC-12, oversized luggage and golf bags must be declared well in advance to account for weight limits.
Can I depart Lanai the same morning as an early mainland flight?
No. If your mainland flight departs Honolulu before 10:00 AM, plan to take Lanai Air the previous afternoon and spend your final evening on Oahu. Early morning island transfers do not provide enough buffer to clear commercial airport security and reach mainland departure gates on time.
Is Lanai Air a private jet charter?
No. It operates scheduled, shared flights using executive turboprop aircraft such as the Pilatus PC-12 and Cessna SkyCourier. You share the cabin with other resort guests unless you arrange a private charter booking.
Can I fly directly between Lanai and Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island?
The complimentary Four Seasons benefit applies strictly to routes between Honolulu and Lanai. Direct travel between Lanai and other Hawaiian islands requires an independent private charter or the public passenger ferry operating between Maui and Lanai.
Can guests split a stay between both Lanai properties?
Yes. Many itineraries combine the beachfront Four Seasons Resort Lanai with the wellness focused Sensei Lanai. Complimentary resort shuttles run continuously between both locations.
How far in advance should Lanai Air flights be secured?
Submit flight details at least seven days prior to arrival. The public flight calendar online does not reflect the resort inventory reserved for hotel guests, so coordinating your flight times alongside your room booking secures the most convenient connection windows.
Ready to Book Four Seasons Lanai?
If you are considering Four Seasons Resort Lanai or Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, send Clements Travel your dates, number of guests and proposed flights into and out of Honolulu.
We will check the current Four Seasons rates and offers, add the applicable Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits, and arrange your Lanai Air flights at no additional cost.
We can also look at the wider Hawaii itinerary before you book and flag any problems with late arrivals, early flights home, island connections or the need for a night on Oahu.
Send us your dates and HNL flight details to start your Four Seasons Lanai booking.
