โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Upolu Airport is a small state-run general aviation airport on the Big Island of Hawaii, three miles northwest of Hawi on the Kohala coast. It has one 3,800-foot runway, no aviation services, and a long history that runs from the old Suiter Field era through military use and later civilian operation under Hawaii DOT.
The field is not a scheduled-airline airport today, and that is central to understanding it. Travelers should expect a very light-footprint airfield with basic facilities, no fuel, and no conventional airline terminal flow. Its value lies in private aviation, emergency flexibility, and local access to the island's far northern district.
UPP is distinctive because of both setting and history. Few small Hawaiian airports combine territorial-era origins, wartime carrier-training use, and present-day quiet GA status, and the airport remains a useful reminder that the island's aviation geography once depended on several far smaller coastal gateways than today's better-known fields.
๐ Connection Tips
Upolu Airport is a small general aviation field northwest of Hawi, with no aviation services on site, so there is no meaningful commercial transfer experience to rely on. Plan it as a self-contained stop: arrive with fuel, transport, and any onward ground arrangements already confirmed, because the airport does not function like a staffed passenger terminal. On the Big Island, a road transfer to Kohala, Waimea, or the Kona coast is usually the practical next leg, not a terminal-to-terminal connection. Upolu Airport is essentially a bush strip for the northwest side of the island, so the real transfer is a road or 4WD handoff toward Hawi, Waimea, or the Kohala coast rather than any airport-side transport desk. If you are moving farther across the island, that road handoff is the practical next leg, not a terminal-side transport market. In that setting, the airport is only useful when the vehicle or host pickup is already waiting for you on the island. On the Big Island, that is why the road transfer to Hawi or Waimea needs to be sorted before arrival. A confirmed vehicle matters most if you are carrying bags or moving onward to a rural homestead. The airport is a planning stop, not a place where you can reliably improvise the next ride.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
International โ Domestic
75
minutes
International โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is the primary international airport serving New Mexico, located just three miles southeast of downtown Albuquerque. The airport boasts a distinctive Pueblo-style architectural terminal, which is both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional. This single, multi-level terminal efficiently manages all arrivals and departures, featuring a logical layout designed for passenger convenience. The lower level is dedicated to arriving passengers, housing baggage claim areas (three in total to serve Concourses A and B) and providing direct exits to ground transportation.
The upper level of the terminal is the departure zone, where travelers will find airline ticketing counters, security checkpoints, and access to the two main concourses, Concourse A and Concourse B. Concourse A primarily serves American Airlines, Delta, and United, while Southwest Airlines predominantly operates out of Concourse B. The terminal has a total of 22 gates, ensuring ample capacity for its scheduled domestic flights and limited international services. Recent upgrades include a TSA Checkpoint Terminal Connector Project, which has enhanced security screening with up to four lanes and modern passenger amenities like new escalators and elevators.
Amenities at ABQ are comprehensive for a regional international facility. Passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi, numerous charging stations, a variety of shops (including those offering local artisanal gifts), and diverse dining options ranging from cafes and fast-food outlets to restaurants serving New Mexican cuisine. Additional facilities like a Meditation Room and an observation deck contribute to a comfortable travel experience, complemented by a notable art collection displayed throughout the terminal.
๐ Connection Tips
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) offers excellent ground transportation connectivity just 3 miles southeast of downtown. ABQ RIDE provides completely free bus service (fare-free since November 2023) with Route 50 connecting the airport to downtown via Union Square Bus Station every 15-30 minutes, taking just 24 minutes total - the bus stop is conveniently located on the lower level at the west end of the shuttle island. Route 50 also connects to the Alvarado Transportation Center downtown where passengers can transfer to the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
Rail Runner connections are enhanced through Route 350 (Railrunner Connecting bus) and free bus transfers when you have a valid Rail Runner ticket purchased in advance online or via mobile app - otherwise pay the driver a $1 fare each way. Official taxi service is available with fares starting at $35 to downtown Albuquerque through companies like ABQ Metro Taxi (505-450-8580) and Aspen Rides (505-388-3692). Ride-sharing via Uber and Lyft requires pre-booking as street hailing is not permitted.
For Santa Fe destinations, Groome Transportation operates 30 daily trips taking 75 minutes with variable pricing, while RoadRunner Charter provides door-to-door service to Santa Fe and Los Alamos areas. The Rail Runner Express connects Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Belen with convenient airport shuttle connections. Recent December 2025 improvements under the ABQ RIDE Forward Network Plan enhanced transit connectivity throughout the metropolitan area.
โ Back to Upolu Airport