Kona - a True Third World Airport!
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Astoria, NY: LGA, JFK
Programs: Delta PM; Sheraton's Vistana BOD; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,035
Kona - a True Third World Airport!
Joe Biden labeled my home airport, LGA, "third world." Joe should fly out of Kona. I doubt if there have been any upgrades there in the last thirty years.
- The outdoor waiting area is hot and steamy.
- Flight information boards were not working.
- Announcements were impossible to hear in the waiting area.
- Two flights, one American, one Delta, both going to LAX, boarded through
the same small entry. The area beyond the agricultural scan was packed
with hundreds of people waiting for both flights.
Seriously, why has the Hawaiian government done nothing about these problems? I would really like to know.
- The outdoor waiting area is hot and steamy.
- Flight information boards were not working.
- Announcements were impossible to hear in the waiting area.
- Two flights, one American, one Delta, both going to LAX, boarded through
the same small entry. The area beyond the agricultural scan was packed
with hundreds of people waiting for both flights.
Seriously, why has the Hawaiian government done nothing about these problems? I would really like to know.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Aug 10, 2015 at 2:04 pm Reason: Posted in wrong forum; more topical here
#3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Kea'au, Hawaii
Programs: Recovering Delta SkyMiles Addict--Now Gold with AAdvantage
Posts: 586
The governor recently released some funds to start a long overdue update of the worst elements of the Kona airport. Such projects tend to move slowly in Hawaii, however, and it will be years before the improvements are finished. Believe it or not, some people actually like the old fashioned facilities. I guess it makes them think they are in a set from "South Pacific" or something. Our Big Island weather has been extra humid this year, perhaps because of the El Nino effect.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska MVP
Posts: 1,168
We made out 6th(!) trip to the Big Island back in June, and I dunno, I think the steaminess adds to the charm Also, I tend to get irritated about things less in Hawaii than I might if I were just going through my daily routine back home, because, well, I'm in Hawaii...
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,033
We made out 6th(!) trip to the Big Island back in June, and I dunno, I think the steaminess adds to the charm Also, I tend to get irritated about things less in Hawaii than I might if I were just going through my daily routine back home, because, well, I'm in Hawaii...
We'll be making our 10th or 11th trip to Kona this winter and treasure every minute. Yes, the airport could use some modernization but I like the outdoor feel.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YEG
Posts: 269
Having experienced both LGA and KOA I do agree with your observations however, I find the same issues at LGA. The main difference is a least in KOA I can dress for the heat unlike LGA in January when they have the heat turned up north of 90 while the outside temperature is south of 40. Try dressing for that.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Astoria, NY: LGA, JFK
Programs: Delta PM; Sheraton's Vistana BOD; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,035
My post wasn't about the weather, it was about the airport.
For the record we love Hawaii and its people.
Is it too much to ask for a flight information board that works? Is it too much to ask for announcements that can be heard? Is it too much to have gate areas that actually accommodate people?
The State of Hawaii thrives on tourism, and rightly so. Why not spend a small proportion of revenue to fix up an outdated and non functional airport and attract even more tourists?
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,449
Having experienced both LGA and KOA I do agree with your observations however, I find the same issues at LGA. The main difference is a least in KOA I can dress for the heat unlike LGA in January when they have the heat turned up north of 90 while the outside temperature is south of 40. Try dressing for that.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,449
When planes are 85+% full, there is no need to spend a lot of money on airport terminal facilities
#13
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: DCA, TUL
Programs: Biscoff Medallion, A-Hole Preferred
Posts: 56
I felt that KOA was one of the coolest airports I've ever been to, with two caveats:
* The agricultural inspection line was pretty poorly organized
* The restaurant is a complete and utter rip. We couldn't find anyone who would deliver a pizza to the terminal either.
* The agricultural inspection line was pretty poorly organized
* The restaurant is a complete and utter rip. We couldn't find anyone who would deliver a pizza to the terminal either.
#14
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 come through KOA regularly on business and I have learned all of its many quirks so to say. Here are my suggestions on dealing with KOA:
*Pack food basically nothing at the airport and often not on the outbound flights.
*Watch your flight times remotely through your phone app preferably. Go to the airport on time but NOT early. I even prefer being a bit late as you will get on the flight and the tourist crowd has already moved through. Also less standing in the heat to board.
*Even if flying back to the main land in the winter wear light clothing and pack a jacket in your carry on.
*If you can go carry on. I leave a suitcase in Kona so I have local clothing and always go carry on.
*Don't forget to check traffic, remember limited road to airport so if one gets backed up by an accident you could be quickly S.O.O.L.
*Pack food basically nothing at the airport and often not on the outbound flights.
*Watch your flight times remotely through your phone app preferably. Go to the airport on time but NOT early. I even prefer being a bit late as you will get on the flight and the tourist crowd has already moved through. Also less standing in the heat to board.
*Even if flying back to the main land in the winter wear light clothing and pack a jacket in your carry on.
*If you can go carry on. I leave a suitcase in Kona so I have local clothing and always go carry on.
*Don't forget to check traffic, remember limited road to airport so if one gets backed up by an accident you could be quickly S.O.O.L.
Last edited by nomad420; Aug 11, 2015 at 5:58 pm Reason: better listing of KOA suggestions
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
Is it too much to ask for a flight information board that works? Is it too much to ask for announcements that can be heard? Is it too much to have gate areas that actually accommodate people?
The State of Hawaii thrives on tourism, and rightly so. Why not spend a small proportion of revenue to fix up an outdated and non functional airport and attract even more tourists?
The State of Hawaii thrives on tourism, and rightly so. Why not spend a small proportion of revenue to fix up an outdated and non functional airport and attract even more tourists?