Cleveland Hopkins Intl Airport (CLE) Flights & Information

Cleveland, Ohio (CLE) has a busy airport (the busiest in the state) that has a long history of serving numerous airlines. While it has struggled to maintain the same level of service and number of destinations in recent years, it remains a popular option for travelers in northeastern Ohio. It has all the conveniences of a modern airport with great transportation options, a single terminal with a variety of dining choices, and two lounges. When flying from, to or through CLE, this information can help you have a more efficient and enjoyable travel experience

Destinations and airlines from CLE

Cleveland was a bustling hub for several airlines, many of which are now intertwined. For decades through the mid 1980s, this was a hub for United Airlines. In the 1990s and 2000s, Continental Airlines replaced it as the airport’s busiest airline.

Continental gave CLE its heyday with the most destinations it had ever had, including long-haul service to London and Paris. The airline built a new concourse to accommodate Continental’s regional jets although it has since closed when the airline closed its main hub there.

Interestingly, United and Continental eventually merged although their history at Cleveland’s airport was unrelated. Following the merger, United pulled down the hub operation that Continental had set up, which quickly slashed the number of flights and destinations at CLE.

Today, the airport is served by almost all major U.S. airlines as well as foreign carriers like Aer Lingus to Dublin and Air Canada to Toronto. A growing number of low-cost airlines like Frontier and Spirit have helped the airport to recuperate passenger numbers and bring down the cost of airfare.

While there is no longer a major hub carrier, Frontier has a focus city. Both Frontier and United vie for being the biggest airline at the airport. Flights to all corners of the country are available from CLE. Frontier has flights to island destinations like San Juan and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Airport terminals

The airport architecture has one terminal and four concourses although its newest (Concourse D) closed when United closed its hub. This airport is easy to connect through although these days, most travelers are beginning or ending their journeys here instead of changing planes between flights.

Passengers check in at their airlines through a main terminal before branching off into individual concourses to reach their gates. Ticketing counters are on the upper level while baggage claim and ground transportation options are on the lower floor.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, one of the city’s most famous attractions, has a gift shop in the main terminal if you forgot to pick up a souvenir for your favorite music fans. While there are no dedicated duty-free stores, some shops do offer duty-free pricing if you are on an international flight.

All three of the concourses are connected behind security, which means you can visit retail and food options in any of them. Renovation work is planned for the airport to upgrade some concourses, remove and rebuild Concourse D, and make other improvements to the passenger facilities and ramp areas.

Concourse A

This is where international flights arrive since it is the only one with an immigration and customs area. It also serves low-cost airlines like Frontier and Spirit.

800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen here has really delicious pizza, and I always make the walk over if I have time.

Concourse B

Delta and Southwest dominate this concourse. If you have a Priority Pass card, this is where The Club CLE lounge is and offers everything from light meals to an open bar. This is the only non-airline lounge at the airport. Many credit cards include Priority Pass membership as one of their benefits.

Concourse C

Lovingly known as “the banjo” for its recognizable instrument shape when seen from above or on a map, this is the busiest concourse in the airport. This was where United and Continental operated the majority of their hub operation.

Today, it is home to United as well as Air Canada, American and JetBlue. This is the concourse where you can get a haircut or manicure before your flight or enjoy a short massage at Aircuts and Day Spa.

If you want to try a local brew, Great Lakes Brewing Co., which started in Cleveland, has a bar here. The United Club, which also has an open bar and local craft beer on tap, is in this concourse, and I always enjoy the airport views from the windows in this lounge.

Stop by the vending machine that the tourism department installed in this concourse. It sells branded merchandise like hats and t-shirts for Cleveland and is worth a look just for the novelty of it.

The Cleveland Airport health walk

All of the concourses have markings for the CLE Health Walk, which encourages people to get their steps in as they meander through the concourses. It was designed by the city’s public health department and the American Heart Association.

Markings along this path indicate how many feet you have walked between signs. I always see both passengers and airport employees making their walk through the terminal, and it is a great way to get your steps in before a flight.

Airport amenities

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal. I wish there were more power outlets at each gate, but you can find dedicated charging stations in each concourse. I appreciate that they also have work stations where you can use a desk and access more power outlets.

The art and photographs hanging throughout the terminal is from local Cleveland area talent. Many of the pieces on display are only on a temporary exhibition, which means that frequent travelers usually have something new to discover.

If you want to dine in a restaurant in a different concourse, the GateWaiter mobile ordering service is a convenient perk. Travelers can order food via a mobile app and have it delivered to their gate. The app will only let you order food if there is enough time to get it to you before your flight.

There is a fee to use the service. But, if you go to pick up the food yourself, you don’t pay the fee. I typically order food before going through security so that it is ready to pick up and take directly to my gate. I wish more airports offered this service.

Airport hotels

The airport used to have an onsite Sheraton that was a short drive from the terminal, but it has since closed. Now, the closest airport hotels all require a shuttle ride. I prefer the Hilton Garden Inn as it is one of the closest, but the Aloft is the most stylish near the runways.

Many of these hotels have parking packages that are a significant savings in comparison to what the airport parking garages and lots will charge. It is also convenient if you have an early-morning flight and want to be close to the airport.

How to get to the airport

The airport train station, on the lower level of the main terminal, connects passengers with downtown Cleveland and takes under 30 minutes. The Red line trains leave about every 15 minutes.

There are also taxis, limo services, shuttle and rideshare options. All of the major rental car brands are at CLE, but to get to the rental car center, you need to take a shuttle from the main terminal. I have to tack on an extra half hour when returning a car because of this extra step.

There are more than 6,000 parking spots at the airport for those that choose to drive. The spots closer to the terminal cost more than those that require a shuttle drive. I recommend reserving a parking spot before arriving at the airport to make sure you are guaranteed a spot.

Alternative airport

Akron/Canton airport is less than an hour from Cleveland, and many travelers use price comparison sites like Kayak to see which has cheaper flights. Cleveland has more flight choices as well as two lounges, which Akron/Canton does not have.

An airport of firsts

The airport has a rich history. CLE was the first U.S. airport to have a control tower with radio equipment to communicate with aircraft. It was also the first airport terminal to divide the departure and arrival areas into two different levels to improve passenger flow.

Train connections go directly from the airport to downtown. This was the first North American airport to offer this type of intermodal connection and makes it easier for travelers heading to smaller cities to go directly from plane to train.

In 1930, Cleveland was the first airport to have a lighting system for the airfield. It was also the first airport in the U.S. to have its own onsite EMT team. While CLE has lost its hub status, it continues to grow and add services for travelers.