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Airportist Scores and guides are editorial content. Always verify live rules, terminals, and operational alerts with official airport and airline sources.

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KOAPHKO

Kona International Airport

Kona, US

Airportist Score

Arrive

Security

Fastest

Cheapest

Lounges

On time

KOAGuide

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KOAPHKOMinor

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole

Kailua-Kona, United States · North America

Open-air west-Hawaii gateway: stairs instead of jetways, USDA again at the gate, one Hawaiian snack lounge that does not take Priority Pass, and a free-but-thin Hele-On bus.

Airportist Score

6.8/ 10

Solid

Ease of use7.8
Comfort & amenities6.8
Food & retail6.4
Ground access6.2
Reliability7.6
Lounges4.6

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare KOA with another airport

Arrive

Security

Fastest

Cheapest

Lounges

On time

KOAGuide

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All airports Official site

KOAPHKOMinor

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole

Kailua-Kona, United States · North America

Open-air west-Hawaii gateway: stairs instead of jetways, USDA again at the gate, one Hawaiian snack lounge that does not take Priority Pass, and a free-but-thin Hele-On bus.

Airportist Score

6.8/ 10

Solid

Ease of use7.8
Comfort & amenities6.8
Food & retail6.4
Ground access6.2
Reliability7.6
Lounges4.6

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare KOA with another airport

Typical security
12 min
editorial average, not live
Fastest to city
15–20 min to Kailua-Kona / 35–45 min to Waikoloa
Uber / Lyft TNC median
Cheapest to city
Hele-On (free through 2028)
Free through 31 Dec 2028 · 25–40 min to Kailua-Kona when a trip exists
Lounge
1
On time
87%
of departures
Terminals
2
open-air halls (T1 gates 1–5, T2 gates 6–10) + commuter T3

6 photos

Alternatives

Nearby airports

Passenger airports within about 150 km. Scored airports show their Airportist Score so you can weigh a switch.

Compare KOA vs ITO

MUEWaimea-Kohala Airport
Kamuela
49 km
UPPUpolu Airport
Hawi
62 km
ITOHilo International Airport
Hilo
105 km
HNMHana Airport
Hana
118 km
OGGKahului Airport
Kahului
135 km

MUEWaimea-Kohala Airport
Kamuela
49 km
UPPUpolu Airport
Hawi
62 km
ITOHilo International Airport
Hilo
7.3105 km
HNMHana Airport
Hana
118 km
OGGKahului Airport
Kahului
7.3135 km

KOAGuide

KOAGuide

basic

Hawaiian Premier Club

Has Lounge

Only lounge on the official HDOT list, Terminal 2 / Gate 10 holdroom. Atmos + Huakaʻi or HA/AS first-business. No Priority Pass, no day pass, no showers.

good

Laniakea by Centerplate

Food

Official sit-down in both halls. Terminal 2 06:00–22:30; Terminal 1 split 11:30–15:00 and 18:30–22:30. KBS Snackshop on the landside median 10:00–19:00.

good

KOA Free WiFi

Fast WiFi

Official SSID KOA Free WiFi, then Free Unlimited WiFi. Hawaiian’s KOA page saying “Free Wifi: no” means HA does not run its own network.

basic

Open-air stairs boarding

Accessibility

Official HDOT: no jet bridges. Portable stairs plus an airline boarding lift. Three family restrooms (north TSA, Hawaiian TSA, rental building).

good

Rental-car shuttle median

Easy Transport

Eight official brands from the center median across bags A/B. No CONRAC tram. Hele-On is free through 31 Dec 2028 but HDOT calls the service very limited.

basic

USDA + HDOA inspection

Family Friendly

Mainland checked bags are screened after the airline takes them. Carry-ons are opened at TSA and again at the gate. Arriving plants are checked in baggage claim.

☁️25°C / 77°F