Which Big Island Hawaii Airport? Kona Airport Guide. How To Plan For This Unique Travel Experience.
Kona International Airport (KOA) is the primary airport for tourism on the Big Island, serving travelers from across the Pacific Ocean and other Hawaiian islands.
Located in Kailua-Kona near major resort areas and hotels on the Big Island’s west side, KOA is the third busiest airport in the state after Oahu (HNL) and Maui (OGG).
Flight Information at KOA
Destinations
Direct Flights to/from Kona Airport
Direct flights change regularly due to seasonal demand. At certain times of the year, you may find direct flights to/from Japan, Alaska, and Western Canada. There are many direct flights to major airports in the western United States. These flights can shift for some airports so it’s worth checking if your home airport is a direct option even if you haven’t seen it in the past.
Indirect Flights to/from Kona Airport
Honolulu is the major airport in the State of Hawaii. HNL connects Hawaii to all corners of the world. Often flights to/from the Big Island route through HNL. Occasionally, Maui (OGG) may also be a layover airport.
Inter-Island Flights to/from Kona Airport
It is so much fun to visit more than one Hawaii island on a vacation. You might want to land on Oahu for a few days, then take a quick inter-island flight to the Big Island. Or you may want to enjoy both the Big Island and Maui. It adds depth and adventure to experience more than one island if you have the time.
Airlines Serving Kona Airport
Inter-Island
Mokulele
Hawaiian (Mainland and Inter-Island)
Southwest (Mainland and Inter-Island)
Mainland United States
Alaska
American
Delta
Hawaiian (Mainland and Inter-Island)
Southwest (Mainland and Inter-Island)
United
International
Japan Airlines
Air Canada
WestJet
Getting to & from KOA
Ground Transportation
Ground transportation options are limited on the Big Island, so reserve your ground transport early. There are many things to see and experience on the Big Island, but they are very spread out. You are going to need a car. Parking is easy wherever you go.
Rental car companies at KOA include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty and Turo. Rideshare services (Lyft, Uber) are available on a limited basis; I wouldn’t visit the island and plan for a ridesharing app to get me everywhere on the island.
Alternatively, your resort concierge can help you schedule car service or a shuttle to/from the airport and tours for sightseeing.
Facilities and Services at Kona Airport
Kona is a tiny, open-air airport. There are 10 (walk out to the airplane on the tarmac) gates split across 2 small terminals.
Check-In and Security
KOA is relatively quick to get through, mostly because it’s so small. Regular TSA and TSA PreCheck lines are available.
Food, Dining, and Retail
I recommend that you eat before you go to the airport. If you have a specific diet, be sure to bring your food and snacks with you. There is one restaurant in each of the two terminals, both named Laniakea Cafe. They have some warm options like burgers and hotdogs.
There are a couple of newsstands that carry snacks like a convenience store would.
There is a gift shop in each terminal.
Arrivals & Departures
KOA is a ground-level airport, so passengers board the airplane by walking across the tarmac from the terminal and then up a ramp.
The terminal is all open air and very fast to walk through.
Conclusion
Kona is a great little airport that is so easy to travel through. The amenities are very limited, so bring everything specific that you may want with you. Going through an open-air airport is a fun experience and fitting of a tropical adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
