Airports in USA

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is located three miles (6km) southeast of central Reno. The airport is the second-busiest in Nevada because it’s so close to the vacation and ski resort of Lake Tahoe.

The facilities are limited but sufficient, with enough food and shopping to entertain passengers. There are slot machines in the terminal if you want to try your luck, but in Reno-Tahoe you aren’t tripping over them like in Las Vegas McCarran Airport. The airport rarely feels crowded, and is a pleasant introduction to the beautiful mountains of the resort area.

Flights to Reno-Tahoe International Airport are mostly regional, coming from destinations like Seattle, Chicago, Houston, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, San Francisco and Phoenix.

Richmond International Airport (RIC) is located five miles (8km) east of Richmond. The primary airport for central Virginia, Richmond handles about 200 daily flights and nearly 4 million passengers each year.

Flights to Richmond International Airport are available from most cities in the eastern half of the US, but direct connections can be made from Minneapolis, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Detroit, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Orlando, Cleveland, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Charlotte, Washington DC, New York and Boston. The only direct international route is to Toronto, operated by Air Canada.

The stylish airport is beloved for its small size and stylish look, making it easy to navigate and pleasant to fly through. The atrium has an airy feeling thanks to the glass roof and large windows, avoiding the claustrophobic stuffiness of many other small airports.

Located seven miles (11km) southwest of central Rochester, Minnesota, Rochester International Airport (RST) is a tiny regional air field serving only two airlines. Processing fewer than 400,000 passengers each year, the airport’s main function is as a hub for AirMed, a medical airline.

Many passengers flying into Rochester do so to get to the renowned Mayo Clinic, a state-of-the-art non-profit medical practice and research facility. The airport was founded by the Mayo Foundation in 1928 as a way to transport patients from far-flung locations.

Flights to Rochester International Airport come in from only a few cities, with direct connections available from Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis. Many more able-bodied passengers choose to fly into Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, which is only a 90-minute drive from Rochester and is connected by bus and train. Those who fly through Rochester International Airport however, get an immediate taste of Minnesotan hospitality from the friendly and welcoming staff members.

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is 10 miles (16km) from Sacramento, California.

Southwest Airlines accounts for more than half the flights at Sacramento International; the low-cost pioneer carries about 4.6 million passengers each year. Flights to Sacramento International come in from destinations across the US such as Denver, Charlotte, Phoenix, San Francisco, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, Detroit, Dallas, San Jose, Houston and Washington, as well as Guadalajara in Mexico.

This small, easy-to-use airport can nonetheless get overcrowded at peak times, so head for the check-in counters early as most shops, restaurants and other facilities are after security.

Sacramento is the state capital of California, founded at the confluence of two rivers, and has a long and interesting settler history. Be sure to check out the many museums during your stay.

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.