College Station's Air Travel: Airport Accessibility And Services

College Station, Texas is served by Easterwood Airport, a small regional airport located 3 miles from the city centre. The airport offers daily nonstop flights to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), with connections to the rest of the world. While there is no public transportation from the airport, a university bus route connects it to the nearby Texas A&M University and the surrounding area. The airport is named after U.S. Navy Lieutenant Jesse L. Easterwood, a former student at Texas A&M who served in World War I and was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.

College Station's airport is called Easterwood Airport

College Station in Texas does indeed have its own airport, and it is called Easterwood Airport (IATA: CLL, ICAO: KCLL, FAA LID: CLL). The airport is located 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of the centre of College Station and is easily accessible via Raymond Stotzer Parkway.

Easterwood Airport is a regional airport, serving Texas A&M University, Bryan-College Station, and Brazos County, Texas. It is named after U.S. Navy Lieutenant Jesse L. Easterwood, a former student at Texas A&M who served in the British Royal Naval Air Service during World War I. The airport was opened in May 1940 and has since undergone several improvements and expansions.

The airport offers daily nonstop flights to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), providing global access with just one connection. While there is no public transportation directly from the airport to the surrounding cities, Texas A&M University operates a shuttle bus service, known as "Route 7", which connects the airport to the university campus. This service is officially available only to those with a University or Brazos Transit District ID, but in practice, this requirement is not enforced.

The William A. McKenzie Terminal at Easterwood Airport provides a range of facilities and services for travellers. The upper level houses the ticket counters, TSA security checkpoint, and boarding areas, while the lower level accommodates baggage claim and rental car agencies. The terminal also offers free 2-hour visitor parking, drop-off areas, and shuttle/taxi pick-up areas.

It is located 3 miles from the city centre

College Station does have its own airport, known as Easterwood Airport (IATA: CLL, ICAO: KCLL, FAA LID: CLL). It is located 3 miles from the city centre, in Texas, serving Texas A&M University, Bryan-College Station, and Brazos County. The airport is accessed via FM 60 (Raymond Stotzer Parkway) and is 0.25 miles from Texas A&M University.

Despite its proximity to the city centre, there is no public transportation available from the airport to the surrounding areas. However, Texas A&M University operates a shuttle bus service, known as "Route 7", which connects the airport with the university campus. This service is ostensibly only available to those with a University or Brazos Transit District ID, but in practice, this requirement is not enforced.

The William A. McKenzie Terminal at Easterwood Airport offers daily nonstop flights to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), providing global access via a connection. The terminal has convenient facilities, including free 2-hour visitor parking and drop-off areas on the upper level, and shuttle/taxi pick-up areas on the lower level. The ticket counters, TSA security checkpoint, and boarding areas are efficiently located on the upper level, while baggage claim and rental car agencies can be found on the lower level.

In summary, while College Station's Easterwood Airport is conveniently located just 3 miles from the city centre, travellers should be aware of the limited public transportation options and plan accordingly, especially if they are not affiliated with Texas A&M University.

There is no public transportation to and from the airport

College Station in Texas is served by Easterwood Airport, also known as College Station Airport (IATA: CLL). This small airport is located 3 miles (4.8 km) from the city centre and just 0.25 miles (0.40 km) from Texas A&M University.

Despite being owned and managed by Texas A&M University, the airport does not offer any aviation courses. In addition, there is a notable absence of public transportation to and from the airport. This means that travellers are reliant on private transportation options such as taxis, rental cars, or ride-sharing services. However, it is worth noting that a new university bus route, known as "Route 7", was introduced in 2019 to connect the airport with the Engineering Quad and the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center. While this route is officially only available to those with a University or Brazos Transit District ID, this requirement is not enforced.

The lack of public transportation options can be a significant inconvenience for travellers, especially those without access to private transportation. As a result, some individuals opt to fly into larger airports, such as Houston, which offer a wider range of transportation options and are served by multiple airlines. However, this alternative comes with its own set of challenges, including a significantly longer travel time to reach College Station, which can take upwards of 3 hours by bus.

For those who choose to fly into Easterwood Airport, there are a few taxi companies registered with the City of College Station and the airport management. Rental car offices are conveniently located inside the terminal, making it relatively easy for travellers to arrange private transportation upon arrival. Additionally, the airport's proximity to the city centre means that ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft are typically affordable options for travellers.

The airport offers daily nonstop flights to Dallas/Fort Worth

College Station does have an airport, and it's called Easterwood Airport (IATA: CLL, ICAO: KCLL, FAA LID: CLL). It is a regional airport located 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of the centre of College Station and 0.25 miles (0.40 km) from Texas A&M University.

The William A. McKenzie Terminal at Easterwood Airport provides daily nonstop flights to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW). The terminal has free 2-hour visitor parking and drop-off areas on the upper level, with shuttle/taxi pick-up areas on the lower level. The ticket counters, TSA security checkpoint, and boarding areas are also conveniently located on the upper level, while baggage claim and rental car agencies can be found on the lower level.

American Eagle operates flights to Dallas-Fort Worth using Bombardier CRJ700s and Embraer E175s. These flights are often more expensive than flying to Houston or Dallas and then taking a shuttle or driving to College Station. However, the convenience of flying directly to Easterwood Airport is undeniable, and it is a popular option for those seeking a quick and easy travel experience.

For those departing from or arriving at Easterwood Airport, there are various transportation options available. There is no public transportation from the airport to the surrounding cities. However, Texas A&M University operates a shuttle bus, "Route 7", which connects the airport with the university campus. Additionally, private transportation options such as taxis, rental car services, and ride-sharing are available at the airport.

It is named after U.S. Navy Lieutenant Jesse L. Easterwood

College Station, Texas, has an airport named Easterwood Airport. It was named after U.S. Navy Lieutenant Jesse L. Easterwood, a former student of Texas A&M University (then known as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas) who served in World War I.

Jesse Leroy Easterwood was born to Mississippi tenant farmers. As a child, he dreamed of flight, and would often hide in the grass near a 500-yard airstrip at Palmer's Crossing to watch the planes. He devoured aviation literature and magazines, particularly Popular Aviation. After completing his secondary school studies at Eureka High School in Hattiesburg, he enrolled at The Ohio State University. Here, he was a member of the cross-country team and the all-Black Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and worked several jobs, including as a labourer loading and unloading boxcars and as a storeroom employee.

During his time at university, Easterwood volunteered for the V-5 aviation cadet training program with the Office of Naval Officer Procurement (ONOP) in Cincinnati. He identified as "Negro" on his application, but his intake documents listed him as "U.S. White" and his complexion as "Dark". Easterwood began pre-flight training at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Ottumwa, Iowa, in April 1947, and it was here that he received his appointment as a midshipman. He completed his flight training at NAS Pensacola, earning the designation of Naval Aviator (Heavier-than-Air) in October 1948. He was the first African American to earn his wings in the U.S. Navy.

Following his training, Easterwood was transferred to NAS Norfolk for further flying instruction with the Atlantic Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit. Here, he received ground and flight training in the operation of airborne electronics equipment and the tactical employment of sono-buoys in antisubmarine warfare. In January 1949, he was detached for reassignment to Fighter Squadron Thirty-Two (VF-32), then stationed at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. In early 1949, he was promoted to ensign.

In December 1950, Easterwood participated in strike missions over North Korea, attacking enemy troops, railroad cars, armoured vehicles, and highway bridges. He provided close air support for American ground forces in the vicinity of Sinanju, resulting in their accelerated advance. However, on December 4th, 1950, Easterwood's plane took small arms damage over the Chosin Reservoir and he was forced to crash land behind Chinese lines. He survived the crash but was trapped in the cockpit, and despite the efforts of his comrades, he died before he could be rescued.

For his distinguished and heroic service as an aviator, Easterwood was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. In 1971, a Knox-class destroyer escort was launched in his honour, and in 1972, the USS Jesse L. Brown (DE-1089) was christened by his widow, Daisy Pearl Brown Thorne.

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