Hilo Airport

❎ Unverified | Hilo Airport does the job. Large area of unused terminal, but the part we used was OK. Travelled with carry-on only, so can't comment on baggage. Went in and out with no fuss, (TSA pre-approved). Not much in the way of shopping, but not many people about to shop. Sat and had a qiuet drink whilst waiting for our flight, no rush. It's a bit outdated, but as I said, does what it's supposed to.

It's been a few years since this airport has been reviewed, so here's an update. There is no cell-phone waiting area when you're picking up passengers and the security people are very quick to ask you to move. The last time I picked up a friend, I stopped to call him to tell him I was there (using a phone while driving is a ticketable offense in Hawaii), and the security woman would not stop talking in my window at me to move while I made the quick call. There was almost zero traffic at this time so I was not impeding others from loading/unloading. The TSA security is unprofessional to a level I've not seen at any other airport I've been to. I have heard them conversing loudly about the contents of passenger's bags on numerous occasions. The decor is extremely dated and the seats are very uncomfortable, and of course there are very limited outlets. There is a bar, but I would not visit it. The airport in general is uncomfortable, smelly, and unclean. People keep reviewing it as having short wait times, but I don't think that's right considering the small amount of traffic at this airport.

This airport is a mess. It is a long walk from arrivals to baggage claim and when it comes to leaving it is shocking. I think there are maybe two shops and one semi-bar all downstairs. At the gates there is nothing. It really does need a shake up.

The airport is huge with only 2 of nearly 2 dozen gates being used. The rest of the airport is roped off. Its a long walk from the gate to the baggage claim. Baggage arrives promptly since there is only one flight in and out at a time. Not sure about dining options or shopping. Rental cars are right outside the terminal. At this airport you'll realize how small a town Hilo is compared to Honolulu.

Loved this airport was friendly decor like someone said is 70s hawaiian. Very comfy armchairs only thing missing was a bar! Car hire easy to find and Hilo just down the road.

Hilo International Airport was once THE airport on the Big island before Kona International Airport on the other side of the island opened in the 1970s/1980s. Now Hilo Airport is a shadow of its former self with 10 jetways no more than 2 of which are in use at any given time. The decor is kitschy 1970s Hawaiiana and the terminal is warm and welcoming. Hilo is one of the few U.S. airports where the gate area and the ticketing/bag claim are in separate buildings (separated by an atrium). The ticketing/bag claim area has a bar a bookshop a souvenir shop selling Hawaiiana and packaged tropical fruit and a lounge area. The gate building has no facilities. The parking and car rental areas are just across the street from bag claim and the total walk from gate to kerb is only a few hundred feet. Access to and from Hilo town is easy and traffic is usually light.

Despite being a small airport it has jetways. Decor is a bit dated (think Honolulu but on a much smaller scale) but it's clean and in good repair. Large common waiting area. On-site car rental and return is really convenient. In common with other Hawaii airports TSA personnel seem to have a stricter interpretation of the rules than their mainland counterparts. All passengers were made to remove shoes (including sandals and flip-flops) when I wasn't required to do so a week before at LAX.

ITO is absolutely lovely. I flew in HNL-ITO and out ITO-OGG Outdoor type airport and probably the most easy-to-use airport I have ever had the pleasure of using. Very tropical theme. Car rentals are right across the street from curbside pick-up. Checking in is very easy for those using Island Air. There is a restaurant in the middle that gets very busy during breakfast so get there early if you don't want to stand in a line that goes out the door.