Our Review of Lihue Kauai Airport (LIH)

Table of contents: Our Review of Lihue Kauai Airport (LIH) Pros and Cons of Lihue Kauai Airport (LIH) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Lihue Kauai Airport (LIH)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides since 1999.

Lihue Airport (LIH) serves as the primary gateway to the picturesque island of Kauai, Hawaii. While its natural surroundings and relaxed atmosphere reflect the Hawaiian spirit, the airport experience can be somewhat uneven.

First Impressions

Upon landing at LIH, travelers are greeted by the warm tropical air and stunning views of Kauai’s southeast coast. However, the largely open-air terminal may seem modest and limited compared to other international airports.

The Good

Essential Connections: LIH connects Kauai with other Hawaiian islands and major U.S. cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. It also offers seasonal flights to Vancouver, Canada.
Local Ambiance: The open terminal allows you to enjoy the tropical climate and occasionally includes live performances that offer a unique cultural touch.
Basic Facilities: Although small, the airport provides essential services such as ATMs, local shops, and restaurants serving Hawaiian cuisine.

The Not-So-Good

Limited Facilities: With only eight gates and a compact terminal, seating options, restaurants, and shops are scarce. This can be uncomfortable during peak seasons or delays.
Lack of Premium Services: There are no VIP lounges or advanced services like TSA PreCheck for frequent travelers.
Car Rental Issues: Some visitors report long waits and problems with reservations. Booking in advance is essential.
Exposed Climate: The open-air terminal can be uncomfortable during rainy or hot days.

Overall Impression and Tips

Lihue Airport fulfills its role as a gateway to Kauai, but it doesn’t offer luxury or notable amenities. Here are some tips to enhance your experience:

Plan Ahead: Book cars and flights early to avoid inconvenience.
Pack Wisely: Bring snacks, entertainment, and light clothing to adapt to the tropical climate.
Enjoy the Local Pace: Adopt a relaxed attitude; the island rhythm is part of Kauai’s charm.

Final Verdict

Lihue Airport reflects Kauai’s laid-back character: functional but simple. While it isn’t a standout airport for its facilities, its strategic location and connection to nature make it an adequate starting point for exploring this beautiful island. Overall rating: 3 stars – basic but efficient.

Pros and Cons of Lihue Kauai Airport (LIH)

Pros

Direct connections to other Hawaiian islands and U.S. cities
Open-air ambiance reflecting local essence
Proximity to natural attractions like Waimea Canyon
Easy access from Lihue

Cons

Limited facilities compared to larger airports
Lack of premium services like TSA PreCheck or lounges
Occasional issues with car rentals
Few dining and shopping options

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Location: On Kauai’s southeast coast, 1.5 miles (2 km) from Lihue’s center.
Terminals: A single main open-air terminal with eight gates.
Main Routes: Inter-island flights (Honolulu, Kahului) and international flights (Vancouver).
Notable Services: Local restaurants, small shops, and nearby helicopter tours.

Quick Tips:

Arrive early during peak seasons to avoid crowds.
Wear light clothing to adapt to the open-air terminal’s tropical climate.
Book tours or cars before arrival to ensure availability.

Lihue Airport may not be luxurious, but it serves as an adequate entry point to the paradise awaiting you on Kauai.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation