Kona - a True Third World Airport!
Aug 24, 2015, 4:14 pm
#31
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PDX has food trucks in the terminal (fixed, not able to move), so Kona could do it (Taipei had/has food carts, ie: night market in outer area of area, so Kona could do plate lunch carts?). I do like Kona airport (much better than Hilo), as it fits the destination. I would think is so many people did not like it, they might use Hilo more but they do not (Hilo has one mainland flight, compared to 15+ from Kona on peak days).
In the words of the esteemed thespian and great orator Samuel L. Jackson, "NO, NO, NO, NO, NO." Leave KOA alone. Dumpy outdoor terminals, crowded uncomfortable seating, divey rip-off restaurant, no FIDS for flight info. Leave it be and let us have a living monument to that ever disappearing experience of going/being somewhere different. Even if that somewhere is mostly in our minds.
Sep 9, 2015, 6:27 pm
#33
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I hope they don't change a thing about KOA. It's wonderful to land there and walk down the stairs/ramp knowing that your vacation has just begun. Upon leaving, you get an extra hour or two enjoying the Hawaiian sunshine/breezes. I much prefer KOA to an enclosed terminal like OGG, which, once your inside, feels no different from Reno or Cleveland airport.
Sep 19, 2015, 11:26 pm
#34
Join Date: Nov 2005
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airport
I feel sorry for people who do not appreciate our airport. Yes, it is not like SFO, ORD, etc. It is a great Hawaiian airport. When JAL was there, I think it was the only airport in the US that unloaded 747's with stairs :#. way be wrong but it is part of the charm.
Improvements, sure many. Jetways? please no
Sorry people expect more food airside, it is a small airport. I bring something to snack on with me. If it is more then your first time; your bad
It is stuffy inside, heck its Hawaii. Lack of clubs, yea I feel this. Not enough flights for anybody #except HA) to justify.
If you have traveled to some real third world airports, KOA is Paradise
Improvements, sure many. Jetways? please no
Sorry people expect more food airside, it is a small airport. I bring something to snack on with me. If it is more then your first time; your bad
It is stuffy inside, heck its Hawaii. Lack of clubs, yea I feel this. Not enough flights for anybody #except HA) to justify.
If you have traveled to some real third world airports, KOA is Paradise
Sep 20, 2015, 1:08 am
#35
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I was just there last weekend it it wasn't a problem at all. heck, the little cafe even has air conditioning (I think?) so it's not even too hot. The only issue I had was that the gates didn't actually have a sign showing what flight was departing next and the TV with the departures was not working so I had to ask the gate agent if the gate was still the same as on our boarding pass when I checked in the night before... but that was about it. Cool to board a plane by walking on to the plane during sunset though, definitely quite the experience.
In terms of "non-functional airports", I thought PUJ was worse...
Oct 3, 2015, 10:39 pm
#36
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I flew out of KOA a few days ago. I had a Pre✓ on my boarding pass. The TSA identification checker gave me a laminated yellow card and told me that it would speed my way through the security screening.
There was no one in line and I didn't need to kill any time, so I didn't bother to read the fine print on the card.
I proceeded to place my rollaboard on the x-ray scanner belt and got ready to walk through the metal detector when the TSA person there asked me if I had a computer or liquids in my bag. I answered that I had the 3-1-1 bag. He scolded me that the instructions on the yellow card are to take all the liquids out of the carry on bag for separate screening. I did and asked him what was the point of having the Pre✓. He did not answer. At least I got to keep on my shoes.
There was no one in line and I didn't need to kill any time, so I didn't bother to read the fine print on the card.
I proceeded to place my rollaboard on the x-ray scanner belt and got ready to walk through the metal detector when the TSA person there asked me if I had a computer or liquids in my bag. I answered that I had the 3-1-1 bag. He scolded me that the instructions on the yellow card are to take all the liquids out of the carry on bag for separate screening. I did and asked him what was the point of having the Pre✓. He did not answer. At least I got to keep on my shoes.
Oct 4, 2015, 3:27 am
#37
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I flew out of KOA a few days ago. I had a Pre✓ on my boarding pass. The TSA identification checker gave me a laminated yellow card and told me that it would speed my way through the security screening.
There was no one in line and I didn't need to kill any time, so I didn't bother to read the fine print on the card.
I proceeded to place my rollaboard on the x-ray scanner belt and got ready to walk through the metal detector when the TSA person there asked me if I had a computer or liquids in my bag. I answered that I had the 3-1-1 bag. He scolded me that the instructions on the yellow card are to take all the liquids out of the carry on bag for separate screening. I did and asked him what was the point of having the Pre✓. He did not answer. At least I got to keep on my shoes.
There was no one in line and I didn't need to kill any time, so I didn't bother to read the fine print on the card.
I proceeded to place my rollaboard on the x-ray scanner belt and got ready to walk through the metal detector when the TSA person there asked me if I had a computer or liquids in my bag. I answered that I had the 3-1-1 bag. He scolded me that the instructions on the yellow card are to take all the liquids out of the carry on bag for separate screening. I did and asked him what was the point of having the Pre✓. He did not answer. At least I got to keep on my shoes.
Oct 5, 2015, 3:20 pm
#38
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I flew out of KOA a few days ago. I had a Pre✓ on my boarding pass. The TSA identification checker gave me a laminated yellow card and told me that it would speed my way through the security screening.
There was no one in line and I didn't need to kill any time, so I didn't bother to read the fine print on the card.
I proceeded to place my rollaboard on the x-ray scanner belt and got ready to walk through the metal detector when the TSA person there asked me if I had a computer or liquids in my bag. I answered that I had the 3-1-1 bag. He scolded me that the instructions on the yellow card are to take all the liquids out of the carry on bag for separate screening. I did and asked him what was the point of having the Pre✓. He did not answer. At least I got to keep on my shoes.
There was no one in line and I didn't need to kill any time, so I didn't bother to read the fine print on the card.
I proceeded to place my rollaboard on the x-ray scanner belt and got ready to walk through the metal detector when the TSA person there asked me if I had a computer or liquids in my bag. I answered that I had the 3-1-1 bag. He scolded me that the instructions on the yellow card are to take all the liquids out of the carry on bag for separate screening. I did and asked him what was the point of having the Pre✓. He did not answer. At least I got to keep on my shoes.
Did this three times in the last few weeks--once at KOA, once at HNL when all Precheck lanes were closed (seriously?) and again at PHX.
Oct 5, 2015, 5:25 pm
#39
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I flew out of KOA a few days ago. I had a Pre✓ on my boarding pass. The TSA identification checker gave me a laminated yellow card and told me that it would speed my way through the security screening.
There was no one in line and I didn't need to kill any time, so I didn't bother to read the fine print on the card.
I proceeded to place my rollaboard on the x-ray scanner belt and got ready to walk through the metal detector when the TSA person there asked me if I had a computer or liquids in my bag. I answered that I had the 3-1-1 bag. He scolded me that the instructions on the yellow card are to take all the liquids out of the carry on bag for separate screening. I did and asked him what was the point of having the Pre✓. He did not answer. At least I got to keep on my shoes.
There was no one in line and I didn't need to kill any time, so I didn't bother to read the fine print on the card.
I proceeded to place my rollaboard on the x-ray scanner belt and got ready to walk through the metal detector when the TSA person there asked me if I had a computer or liquids in my bag. I answered that I had the 3-1-1 bag. He scolded me that the instructions on the yellow card are to take all the liquids out of the carry on bag for separate screening. I did and asked him what was the point of having the Pre✓. He did not answer. At least I got to keep on my shoes.
Oct 5, 2015, 5:35 pm
#40
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Yes, my liquids were buried quite deep.
Oct 5, 2015, 8:17 pm
#41
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I went through KOA a few weeks ago using PreCheck. The line literally closed down with us next in line, so we had to take PreCheck Light in the next lane, but at least we were pulled in at the front of the main line.
Oct 5, 2015, 9:51 pm
#42
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I actually think KOA is sweet.
OTOH, on our return my husband showed his Drivers license as I.D. It expired last month and he brought it with him along with his new temporary D.L. The expired D.L. was for the purpose of photo I.D. TSA saw that his license had expired. My husband produced the new temporary one.(non issue out of LAX)
This resulted in my husband taken aside, body search and full baggage search. Every article in his carry on was scrutinized.
We were on the Big Island at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for a week. Nothing in the carry on but shorts, tees, swimsuits. The good news is that the inspectors were courteous.
When we arrived home, his new D.L. was in the mail.
We still think KOA is a rather sweet, retro airport.
OTOH, on our return my husband showed his Drivers license as I.D. It expired last month and he brought it with him along with his new temporary D.L. The expired D.L. was for the purpose of photo I.D. TSA saw that his license had expired. My husband produced the new temporary one.(non issue out of LAX)
This resulted in my husband taken aside, body search and full baggage search. Every article in his carry on was scrutinized.
We were on the Big Island at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for a week. Nothing in the carry on but shorts, tees, swimsuits. The good news is that the inspectors were courteous.
When we arrived home, his new D.L. was in the mail.
We still think KOA is a rather sweet, retro airport.
Oct 5, 2015, 10:14 pm
#43
Join Date: Jul 2011
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This thread brought back some great memories of the Big Island. My only trip to KOA was 15 years ago this month. Flew a UA 742 both ways via SFO and to date has been my only experience using air stairs. I have a photo of The Whale's cockpit peaking over the terminal somewhere.
Oct 6, 2015, 12:00 am
#44
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
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This thread brought back some great memories of the Big Island. My only trip to KOA was 15 years ago this month. Flew a UA 742 both ways via SFO and to date has been my only experience using air stairs. I have a photo of The Whale's cockpit peaking over the terminal somewhere.
Oct 18, 2015, 2:02 pm
#45
Join Date: Mar 2008
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I am not terribly bothered by the outdoor atmosphere of KOA. The issues of food services being less than the other Island airports and the faulty speakers to hear announcements is bothersome.
We are heading there ourselves in December for another investigation into retirement options. I just wish that they had a outdoor bar so I can grab a chilled beer prior to boarding.
I adore smaller airports and would recommend STS, SBA and SFE for anyone who shares my weirdness.
We are heading there ourselves in December for another investigation into retirement options. I just wish that they had a outdoor bar so I can grab a chilled beer prior to boarding.
I adore smaller airports and would recommend STS, SBA and SFE for anyone who shares my weirdness.