Kauai Airport Code: LIH, PHLI, Lihue Airport and Travel Info
The main airport on Kauaʻi is Līhuʻe Airport. This guide explains the Kauai airport code, the LIH baggage code, PHLI ICAO code, ZIP code, departures, agriculture inspection, parking, taxis, rental cars, accessibility and pickup rules.
What is the Kauai airport code?
The Kauai airport code is LIH. It identifies Līhuʻe Airport, the primary airport on the island of Kauaʻi, Hawaii. You will see LIH on boarding passes, baggage tags, airline apps, flight searches and airport pickup instructions.
The aviation operations code is PHLI. Pilots, air traffic systems, FAA procedures and aeronautical charts use PHLI, while regular passengers usually use LIH.
Airport live checks & travel tools
Use current local conditions, official live-status links and planning calculators before you travel. Airline gate, terminal and flight times can change; your carrier remains the final source for flight-specific details.
Live flight center
Check the airport's official flight board, then confirm any last-minute gate or timing change with the airline.
Current airport-area weather
Useful for planning your trip to the airport. This is model-based local weather, not an aviation METAR or an airline operational forecast.
Quick official checks
Open the source that matches the decision you are making right now.
When should I reach the airport?
A planning estimate based on flight type and common time buffers. Always increase the buffer for severe weather, major holidays, unusual airport alerts or airline instructions.
Connection-risk checker
This is a planning heuristic, not an airline minimum-connection-time rule. International arrivals that require U.S. entry processing, baggage claim and security can need substantially more time.
Parking cost estimator
Uses the airport-specific rates stored in this article's configuration. Rates can change; verify availability and final pricing on the official parking page before driving in.
Passenger pickup readiness
Landing time is not curb-ready time. Add time for taxiing, deplaning, baggage claim, customs when applicable and walking to the correct pickup zone.
Use this for airline tickets, baggage tags and Kauai airport departures.
Used for aviation charts, air traffic, procedures and flight planning.
The official airport serving Kauaʻi’s main commercial flights.
Airport address ZIP code for Lihue, Hawaii.
LIH is in Hawaii, United States.
Kauai airport code departures: how to check LIH flights without bad data
For Kauai airport code departures, the safest live source is your operating airline’s app or website. The official Lihue Airport site publishes airline and airport guidance, but live gates, delays and cancellations can change close to departure.
Check the operating airline first
Codeshares can show one airline name while another airline operates the flight. The operating airline controls check-in, baggage and delay notices.
Search by LIH, not “Kauai”
Use LIH in flight trackers and airline apps. “Kauai airport” can produce third-party pages with stale terminal or gate data.
Give agriculture inspection time
Mainland-bound checked bags and carry-on items are subject to agriculture inspection. Do not time your arrival as if LIH were a small mainland airport.
Official LIH pages to check before travel
Flight, inspection, parking and pickup details can change. Use these official or primary sources on travel day.
LIH airport planning tools
These tools use static planning logic and published airport guidance. They do not provide live flight, TSA, parking or traffic data.
Kauai airport code lookup
Pick the code you found on a ticket, bag tag or flight chart.
LIH departure buffer calculator
Estimate how early to arrive before your flight.
Parking cost estimator
Uses LIH’s published parking rate structure effective February 1, 2024.
Pickup readiness checker
Avoid waiting at the curb where parking is not allowed.
Lihue Airport terminal guide: why LIH is simpler than many Hawaii airports
Lihue Airport uses the Kawakami Terminal. Official airport information describes a single-level terminal where ticket counters, agricultural inspection, security screening, baggage claim, visitor information, car rental, taxi service and parking are on the street side of the terminal.
Single-level passenger flow
LIH is easier for many travelers because core passenger services are on one level without elevator-dependent terminal changes.
Eight-gate airport
The airport has eight gates, two 6,500-foot runways, a control tower, helipads and facilities for domestic, overseas, interisland, cargo and general aviation.
Baggage claim is ground level
Arriving passengers are directed to ground-level baggage claim, where visitor information staff and travel brochures may be available.
Airlines serving LIH and how to avoid codeshare confusion
The official LIH airline directory lists Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, Southwest, United and WestJet. Airline participation and routes can change, so use the operating airline’s app for current departures, baggage limits and check-in deadlines.
Alaska
Check your Alaska app for LIH departure updates and baggage rules.
American
Confirm flight status and any mainland-connection baggage timing.
Delta
Use Delta’s operating flight status for gate and delay information.
Hawaiian
Useful for interisland and mainland Hawaii itineraries.
Southwest
Check boarding position timing and bag-drop cutoffs.
United
Confirm mainland departures and connection protection in the app.
WestJet
Check international-entry and baggage rules when applicable.
Codeshares
Look for “operated by” on the ticket. That carrier controls check-in.
Agriculture inspection at LIH: the step many mainland travelers miss
Hawaii has agricultural inspection rules that are different from most U.S. mainland airports. Arriving passengers with plants, animals or agricultural materials must declare them. Departing passengers flying to the continental U.S. must have baggage processed through U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection.
Arriving in Kauai
Declare plants, animals and agricultural materials. Plant quarantine inspectors may examine agricultural items in the baggage claim area.
Departing to the mainland
Checked bags are inspected before flight. Carry-on articles are inspected at security checkpoints. Be ready to open bags and parcels during x-ray inspection.
- Leave extra time before mainland departures.
- Keep food, leis, flowers and plant products easy to inspect.
- Do not hide agricultural items in checked or carry-on bags.
- Ask inspectors when unsure; guessing can cost time at the checkpoint.
TSA checkpoint hours and departure prep at Lihue Airport
Official LIH guidance lists TSA Checkpoint #1 as operating from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. Satellite Checkpoints #2 and #3 open on demand during peak daily hours.
Early departures
Do not assume satellite checkpoints will be open early. Check your airline’s recommended arrival time.
Inspection plus TSA
Mainland departures can involve agriculture inspection and TSA screening. Plan for both steps.
REAL ID
For U.S. domestic travel, confirm current TSA ID requirements before departure, especially if your ID was recently renewed or changed.
Getting from LIH to Poipu, Wailua, Princeville, Hanalei or your hotel
Lihue Airport is accessible by car, taxi, shuttle, courtesy buses and the Kauaʻi Bus. Your best choice depends on where you are staying, group size, luggage, flight time and whether you need a rental car for the island.
Rental car
All major rental-car companies are represented at LIH. From baggage claim, proceed to the rent-a-car booths across the street from the terminal. Pickup and drop-off are behind the respective booths.
Taxi
Taxi phones or cabs are available curbside of baggage claim. Official fare examples are estimates and not guaranteed, so confirm with the dispatcher or driver on arrival.
Kauaʻi Bus
The County of Kauaʻi provides island bus service from Kekaha to Hanalei, and two routes stop at Lihue Airport daily. The bus stop is in the median in front of the terminal.
Shuttle and courtesy buses
Pre-arranged ground transportation, hotel shuttles, group tours and courtesy vehicles serve the airport. Some listed providers have ADA vehicles available.
LIH parking rates, cell phone lot and EV charging
Public parking is available at Lihue Airport, with entry off Mokulele Loop. The official parking page says drivers should keep their ticket safe, write down the vehicle location and have cash or credit card ready at exit.
0–15 minutes
Free grace period. Useful for quick movement only, not curbside waiting.
Daily maximum
Published maximum is $24 per 24-hour period. Lost ticket minimum is also $24 per each 24 hours.
EV charging
The public lot includes an EV charging station serving two vehicles. The posted charge is $7 for 24 hours.
Cell phone waiting lot
The cellular telephone waiting lot is free. Use it while an arriving passenger collects bags and moves outside.
Accessible parking
Accessible parking spaces are available for vehicles with valid placards and are generally located near crosswalks.
Picking someone up at LIH without getting moved along
Passengers arrive on the ground level of the Kawakami Terminal. The curb is for active loading and unloading only, and airport security enforces the no-parking rule.
Do not wait at the curb while they are still walking, in baggage claim or using the restroom.
“Landed” can still mean taxiing, deplaning, walking to baggage claim or waiting for bags.
LIH is compact, but curbside space is limited during peak arrival banks.
Parking is the safer choice for lei greetings, groups, older travelers or families with children.
Accessibility, service animals and single-level travel at LIH
Lihue Airport’s single-level terminal can be easier for travelers with mobility needs because major passenger services are on the same level. Accessible curbside loading zones are for active loading and unloading only, and vehicles may not be left unattended.
Single-level terminal
Ticket counters, agriculture inspection, TSA screening, baggage claim, visitor information, rental cars, taxis and parking are on the street side of the terminal.
Accessible parking and loading
Accessible parking is available for valid placards. Curbside accessible loading zones are not parking spaces.
Guide and service dogs
Review airport and airline guidance before travel, especially when connecting from or to another island or mainland city.
Lost & Found, baggage problems and important LIH phone numbers
Start with where the item was lost. A checked bag problem goes to the airline; an item lost in an airport area may go to airport Lost & Found.
Airport Lost & Found
Official LIH frequently called numbers list Lost & Found at (808) 245-2082.
Checked baggage issue
For delayed, damaged or missing checked bags, contact the operating airline before leaving the baggage claim area when possible.
Lihue Airport address and map
Address: 3901 Mokulele Loop, Lihue, HI 96766. Vehicular access is via Ahukini Road from Kapule Highway, with the terminal served by a one-way loop road around the public parking lot.
Related Airport-Guides.org resources
Use these related airport-code guides when comparing island, U.S. and international airport codes.