By Air in Big Island

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By Air

Flying time to the Big Island is about 10 hours from New York, 8 hours from Chicago, 5 hours from Los Angeles, and 15 hours from London, not including layovers.

Hawaii is a major destination link for flights traveling to and from the U.S. mainland, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Some of the major airline carriers serving Hawaii fly direct to the Big Island, allowing you to bypass connecting flights out of Honolulu. For the more spontaneous traveler, island-hopping is easy, with flights departing every 20 to 30 minutes daily until mid-evening. International travelers also have options: Oahu and the Big Island are gateways to the United States.

Although the Big Island's airports are smaller and more casual than Honolulu International, during peak times they can also be quite busy. Allot extra travel time to all airports during morning and afternoon rush-hour traffic periods.

Plan to arrive at the airport 45 to 60 minutes before departure for interisland flights.

Plants and plant products are subject to regulation by the Department of Agriculture, both on entering and leaving Hawaii. Upon leaving the Islands, you'll have to have your bags X-rayed and tagged at one of the airport's agricultural inspection stations before you proceed to check-in. Pineapples and coconuts with the packer's agricultural inspection stamp pass freely; papayas must be treated, inspected, and stamped. All other fruits are banned for export to the U.S. mainland. Flowers pass except for gardenia, rose leaves, jade vine, and mauna loa. Also banned are insects, snails, soil, cotton, cacti, sugarcane, and all berry plants.

You'll have to leave dogs and other pets at home. A 120-day quarantine is imposed to keep out rabies, which is nonexistent in Hawaii. If specific pre- and post-arrival requirements are met, animals may qualify for a 30-day or 5-day-or-less quarantine.

Airports

Honolulu International Airport (HNL) is the main stopover for most domestic and international flights. From Honolulu, there are departing interisland flights to the Big Island departing regularly from early morning until evening. In addition, some carriers now offer nonstop service directly from the Mainland to the Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO) on a limited basis. Like all of Hawaii's airports, the two Big Island airports are "open-air," meaning you can enjoy those tradewind breezes until the moment you step on the plane.

Honolulu/Oahu Airport

Hawaii's major airport is Honolulu International, on Oahu, 20 minutes (9 mi) west of Waikiki. To travel to the Big Island from Honolulu, you can depart from either the inter-island terminal or the commuter-airline terminal, located in two separate structures adjacent to the main overseas terminal building. A free bus service, the Wiki Wiki Shuttle, operates between terminals.

Information

Honolulu International Airport (HNL) (808/836-6413. www.hawaii.gov/dot/airports).

Big Island Airports

Those flying to the Big Island of Hawaii regularly land at one of two fields. Kona International Airport at Keahole, on the west side, best serves Kailua-Kona, Keauhou, and the Kohala Coast. There are two Visitor Information Program (VIP) booths located at baggage claims A and B to assist travelers at the Kona International Airport. Additionally, there are news and lei stands, Maxwell's Landing restaurant and a gift shop.

Hilo International Airport is more appropriate for those going to the east side of the island. Here, visitors will find VIP booths across from the Centerplate Coffee Shop & Lounge near the departure lobby and in the arrival areas at each end of the terminal. In addition to the coffee shop, services include a Bank of Hawaii automatic teller machine, gift shop, and news and lei stands. Waimea-Kohala Airport, called Kamuela Airport by residents, is used primarily for commuting among the Islands.

Information

Hilo International Airport (ITO) (808/934-5838). Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) (808/329-3423). Waimea-Kohala Airport (MUE) (808/887-8126).

Ground Transportation

Only Arnott's Lodge and the Hawaii Naniloa Hotel provide airport shuttles to and from the Hilo International Airport. If you're not renting a car, you'll need to take a taxi. There are 13 taxi companies serving the Hilo Airport. The approximate taxi rate is $3 flip, plus $.30 every 1/8 mile, with surcharges for waiting time at $.30 per minute and $1 per bag. Cab fares to locations around the island are estimated as follows: Banyan Drive hotels $11, Hilo town $12, Hilo Pier $13, Volcano $75, Keaau $22, Pahoa $50, Honokaa $105, Kamuela/Waimea $148, Waikoloa $188, and Kailua town $240.

At the Kona International Airport, SpeediShuttle offers transportation between the airport and hotels, resorts, and condominium complexes from Waimea to Keauhou. There is an online reservation and fare quote system for information and bookings.

Contacts

SpeediShuttle (877/242-5777. www.speedishuttle.com).

Flights

Airline Contacts

Aloha Airlines (800/367-5250. www.alohaairlines.com). America West (800/327-7810. www.americawest.com). American Airlines (800/433-7300. www.aa.com). ATA (800/435-9282 or 317/282-8308. www.ata.com). Continental Airlines (800/523 -- 3273 for U.S. and Mexico reservations; 800/231-0856 for international reservations. www.continental.com). Delta Airlines (800/221-1212 for U.S. reservations. www.delta.com). Hawaiian Airlines (800/367-5320. www.hawaiianair.com). Northwest Airlines (800/225-2525. www.nwa.com). Southwest Airlines (800/435-9792. www.southwest.com). United Airlines (800/864-8331 for U.S. reservations; 800/538-2929 for international reservations. www.united.com).

Interisland Flights

Aloha Airlines (800/367-5250. www.alohaairlines.com). go! Airlines (888/434-5946. www.iflygo.com). Hawaiian Airlines (800/367-5320. www.hawaiianair.com). Island Air (800/323-3345. www.islandair.com). Pacific Wings (888/575-4546. www.pacificwings.com). Paragon Airlines (800/428-1231. www.paragon-air.com).