One Of Hawaii's Most Popular Airports Was Ranked The Best For Summer Travel In 2026

The beautiful islands of Hawaii are some of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Located about 2,400 miles away from the mainland, they are an oasis nestled in the Pacific Ocean. The islands formed due to volcanic activity under the ocean. Luxury resorts, hidden ancient ruins, stunning beaches, waterfalls, and a rich cultural history are just a few of the reasons why travelers adore visiting Hawaii. Even the airports are excellent.

Recently, Kona International Airport was ranked as one of the best airports in the United States for summer travel. Forbes Advisor, a global media platform that provides reviews, news, and financial advice, published the best and worst airports for summer travel on May 7, 2026. Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) was dubbed number one on the list.

In order to discover which airports were the best for summer travel, Forbes Advisor researched busy airports in the United States and considered a number of factors. Kona International Airport's high number of on-time departures, low percentage of cancellations, and affordable ticket prices earned it the number one spot. It's already one of Hawaii's most popular airports, and now travelers who plan on visiting Hawaii this summer can rest assured that it's also a reliable place to fly.

Forbes Advisor narrowed down the search for the best and worst airports in the United States for summer travel by focusing on the 100 busiest airports in the country. Four categories were used to gauge each airport along with 12 different metrics. The categories Forbes used to rank each airport were delays, cancellations, infrastructure investment, and the cost of tickets during peak summer travel. Airports with the lowest overall scores were ranked among the best airports, and those with high scores were ranked the worst. All scores were measured out of 100. The total score for Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole based on those criteria was 7.58 out of 100. It has the lowest score of any airport that Forbes Advisory ranked using its specific methodology.

Travelers who are visiting a beautiful tropical destination like Hawaii are likely hoping for a vacation that is as peaceful and stress-free as possible. That's exactly what's in store at Kona International Airport according to the recent study. In some popular summer destinations, unpredictable weather can cause problems for commercial flights. Thunderstorms can cause delays and other issues. KOA had the lowest rate of delays due to weather when compared with other airports in the study.

The popular Hawaiian airport also had the second-best rate of on-time flight arrivals. The overall delay rate was low, and there weren't many diverted flights. The average cost of a plane ticket was around $308, which was affordable compared to other airports ranked in the study.

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport is located on the Island of Hawaii, which is also commonly referred to as The Big Island. The island is an extremely popular destination for tourists, and it's known for having gorgeous black sand beaches, luxurious resorts, and sparkling waters. It's also home to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which has great hiking and epic views. KOA is the main airport servicing the island. Over 4 million passengers arrive or depart from the airport each year.

KOA is close to several major tourist areas. Kailua-Kona resorts are only 20 minutes away, while Mauna Lani resorts are about 25 minutes away. It's about an hour and a half drive to the town of Hilo.

Kona International Airport has a car rental facility onsite, with shuttles available across from the baggage claim area. Rental car companies at the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty. Car rentals at the airport start at a price of around $50 per day. Within the airport there are a few different places to grab a bite to eat and do some souvenir shopping. For more tips on traveling to Hawaii, check out these 15 essential travel hacks.