Airports in North America

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is about four miles (6.5km) from the city center of Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah and the largest city in the US southwest. The airport sees a whopping 21 million passengers a year, and flights to Salt Lake City Airport come to and from major hubs across the country, as well as Paris, Tokyo, Toronto and destinations in Mexico.

Only 15 minutes from the city center and less than half an hour from 1.3 million jobs, this is a popular airport for business travel and for millions of ordinary travelers in the area. It's a very well-equipped airport, so if you've got a long stopover, don't despair - there are loads of things to keep you busy here, from DVD player rental to decent shops and restaurants to an 18-hole golf course. Kids will love the fully-equipped play areas in Terminal 1.

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) serves an average of 8 million passengers per year and is located approximately 8 miles (13km) from downtown San Antonio, Texas. Flights to San Antonio International Airport come from a number of destinations, including Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, Newark, Memphis, New York, Denver, Washington DC, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Charlotte, Baltimore, Denver, Orlando, Mexico City, Cancun, and Monterrey.

Recent building work has improved the handling capacity of the airport, as well as its accessibility. In 2010, Terminal 2 was closed and the newly built Terminal B was opened; the old terminal was then aptly named Terminal A and Terminal 2 was demolished in early 2011. A third terminal, Terminal C, is to be built by 2015. Furthermore, the construction of major roads – Interstate 410 and U.S. Highway 281 – has significantly improved transport flow and driving time to and from San Antonio International.    

Although fairly limited in terms of shopping and dining options, amenities are sufficient and service is warm and friendly, much like the charming city of San Antonio.

Sometimes referred to as Lindbergh Field, San Diego International Airport (SAN) is located 3 miles (4.8 km) north-west of the center of the city of San Diego, at the southern tip of California.

It is the United States’ busiest single runway commercial airport, handling around 18 million passengers per year. As it’s situated within a highly populated suburban area, departures are only permitted between 6:30am and 11:30pm.

San Diego International has three terminals: Terminals 1 and 2 and the Commuter Terminal. All international arrivals are handled by Terminal 2, while the Commuter Terminal services flights between San Diego and Los Angeles International Airport. The airport is relatively easy to navigate and flights are generally punctual during most of the year, however delays are common in autumn and winter when visibility is low (thanks to the mighty Santa Ana winds that sweep through the region).

Despite having only one runway, San Diego International manages to keep up with the number of passengers frequenting its terminals each year. It’s a small and clean airport with helpful staff and sufficient amenities.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located 13 miles (21 km) south of downtown San Francisco and is the largest airport in the Bay Area and the second-busiest airport in California.

Comprising four terminals – Terminals 1, 2, 3 and the International Terminal – that form a ring around a multi-story Domestic Airport parking garage, San Francisco International is easy to navigate. Terminals 1-3 handle all domestic flights, while the International Terminal mainly manages international flights. Customs, immigrations and baggage claims are generally fast; staff are friendly, signage is good and transport to and from the airport is excellent.  Delays are common, though, due to the region’s adverse weather patterns; however, there are plans to extend the runways in order to aid aircraft flying in low visibility conditions.

San Francisco International is clean and modern. With its newly revamped Terminal 2 housing an award-winning aviation museum and library, along with an extensive array of retail, dining, entertainment and health establishments, it is truly a world-class facility.

Flights to San Francisco International Airport comes from a number of destinations worldwide, including Toronto, Paris, Tokyo, London, Hong Kong, Seoul, Lima, Frankfurt, Singapore, San Salvador, Beijing, Mexico City, Sydney and Cancun, in addition to numerous domestic routes.

Just two miles (4km) northwest of downtown San Jose, the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is an important point of entry to the city and to California generally. It functions as an alternative to Oakland International Airport and San Francisco International Airport, both about 35 miles (56km) away.  Often called the “capital of Silicon Valley”, this is one of the largest cities in California , and home to the headquarters of several technology companies.

Flights to Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport come in from several major hubs across the US. Since the opening of a new terminal in 2010, the previously much maligned airport has been transformed into a well-equipped and functional facility. You shouldn't have too much trouble getting through it to San Jose.

Located four miles (7km) north-west of downtown Sarasota and 10 miles (6km) south of Bradenton, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is the gateway to the Gulf Coast of Florida, USA. It handles more than 1 million passengers per year.

The airport comprises one terminal building for both arrivals and departures, with limited facilities and services. However, the airport has a reputation for smooth check-ins, security and baggage claims; queues are mercifully rare. Staff members are generally friendly and amenities are neat and clean.

Perhaps the only downside is that, as a result of the small number of airlines serving the airport, flights to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport are expensive. Then again, one doesn’t have to endure the stresses associated with busier airports that offer cheaper rates.     

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), also affectionately known as Sea-Tac Airport, is located in the southern King County of Washington, 12 miles (19km) south of Seattle. Serving more than 31.5 million passengers in 2010, it is the United States’ 18th busiest airport.

Sea-Tac Airport has a Main (central) Terminal and ticketing arena surrounded by concourses A-D, as well as a two satellite terminals called the North and South Satellites. An automatic people-mover transports passengers between the satellite terminals and the Main Terminal. Running alongside the ticketing concourse is the airport garage, which houses five parking areas and a ground transportation center. All gates may be accessed once past security.

With an extensive selection of art on display throughout the airport, in addition to a host of shops, restaurants, bars, bistros and fast-food outlets, Sea-Tac is both attractive and inviting. Moreover, its combination of efficient facilities and helpful staff make pesky tasks such as checking-in a breeze.

Flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport comes from a number of cities worldwide, including Toronto, Paris, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seoul, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Tokyo, New York, Honolulu and Beijing.

Located about 10 miles (16km) south-east of Fort Myers, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) serves the greater Southwest Florida region, including Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Bonita Springs and Naples. More than 7.5 million passengers used it in 2010 and it is one of the busiest single runway airports in the US.

Comprising one Main Terminal and concourse B-D, with free Wi-Fi throughout, modern facilities and plenty of natural sunlight, Southwest Florida International is a compact yet state-of-the-art airport. Security checks and baggage claims are quick and efficient, amenities neat and tidy, and staff courteous and helpful. Moreover, the airport features a wide array of works by local artists, making it a pleasure to wander around while you wait for your flight.

With nonstop flights throughout North America, and services to Canada and Germany, as well as a number of national hubs including Atlanta, Chicago and New York, Southwest Florida International offers much in the way of convenience for both local and international travelers.

Kentucky’s second-busiest airport (after Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky), Louisville International Airport (SDF) is situated in the city of Louisville, in Jefferson County. The airport used to be called Standiford Field, but changed its name in 1995, hence its IATA code of SDF. Currently the airport is home to Worldport, the worldwide hub for UPS Airlines, which operates cargo planes both in the United States and internationally.

Louisville International serves more than 3 million passengers per year, with non-stop flights to major cities all over the US. The airport is home to 11 major airlines, including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta, US Airways and Vision Airlines.

While the airport has only a modest selection of amenities and services, the Altitude: A Travelers’ Club is a premier lounge with bargain rates for day visitors. If you have a few hours to pass, check-in here for some comfort, peace and free high-speed Internet access. 

Tampa International (TPA) is a relatively small airport located in Hillsborough County, Florida, just 7 miles (11km) from Tampa’s city center. It’s a friendly and attractively designed airport with a great selection of amenities.

The airport has a unique design featuring one landside terminal where all the ticketing, check-ins, customs and security checks take place and then four airside satellite buildings that are connected to the main terminal via automated people movers. The landside building has a great range of food and drink options and each of the satellite terminals has a couple of shopping and eating options as well. There is also duty free, but only in the satellite terminals that handle international flights.

Tampa International Airport is a hub for Gulfstream International Airways. However, Southwest Airlines offers the most flights to Tampa International. There are also a number of non-stop services to various destinations across the United States as well as the UK, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

With its innovative design and friendly service, Tampa is a great airport to use when flying to Florida. From the air the airport almost resembles a wheel with four spokes, and on the ground it’s an easy airport to navigate.