Jazmin Li
Hawaii is a tropical destination with over 137 volcanic islands, offering a range of activities from cosmopolitan city life in Honolulu to nature and beach getaways. When planning a trip to Hawaii, it is important to consider which airport to fly into and out of to make the most of your time and suit your preferences. In this guide, we will explore the different airport options and provide recommendations to help you choose the best airport for your Hawaiian vacation. With 26 US mainland cities offering non-stop flights to Hawaii, you can easily find a convenient travel route to suit your needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports | 5 major airports, with some smaller regional airports |
| Main airports | Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu, Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui, Lihue Airport (LIH) in Kauai, Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island, and Hilo International Airport (ITO) on Hawaii Island |
| Amenities at LIH | 5 food and drink options, 3 souvenir shops, no charging stations or Wi-Fi service |
| Amenities at HNL | 7 sit-down restaurants, takeout options, cultural gardens |
| Amenities at OGG | 2 restaurants, nearby local eateries, rental car facility |
| Ease of navigation at ITO | Only 9 gates in one building, Hawaiian-style wooden furniture, 1 restaurant and 1 takeout eatery |
| Direct flights to LIH | Limited number of direct flights from the US mainland, most visitors connect via HNL |
| Direct flights to OGG | Some direct flights from the US mainland, otherwise connect via HNL |
| Direct flights to KOA | Limited number of direct flights from the US mainland, otherwise connect via HNL |
| Airlines serving HNL | 27 international and domestic airlines, including Delta Air Lines, 3 inter-island airlines, and 4 commuter airlines |
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What You'll Learn
Nonstop flights from 26 US mainland cities
You can fly nonstop to Hawaii from 26 cities in the continental US. Here are some of the routes served by each airline:
Nonstop flights to Kona on the Big Island
If you want to fly nonstop into Kona on the Big Island, you can fly from the following mainland cities:
- Anchorage, Alaska: Alaska Airlines (from November to March)
- Los Angeles: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines (starting in June), Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines (until June), Southwest Airlines (from June to August), and United Airlines
Nonstop flights to Kahului, Maui
If you want to fly nonstop into Kahului on the island of Maui, you can fly from the following mainland cities:
- Anchorage, Alaska: Alaska Airlines (from November to March)
- Los Angeles: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines (from June to August), and United Airlines
- Oakland, California: Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines
Other nonstop flights to Hawaii
You can also fly nonstop from Los Angeles (LAX) to Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui, as well as to Lihue Airport (LIH) in Kauai. Additionally, there are nonstops from LAX to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island, and to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu, Oahu.
When planning your trip to Hawaii, consider whether you can use transferable points or airline miles to get a good deal on your flights. Keep in mind that some airlines operate these routes seasonally or only on select days of the week.
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Direct flights to Kauai
The island of Kauai is served by Lihue Airport (LIH), located in Lihue, the biggest city on the island. The airport has one terminal with 10 gates, and is served by six carriers: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, and WestJet.
There are 15 airports around the world that offer direct flights to Lihue, Kauai, with 14 of these being domestic flights from within the United States. Vancouver is the only airport in Canada that offers direct flights to Lihue, with WestJet operating this seasonal route.
From Los Angeles, there are five airlines that offer direct services: American Airlines, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. Other airlines offering direct flights to Lihue from US cities include Alaska Airlines (from Seattle, Portland, San Jose, and San Diego), American Airlines (from Phoenix), Delta Air Lines (from Seattle and Salt Lake City), United Airlines (from Denver, San Francisco, and Chicago), Hawaiian Airlines (from Oakland, East Bay, and Sacramento), and Southwest Airlines (from Las Vegas).
If you're looking for a direct flight to Kauai from Honolulu, Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines offer this route.
Kauai is also accessible via two main roads, and it is recommended that visitors rent a car to get around the island.
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Maui's Kahului Airport (OGG)
Maui is known for its beautiful beaches, exciting water sports, Haleakala Crater, the old whaling town of Lahaina, blue skies, great dining and the Aloha spirit. If you're headed to Maui, you're most likely going to fly into Kahului Airport, also known as OGG, after former Hawaiian Airlines Chief Pilot Jim Hogg.
Kahului Airport is the second-busiest airport in Hawaii, welcoming flights from 10 different airlines, including United Airlines. The airport is part of a centralized state structure governing all of the airports and seaports of Hawaii. The official authority of Kahului Airport is the Governor of Hawaii, who appoints the Director of the Hawaii State Department of Transportation. The Kahului Airport terminal building has ticketing, USDA agricultural inspection, and baggage claim areas on the ground level.
Kahului Airport is located on Kahului Airport Road in Kahului, Hawaii. The airport is relatively easy to get to, and there are two restaurants to choose from: Sammy's Beach Bar & Grill and Stinger Ray's Tropical Bar & Grill. The rental car facility is an 8-minute walk from the terminal, and there is also a free tram available.
The Maui Bus operates two routes that stop at Kahului Airport: Route 35 Haiku Islander and Route 40 Upcountry Islander, both starting in Kahului. Under the OGG Master Plan, Runway 2 was lengthened to allow operations with long-distance aircraft carrying a full load of fuel at maximum take-off weight. This enables nonstop service from Kahului to Chicago, Dallas, and Denver with Boeing 777-200 aircraft.
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Kona International Airport (KOA)
Kona International Airport, also known as Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, is located on the west coast of Hawaii's Big Island. It is the primary airport on the island, serving both interisland and transpacific flights. The airport is named after astronaut Ellison Onizuka, who was born and raised in Kona and died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Kona International Airport is situated about 7 miles northwest of Kailua and 25 miles southwest of Waikoloa. The airport is known for its open-air, tropical-style design, with three terminals. Terminal 1 includes gates 1 to 5, Terminal 2 includes gates 6 to 10, and Terminal 3 caters to smaller commuter flights. Despite the older infrastructure, Kona International Airport accommodates large airliners, including Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The airport's runway was extended to 11,000 feet in 1994, enabling nonstop flights to destinations like Tokyo and cities beyond the West Coast of the United States.
The airport offers a range of amenities for travellers, including a restaurant/bar, lei and fresh flower stands, a newsstand, and a gift shop. ATM machines and a drop-off mailbox are also conveniently located within the airport premises. Ground transportation options at Kona International Airport are plentiful, with taxi services, pre-arranged transportation companies, and car rental services readily available.
Kona International Airport is a popular gateway to the Big Island's west coast, which boasts a rich history and culture. The region is renowned for its scenic coastline, active volcanoes, orchids, and golf courses. It is also a favoured destination for snorkelling, deep-sea fishing, and sampling the famous Kona coffee.
Travellers to Hawaii can choose from various airports, depending on their specific destination within the island chain. Kona International Airport (KOA) serves as the primary airport for the Big Island, while other airports, such as Lihue Airport (LIH) on Kauai and Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui, cater to different parts of Hawaii.
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Lihue Airport (LIH)
The passenger terminal is served by a one-way loop roadway branching off Ahukini Road and encircling a public parking lot. The remaining facilities are served directly by Ahukini Road. The airport has only one terminal with 10 gates that serve six carriers: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, and WestJet. Lihue Airport is part of the State of Hawaii Airport System and is owned and operated by the State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation, Airports Division.
There are a few dining options at the airport, with five places to grab food and drinks, offering local brews and island-inspired cuisine. There are also three souvenir shops. However, Lihue Airport is quite outdated, and amenities are scarce. Charging stations and Wi-Fi services are not available, so it is recommended to ensure your devices are fully charged before arriving at the airport.
If you are staying in the northern area of Princeville, the drive to the airport can take up to an hour. On the other hand, if you are near Koloa in the southern part of the island, the drive to Lihue Airport will be approximately half an hour.
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Frequently asked questions
There are five major airports in Hawaii:
- 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
Most transpacific flights fly into and out of Oahu's HNL airport. If you're headed to Maui, you can fly directly to Kahului Airport (OGG) from some cities in the US mainland. Otherwise, you'll need to connect in Oahu. To get to Kauai, you'll most likely need to connect in Oahu as there are only a limited number of direct flights from the US mainland.
There are seven sit-down restaurants and takeout options, including California Pizza Kitchen and Chow Mein Express. You can also get a beer at Island Brews & Torn Basil, which serves pizza and local beers. The airport also has cultural gardens with Chinese, Hawaiian, and Japanese plants.
There are two restaurants: Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill and Stinger Ray’s Tropical Bar & Grill. The rental car facility is an 8-minute walk from the terminal, so you may want to take the free tram in the Maui sun.
There are five places to get food and drinks, all of which offer local brews and island-inspired cuisine. There are also three souvenir shops, but amenities like charging stations and Wi-Fi are not available.
The airport has one restaurant and one takeout eatery, both serving local foods. It also has a Hawaiian Airlines lounge with snacks and drinks. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a 45-minute drive from the airport. The airport itself features native plants and a ceramic sculpture from 1980 called 'Lava Forest'.
