Kauai's gateway to Hawaii's Garden Isle.
Opened
1947
Location
Lihue, United States
Lihue Airport (LIH/PHLI) is the primary commercial airport serving the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Situated near the county seat of Lihue on the eastern shore of the island, it provides the main air link between Kauai and the mainland United States as well as other Hawaiian islands.
The airport is owned and operated by the Hawaii Department of Transportation. It handles a mix of major mainland carriers and inter-island services, supporting Kauai's significant tourism economy. The open-air design of much of the terminal reflects the island's tropical climate and laid-back character.
Lihue Airport underwent notable improvements in recent years to modernize its facilities and improve passenger experience, including upgrades to gate areas and terminal infrastructure.
Terminals
The airport has a single terminal building with two concourses serving both mainland and inter-island flights in an open-air tropical layout.
Getting to & from
Ground transportation options include rental cars, taxis, ride-share services, and shuttles connecting the airport to hotels and resorts around Kauai.
Airlines here
Major airlines serving LIH include American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines.
Notable facts
- ›LIH is the busiest airport on the island of Kauai and one of the key airports in the Hawaii state airport system.
- ›The airport's open-air design takes advantage of Kauai's warm, trade-wind-cooled climate.
- ›Kauai's tourism industry, heavily reliant on LIH, contributes significantly to the island's economy.
- ›The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 153 feet above sea level near the eastern coast of Kauai.
- ›Non-stop mainland service connects LIH to cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Phoenix.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
