Philadelphia's Dual Airport System: Two Hubs, One City

Philadelphia International Airport (IATA: PHL, ICAO: KPHL, FAA LID: PHL) is the primary airport serving Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located 7 miles from the city centre and is the 21st-busiest airport in the United States, serving 12.4 million passengers annually. However, there are several other airports in close proximity to Philadelphia, including Trenton-Mercer Airport, New Castle Air National Guard Base, and Atlantic City International Airport. These airports offer alternative options for travellers looking for closer access to specific destinations or seeking to bypass the busyness of PHL.

Philadelphia International Airport (IATA: PHL) is the primary airport serving Philadelphia

Philadelphia International Airport has a long history, dating back to 1925 when the Pennsylvania National Guard used the site as a training airfield. Over the years, the airport has undergone various expansions and renovations, with the most recent being a $15 million project to enhance restroom facilities. The airport covers 2,302 acres and has six terminals with a total of 126 gates, offering flights to over 130 destinations worldwide.

PHL is an important hub for American Airlines, serving as its primary hub in the Northeastern United States and its gateway to Europe and the transatlantic market. The airport also serves as a regional cargo hub for UPS Airlines and a focus city for Frontier Airlines. With its high passenger traffic and economic impact, Philadelphia International Airport plays a vital role in the region's economy, contributing significantly to the prosperity of Philadelphia, the Delaware Valley metropolitan region, and Pennsylvania as a whole.

In addition to its role as an aviation hub, Philadelphia International Airport is also known for its art installations. In 2011, an 85,000-square-foot mural was completed along the sides of the airport parking garages facing I-95, featuring images of Philadelphians dancing, captured by local photographer JJ Tiziou. This mural adds a unique touch of local culture and creativity to the airport experience.

Trenton-Mercer Airport is 34 miles from Philadelphia

Philadelphia International Airport (IATA: PHL, ICAO: KPHL, FAA LID: PHL) is the primary airport serving Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located 7 miles from the city centre and is the busiest airport in the state, serving 12.4 million passengers annually.

However, there are several other airports in close proximity to Philadelphia, including Trenton-Mercer Airport, which is 34 miles from the city. Trenton-Mercer Airport (IATA: TTN, ICAO: KTTN) is a domestic airport located in Trenton, New Jersey. It is a convenient gateway to the region's diverse attractions, including historical sites, parks, and urban centres. Frontier Airlines is a prominent carrier at this airport, with Orlando (MCO) being the top destination. Transportation options include taxis, car rentals, and rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft. The airport is approximately 34 miles from Philadelphia, with an estimated drive time of 38 minutes.

Trenton-Mercer Airport is a great alternative for travellers looking to bypass the busyness of Philadelphia International Airport or seeking closer access to specific destinations. It offers practical choices and easy access to the region's attractions. The airport is just a few miles from the heart of Trenton, providing a convenient gateway for travellers.

In addition to Trenton-Mercer Airport, there are several other airports within a reasonable distance from Philadelphia. These include New Castle Air National Guard Base (38 miles away), Atlantic City International Airport (55 miles away), and Lehigh Valley International Airport (55 miles away). These airports offer alternative options for travellers and provide access to various destinations in the region.

New Castle Air National Guard Base is 38 miles from Philadelphia

Philadelphia International Airport (IATA: PHL, ICAO: KPHL, FAA LID: PHL) is the primary airport serving Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located 7 miles from the city centre and is the 21st-busiest airport in the United States, serving 12.4 million passengers annually.

However, there are several other airports in close proximity to Philadelphia that offer alternative options for travellers. Here is some information about New Castle Air National Guard Base, which is 38 miles from Philadelphia:

New Castle Air National Guard Base (ILG / KILG) is a domestic airport located in Wilmington, Delaware, 38 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The airport serves as a convenient gateway to the Delaware Valley region, offering easy access to attractions such as historic New Castle and the Delaware beaches. Avelo Airlines is a prominent carrier serving the airport, with top destinations including Orlando (MCO) and San Juan (SJU). The airport is accessible via various transportation options, including taxis, car rentals, and rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft. Private shuttle services also provide transportation to and from the airport.

The driving distance from New Castle Airport to Philadelphia is approximately 37 miles, or a 45-minute drive. This airport is one of several alternatives to Philadelphia International Airport for travellers looking for closer access to specific destinations or seeking to bypass the busyness of PHL.

Other nearby airports to Philadelphia include Trenton-Mercer Airport (34 miles away), Atlantic City International Airport (55 miles away), Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton (50.7 miles away), and Newark Liberty International Airport (73.2 miles away).

Atlantic City International Airport is 55 miles from Philadelphia

Philadelphia International Airport (IATA: PHL, ICAO: KPHL, FAA LID: PHL) is the primary airport serving Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located 7 miles (11 km) from the city's downtown area and is the 21st-busiest airport in the United States, serving 12.4 million passengers annually. The airport covers 2,302 acres (932 ha) and has six terminals and four runways. It is a major hub for American Airlines, which has an average of 420 departing flights per day to over 100 destinations.

While Philadelphia International Airport is the closest major airport to the city, there are several other airports in the region that offer alternative options for travellers. Atlantic City International Airport (IATA: ACY, ICAO: KACY) is one such airport. Located 55 miles from Philadelphia, it is a convenient gateway to the iconic seaside resort city of Atlantic City, known for its casinos, beaches, and boardwalk.

Spirit Airlines is a prominent airline serving Atlantic City International Airport, with the route to Orlando (MCO) being the most popular, accounting for 28% of all weekly departures. However, it is important to note that, as far as is known, there are no international flights from this airport.

For travellers looking to bypass the busyness of Philadelphia International Airport or seeking closer access to specific destinations, Atlantic City International Airport offers a viable alternative. With a driving distance of 55 miles, it is significantly further than Philadelphia International Airport but may still be a practical option for those travelling to or from the Atlantic City region.

In addition to Atlantic City International Airport, other nearby airports to Philadelphia include Trenton-Mercer Airport (34 miles away), New Castle Air National Guard Base (38 miles away), Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton Airport (50.7 miles away), and Newark Liberty International Airport (73.2 miles away). These airports offer additional options for travellers and provide access to a range of destinations in the wider region.

Lehigh Valley International Airport is 55 miles from Philadelphia

Philadelphia is served by Philadelphia International Airport (IATA: PHL), located just 7 miles from the city's downtown area. However, there are other airports near Philadelphia, including Lehigh Valley International Airport, which is 55 miles from Philadelphia.

Lehigh Valley International Airport (IATA: ABE) is a domestic airport located in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It is situated roughly 7 miles northeast of Allentown, 4 miles northwest of Bethlehem, and 11 miles southwest of Easton. The airport is conveniently positioned in the centre of the Lehigh Valley, providing easy access to major population centres on the East Coast.

Lehigh Valley International Airport is a popular alternative to the congested Philadelphia International and Newark Liberty International Airports. It has experienced significant growth in passenger numbers, with 912,000 passengers using the airport in 2022. The airport is also a hub for air cargo transportation, shipping more than 237 million pounds of cargo in 2022. Companies like Amazon.com utilise the airport for their operations.

The distance between Lehigh Valley International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport is approximately 55 miles or 88 kilometres. The driving distance is slightly longer, at 74 miles, and the travel time by car is around 1 hour and 37 minutes. The flight time between the two airports is estimated to be just 36 minutes.

Lehigh Valley International Airport offers direct flights through several airlines, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. The airport features two asphalt runways and nine gates to service passengers. It also has six holding spots for cargo aircraft, accommodating A300F cargo aircraft and Boeing 767s.

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