Lihue Airport (LIH)
Security wait right now, how busy LIH is today, how early to arrive, drop-off and parking, delays and nearby airports.
- Quietest today
- 12 PM–2 PM 10–20 min
- Busiest today
- 7 AM–9 AM 15–35 min
- Arrive
- 2 h / 3 h domestic / international
Modeled from FAA passenger volumes, TSA's daily screening numbers, time of day and current airport conditions; refreshed every 15 minutes, not a checkpoint sensor. How we estimate
How busy is LIH airport right now?
Right now the standard security line at Lihue Airport is short: about 10–25 min (updated 10:47 AM HST). In the next 12 hours it should peak around 4 PM (15–30 min) and be lightest around 9 PM (5–15 min).
Lihue Airport is a mid-size U.S. airport. Current conditions:
- Airport operationsMinor
- DelaysNo FAA delay programs
- Weather nowScattered Rain Showers, 79°F
- LocationLihue, Kauai, HI
- Passengers / year1,535,075
- U.S. rank#76 of 501
- CodesLIH · PHLI
Security wait, next 12 hours
Show as table
| Hour | Estimated wait | Line |
|---|---|---|
| 10 AM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 11 AM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 12 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 1 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 2 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 3 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 4 PM | 15–30 min | Moderate |
| 5 PM | 15–30 min | Moderate |
| 6 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 7 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 8 PM | 5–20 min | Short |
| 9 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
LIH airport delays today
No FAA ground stops, ground delay programs or closures at LIH right now (checked 10:47 AM HST).
Weather at LIH: Scattered Rain Showers, 79°F, slightly reduced visibility or lower clouds (MVFR).
The FAA lists airport-wide programs only. A single late or cancelled flight is shown by your airline, so check its app as well. Delays at all U.S. airports →
How early to get to LIH
Airlines recommend 2 hours for domestic and 3 hours for international flights. Enter your flight to see when to be at Lihue, Kauai and when to leave home, based on today's security estimate.
| Trip | Arrive before departure |
|---|---|
| Domestic, carry-on only | 1 h 30 min – 2 h |
| Domestic, checked bag | 2 h |
| International | 3 h |
| Flying 7 AM–9 AM | add 15–30 min |
Getting to LIH: drop-off, pick-up and parking
Lihue Airport is in Lihue, Kauai, HI. For drop-off, follow the Departures signs to your airline's curb; curbside stopping is for active loading only, and pick-ups are usually directed to the arrivals curb or the cell-phone lot. At the busiest hours today (7 AM–9 AM) add time for curb and garage traffic.
Parking rates, cell-phone lot and shuttle details are on the official LIH website.
Airports near Lihue, Kauai
Security wait right now at the closest alternatives to LIH.
LIH airport FAQ
How long is the TSA line at LIH right now?
The current estimate for the standard security lane at Lihue Airport is 10–25 min (updated 10:47 AM HST). It refreshes every 15 minutes; follow airport signs and staff if the line in front of you looks different.
Are there delays at LIH today?
The FAA reports no ground stops or ground delay programs at LIH as of 10:47 AM HST. Individual flights can still be late, so check your airline's app.
Is LIH airport open right now?
The FAA reports no closure at LIH as of 10:47 AM HST. For weather or security emergencies, check the official LIH website.
How busy is LIH airport today?
Today (Friday) LIH security is expected to be busiest 7 AM–9 AM (15–35 min) and quietest 12 PM–2 PM (10–20 min).
What time does TSA open at LIH?
Security checkpoints at Lihue Airport open before the first morning departures, which at most U.S. airports means around 4–5 AM (earlier at some large hubs). Hours differ by checkpoint and terminal, so for a very early flight confirm on the official LIH website.
Where do I drop off passengers at LIH?
Follow the Departures signs to the upper or departures-level curb for your airline. Curbside stopping is for active loading only; at peak hours (7 AM–9 AM) allow extra time for curb traffic. Cell-phone lots and parking rates are listed on the official LIH website.
Is TSA PreCheck open at LIH?
PreCheck lanes usually run during the main morning-to-evening operating hours but can open later and close earlier than standard lanes, and not every checkpoint has one. Outside those hours PreCheck travelers are screened in the standard lane, so plan for the standard wait.
How early should I get to LIH?
Airlines and TSA recommend 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one. At the busiest hour today the LIH security line alone can reach 35 minutes; use the calculator on this page for your flight time.
Are these live LIH TSA wait times?
They are modeled estimates refreshed every 15 minutes, not a camera or sensor count at the checkpoint. They combine FAA passenger volume, TSA's daily national screening numbers, the hour, weekday, holiday periods and current FAA and weather conditions.
Where can I see the hour-by-hour LIH security forecast?
The LIH TSA wait times page has today's hourly chart, the weekly heatmap and PreCheck details.