Kona - a True Third World Airport!
#46
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 185
People are more laid back, I've heard impromptu pre-boarding slack key "performances" by well-known local musicians as we wait in the outdoor areas. And for food? Heck, the little shop (not the restaurant) always has bags of Donna's Cookies; yep, they're pricier than at the KTA, but talk about a treat when you're flying out (or even arriving)...
I was surprised, though, when the KOA TSA screeners had no idea what my 'ukulele's humidifier was (I hadn't considered the smidgen of water in there as a no-no when it went through TSA). Maybe they don't have to *add* moisture to their little four-stringed beauties...but I learned my lesson. Now I always pull it out of the 'ukulele case and put it in the 3-1-1 bag...
#47
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,604
I am in and out of KOA regularly for work and have learned to like the ease of parking and just walking literally a few yards to the baggage area. Also, they now do have TSA pre lines. I have learned to not hang around in the heat long and just blow into KOA, porter check my bags, TSA pre, and get on my flight with no gate lingering. Always check to see if your flight is late and I usually bag food out of KOA as the food service is limited at best.
#48
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 56,827
I join with others here to express my love for the Kona airport. I've been there I think four times. I'm totally okay with its lack of all things that you might expect from other USA airports.
Lighten up, Kona passengers. Roll with a slower pace. Don't be mainland a-holes.
Lighten up, Kona passengers. Roll with a slower pace. Don't be mainland a-holes.
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
I am in and out of KOA regularly for work and have learned to like the ease of parking and just walking literally a few yards to the baggage area. Also, they now do have TSA pre lines. I have learned to not hang around in the heat long and just blow into KOA, porter check my bags, TSA pre, and get on my flight with no gate lingering. Always check to see if your flight is late and I usually bag food out of KOA as the food service is limited at best.
#50
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: London/Glasgow
Programs: BAEC Silver (lapsed HNL Gold), Avis Preferred, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Plat, Marriot Plat
Posts: 351
As I sit here looking at the fog lifting in London and big flight disruption, with an autumn chill in the air, I long to return to KOA and its laid back outdoor terminal for that true holiday feeling. Apart from the restaurant it's my favourite airport, so relaxing. Aloha!
#51
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Peon Gold
Posts: 2,915
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,033
#54
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Platinum, Starwood Gold, Fairmont Platinum
Posts: 84
I love the airports I've been to at the various islands (HNL, OGG, LIH, Molokai)...haven't been to KOA but planning to watch the Ravens win the Superbowl on the Big Island this year...any recent updates?
#55
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: YQR
Programs: no status
Posts: 1,040
Haha, we love the Hawaiian airports especially ITO, LIH, and KOA. Last year we returned from KOA to Canada on WestJet, and it took more than few minutes to find a letter sized paper with handwritten scribbles scotch taped to a wall, that indicated the gate. That's the Aloha spirit
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 12,068
Will be on big island and my choice is Chiefs. Not a fan of either finalist
#57
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Captain Cook, HI, USA
Programs: BA, DL, HA, etc
Posts: 984
I visited KOA at lest 14 times before moving here. Personally I love the airport. It is NOT LGA or EWR or LAX and we like it that way.
Until 9-11 we used to be able to use the rear stairs to deplane and that made the back of the plane out before 1st Class.
Not having 40 fast food places (and having to walk miles to get to the one you want) is solved. One restaurant within sight.
In May I went Delta from KOA to CHO and back. On both the outbound and inbound flights the TSA lady stopped me and hugged me (how great is that?). I rented her and her husband a house when they arrived on island, so old friends. On the mainland if a TSA grabs you there would be a suit filed :-)
There are some upgrades due to KOA soon and I hope they don't take the charm away. On a trip through LAX recently I was freezing in the terminal. At least here, that doesn't happen.
By the way, CHO has rocking chairs outside the airport. I wouldn't change that either.
Until 9-11 we used to be able to use the rear stairs to deplane and that made the back of the plane out before 1st Class.
Not having 40 fast food places (and having to walk miles to get to the one you want) is solved. One restaurant within sight.
In May I went Delta from KOA to CHO and back. On both the outbound and inbound flights the TSA lady stopped me and hugged me (how great is that?). I rented her and her husband a house when they arrived on island, so old friends. On the mainland if a TSA grabs you there would be a suit filed :-)
There are some upgrades due to KOA soon and I hope they don't take the charm away. On a trip through LAX recently I was freezing in the terminal. At least here, that doesn't happen.
By the way, CHO has rocking chairs outside the airport. I wouldn't change that either.
Last edited by Lavarock7; Mar 21, 2020 at 8:24 pm Reason: Spelling