Clearwater Florida: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Clearwater, Florida is served by two airports: St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and Tampa International Airport (TPA). St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is located in Pinellas County, Florida, and is about a 15-20 minute drive from Clearwater. The airport offers non-stop flights to over 60 destinations and is served primarily by low-cost carrier Allegiant Air. The airport also features various amenities such as free Wi-Fi, nursing rooms, pet relief areas, and play zones for children. Tampa International Airport is a larger airport located about 45 minutes from Clearwater and offers flights to over 100 destinations. It is served by major airlines such as Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United.

St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport's history

St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport is a public/military airport in Pinellas County, Florida, serving the Tampa Bay Area. It is located on the west shoreline of Tampa Bay, 7 miles southeast of Clearwater and 9 miles north of downtown St. Petersburg.

Construction and Wartime

Construction of the airport began in March 1941. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Army Air Forces acquired the site and used it as a military flight training base, known as Pinellas Army Airfield, for the 304th Fighter Squadron, a combat training unit of the 337th Fighter Group. During World War II, the base was home to P-40 Warhawks and, later, P-51 Mustangs. It was also used for antisubmarine patrols against German U-boats in the Gulf of Mexico.

Post-War

After World War II, the airport was returned to Pinellas County by the U.S. government to operate as a civil airport. It was originally called Pinellas International Airport and was given the IATA designation PIE. In 1957, the original terminal building was dedicated, and the following year, the airport was renamed St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport to increase its appeal as a tourism destination.

Airline Service

During the 1950s and 1960s, several major U.S. airlines served St. Petersburg–Clearwater, including Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, National Airlines, and Northwest Airlines. In the 1960s, with the advent of the jet age, the Civil Aeronautics Board approved the consolidation of airline service for the Tampa Bay area at the Tampa International Airport.

Recent Years

In 2009, the airport underwent a $22 million renovation, which included larger gates, new plumbing, and the construction of passenger jet bridges. In 2013, the airport was rebranded as St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport and adopted a new logo.

Today, the airport continues to serve the Tampa Bay Area, offering non-stop flights to over 60 destinations. It is also home to the Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, the largest and busiest U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in the country.

Clearwater's airport's passenger services

Clearwater, Florida, is served by the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (IATA: PIE, ICAO: KPIE, FAA LID: PIE). The airport is located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Clearwater and 9 miles (14 km) north of downtown St. Petersburg. It is a public/military airport in Pinellas County, serving the Tampa Bay Area.

Passenger Services

St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport offers a range of passenger services to ensure a smooth travel experience. Here is an overview of the services provided:

• Transportation Services: The airport provides convenient transportation options, including ridesharing services (TNCs) like United Taxi and Yellow Cab, which drop off and pick up passengers directly in front of the terminal at Departures and Arrivals, respectively. Taxi and shuttle services are also available outside the Baggage Claim area in the Ground Transportation lot. Additionally, some nearby hotels offer shuttle services from the airport.
• Disabled Parking: The airport offers dedicated disabled parking facilities to accommodate passengers with special needs.
• Wheelchair Assistance: Airlines provide wheelchair assistance to passengers upon request. This service can be requested from curbside to boarding, and individuals can also seek assistance from a Sheriff's Deputy or Traffic Assistant if needed.
• Aira Services for Visually Impaired: The airport has an account with Aira, providing audio guidance for visually impaired guests to navigate the airport easily. Guests can sign up for this service at AIRA.IO.
• TSA Screening Assistance: Passenger Support Specialists are available at TSA Check-in, and passengers can also call 855-898-2227 in advance to request assistance.
• Lost and Found: The airport provides a Lost and Found service for items left in the Airport Terminal or in Allegiant Airlines aircraft.

The airport also boasts convenient features such as short walks from curbside and parking to the gates, with every flight being non-stop. Additionally, passengers have access to over 60 destinations, including cities across the United States and Canada, as well as charter services to casinos in Gulfport-Biloxi and Atlantic City.

Airlines that fly to Clearwater, Florida

Clearwater, Florida, is served by St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, a public/military airport in Pinellas County, Florida. The airport is located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Clearwater and 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Tampa.

Allegiant Air

The primary operator at the airport, Allegiant Air, flies non-stop to 60 destinations, including Las Vegas, Nashville, and Pittsburgh. Allegiant offers budget-friendly fares and provides services such as priority boarding and the option to pre-select seats.

Sun Country Airlines

Sun Country Airlines connects travellers from Clearwater to destinations like Minneapolis and Dallas-Fort Worth, with several flights each week. The airline offers a balance between affordability and comfort, making it a good choice for both leisure and business travellers. Sun Country provides a user-friendly booking experience and in-flight amenities such as complimentary beverages and premium seating options.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines offers flights to Clearwater Beach, with round-trip and one-way options available.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines also provides flights to Clearwater Beach, with round-trip options available.

Other Airlines

In addition to the above, other airlines serving Clearwater include Southwest Airlines, Air New Zealand, United Airlines, and more.

Clearwater's airport's parking facilities

St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport is located in Pinellas County, Florida, United States, and serves the Tampa Bay Area. It is situated on the northeast municipal boundary of Pinellas Park, about 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Clearwater.

The airport has limited parking options, and spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no reservation system in place. The long-term parking lot is adjacent to the terminal and is within walking distance. When it closes, travellers are directed to the Economy Lots.

The airport has two Economy Parking Lots. The first and main lot, Key Lime, is located across Roosevelt Boulevard on 46th Street. The second lot, Strawberry, is on Fairchild Drive, west of the Terminal, and only opens once the Key Lime lot is full. These lots are the cheapest public parking areas on-site, and a free shuttle service runs approximately every 15-20 minutes to and from the Terminal. The daily rate for these lots is $8.

The short-term parking facility is located south of the long-term parking area. The hourly rates for both the short-term and long-term parking structures are $2 for the first hour of parking and $1 for each additional 20 minutes, with a maximum rate of $24. The daily rate for the long-term parking structure is $13.

There is also a Cell Phone Waiting Lot, which is the closest parking structure to the Terminal. It is currently closed, but it will reopen soon.

Handicapped Parking/Accessible Parking is available in the long-term parking structure, and standard parking rates apply.

Clearwater's airport's amenities

Clearwater, Florida, is served by several airports, but the closest is St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), which is just 11 miles from downtown Clearwater. This airport is small but provides a pleasant experience for travellers who prefer smaller, less crowded spaces. It offers a range of amenities to enhance your travel experience, including:

• Free Wi-fi
• A Kids Play Zone in Gates 7-11 and 2-6, where children can learn about flight and its history, and even build airplanes
• Pet Relief Areas for guests with dogs, with fenced artificial anti-microbial turf parks, benches, hydration stations, trash receptacles, and dog waste bags
• Therapy dogs and their humans
• A privacy room for mothers who are nursing/pumping or special-needs passengers
• A visitor information booth and volunteer ambassadors who can offer tips and information on the local area
• Foreign and American Sign Language translation services
• An ATM
• Refillable water bottle stations
• Public art and exhibits, including a 45-foot blown and painted glass display at the main entrance, and works in glass, wood, metals, ceramics, mixed media, and paintings throughout the terminal

The airport also offers dining options, shopping, and car rental services, and parking is affordable, with both short-term and long-term options.

Frequently asked questions