Billings, Montana: Airport Accessibility And Convenience

Billings, Montana, is home to Billings Logan International Airport (IATA: BIL, ICAO: KBIL, FAA LID: BIL). Located two miles northwest of downtown Billings, in Yellowstone County, the airport is the fourth busiest in Montana. It offers year-round and seasonal flights to various destinations across the United States, with connections to thousands of cities worldwide. The airport has undergone modernisation and expansion projects, increasing the number of gates and jet bridges, and improving facilities for passengers. With a rich history dating back to 1913, when the first recorded flight took place in Billings, the airport has grown and developed over the years, serving both passenger and cargo/mail carrier airlines.

Billings Logan International Airport

The history of aviation in Billings dates back to 1913 when a local dentist, Dr Frank Bell, made the first recorded flight in his home-made Curtiss 0-X-5. The City of Billings approved the construction of a runway in 1927, and the airport officially opened on May 29, 1928. Over the years, the airport has undergone improvements and expansions, including the addition of runway lights, a new air traffic control tower, and terminal expansions. The airport was originally named Billings Municipal Airport, but it was renamed Billings Logan Field in 1957 after the death of Dick Logan, the airport manager. In 1971, it became known as Billings Logan International Airport.

The airport provides essential services to passengers, including ground transportation options, long-term parking spots, and facilities for refreshments and relaxation before boarding flights. It also houses various facilities, such as a lost and found office, advertising opportunities, and ground transportation options.

Airport facilities

Billings Logan International Airport is Montana's largest and busiest airport. It is located at 1901 Terminal Circle, Billings, MT 59105, and can be contacted on +1 406-657-8495. The airport is open daily from 4:00 am to 12:00 am.

The airport is serviced by both passenger and cargo/mail carrier airlines, with six passenger airlines offering a variety of nonstop destinations and connecting flights to thousands of cities worldwide. These airlines include Delta Air Lines, United Air Lines, Allegiant Air, Alaska Air, and Cape Air. Cape Air also uses Billings Logan International Airport as its hub for Essential Air Service operations to five Eastern Montana locations. The airlines provide between 25 and 34 departing passenger flights per day, depending on the time of year.

Passenger services at Billings Logan International Airport include car rentals, a fine dining restaurant/lounge, a concourse deli, a gift shop, an information booth, an ATM, payphones, and pay-per-use Wi-Fi. There are also play areas for those travelling with children. Short and long-term public parking is available in front of the Terminal Building, and skycaps are on hand to assist with luggage. Carts are also available to help with transporting bags and are located in the baggage and ticketing areas.

The Yellowstone County Museum is located across from the Terminal Building and is a short walk from the airport. It overlooks downtown Billings and features wildlife mounts and historical artefacts displayed in a western setting.

Airlines and destinations

Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) is located 2 miles from downtown Billings, Montana. The airport is serviced by both passenger and cargo/mail carrier airlines. There are 6 passenger airlines that operate out of Billings Logan International Airport, offering a variety of nonstop destinations with connecting flights to thousands of cities worldwide.

The following airlines fly to and from Billings:

• Sun Country Airlines
• United
• Alaska Airlines
• Delta
• Bargain Flight

The most popular flights to Billings depart from Denver, Seattle, and Salt Lake City airports. The average flight time from Sidney to Billings is 1 hour and 35 minutes, from Denver it's roughly 1 hour and 35 minutes, and from Salt Lake City it's 1 hour and 24 minutes.

History

Billings Logan International Airport (IATA: BIL, ICAO: KBIL, FAA LID: BIL) is located in Billings, Montana, in the western United States. The airport has a rich history dating back to the early days of aviation in the region.

The history of flight in Billings began in 1912 when local dentist Dr. Frank Bell acquired a Curtiss 0-X-5. The following year, on Memorial Day 1913, Dr. Bell made the first recorded flight in Billings, flying from the city to Park City and back—a 40-mile (65 km) round trip. This historic flight was publicised and celebrated, and it was captured in a painting by local artist J.K. Ralston, titled "First Flight", which now hangs in the airport lobby.

In the following years, various open fields and pastures in the Yellowstone Valley near Billings served as makeshift landing strips for these early flying machines. However, by 1927, the community recognised the need for a dedicated space for airplanes to land regularly. The Billings City Council raised $5,000 to establish an airport, and construction began on top of the Rimrocks, overlooking the Yellowstone Valley and Billings. Using horse-drawn equipment, workers built a 1,820-foot unpaved runway and a small 192-square-foot administrative building.

On May 29, 1928, the Billings Municipal Airport officially opened its doors. Dick Logan was appointed as the first Airport Manager, serving in that role until his death in 1957. After his passing, the airport was renamed Billings Logan Field in his honour.

In the following years, the airport saw the introduction of scheduled passenger air services by Northwest Airlines in 1933, followed by Inland Airlines in 1934. These developments prompted the construction of a new Terminal Building and a new road connecting the airport to downtown Billings.

In 1958, 1972, and 1992, the airport underwent major terminal expansions to accommodate the growing demand for air travel. Over the years, various improvements have been made to keep pace with industry changes, including the installation of runway lights in 1935 and the construction of a new air traffic control tower in 2005.

In 1971, the airport was renamed Billings Logan International Airport, the name it holds to this day.

Accidents and incidents

Billings Logan International Airport, serving the city of Billings, Montana, has witnessed several aviation incidents and accidents over the years, some of which are detailed below:

On January 19, 1947, a Northwest Airlines flight, operated by a Douglas DC-3, encountered severe turbulence and heavy snow while approaching Billings. The aircraft crashed about 1.5 miles south of the airport, resulting in the deaths of all twelve passengers and three crew members on board. This accident marked the first fatal crash of a commercial airliner in Montana.

Another tragic incident occurred on December 1, 1968, when a United Airlines flight, a Convair CV-580, was approaching Billings during a severe snowstorm. The aircraft descended below the prescribed minimum altitude and struck the top of a ridge, crashing about 12 miles south-southeast of the airport. Unfortunately, all twenty-nine passengers and four crew members perished in this accident.

In a less fatal incident on January 10, 1984, a Boeing 737-200 operated by Pacific Western Airlines, suffered a nose gear collapse while parked at the Billings airport gate. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the passengers and crew. The aircraft, however, sustained substantial damage and was repaired before returning to service.

On February 24, 2000, a Gulfstream III business jet overran the runway during takeoff from Billings Logan International Airport. The aircraft failed to become airborne, continued beyond the end of the runway, and came to rest in a ditch. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but the aircraft was substantially damaged. This incident was attributed to the pilot's decision to abort takeoff at a speed that did not allow sufficient stopping distance.

More recently, on June 3, 2016, a Cessna 208 Caravan cargo aircraft, operating for FedEx Feeder, crashed during a landing attempt at the airport. The aircraft reportedly encountered a gust of wind that caused it to veer off the runway and collapse its landing gear. The sole occupant, the pilot, sustained minor injuries, and the aircraft was substantially damaged.

These incidents and accidents underscore the importance of adhering to safety protocols and maintaining vigilance in aviation operations, especially when dealing with challenging weather conditions, as is often the case in the region served by Billings Logan International Airport.

Frequently asked questions