Juneau Airport: Does Alaska's Capital Have Aviation Access?

Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is accessible by air through Juneau International Airport (IATA: JNU, ICAO: PAJN, FAA LID: JNU). The airport is located 8.6 miles from the city centre and is considered one of the most scenic airports in the world. Juneau Airport is served by several airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Seaplanes. The airport has a small terminal with essential amenities and services, including lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, and a variety of dining and shopping options.

Airlines that serve Juneau Airport

Juneau International Airport (IATA: JNU, ICAO: PAJN, FAA LID: JNU) is a city-owned airport located seven nautical miles northwest of Juneau, Alaska. The airport is a hub for various airlines, including major US air carriers and bush carriers. Juneau Airport has been serving passengers since World War II, when it was used by the United States Army Air Forces to connect combat bases in the Aleutians with airfields in mainland America.

Over the years, several airlines have served Juneau Airport, including Pan American World Airways (Pan Am), which was one of the first major airlines to do so. In 1947, Pan Am operated daily Douglas DC-4 flights to Seattle via Annette Island Airport, also serving Ketchikan. During the 1950s, Pacific Northern Airlines (successor of Woodley Airways) joined Pan Am, offering daily services to Seattle with a stop at Annette Island, as well as non-stop flights to Anchorage, Yakutat, and Cordova in Alaska.

By the mid-1960s, jet services had arrived in Juneau, with Pacific Northern operating non-stop flights to Seattle, Anchorage, and Annette Island using Boeing 720 jets. In 1967, Western Airlines acquired Pacific Northern and continued to offer jet services to the airport. Alaska Airlines also began serving Juneau around this time, operating daily jet services with a round-trip route connecting multiple cities in Alaska, including Sitka, Yakutat, Cordova, and Anchorage.

Other airlines that have served Juneau Airport include Wien Air Alaska, MarkAir, and Delta Air Lines. Delta Air Lines, in particular, has offered both seasonal and year-round services to the airport, creating competition for Alaska Air and resulting in significantly reduced fares to and from Seattle.

Today, Juneau International Airport continues to be served by several airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Alaska Seaplanes, Delta Air Lines, Island Air Express, NorthStar Trekking, and Ward Air. The airport provides a range of facilities for travellers, including a gift shop, restaurant, bar, café, and market.

History of Juneau Airport

Juneau International Airport (IATA: JNU, ICAO: PAJN, FAA LID: JNU) is a city-owned, public-use airport and seaplane base located seven nautical miles (8 mi, 13 km) northwest of the central business district of Juneau, Alaska. The airport is a regional hub for air travel, serving everyone from bush carriers to major U.S. air carriers such as Alaska Airlines, which has served Juneau for over 45 years.

During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces used the airport as a transport link between combat bases in the Aleutians and airfields in mainland USA. In 1947, Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) was one of the first major airlines to serve Juneau, offering daily Douglas DC-4 propliner services to Seattle via a stop at the Annette Island Airport. During the 1950s, Pacific Northern Airlines (PNA) served the airport with Douglas DC-4 and Lockheed Constellation propliners, offering daily services to Seattle with a stop at Annette Island, as well as non-stop flights to Anchorage and Yakutat, and direct flights to Cordova in Alaska.

The jet age arrived in Juneau in the early 1960s, and by 1965, Pacific Northern was operating non-stop jets to Seattle, Anchorage, and Annette Island. In 1967, Pacific Northern was acquired by and merged into Western Airlines, which continued to operate jet services to the airport. By 1968, Western was operating daily non-stop Boeing 720B jet service to Seattle, Anchorage, and Annette Island, with one-stop direct service to Los Angeles.

In 1968, Wien Air Alaska was operating Fairchild F-27 turboprop flights into the airport three days a week, serving the route of Juneau - Whitehorse - Fairbanks. Alaska Airlines began serving Juneau in the late 1960s after its acquisition of two local air service carriers, Alaska Coastal Airlines, and Cordova Airlines.

Facilities and services at Juneau Airport

Juneau International Airport (IATA: JNU, ICAO: PAJN, FAA LID: JNU) is a city-owned, public-use airport and seaplane base located seven nautical miles (8 mi, 13 km) northwest of the central business district of Juneau, Alaska. The airport covers an area of 662 acres (268 ha) at an elevation of 25 feet (8 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway and one seaplane landing area.

Juneau Airport consists of a small terminal with a gift shop, restaurant, bar, cafe, and market. Free WiFi is available throughout the airport, and there are mobile charging points and lockers. Food concessions operate with varying schedules, and there are 24-hour food options. While there are no private lounges, reviewers have noted that the airline staff and security are accommodating to overnight sleepers. Most terminal seating consists of armrest-style benches, but there are a few padded benches in the baggage claim area and some comfortable couches in the gate area. Luggage storage is available at Alaska Seaplanes on the main level.

The airport is served by several airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Alaska Seaplanes, Delta Air Lines, Island Air Express, NorthStar Trekking, and Ward Air. The Capital Transit Express Bus serves Juneau Airport, with a fare of $2 per person one-way. On-site car rental agencies include Alamo/National, Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Alamo/National/Enterprise. Taxis are also available during airport operation hours. Several area hotels provide airport shuttle services, including Best Western Country Lane Inn, Driftwood Hotel, Frontier Suites Airport Hotel, and Super 8 Juneau.

The Rain Forest Garden, located on the north side of the terminal's main entrance, features a raised bed of native plants and wildflowers.

Transport to and from Juneau Airport

Juneau International Airport (JNU) is located 8.4 miles from Juneau, Alaska. There are several transport options for getting to and from the airport.

Driving

If you're driving from downtown Juneau, take the Egan Expressway to the Glacier Highway exit at McDonald's. Turn left onto Glacier Highway, then turn left again at Shell Simmons Drive. Follow this road until you reach the airport. Short-term parking at the airport offers 15 minutes of free parking, while long-term parking is also available.

Bus

The Capital Transit Express Bus (Line 3) serves Juneau Airport, with a bus fare of $2 per person for a one-way trip. The bus departs hourly from Glacier Avenue and 12th Street and arrives at Glacier Highway and Jordan Avenue. The journey takes approximately 21 minutes.

Taxi

Taking a taxi is the quickest way to get to and from the airport, with the trip taking around 12-16 minutes. The fare from the airport to downtown Juneau typically ranges from $24 to $29 (or €22 to €28).

Limousine

AirportTransfer.com offers a limousine service to and from Juneau Airport. Passengers can choose from various vehicle options, including Sedan, Minivan, SUV, and Liftback. Limousines provide a comfortable and stylish way to travel, equipped with luxurious amenities.

Shuttle

Several hotels in Juneau provide airport shuttle services, including the Best Western Country Lane Inn, Best Western Grandma's Feather Bed, Driftwood Hotel, Frontier Suites Airport Hotel, Super 8 Juneau, and Travelodge Juneau Airport.

Safety concerns at Juneau Airport

Juneau International Airport (JNU) in Alaska has undergone and continues to undergo several projects to improve safety.

One such project is the Runway Safety Area Improvements project, which involves extending the runway safety area towards the Mendenhall River. This extension requires the relocation of the Airport Dike Trail—one of the most popular trails in Juneau—by more than 200 feet to the west. The floatplane pond access road will also be moved west, and the Duck Creek channel and floodplain will be relocated, improved, and landscaped. The project aims to enhance accessibility for emergency equipment to the southerly portion of the airport and the adjacent wetlands and provide better ramps for placing and retrieving floatplanes. The design was done in consultation with the Airport Board's Wildlife Hazard Advisory Committee, with considerable effort put into retaining vistas and other features that concern trail users.

In addition to the runway safety project, Juneau Airport also provides various services and facilities to ensure the safety and comfort of its passengers and visitors. The airport consists of a small terminal with a gift shop, restaurant, bar, café, and market. While there are no private lounges, reviewers report that airline staff and security are generally accommodating to overnight sleepers. WiFi is available throughout the terminal, and mobile charging points can be found in various areas. For uninterrupted sleep, there are also hotels located near the airport.

To ensure the safety and convenience of those utilising the Airport Dike Trail, the airport intends to keep the trail open during the construction of the Runway Safety Area Improvements project, providing access over a temporary trail across the construction site. Any necessary closures will be kept as brief as possible, with advance notice provided on the airport's website and at the trailhead. Once the project is completed, the trail will be longer than before, with additional improvements such as public restrooms and "sitting spots" near the north end being planned.

Frequently asked questions