Jazmin Li
There are several airports in Hawaii, and the best one to fly into will depend on your travel plans. The main airport is Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (formerly Honolulu International Airport), and most visitors to Hawaii choose Oahu as their home base. However, if you're staying near Hana or Lahaina, you might prefer to fly into the smaller airports in Hana or Kapalua. If you're visiting the Big Island, you can fly into Kona Airport (KOA) on the west side or Hilo Airport (ITO) on the east side. If you're looking for maximum beach time, Kailua-Kona, Keauhou, and the Kohala Coast on the west side of the Big Island are recommended. For nature and volcano wonders, Hilo on the east side is a better option.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports | 5 Major Airports, 1 minor airport |
| Major Airports | Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu, Oahu), Kahului Airport (Maui), Hilo International Airport (Hawaii Island), Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (Hawaii Island), Lihue Airport (Kauai) |
| Minor Airport | Hana Airport (Maui) |
| Carriers | Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, WestJet |
| Amenities | Hawaiian Airlines lounge, air-conditioned room, snacks, drinks, local food |
| Accessibility | 10 gates, easy driving distance to resorts, accessible by bus or taxi |
| Inter-Island Travel | Short flights, around 30 minutes or less |
| Non-Stop Flights | Available from 26 US mainland cities |
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What You'll Learn
Hawaii's five major airports
Hawaii has several airports spread across its islands, and five of the major airports include:
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
Located on Oahu, this airport allows connections to regional Hawaiian airports using interisland air transportation.
Lihue Airport (LIH)
This airport is on the island of Kauai. Some cities, such as Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas, Vancouver, and Denver, offer direct flights to Lihue, eliminating the need for a layover in Honolulu.
Hilo Airport
Hilo Airport reflects the small-town charm of Hilo with its use of Hawaiian koa wood furniture in the lounge. The airport has a single Hawaiian Airlines lounge, a simple air-conditioned room with snacks and drinks. There is one restaurant and a takeout option, both serving local cuisine.
Kona International Airport (KOA)
Kona International Airport is located in Kailua-Kona and is served by several major airlines, including Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines.
Kahului Airport (OGG)
This airport is located in Kahului on the island of Maui and is served by various airlines, offering direct flights from cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Each of these airports offers different advantages and connections, so choosing the best airport to fly into or out of in Hawaii depends on your specific itinerary and preferences.
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Direct flights from the US mainland
You can fly directly to Hawaii from 26 cities in the continental US. The major airports in Hawaii are:
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu, Oahu
- Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui
- Hilo International Airport (ITO) on Hawaii Island
- Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island
- Lihue Airport (LIH) in Lihue, Kauai
Most transpacific flights fly into and out of Oahu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). From there, you can easily connect to any other island in Hawaii, with inter-island flights taking around 30 minutes or less.
If you're headed to Maui, you may be able to fly directly into Kahului Airport (OGG) from the US mainland, which is the second-busiest airport in Hawaii. However, if you can't find a direct flight, you'll need to connect through Oahu's Honolulu Airport (HNL).
There are a limited number of direct flights from the US mainland to Kauai's Lihue Airport (LIH). If you can't find a direct flight, you'll need to connect through Oahu's Honolulu Airport (HNL).
For the Big Island, there are a limited number of direct flights from the mainland to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA). Again, if you can't find a direct flight, you can easily connect through Oahu's Honolulu Airport (HNL).
Some airlines that offer direct flights from the US mainland to Hawaii include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. However, some of these routes are seasonal or only operate on select days of the week.
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Inter-island travel
Travellers can book inter-island flights separately from their international tickets. Hawaiian Airlines and South West Airlines offer the most inter-island flights, and Hawaiian Airlines is the largest commuter airline in Hawaii. Inter-island flights can take between 20 to 50 minutes, but travelling between islands can take up half a day when check-in times, accommodation check-out, and rental car pick-up and drop-off are factored in.
Travellers can fly from Los Angeles to various airports in Hawaii, including Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island, Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui, and Lihue Airport (LIH) on Kauai. They can also fly from Los Angeles to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu, Oahu, before taking inter-island flights to other destinations.
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Airports with easy access to tourist attractions
Hawaii has five major airports and a few smaller airstrips for inter-island flights or travel to more remote locations. The five major airports are:
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) - also known as Honolulu International Airport, this is Hawaii's largest airport and is a central hub for travellers. It is located only 10 miles from Waikiki, with amazing views of Oahu's southern side and famous landmarks such as Diamond Head.
- Kona International Airport (KOA) - the largest airport on the Big Island, located on the western side of Hawaii. It is the primary airport for visitors travelling to the Big Island for its famous beaches and large resorts. The runways are in the middle of a lava field, providing impressive views for passengers.
- Hilo International Airport (ITO) - located on the east side of Hawaii, this airport is conveniently just two miles from Hilo and is a 10-minute drive. It is also close to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, one of the state's most popular attractions.
- Kahului Airport (OGG) - the second-busiest airport in Hawaii, located on the island of Maui.
- Lihue Airport (LIH) - the only major airport on the island of Kauai, located in East Kauai.
There are also smaller airports on the lesser-visited islands of Molokai and Lanai, which are used mainly for inter-island travel.
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Airports with the best on-site amenities
When it comes to airports with the best on-site amenities, some stand out for their unique offerings. Copenhagen Airport offers a taste of Nordic cuisine, while Munich Airport serves Bavarian classics like pork sausage and apple strudel, along with a barber shop and dry cleaner. Baltimore-Washington International Airport boasts excellent eateries and won the 2023 America's Best Restroom contest. For art installations, Orlando International Airport's Terminal C is a highlight, featuring towering "Forever Trees".
Some airports have on-site museums, like Munich Airport, with its display of historic planes and a rescue helicopter. Albuquerque International Airport showcases a 1914 Curtiss Pusher Biplane, while San Francisco International Airport combines a library with an aviation museum. Indianapolis Airport showcases antique Indianapolis 500 race cars.
For those travelling with children, San Francisco International Airport has the Wag Brigade, with trained animals that roam the terminals to entertain kids. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) has an on-site childcare centre, and several other airports are developing similar facilities.
When flying to Hawaii, you have several airport options. Honolulu International Airport (HNL) has the most food options, including sit-down restaurants and takeout spots. It also features cultural gardens with Chinese, Hawaiian, and Japanese themes. Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui has two restaurants, and a nearby local eatery, Da Shrimp Hale, offers great seafood. Lihue Airport (LIH) on Kauai is small and open-air, with 10 gates serving 6 carriers, and a few souvenir shops, but limited amenities. Hilo's airport, ITO, has a charming, small-town feel, with just 9 gates and Hawaiian koa wood furniture. Kona International Airport (KOA) is the primary airport on Hawaii Island, and there are nonstops to it from LAX.
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Frequently asked questions
The five major airports in Hawaii are:
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu, Oahu
- Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui
- Hilo International Airport (ITO) on Hawaii Island
- Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) on Hawaii Island
- Lihue Airport (LIH) in Kauai
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu, Oahu, is the busiest airport in Hawaii, serving 27 international and domestic airlines.
Most transpacific flights fly into Oahu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). From there, you can easily connect to any other island in Hawaii. If you are visiting Maui, you may be able to find a flight that flies directly into Kahului Airport (OGG).
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) has the most food options out of all the airports in Hawaii, with seven sit-down restaurants and takeout options.
Lihue Airport (LIH) is a small, open-air airport with only one building, making it easy to navigate. However, it is quite outdated, with limited amenities and not much to do. Hilo International Airport (ITO) is also small and easy to navigate, with only nine gates in one building. It features Hawaiian koa wood furniture for lounging instead of benches or rows of seats.
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