Baton Rouge's Air Travel: Airport Accessibility And Convenience

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is served by the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR), also known as Ryan Field. The airport is located four miles north of the city's central business district. BTR is ranked as the second-largest airport in Louisiana by passenger volume, serving over 762,000 travellers annually. The airport offers nonstop connectivity to Washington D.C. and short hops to cater to various destinations.

Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR)

The airport has a rich history, originally serving as Harding Field during World War II and was used by the United States Army Air Forces Technical Service Command for maintenance, supply, and pilot training. Today, the airport has three runways and a complex system of taxiways, catering to various aircraft operations, including commercial, transient, local GA, air taxi, and military flights.

BTR is the second-largest commercial airport in Louisiana by passenger volume. It provides connections to five major hubs: Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Houston Intercontinental (IAH), and Washington, DC (DCA). The airport offers a mix of non-stop flights and short hops, with major airlines such as American, Delta, and United operating from the airport.

The airport has a range of amenities, including dining, shopping, and vacation packages. It also provides rental vehicles, parking, and passenger pickup services. With an annual economic impact exceeding $1 billion, the airport plays a vital role in the local community.

Airlines serving Baton Rouge

The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (IATA: BTR, ICAO: KBTR, FAA LID: BTR), also known as Ryan Field, is a public airport located four miles (7 km) north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. It is the second-largest commercial airport in Louisiana by passenger volume, providing global access through frequent flights on American, Delta, and United to five major hubs: Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT), Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW), Houston Intercontinental (IAH), and Washington, DC (DCA).

Historically, the airport was served by American Airlines, Continental Airlines (now United Airlines), Eastern Airlines, Northwest Airlines (now Delta Air Lines), Southern Airways, Trans-Texas Airways (TTa), and Republic Airlines. Most BTR flights are operated with larger regional jets or mainline aircraft that offer first-class, premium economy, and coach seating.

Currently, commercial airline service at the airport is primarily operated with Canadair CRJ or Embraer ERJ regional jets flown by the regional affiliates of the major airlines that serve Baton Rouge. Most Delta and American flights are operated with larger, multi-class regional jets, including CRJ-700, CRJ-900, and E175 aircraft. Delta also uses mainline Boeing 717 jets for some flights. United Express flights are operated with a mix of E175, CRJ-700, and ERJ-145 aircraft.

Baton Rouge's second-largest airport

Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, also known as Ryan Field, is the second-largest airport in Louisiana by passenger volume. It is a public airport located four miles (7 km) north of the central business district of Baton Rouge, in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, United States. The airport covers an area of 1,250 acres (510 ha) at an elevation of 70 feet (21 m) above sea level. It has three runways, the longest of which is 7,500 feet (2,286 m) long with a concrete surface.

The airport was originally called Harding Field during World War II and was used by the United States Army Air Forces Technical Service Command as a maintenance and supply base. It was also a training base for pilots, including Quentin Aanenson, who flew P-47 Thunderbolts. After the war, the airport was returned to civilian use and renamed Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport.

Today, the airport is served by major airlines such as American, Delta, and United, offering connections to some of the largest hub airports in the United States. The airport has a small-hub classification, with slightly over 800,000 passengers per year, despite being in a city and metro area that might be expected to generate more traffic. This is partly due to the proximity of New Orleans' Armstrong International Airport.

The airport has a variety of amenities for travellers, including rental vehicles, dining and shopping options, and free Wi-Fi. There are also plans to build a hotel connected to the terminal to add convenience for travellers and grow airport revenue.

Baton Rouge airport expansion

Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (IATA: BTR, ICAO: KBTR, FAA LID: BTR), also known as Ryan Field, is located four miles (7 km) north of the central business district of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The airport is the second-largest commercial airport in Louisiana by passenger volume, providing global access through flights on American, Delta, and United to five major hubs: Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT), Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW), Houston Intercontinental (IAH), and Washington DC (DCA).

BTR covers an area of 1,250 acres (510 ha) at an elevation of 70 feet (21 m) above mean sea level. It has three runways: 4L/22R, 4R/22L, and 13/31. The airport had 51,070 aircraft operations in 2018, with 17,695 of those being commercial air carrier flights.

In March 2012, an expansion project began to relieve traffic jams inside the terminal caused by passengers going through security screening or departing the airport in the same area as the walkway from the parking garage and waiting area. The expanded rotunda opened in October 2013, with the TSA checkpoint relocated to provide more room and allow for an additional line. New seating in the rotunda provides an outlet at each seat, and a charging station has been added at the beginning of Concourse A. The renovated food court now includes PJ's Coffee and WOW Cafe: American Grill and Wingery. The airport sports lounge has also been expanded and renovated, and other amenities include free Wi-Fi, a business center, chapel, and a children's playroom.

In January 2016, it was announced that the airport is seeking to open a hotel that would connect to the BTR terminal to grow airport revenue and add convenience for travelers. The airport's board of commissioners accepted a request for proposals from Holiday Inn representatives to explore building a 147-room hotel with a Mike Anderson's Seafood.

In October 2022, the Metro Council approved a 30-year lease between the airport and Burrell Aviation, which will give the airport a larger role in the region's economy. Burrell Aviation meets surging demand from air cargo to logistic solutions, contracting with companies like FedEx and Amazon. With more air cargo coming through Baton Rouge, there will be more job opportunities.

Baton Rouge airport history

The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, also known as Ryan Field, is a public airport located four miles (7 km) north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the United States. The airport first opened in 1941 and has since undergone several name changes and expansions to become the second-largest commercial airport in Louisiana by passenger volume.

Early History

In the summer of 1939, East Baton Rouge Parish began searching for a new airport site to accommodate longer runways, as the existing downtown airport on Goodwood Boulevard was too small. The site chosen for the new airport was on the northerly outskirts of the city, spanning approximately 800 acres (324 hectares) of forest land. Before construction was completed, the U.S. Army leased the airport in December 1940 due to the need for more airfields in the South during World War II. The Baton Rouge airfield was strategically located to defend the refineries along the Mississippi River.

Harding Field

The airport was officially named "Harding Field" on January 22, 1942, honouring Lieutenant William Harding, a distinguished pilot and Olympian from Louisiana who died in a plane crash in 1936. During World War II, Harding Field served as a training base for fighter pilots, using aircraft such as the P-47 Thunderbolt, P-40 Warhawks, and P-39 Airacobras. It was also used by the United States Army Air Forces Technical Service Command for maintenance and supply operations.

Post-War Era

After the war, in August 1948, Harding Field was converted into a public airport for civilian use, serving the Baton Rouge Metropolitan area. The airport underwent several name changes, becoming Ryan Airport in 1954 and eventually receiving its current name, Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR), in 1981.

Recent Developments

Today, the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport offers frequent flights to major hub airports, providing connections to destinations worldwide. It has three runways and covers an area of 1,250 acres (510 hectares). The airport continues to expand and develop, with projects such as the expansion of the rotunda area and the addition of new amenities, ensuring nonstop connectivity from Baton Rouge to destinations across the globe.

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