JFK to HND via Honolulu

Question

Hi All.

Next April I will be flying from NYC to Tokyo with a layover in Honolulu. I am not the most experienced traveler in the world and thus have a quick question. Plane and crew by Alaska as Hawaiian Airlines. The Alaska app shows that I need to verify my passport at the airport, which I assume is normal procedure. So we will get to JFK early to take care of this. My connection in HNL is 45 minutes, so will they need to verify my passport there also or will the verification take place at JFK and my boarding passes for both legs be give to me there?

Thanks in advance!

Answer

For your itinerary from JFK to Tokyo via Honolulu on Alaska Airlines operated by Hawaiian Airlines, here’s how the process generally works for international travel:

1. Passport Verification: Since this is an international flight from the U.S. to Japan, your passport verification will typically occur at the departure airport, JFK. You will need to present your passport and any required travel documents to the airline staff at check-in or the gate, depending on the airline’s procedure. This step confirms that you are eligible to travel internationally.

2. Boarding Passes: If your ticket is booked as a single itinerary (JFK–HNL–HND) and both flights are on the same reservation, the airline will usually issue boarding passes for both legs at JFK. You can ask at check-in to ensure you receive the boarding pass for the Honolulu to Tokyo segment. This is standard practice for connecting international flights.

3. Connection at Honolulu (HNL): For your 45-minute layover in Honolulu, you are generally not required to go through passport verification again if your boarding pass for the HNL–HND leg has already been issued. You will just follow signs for your connecting flight. However, since you are entering the international boarding area, you may pass through a security checkpoint before boarding the Tokyo flight. Note that the connection time is tight, so it’s helpful to confirm with the gate agents if any additional checks are required.

Tips:

Arrive early at JFK as you planned, at least 3 hours before your international flight.
Confirm at check-in that your boarding pass for HNL–HND is printed or accessible on your mobile app.
Ask the gate agent at JFK if there are any special instructions for your HNL connection to ensure a smooth transfer.
Keep travel documents handy during the layover in case airline staff ask for verification.

In summary, passport verification is normally done at JFK, and if both legs are on the same reservation, your boarding passes for both JFK–HNL and HNL–HND should be issued there. At Honolulu, you’ll likely just proceed to the gate for your Tokyo flight without a second passport check, but allow extra time for security and any potential airline procedures.