Is it possible to remain airside while connecting between a HA and AA flight at LIH Airport? Or will I be forced into into the arrivals hall and have to re-clear security.

I ask because I am considering a 45 minute connection at LIH between HA and AA.

Thx.

Yes, LIH is like HNL and OGG (with the exception of its commuter terminal), entirely connected airside without having to exit the secured area to get from gate to gate.

In my opinion a 45 minute connection in LIH will be tight. Maybe Slippahs can confirm. LIH is not a big airport. Once you exit the plane, walking to the HA gate should really not be a factor. A 5 minute walk at the most regardless if AA is at one end of terminal and HA is at the other end.

Factors to consider for the 45 minute connection: flight is running late, your seat location on the plane (re; first class or coach in the rear of aircraft), just about everyone is on vacation and they have carry-ons which they have to remove from over head bins, passengers having no clue as to what is happening upon disembarking aircraft, etc. HA pretty much runs on time. That being said, unless they have alot of passengers coming over from your flight I really don't see them holding their aircraft. I don't know how you are going to buy your ticket but if you are running late, I am sure you would be put onto the next flight.

My question to you, what is your final destination? To be honest, there is no real reason to connect through LIH to your final destination. If you fly into LIH, more than likely you will grab your HA flight in LIH and fly into HNL and then onto your final destination. AA does fly into HNL, OGG and KOA. I would gather that you are flying out of the west coast if LIH is your final destination on an AA flight.

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Assuming the HA inbound is on time, 45 minutes is doable. I can usually be curb side at LIH within 15 minutes after the plane touches down, even if I'm stuck in Row 22 on the 717. Gate to gate should be faster.

HNL, so we know your tentative plans, are you flying into LIH on HA and then out of LIH on AA? Or are you flying into LIH on AA and then out on HA?

The reason I ask is that it may make a big difference in our replies. I gathered you would be flying into LIH on AA and then flying out on HA. It would seem that Slippahs believes you are flying into LIH on HA and then flying out on AA.

In the back of my mind it makes a big difference. Like Slippahs, I agree that if you are flying into LIH on HA and then out on AA a 45 minute connection is doable. HA in my opinion has a great on time performance record. If you were flying into LIH on AA I would be alittle concerned. Not that AA has a bad on time performance record it is just that flying from the west coast there are alot of factors that can dictate on time performance, as you know.

I'm going to the mainland.

There is a cheaper flight if I fly HNL > LIH > LAX > ZZZ. I'll be in F in AA, and closer to the front of the plane in economy on HA. All signs look good for an easy connection at LIH.

I'd say you're likely to have no problems.

How much is the saving? Pretty high for that inconvenience, I would guess.

-David

LIH Prem, I would agree that flying from HNL to LIH to LAX to ZZZ is not exactly a direct route. But if HNL said that is a cheaper routing then HNL should go with it. Must be pretty significant savings. As for me, I would just fly out of HNL into LAX. That is unless there was a connection issue in LAX.