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Flying is the most common and efficient way to reach the Big Island of Hawaii. The island has two major airports:
- Kona International Airport (KOA): Located on the western side of the island, KOA serves as the primary gateway for travelers visiting the western and southern regions of the Big Island. Travelers can find direct flights to KOA from major West Coast cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. Flight durations typically range from 5 to 6 hours from the West Coast.
- Hilo International Airport (ITO): Situated on the eastern side of the island, ITO primarily serves travelers coming to the eastern and northern regions of the Big Island. Direct flights from the mainland to ITO usually have flight durations of around 6 to 7 hours.
Travelers from other Hawaiian islands can also reach the Big Island by inter-island flights, with short flight durations ranging from 20 minutes to one hour.
How Long Is the Flight to the Big Island?
The average flight time to the Big Island (officially known as the Island of Hawai’i) can vary depending on the departure city, airline, and route. Here are approximate flight times from some of the most common origins:
- Los Angeles, USA: Around 5 to 6 hours
- Sydney, Australia: Approximately 9 to 10 hours
- Tokyo, Japan: About 8 to 9 hours
- New York, USA: Approximately 11 to 12 hours (usually with a stopover)
- London, UK: About 17 to 18 hours (usually with a stopover)
- Vancouver, Canada: Around 6 hours
- San Francisco, USA: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
- Auckland, New Zealand: About 9 hours
These are estimated times and actual flight durations may vary based on the specific route, stopovers, and other factors. Direct flights may not be available from all locations, requiring connections through major hubs in the United States or other countries.
