Lynchburg, Virginia: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Lynchburg, Virginia, is served by Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH), also known as Preston Glenn Field. The airport is located in Campbell County, about 11 miles from the city centre of Lynchburg. It is a public airport that opened in 1931 and is primarily used for general aviation, although it is also served by American Airlines, which operates flights to various destinations including Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, and Boston. The airport covers an area of 872 acres and has two asphalt runways, with the extended runway opening in 2007.

Lynchburg Regional Airport history

Lynchburg Regional Airport (IATA: LYH, ICAO: KLYH, FAA LID: LYH), also known as Preston Glenn Field, is a public airport in Campbell County, Virginia. It is located at the intersection of Route 29 South and Route 460, five nautical miles (6 mi, 9 km) southwest of Lynchburg's central business district, which owns the airport.

The airport opened in 1931 as Preston Glenn Airport, named after Lt. Preston Glenn, a Lynchburg native who died while serving as an Army Air Corps pilot in World War I. It covers an area of 872 acres (353 ha) at an elevation of 938 feet (286 m) above sea level. The airport has two asphalt runways: 4/22, which is 7,100 by 150 feet (2,164 x 46 m), and 17/35, which is 3,386 by 75 feet (1,032 x 23 m). The extended runway opened on August 12, 2007, lengthening the previous runway by 1,301 feet (397 m).

Lynchburg Regional Airport is primarily used for general aviation, but it is also served by American Airlines, which operates Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2018, the airport recorded 83,392 passenger boardings, with 94% attributed to general aviation and less than 1% to commercial flights. The airport is crucial to the region's growth, offering convenient access to international businesses, educational institutions, and historic attractions.

In June 2023, the airport received a $600,000 federal grant for facility improvements, matched by a $400,000 grant from the City of Lynchburg. This funding is expected to enhance air service connections between Lynchburg and key destinations like Chicago. The airport's proximity to three major highways, US 29, US 501, and US 460, further facilitates access to various destinations within the region.

Passenger numbers and airlines

Lynchburg Regional Airport (IATA: LYH, ICAO: KLYH, FAA LID: LYH), also known as Preston Glenn Field, is a public airport in Campbell County, Virginia. It is located five nautical miles (six miles or nine kilometres) southwest of Lynchburg's central business district, which owns the airport.

The airport is mostly used for general aviation, but it is also served by one commercial airline, American Airlines, which operates flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Passenger numbers at Lynchburg Regional Airport have been strong in recent years. In 2012, the airport was on track for its third-best year in terms of passenger numbers since 2001, with November's numbers up 5.8% from the previous year. More recently, in 2018, the airport recorded 83,392 passenger boardings (enplanements), a slight decrease from 86,366 in 2009 and 93,772 in 2010, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.

During the 12-month period ending January 31, 2022, the airport recorded 99,513 aircraft operations, averaging 272 per day. The majority of these (94%) were general aviation flights, with a small percentage being air taxi (5%), military (2%), and commercial flights (<1%).

As of 2024, the airport has returned to its pre-pandemic number of daily flights, although there are fewer seats available.

Airport facilities and runways

Lynchburg Regional Airport (IATA: LYH, ICAO: KLYH, FAA LID: LYH), also known as Preston Glenn Field, is a public airport in Campbell County, Virginia. It is located at the intersection of Route 29 South and Route 460, five nautical miles (6 mi, 9 km) southwest of Lynchburg's central business district. The airport is owned by the City of Lynchburg, which constructed the airport on a part of the City Prison Farm.

The airport opened in 1931 and was originally named Preston Glenn Airport in honour of Lt. Preston Glenn, a Lynchburg native who died serving as an Army Air Corps pilot in World War I. The name Preston Glenn Field was retained for a portion of the airport, even after the Lynchburg City Council renamed the facility to Lynchburg Municipal Airport in 1962 to increase clarity about its location.

The airport covers an area of 872 acres (353 ha) at an elevation of 938 feet (286 m) above mean sea level. It has two asphalt-paved runways: Runway 4/22, which is 7,100 by 150 feet (2,164 x 46 m), and Runway 17/35, which is 3,386 by 75 feet (1,032 x 23 m). Runway 4/22 was extended in 2007 from 5,799 feet to its current length of 7,100 feet. The airport also has a terminal building for commercial airline passengers, which opened in 1992.

Lynchburg Regional Airport is mostly used for general aviation, including private planes, charter flights, and aviation training for Liberty University's School of Aeronautics. It is also served by one commercial airline, American Airlines, which operates flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2018, the airport recorded 83,392 passenger boardings, with an average of 272 aircraft operations per day.

Location and nearby airports

Lynchburg, Virginia, is served by Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH), also known as Preston Glenn Field. The airport is located 11 miles from the centre of Lynchburg and is a 20-minute drive from the city centre. It is situated at the intersection of Route 29 South and Route 460, five nautical miles (six miles or nine kilometres) southwest of Lynchburg's central business district. The airport is owned by the City of Lynchburg and is located in Campbell County, outside the city limits.

Lynchburg Regional Airport is primarily used for general aviation, although it is also served by American Airlines, which operates Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. The airline has been experimenting with offering low fares to feed enough passengers into the Charlotte hub, thus keeping the Lynchburg route profitable. In 2019, American Airlines added a seventh flight to its original six daily flights.

The airport covers an area of 872 acres (353 hectares) and sits at an elevation of 938 feet (286 metres) above mean sea level. It features two asphalt runways: 4/22, which is 7,100 by 150 feet (2,164 by 46 metres), and 17/35, which is 3,386 by 75 feet (1,032 by 23 metres). The extended runway opened in 2007, adding 1,301 feet (397 metres) to the original length.

In terms of passenger traffic, Lynchburg Regional Airport recorded 83,392 enplanements in 2018, 86,366 in 2009, and 93,772 in 2010. For the 12-month period ending January 31, 2022, the airport handled 99,513 aircraft operations, averaging 272 per day. The airport had 92 based aircraft during this period, including 62 single-engine, 17 multi-engine, 10 jet, and three helicopter aircraft.

While Lynchburg Regional Airport is the closest major airport to Lynchburg, there are several other airports in the region. These include Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, which is 59 miles away, and Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, 73 miles from Lynchburg. For those seeking international flights or additional options, Richmond International Airport is 123 miles away, Raleigh-Durham International Airport is 138 miles away, and Washington Dulles International Airport is 166 miles from Lynchburg.

Tips for flying from LYH

Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH) is located in Campbell County, Virginia, United States. It is a small airport with flights only across the country. Here are some tips for flying from LYH:

Transportation to the airport

If you don't want to deal with parking, you can ask a friend or family member to drive you to the airport and use the short-term parking option. Alternatively, you can share a cab ride with a colleague if you're travelling for business. If you have to drive yourself, LYH offers long-term parking that is safe and secure for your vehicle.

Check your flight status and arrive early

Check your LYH flight status online to make sure there are no changes to your flight time. It is recommended to arrive at the airport two hours early for a domestic flight and three hours early for an international flight. This will give you ample time to find parking, check-in, drop off your bags, and grab a bite to eat before your flight.

Familiarize yourself with check-in requirements and baggage policies

Each airline has its own check-in requirements and baggage policies, so be sure to review these before your flight. This will help you avoid any last-minute surprises and ensure a smooth travel experience.

In-flight experience

If you're looking for a more comfortable journey, consider upgrading your seat when flying with American Airlines, a popular domestic carrier operating from LYH. Additionally, LYH offers free Wi-Fi, so you can stay connected or entertained during your wait or flight.

Popular destinations

LYH offers direct flights to Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as non-stop flights to popular destinations like St. Louis, St. John's, Antigua, and Saint Thomas with a stopover. You can also find cheap flights to various destinations across the United States, including Florida, Atlanta, and New Orleans.

Frequently asked questions