Bozeman, Montana: Airport Accessibility And Convenience

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is located in Belgrade, Montana, eight miles northwest of Bozeman. It is Montana's busiest airport, serving 2.46 million passengers in 2023. The airport offers year-round and seasonal non-stop flights to fifteen airline hubs across the US, with connections to Yellowstone National Park. It covers 2,481 acres at an elevation of 4,473 feet above sea level and features four runways. The airport provides various services, including car rentals, ground transportation, restaurants, and retail options.

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport's location

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (IATA: BZN, ICAO: KBZN, FAA LID: BZN) is located in Belgrade, Montana, United States, eight miles (13 km; 7 nmi) northwest of Bozeman. The airport is conveniently located near Bozeman, Montana, and serves the two most popular entrances to Yellowstone National Park: the West entrance at West Yellowstone, Montana, and the North entrance at Gardiner, Montana. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is Montana's busiest airport, providing the only year-round service to these two entrances of Yellowstone National Park. The airport is located in the heart of the beautiful Gallatin Valley and offers non-stop flights to more than 20 cities in the United States, with connections all over the world.

The airport covers 2,481 acres (10.04 km2) at an elevation of 4,473 feet (1,363 m) above sea level. It has four runways:

• 12/30 is 8,994 by 150 feet (2,741 by 46 m) asphalt
• 3/21 is 2,650 by 75 feet (808 by 23 m) asphalt
• 11/29 is 5,050 by 75 feet (1,539 by 23 m) asphalt
• 11G/29G is 2,802 by 80 feet (854 by 24 m) turf

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is owned by the Gallatin Airport Authority and has been Montana's busiest airport since 2013. The airport was previously known as Gallatin Field but was renamed in late 2011 to associate it with Yellowstone National Park. The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years, including a significant $180 million infrastructure upgrade and expansion announced in 2024, which will be the largest expansion project in Montana's history.

Airlines and destinations

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is located in Belgrade, Montana, just eight miles from Bozeman. The airport has been Montana's busiest airport since 2013, and in 2024, it announced a $180-million infrastructure upgrade and expansion, which will be the largest in the state's history.

The airport offers year-round and seasonal non-stop flights to 24 U.S. markets and connections all over the world. It is served by nine airlines: Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, and United.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines offers year-round flights to Portland, OR, and Seattle/Tacoma. Seasonal destinations include Boise, San Diego, and San Francisco.

Allegiant Airlines

Allegiant Airlines serves Las Vegas, NV, and Phoenix/Mesa, AZ, year-round. Nashville, TN, is a seasonal destination.

American Airlines

American Airlines provides year-round service to Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, and Chicago, IL. Charlotte, NC, Los Angeles, CA, and New York LaGuardia, NY, are seasonal destinations.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines offers year-round flights to Atlanta, GA, Salt Lake City, UT, and Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. Seasonal destinations include Boston, MA, and New York JFK, NY.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Airways serves New York JFK, NY, and Boston, MA, year-round.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines offers year-round flights to Denver, CO, Las Vegas, NV, and Dallas, TX. Chicago-Midway, IL, and Nashville, TN, are seasonal destinations.

Sun Country Airlines

Sun Country Airlines serves Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, seasonally.

United Airlines

United Airlines offers year-round service to San Francisco, CA, Denver, CO, and Chicago, IL. Seasonal destinations include New York Newark, NJ, Houston, TX, and Washington D.C. (IAD), VA.

In addition to these major airlines, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is also served by regional carriers Horizon/Alaska and Avelo, as well as Corporate Air and Alpine Air Express, which operate on behalf of FedEx Feeder, UPS Airlines, and the United States Postal Service.

Rental car options

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) offers a range of rental car options for travellers. The rental car counters are conveniently located on-site, adjacent to the baggage claim area, allowing travellers to quickly collect their rental cars upon arrival.

Several well-known rental car companies operate at the airport, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty. These companies offer a variety of vehicles to suit different needs, such as SUVs, trucks, convertibles, luxury cars, and vans.

When renting a car at Bozeman Airport, it is essential to have a valid driver's license and credit or debit card. Foreign nationals may also need to present their foreign driver's license and an International Driving Permit. Some companies may also require a passport. It is recommended to book your rental car at least two weeks in advance to secure a lower rate.

• Budget Rent a Car: Budget offers a range of vehicles, including minivans, SUVs, and sedans. They provide free pick-up and return services and have a Fastbreak Membership programme for faster rentals. Budget also offers long-term rental options with no long-term commitment.
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car: Enterprise has a branch on-site at the airport, offering various vehicles for exploring nearby National Parks. They provide additional services like Supplemental Liability Protection and Personal Effects Coverage for an extra fee.
• Alamo: Alamo allows customers to accelerate their check-in process and minimise the time spent at the counter. They offer a range of vehicles, including compact SUVs and full-size cars.
• Avis: Avis provides a Preferred Service for faster counter service. They offer a range of vehicles, and their reviews mention good experiences with clean cars and friendly staff.
• Hertz: Hertz offers a shuttle service to and from the airport and a variety of vehicles for rent. Their reviews mention both positive and negative experiences regarding vehicle cleanliness and customer service.
• National: National requires verifiable collision, comprehensive, and liability insurance for renters and additional drivers. They offer various vehicles, including economy through full-size cars, cargo vans, and minivans.
• Thrifty: Thrifty has a location at the airport and provides various vehicles for rent. Their reviews mention mixed experiences regarding vehicle cleanliness and customer service.

These are just a few examples of the rental car options available at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. Each company offers unique benefits and services, so it is recommended to compare prices, vehicle options, and customer reviews before making a reservation.

The airport's history

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (IATA: BZN, ICAO: KBZN, FAA LID: BZN) is located in Belgrade, Montana, eight miles (13 km) northwest of Bozeman. The airport is owned by the Gallatin Airport Authority and has been Montana's busiest airport since 2013.

The airport was previously known as Gallatin Field, named after the beautiful Gallatin Valley in which it is situated. In late 2011, the name was changed to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport to associate it with Yellowstone National Park, which it serves. Gallatin Field underwent a terminal expansion in 2011, adding three gates and more retail options. This expansion was designed by Prugh & Lenon Architects, who also designed previous expansions in 1995 and 1997.

International flights have been allowed since 2012, after the opening of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility on July 1 of that year. This development was funded in cooperation with Signature Flight Support and the Yellowstone Club. In 2013, Bozeman Yellowstone surpassed Billings Logan as Montana's busiest airport for passenger service, with 879,221 passengers from June 2012 to May 2013.

The airport has continued to expand and thrive, with an increased number of airlines and destinations being added over the years. In 2020 and 2021, Bozeman Yellowstone experienced a record expansion of service to 31 nonstop destinations. This included new routes from Allegiant Air, Alaska Airlines, Avelo Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. Several of these markets were previously unserved by commercial flights from Bozeman, such as Washington, D.C. (Dulles) and Nashville.

In April 2023, Summit Aviation began constructing a new facility to support its services for Gallatin College, as well as its own flight operations and aircraft management. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport also announced a significant $180 million infrastructure upgrade and expansion in 2024, which will be the largest expansion in Montana's history. This project will add three new baggage carousels, a second security checkpoint, and the potential for three additional gates. The airport's infrastructure and development continue to evolve to meet the needs of the community and visitors to the stunning Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area.

Passenger statistics

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is located in Belgrade, Montana, eight miles (13 km) northwest of Bozeman. It has been Montana's busiest airport since 2013, serving as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. The airport offers year-round and seasonal non-stop flights to several destinations across the United States.

In 2022, BZN experienced record-breaking passenger growth, handling 2,264,424 passengers, surpassing the previous record of 1,940,191 passengers set in 2021. This represented a 16.7% increase in passenger traffic. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines were the top carriers, with 622,232 and 588,474 passengers, respectively. Other airlines serving BZN include Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Allegiant Air, JetBlue, Sun Country, and Chartered Airline Flights.

The airport's infrastructure has been continuously developed to accommodate the growing passenger numbers. In 2022, an $8 million expansion of the parking lot added nearly 40% more stalls, increasing the capacity to over 3,500 vehicles. The arrivals curb was also expanded by 300% to better manage peak arrival times. Additionally, construction began on a new $23 million in-line baggage handling system, expected to be completed by summer 2023.

BZN's ranking among airports in the Northwest Region of the country, which includes Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, highlights its significance. It is the seventh busiest airport in this region and the 92nd busiest airport nationwide in terms of passenger traffic.

Prior to 2022, Federal Aviation Administration records show that BZN had notable passenger numbers in previous years. In 2013, the airport recorded 442,788 passenger boardings, following 434,038 in 2012 and 397,870 in 2011. In 2013, BZN surpassed Billings Logan as the busiest airport in Montana for passenger service, with 879,221 passengers from June 2012 to May 2013.

Frequently asked questions