Hilton Head Airport: What's The Deal?

Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) is located in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. The airport is owned by Beaufort County and is the only airport on Hilton Head Island. It offers a convenient travel experience with enhanced flight options, allowing visitors to start their vacation as soon as they land. The airport is served by major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, providing year-round and seasonal flight options. With its convenient location and hassle-free flight choices, Hilton Head Island Airport makes travelling to this popular destination easier and more accessible for visitors from around the world.

Hilton Head Island Airport

Hilton Head Airport, also known as Hilton Head Island Airport (IATA: HHH, ICAO: KHXD, FAA LID: HXD), is located in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States, and is owned by Beaufort County. It is the only airport on Hilton Head Island.

History

In the 1960s, it was decided that an airport would allow an increase in the number of visitors to Hilton Head Island, which is known for its championship golf courses. The airport opened in 1967 after Arnold Palmer told Charles E. Fraser that he would play golf on the island if there was an airport for him to land.

Airlines and Destinations

Airlines that operate from Hilton Head Island Airport include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. The airport offers daily nonstop flights to Charlotte and seasonal nonstop flights to various destinations, including Atlanta, New York LaGuardia, Dallas/Fort Worth, Philadelphia, and Washington National.

Airport Improvements and Expansion

The airport has undergone various safety improvements since 2018, including relocating Taxiway A, adding airfield drainage components, and revising the general aviation parking area. In 2023, the airport began construction on a terminal improvement project that includes a new TSA checkpoint, new boarding areas, and the addition of two jet bridges. The airport's runway was also extended from 4,300 feet to 5,000 feet in the summer of 2018, with plans for further extension to 5,400 feet in the future.

Airlines and flights

The Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) is located in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. The airport is owned by Beaufort County and is the only airport on Hilton Head Island.

Airlines

The following airlines operate flights to and from the Hilton Head Island Airport:

• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• United Airlines

In the past, the airport has also been served by the following airlines:

• Air South (Georgia)
• Atlantis Airlines
• Eastern Atlantis Express
• American Eagle Airlines
• Midway Connection (Great Lakes Airlines)
• Continental Connection (Colgan Air)
• US Airways Express
• Delta Connection (Atlantic Southeast Airlines)
• Delta Connection (Mesaba Airlines)

Flights

Flights from the Hilton Head Island Airport include:

• Daily nonstop flights to Charlotte (CLT)
• Seasonal nonstop flights to Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW), Philadelphia (PHL), Washington National (DCA), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), and New York LaGuardia (LGA)
• Seasonal daily flights to/from Newark (EWR) and Chicago (ORD) hubs

Historical Flight Information

In the past, the airport offered flights to the following destinations:

• Atlanta (operated by Air South, Atlantis Airlines, Eastern Atlantis Express, and Delta Connection)
• Raleigh-Durham (operated by American Eagle Airlines and Midway Connection)
• Charlotte and Washington, D.C. (operated by US Airways Express)

Best Time to Fly

According to Travelocity, the best time to find cheap flights from the Hilton Head Island Airport is during the following periods:

• May 15 to May 21
• May 29 to June 17
• May 17 to May 31
• May 22 to June 11
• May 29 to June 4
• June 1 to June 4
• May 24 to May 26
• May 11 to May 18

Prices

Prices for flights from the Hilton Head Island Airport vary, but you can find deals for as low as $90 for one-way flights and $184 for round-trip flights.

Airport history

Hilton Head Airport, also known as Hilton Head Island Airport (IATA: HHH, ICAO: KHXD, FAA LID: HXD), is located on Hilton Head Island, in Beaufort County, South Carolina. It is the only airport on the island and is owned by Beaufort County. The airport opened in 1967 after golfer Arnold Palmer told Charles E. Fraser that he would play golf on Hilton Head if there was an airport for him to land.

In the years since its opening, Hilton Head Airport has been served by several air carriers operating scheduled passenger flights. From 1972 to 1977, Air South (Georgia) offered service to Atlanta using a Fairchild F-27. Atlantis Airlines provided service to Atlanta and Charlotte from 1980 to 1984, operating a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter. American Eagle Airlines served the Raleigh-Durham route from 1991 to 1994, utilising ATR 42, ATR 72, and Saab 340 aircraft. Midway Connection (Great Lakes Airlines) operated flights to Raleigh-Durham between April 23, 1995, and May 3, 1997.

From March 1, 1998, to December 11, 1999, Continental Connection (Colgan Air) provided service to Atlanta with a Beech 1900. US Airways Express served the Charlotte and Washington, D.C. routes from March 12, 2000, to August 6, 2015. Delta Connection, operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines, offered service to Atlanta from March 17, 2007, to November 30, 2008, using an ATR 72. Another Delta Connection carrier, Mesaba Airlines, served the Atlanta route from March 4, 2010, to November 1, 2010, with a Saab 340.

In recent years, Hilton Head Airport has expanded its offerings and improved its infrastructure. In 2018, Republic Airways began serving the airport with the E175 regional jet, marking the first commercially scheduled jet service to Hilton Head. In 2019, United Airlines and American Airlines introduced seasonal services to several hubs, including Chicago-O'Hare, Newark, Washington-Dulles, and Washington-National. Delta Air Lines also resumed year-round service to Atlanta and added a seasonal route to New York-LaGuardia.

The airport covers 180 acres (53 ha) of land and sits at an elevation of 19 feet (6 m). Its single runway, designated 3/21, measures 5,000 by 100 feet (1,524 x 30 m). The current terminal building, constructed in 1995, spans 18,000 square feet (1,700 m2) and features four airline gates. In 2023, the airport commenced construction on a terminal improvement project, which will encompass a new TSA checkpoint, enhanced boarding areas, and the addition of two jet bridges.

Nearby airports

Hilton Head Island Airport

The Hilton Head Island Airport (IATA: HHH, ICAO: KHXD, FAA LID: HXD) is located on Hilton Head Island, in Beaufort County, South Carolina. It is the only airport on the island and is owned by Beaufort County. The airport is just 3.2 miles from Hilton Head Island, offering a convenient travel experience.

The airport offers flights with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, with seasonal variations. It has four airline gates and is currently undergoing construction to improve the terminal, including adding a new TSA checkpoint and two jet bridges.

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is the closest major airport to Hilton Head Island, located about 30 miles southwest of the island. It is a convenient option, offering a short drive or other ground transportation options, such as car rentals or shuttle buses.

Other Airports

Other nearby airports include Charleston International Airport and Jacksonville International Airport. These airports are a bit farther away and may not be as convenient for those specifically travelling to Hilton Head Island.

Transport options

Air

Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) is located on Hilton Head Island itself, in Beaufort County, South Carolina. It is the only airport on the island. The airport is currently undergoing construction, with Phase 1 of its Terminal Improvements Update underway. Despite this, the airport is still operational, with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines offering flights.

Other nearby airports include Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, which is approximately 30 miles southwest of Hilton Head Island, and Charleston International Airport, which is 63.2 miles away.

Road

Hilton Head Island is accessible by road via the William Hilton Parkway, which opened to vehicle traffic in the early 1980s. If driving from the North or South, take exit 8 off of I-95 onto Hwy 278 east, which will bring you directly to the island.

Car rentals are available from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, and there are also direct-to-resort shuttle buses.

Frequently asked questions