Accessibility

Lihue (LIH) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services

Wheelchair assistance at Lihue Airport is provided free by your airline — request it at booking for best results. For security screening help, call TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel to have a Passenger Support Specialist waiting at the checkpoint. Family lanes, service animal relief areas, and sensory rooms are covered below.

Airline-provided service

Wheelchair assistance

Request wheelchair assistance when booking or at your airline's check-in counter; trained skycaps provide wheelchairs and escort service from check-in, the gate, or baggage claim.

Tip: request at booking rather than at the airport — airline wheelchair assistants are in higher demand at peak times and early requests are filled first.

TSA Cares

Free security screening assistance

TSA Cares is a free helpline and on-site assistance program for travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, or other circumstances that may affect the security screening process.

How to use: Call 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel. A Passenger Support Specialist will meet you at the LIH security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.

Call TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before you fly, or submit a request at tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares, and a Passenger Support Specialist can meet you at the checkpoint. LIH's single central checkpoint makes coordination simple since there is only one main screening location to plan around.

Security lanes

LIH does not have a permanently signed dedicated family lane at all checkpoints. Ask any TSA agent at the checkpoint for assistance — agents are trained to help travelers with special needs and can route you around standard queue lines.

Service animal relief areas

A grassy relief area is on the south side of Baggage Claim A, outside the terminal.

Note: service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow individual airline policies — check with your carrier before travel.

Quiet and sensory room

LIH does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. LIH does not have a dedicated sensory/quiet room. If you need a lower-stimulation space, ask any Visitor Information or airline counter agent — the open-air terminal has quieter corners near the ends of the gate corridors, away from the central checkpoint.

Wheelchair and mobility device rentals

There is no on-site wheelchair/mobility-scooter rental counter at the airport; skycaps provide airport wheelchairs for use within the terminal at no charge. For a personal mobility device to use around Kauai, off-airport vendors such as Kauai Wheelchair Mobility Equipment Rental Service (808-278-3696) deliver rental equipment.

Motorized scooters and power wheelchairs are generally available from airlines for gate-to-gate use; contact your carrier directly if you need a motorized device beyond a standard transport chair.

Pro Tip

LIH's single-level, no-elevators-needed layout is itself a major accessibility advantage — ticketing, security, gates, and baggage claim are all on one level with no stairs to navigate. Because much of the terminal is open-air, if you use a mobility device with sensitive electronics, ask staff about weather-covered routing during rain.

Frequently asked questions

Is wheelchair assistance free at LIH airport?

Yes — wheelchair assistance at LIH is provided free of charge by your airline or their contracted ground handler. Request it at booking or check-in. The airline arranges and covers the cost; no tipping is required, though it is appreciated.

How do I contact TSA Cares before my flight from LIH?

Call TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before your flight. The helpline is open weekdays 8 a.m.–11 p.m. ET and weekends/holidays 9 a.m.–8 p.m. ET. You can also submit a request online at tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares. A Passenger Support Specialist will meet you at the LIH security checkpoint at no cost.

Does LIH airport have a family security lane?

Lihue Airport does not have a permanently signed dedicated family lane at all checkpoints, but TSA officers are trained to accommodate travelers who need extra time. No dedicated family/special-assistance security lane has been confirmed at LIH. Ask any TSA officer at the checkpoint for extra time or assistance if traveling with small children or mobility needs — the airport's small size means officers can typically accommodate requests on the spot.

Where is the service animal relief area at LIH airport?

A grassy relief area is on the south side of Baggage Claim A, outside the terminal. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.

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