Bakersfield Airport: Does This California City Have One?

Bakersfield, California is served by Meadows Field Airport, also known as Kern County Airport #1 or Bakersfield Municipal Airport. The airport is located about seven to eight miles north of downtown Bakersfield. It is one of two international airports in the San Joaquin Valley, the other being Fresno Yosemite International Airport.

Meadows Field Airport

The airport has a rich history, with aviation linked to Kern County since the industry's early days. In 1891, Charles Howard made a parachute jump from a hot air balloon at a height of 1,000 feet. By 1910, aircraft began arriving in the county, and Bakersfield had two airfields. With the development of commercial air service, Bakersfield needed a dedicated airport, and in 1926, the Kern County Chamber of Commerce constructed and operated the Kern County Airport No. 1. The airport was later modernised in the mid-1950s, with a new terminal and control tower built in 1957.

Today, Meadows Field Airport offers convenient parking options, easy access to the William Thomas Terminal building, and quick security and check-in processes. The airport also provides a true cost calculator on its website, allowing travellers to compare the cost of flying from Meadows Field Airport with that of flying from other cities. This tool helps travellers make informed decisions about their travel plans and encourages the use of their hometown airport.

Bakersfield's main airport

Bakersfield does indeed have an airport, and a historic one at that. Meadows Field Airport, also known as Kern County Airport #1, is located in Kern County, California, just three miles northwest of downtown Bakersfield.

The history of aviation in Kern County dates back to 1891 when Charles Howard ascended in a hot air balloon to 1,000 feet. By 1910, aircraft began arriving in the county, and Bakersfield soon had two airfields. The more prominent of the two was Bernard Field, located at Sacramento and Monterey streets in East Bakersfield. The other airfield was on the Panorama Bluffs in Northeast Bakersfield.

In 1926, the need for a purpose-built commercial airport led to the construction of Kern County Airport No. 1 by the Kern County Chamber of Commerce. The airport was moved to its current location the following year and was the first county-owned airport in the nation. The airport was purchased by Kern County in 1935 and renamed Meadows Field in 1957 after Cecil Meadows, the county's Director of Airports.

Meadows Field Airport has a rich history, even beyond its early days as an airfield. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces acquired usage rights to the airport, and it was placed under the jurisdiction of the IV Fighter Command. The airport was used for auxiliary training, including night fighter operations with modified Douglas A-20 Havocs and prototype YP-61 Black Widow night fighters.

Today, Meadows Field Airport is a public airport serving more than 1.4 million people in or near the Southern San Joaquin Valley. The airport is easily accessible, with Highway 99 and Merle Haggard Dr. providing the most direct route to the William M. Thomas Passenger Terminal. The terminal is open daily from 3:30 am to 1:30 am, and the airport is served by an FAA air traffic control tower from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm.

With its convenient location, modern facilities, and historical significance, Meadows Field Airport plays a vital role in the aviation landscape of California.

Airport services and facilities

Bakersfield, California, is served by Meadows Field Airport, also known as Kern County Airport #1. The airport is located three miles northwest of downtown Bakersfield and is the main airport for the Bakersfield area. It is one of two international airports in the San Joaquin Valley, the other being Fresno Yosemite International Airport.

Meadows Field Airport is owned by the County of Kern and is one of six airports operated by the Department of Airports. The airport serves more than 1.4 million people in or near the Southern San Joaquin Valley. The William M. Thomas Passenger Terminal is located approximately seven miles north of downtown Bakersfield, with the most direct access provided by Highway 99 and Merle Haggard Dr. The terminal is open daily from 3:30 am to 1:30 am, and the airport is served by an FAA air traffic control tower from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm.

The airport offers convenient parking options, with parking available right across the street from the terminal. Short lines at ticketing, TSA security checkpoints, and a quick walk to the gate make for a smooth travel experience. The airport also has a cost calculator on its website, allowing travellers to compare the cost of flying from Meadows Field Airport with that of flying from other cities, helping travellers make informed decisions about their travel plans.

The William M. Thomas Terminal has six gates numbered 2 through 6. Gate 1 is inoperational due to the lack of a jet bridge, and Gate 6 is at ground level. The terminal features a rotunda with a compass point floor design and a scaled model of Spaceship One. It also includes an Omni Goods gift shop and a Blimpie sandwich restaurant. The terminal is constructed on a hill, allowing for passenger services to be on the second level, while airport services are on the first.

In addition to the domestic terminal, Meadows Field Airport also has an International Air Terminal, which was built in 1957 and renovated in 2006. The International Air Terminal has three gates: 4, 5, and 5A. However, as of December 2020, the terminal is mothballed, with all signage covered up or removed. The International Air Terminal is accessible from the Domestic Terminal by turning left on Airport Drive and then left on Merle Haggard Drive, a distance of approximately 2.5 miles.

History of Bakersfield's airports

Bakersfield, California, has a rich history of aviation, dating back to the early days of flight. The area has been served by several airports over the years, with the first airfields appearing in the early 20th century.

In 1891, Charles Howard made a successful parachute jump from a hot air balloon 1,000 feet (300 m) above the ground in Kern County. This was followed by the arrival of aircraft in the county in 1910, just seven years after the Wright Brothers' historic first flight. These early planes were brought to the area by Glenn Curtiss, in conjunction with the Kern County Board of Trade, and the first flight was piloted by Charles Hamilton.

By the 1920s, Bakersfield had two airfields. The more prominent of the two was Bernard Field, located at Sacramento and Monterey streets in East Bakersfield. It was run by the Pacific Aero Club and served as a stop for US Air Mail from 1923 to 1926. The other airfield was located on the Panorama Bluffs in Northeast Bakersfield, where the Greenlawn Mortuary stands today.

However, with the development of commercial air service, Bakersfield needed a dedicated commercial airport. In 1926, the Kern County Chamber of Commerce constructed and operated "Kern County Airport No. 1", which became the first county-owned airport in the nation when Kern County bought it from the Chamber of Commerce in 1935. This airport, later renamed Meadows Field Airport, was originally located at the intersection of U.S. Route 99 and Norris Road but was moved a mile east to its current location the following year.

During World War II, Meadows Field Airport served as a training facility for the United States Army Air Forces. It was placed under the jurisdiction of the IV Fighter Command and used by the 481st Night Fighter Operational Training Group for night fighter operations. The airport was also utilised by various night fighter squadrons during their training before deployment to combat units in the Pacific and CBI theatres.

After the war, Meadows Field Airport returned to commercial operations. The airport underwent modernisation efforts in the mid-1950s, with the construction of new facilities, including a new terminal and control tower built in 1957. The airport was renamed Meadows Field, after Cecil Meadows, the county's Director of Airports, who played a significant role in the airport's modernisation and acquisition by the county.

Today, Meadows Field Airport continues to serve the Bakersfield area, offering convenient and accessible air travel options to its residents and visitors.

Airlines that fly to/from Bakersfield

Bakersfield, California is served by Meadows Field Airport, also known as Bakersfield Municipal Airport. The airport is located around seven miles north of downtown Bakersfield and is easily accessed via Highway 99 and Merle Haggard Dr.

Meadows Field Airport is owned by the County of Kern and is one of six airports operated by the Department of Airports. The airport is served by an FAA air traffic control tower from 6 am to 11 pm daily, and the passenger terminal is open from 3:30 am to 1:30 am.

The airport provides a convenient, reasonably priced, and efficient service for travellers, with easy parking options, a short walk to the William Thomas Terminal building, and quick access to the gate.

United Airlines offers flights to Bakersfield from over 200 airports within the United States and an additional 100 airports internationally. Some of the departure airports within the US include:

• Denver (DEN)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• Portland, OR (PDX)
• Houston (IAH)
• Las Vegas (LAS)
• Dallas (DFW)
• Baltimore (BWI)
• Seattle (SEA)
• Washington, D.C. (IAD)

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