100% of travellers get to the Big Island by air. Both direct travel from the mainland US and from the surrounding Hawaiian Islands, passenger boat service between the islands is non-existent, mainly due to strong and dangerous ocean currents.

By contrast, air travel between the islands is several times an hour.

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Airports to the Big Island

Kona's main airport is located on the west of the island, with frequent connections to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and other cities in the western US, while Honolulu is served 2-4 times an hour on average, with direct flights to Maui and Kauai.

The smaller Hilo airport on the eastern side is mainly used for frequent connections to Honolulu (1-2 times per hour).

The smallest airport, Waimea, is located in the north of the island and is only served by Mokulele Airlines twice a day from Maui.

International flights to the Big Island

The largest percentage of travelers head first to Honolulu, the capital of the Hawaiian Islands, where the largest airport is located, before tackling local flights. However, flights from anywhere in Europe or Asia are usually the same price to all of Hawaii's islands, whether you're landing in Honolulu or the Big Island for the first time.

It's best to choose an open-jaw ticket. For example, you fly into Honolulu and fly out of the Big Island, saving one local flight.

Direct international flights only go to Kona KOA.

• Air Canada - Vancouver
• Westjet - Calgary, Vancouver

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By air to the continental USA

The largest number of flights fly to the mainland USA.

There used to be direct flights from California to both Kona and Hilo airports, but now only to Kona KOA.

Prices for round-trip flights from the western US to the Big Island range from 250 usd 500 usd and are operated by the following airlines:

• American Airlines - Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix
• Delta - Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Seattle
• United - Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco
• Southwest Airlines - Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento
• Alaska Airlines - Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle
• Hawaiian Airlines - Sacramento

Inter-island Air

Inter-island flights are operated by three airlines - Southwest Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and the smaller Mokulele Airlines. The cheapest tickets are always with Southwest, starting at 39 usd one way. Hawaiian offers similar prices. Connections between the islands are very frequent and the following routes are flown:

• Kona - Honolulu (Oahu): 1 to 3 times per hour on Southwest Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
• Kona - Kahului (Maui): approx. 1x per hour with Southwest Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Mokulele Airlines
• Kona - Lihue (Kauai): 1x per day Hawaiian Airlines
• Hilo - Honolulu (Oahu): 1 to 2 times per hour by Southwest Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines
• Hilo - Kahului (Maui): approx. 5 times daily by Hawaiian Airlines and Mokulele Airlines
• Waimea - Kahului (Maui): 1-2 times daily by Mokulele Airlines