Charlottesville, Va: Airport Access And Travel Options

Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (IATA: CHO, ICAO: KCHO, FAA LID: CHO) is located eight to ten miles north of Charlottesville, Virginia, in Albemarle County. The airport, which opened in 1955, offers non-stop flights to five major cities on three airlines' subsidiaries. It is served by ERJ-145, E175, CRJ-700, CRJ-900, and B717-200 aircraft. The airport features a 60,000 sq ft terminal with rental car services, ground transportation, and food options.

Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport

CHO underwent major construction in the summer of 2006, with an 800-foot runway extension beginning in the summer of 2010 and completing in December 2012. The airport covers 710 acres at an elevation of 640 feet. Its single runway, 3/21, is 6,801 by 150 feet long.

The airport has a 60,000 sq ft terminal with on-site rental cars and other ground transportation options. Food service is provided by Turbo Grill, Radar Bar, and Copilot Coffee, while a gift shop selling grab-and-go food and local gifts can be found on the second level at Gate 5.

In 2019, the airport introduced "The Founder's Lounge", a quiet lounge area at Gate 5 that is accessible to anyone who purchases a day pass. The Founder's Lounge offers comfortable seating, a conference room, tables, and décor showcasing local artists and craftsmen. Complimentary beverages and snacks are also provided.

The Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport Authority owns and operates the airport, and as of October 2024, the airport was served by ERJ-145, E175, CRJ-700, CRJ-900, and B717-200 aircraft.

Non-stop flights to five major cities

Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (CHO) is located eight miles north of Charlottesville, in Albemarle County, Virginia, and offers non-stop flights to five major cities. These include:

• Charlotte, North Carolina
• New York–LaGuardia, New York
• Washington–Dulles, Virginia
• Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois
• Atlanta, Georgia

These non-stop flights are operated by three airlines: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.

Airport facilities

Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (IATA: CHO, ICAO: KCHO, FAA LID: CHO) is located eight miles north of Charlottesville, in Albemarle County, Virginia, United States. The airport has a range of facilities for passengers and aircraft operators.

The airport features a 60,000 sq ft terminal with on-site rental car services from Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National. The terminal also offers a variety of dining options, including Turbo Grill, Radar Bar, and Copilot Coffee. A gift shop selling grab-and-go food and local gifts can be found on the second level at Gate 5. Additionally, the airport provides a quiet lounge area called "The Founder's Lounge" at Gate 5, accessible to anyone who purchases a day pass. The lounge offers comfortable seating, a conference room, tables, and décor showcasing local artists and craftsmen.

For general aviation, Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport provides an executive terminal with a full-service fixed-base operator, Signature Flight Support. The airport also accommodates flight schools, aircraft charter firms, and emergency medical transportation through the UVA Hospital's Pegasus service.

The airport covers 710 acres of land, with an elevation of 640 feet. It features a single runway, 3/21, which is 6,801 feet long and 150 feet wide. The airport has seen several improvements over the years, including an 800-foot runway extension completed in 2012 and an upgrade to LED airfield lighting in 2023.

Airlines and destinations

Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (CHO) offers non-stop flights to five major cities on three airlines' subsidiaries. These include Charlotte, New York–LaGuardia, Atlanta, New York–LaGuardia, Chicago–O'Hare, and Washington–Dulles.

United Airlines offers twice-daily non-stop flights between Charlottesville and Chicago (ORD). The airline also provides easy connections to Washington, D.C., and the rest of the world.

Delta Air Lines and American Airlines offer convenient non-stop services to New York City. Delta Air Lines also offers non-stop service to Atlanta. American Airlines provides non-stop service to Charlotte, North Carolina.

According to KAYAK, the most common departure point for American Airlines flights to Charlottesville is Charlotte. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines also operate services to this destination.

The busiest domestic routes from CHO (November 2023 to October 2024) include Charlotte, North Carolina; New York–LaGuardia, New York; Washington–Dulles, Virginia; Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Hotels near Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport

Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport is located eight miles north of Charlottesville, in Albemarle County, Virginia. There are no hotels in the airport, but there are several options nearby. Here is a list of hotels close to the airport, with their distance from the airport and some additional information:

• Staybridge Suites Charlottesville Airport: 0.5 miles from the airport. An upscale, smoke-free, all-suite hotel with a free shuttle to the airport, an indoor swimming pool, an exercise room, and a free hot breakfast buffet. Pet-friendly, with a fee.
• Comfort Inn & Suites: 0.6 or 0.7 miles from the airport, depending on the source. A midscale, smoke-free hotel with a free hot breakfast buffet and a free park-and-fly option for up to seven nights. Pet-friendly, with a fee.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Charlottesville: 2.7 or 2.9 miles from the airport, depending on the source. An upscale, smoke-free, full-service hotel with a free 24-hour shuttle to the airport, an indoor swimming pool, an exercise room, and a restaurant. Pet-friendly, with a fee.
• Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott North Charlottesville: 4.7 or 5.0 miles from the airport, depending on the source. An upper-midscale, smoke-free hotel with an outdoor swimming pool, an exercise room, and a free hot breakfast buffet. Pet-friendly, with a fee.
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ruckersville: 4.8 or 4.9 miles from the airport, depending on the source. An upper-midscale, smoke-free hotel with a free shuttle to the airport, an outdoor swimming pool, a free hot breakfast buffet, and a microwave and refrigerator in every room.
• Courtyard by Marriott Hotel North Charlottesville: 4.9 miles from the airport. An upscale, smoke-free hotel with a free shuttle to the airport, an indoor swimming pool, an exercise room, and a restaurant.
• Hyatt Place Hotel Charlottesville: 6 miles from the airport. An upscale, smoke-free hotel with a free shuttle to attractions within a five-mile radius, an indoor swimming pool, a 24-hour exercise room, a 24-hour self-serve restaurant, and a free hot breakfast buffet. Pet-friendly, with a fee.
• Hampton Inn Charlottesville: 6 miles from the airport. An upper-midscale, smoke-free hotel with an outdoor swimming pool, an exercise room, and a free continental breakfast. Pet-friendly, with a fee.
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Charlottesville: 6 miles from the airport. An upscale, smoke-free, all-suite, extended-stay hotel with an indoor swimming pool, an exercise room, a kitchen in every suite, and a free hot breakfast buffet. Pet-friendly, with a fee.

In addition to the hotels listed above, there are many other accommodation options in the area, including the Holiday Inn University Charlottesville, Days Inn Charlottesville, Red Roof Inn University Charlottesville, and more. These hotels offer a range of amenities and are generally well-reviewed, with some negative reviews mentioning issues like cleanliness or limited amenities.

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