Missoula, Montana: Airport Accessibility And Convenience

Missoula Montana Airport, also known as Missoula International Airport or Johnson-Bell Field, is located in Missoula County, approximately four miles northwest of the City of Missoula. Missoula's first airport was opened in 1941 and the current airport serves over 750,000 passengers a year, with direct flights to 16 major markets across the US.

Missoula International Airport is located in Missoula County, Montana, around four miles from the City of Missoula

The airport is easily accessible via major highways, including Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 10/93, and Montana State Highway 200. It is served by six airlines: Alaska/Horizon, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United. MSO, as it is known, offers direct flights to 16 major markets and connections to thousands of destinations. The airport is also home to the largest aerial firefighting depot in the US, Neptune Aviation, as well as the Museum of Mountain Flying, which features a fully restored Douglas C-47 aircraft.

MSO has experienced significant growth in passenger numbers and has embarked on expansion projects to accommodate this increase. Efforts have included increased parking spaces, new taxiways and ramps, advanced lighting and navigation systems, and a new terminal roadway. The airport also constructed a new 101-foot-tall control tower, one of the tallest in the Pacific Northwest. The expansion of the terminal is ongoing, with Phase 1, the South Concourse, completed in 2022.

Missoula International Airport is more than just a transportation hub; it also offers a variety of services and amenities for travellers. These include two restaurants, a coffee shop, gift shops, a real estate office, and a travel company. The airport is also unique in that it allows non-ticketed persons to visit areas past security, providing a favourable first impression of Montana to all who pass through.

The airport is named Johnson-Bell Field, after Missoula's aviation pioneers, Bob Johnson and Harry Bell

Missoula, Montana, is served by the Missoula International Airport (Johnson-Bell Field), a vital component of the western Montana regional airport system and the transportation infrastructure of the region. Missoula's first landing strip was laid out in 1923, south of the university. The current airport, located in Missoula County, opened in 1941 with WPA funds and the cooperation of the US Forest Service, which required access to an airport.

The Missoula Montana Airport is "The Gateway to Western Montana". Six airlines operate from the airport: Alaska/Horizon, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United. The airport offers direct flights to 16 major markets, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Oakland, Orange County, Phoenix/Mesa, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle. Connections to thousands of other destinations are also available.

The Missoula airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in the northwest, serving over 900,000 passengers in 2019. To accommodate the increasing passenger numbers, the airport has undergone significant expansion, including the construction of a new terminal, increased parking spaces, new taxiways and ramps, advanced lighting and navigation systems, and a new terminal roadway. The airport also features a variety of passenger amenities, such as restaurants, a coffee shop, gift shops, and a museum dedicated to mountain flying.

Missoula's first landing strip was established in 1923, with the first airport opening in 1941

Missoula, Montana, has a rich history when it comes to aviation. The city's first landing strip was established in 1923, marking the beginning of a new era in aviation for the Garden City. This initial strip was laid out south of the University of Montana, and it served as a precursor to more formalised airports in the years that followed.

In 1927, just four years after the first landing strip was created, an additional airstrip was constructed near the Western Montana Fair Grounds. This site, currently occupied by Sentinel High School, would go on to become Missoula's first bona fide airport. The Missoula chapter of the National Aeronautic Association played a pivotal role in this transformation, as they were the ones who sold the land to the county, thus paving the way for Missoula's inaugural airport.

The original Garden City Airport, which opened in the latter role in 1935, was renamed Hale Field. It served the aviation needs of the community until its permanent closure in 1954. However, even before its closure, the process of replacing it with a more modern and capable airport was already underway.

In 1941, with the support of WPA funds and the cooperation of the US Forest Service, the Missoula County Airport was inaugurated. This new airport boasted one of the longest runways in the region and ample space for future expansion. It was a significant upgrade from the previous, more rudimentary landing strips and the first true airport, ensuring that Missoula kept pace with the evolving aviation landscape.

The Missoula County Airport, now known as the Missoula Montana Airport (or Missoula International Airport), continues to be a vital transportation hub for the region. It has undergone numerous upgrades and expansions over the years, including a new terminal and one of the tallest control towers in the Pacific Northwest. Serving over 750,000 passengers annually, the airport is a testament to the foresight of those who established Missoula's first landing strip all those decades ago.

The airport is served by six airlines, with direct flights to 16 major markets across the US

Missoula Montana Airport, also known as Missoula International Airport or Johnson-Bell Field, is served by six airlines and offers direct flights to 16 major markets across the US. The airport is an integral part of the western Montana regional airport system and is located in Missoula County, approximately four miles northwest of the City of Missoula.

The six airlines serving the airport are Alaska/Horizon, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United. The direct flight destinations include Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Oakland, Orange County, Phoenix/Mesa, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle. These direct flights provide convenient access to and from Missoula, making it a popular gateway to Western Montana.

The Missoula Montana Airport has a rich history, with the first landing strip dating back to 1923. The current airport opened in 1941 and has undergone various expansions and improvements over the years. In 2019, the airport served over 900,000 passengers, and to accommodate the increasing passenger numbers, expansion efforts have resulted in increased parking spaces, new taxiways, advanced lighting systems, and a new terminal roadway.

The airport also offers various support facilities and services, including fuel storage, ground access, infrastructure, maintenance, and business opportunities. It is home to the largest aerial firefighting depot in the US and the Museum of Mountain Flying, located east of the main terminal. The airport is easily accessible via major highways, including Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 10/93, and Montana State Highway 200.

With its convenient location, direct flight connections, and range of amenities, the Missoula Montana Airport plays a crucial role in facilitating travel to and from Western Montana, contributing to the region's vibrant and growing community.

Missoula Airport is vital to the infrastructure of Western Montana, with over 750,000 passengers served annually

Missoula International Airport, also known as Johnson-Bell Field, is indeed a vital part of the infrastructure of Western Montana. The airport is located in Missoula County, approximately four miles northwest of the City of Missoula. It is one of the fastest-growing airports in the region, serving over 750,000 passengers annually, with nearly 908,000 passengers in 2019, a record-breaking year.

The airport's growth has led to significant expansion, including increased parking spaces, new taxiways and ramps, advanced lighting and navigation systems, and a new terminal roadway. The original terminal, which opened in 1954, has been replaced, and a new, taller control tower was constructed, replacing the previous one that began operating in 1961. The new tower is one of the tallest in the Pacific Northwest and cost around $6.77 million.

Missoula International Airport is served by six airlines: Alaska/Horizon, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United. The airport offers direct flights to 16 major markets across the United States, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Seattle. It also provides connections to thousands of other destinations worldwide.

The airport is easily accessible via major highways, including Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 10/93, and Montana State Highway 200. It is also home to the Museum of Mountain Flying, the only one of its kind in the nation, featuring a fully restored Douglas C-47 aircraft. Missoula International Airport is more than just a transportation hub; it is an integral part of the region's economy and tourism industry, providing a favourable first impression of Montana to visitors.

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