Paducah, Kentucky: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Yes, Paducah, Kentucky is home to Barkley Regional Airport (PAH), a first-class terminal with the amenities of a larger airport but without the crowds. Barkley Regional Airport is located 5-14 miles west of Paducah and offers direct daily flights on Contour Airlines to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. The airport was originally built as a military airfield in 1941 and has had scheduled airline flights since 1946.

Barkley Regional Airport

The first airline flight out of Paducah took place on April 1, 1946, when a Chicago and Southern Air Lines (C&S Air Lines) Douglas DC-3 took off. Chicago and Southern was then acquired by Delta Air Lines, which continued to serve Paducah. Ozark Airlines arrived in 1951.

According to the Official Airline Guide (OAG), Delta and Ozark were the only two airlines serving Paducah in 1976. Delta offered nonstop flights from Evansville and Memphis, as well as direct, no-change-of-plane flights from several other cities. Ozark offered nonstop flights from Clarksville, TN, Louisville, Nashville, and St. Louis, as well as direct flights from several other cities. Both Delta and Ozark discontinued service to Paducah in the early 1980s.

In the years that followed, several commuter and regional air carriers served Paducah, including Allegheny Commuter, Britt Airways, and Northwest Airlink. By 1989, three airlines were serving the airport: American Eagle, Northwest Airlink, and Trans World Express.

In June 2023, a new $43 million terminal building opened, roughly 70 years after the original terminal was built in 1953. The new terminal features amenities such as power in every seat, a pet relief area, local art, and affordable parking. The airport aims to provide affordable, friendly, and convenient air service to the region.

Contour Airlines

Paducah, Kentucky, is a small town in western Kentucky. It is well-known for its artists, writers, craftsmen, performers, and world-class quilters. The town has a thriving culinary scene, with iconic institutions such as Backwoods BBQ and Bandana's Bar-B-Q serving up Paducah's brand of western Kentucky barbecue.

Paducah is served by Barkley Regional Airport, which is located just 5-14 miles west of the town. The airport offers the amenities of a larger airport without the crowds and hassle. Barkley Regional Airport is named after former Vice President of the United States, Alben W. Barkley, who was from western Kentucky. The airport was originally built as a military airfield in 1941, thanks to the efforts of then-Senator Alben Barkley. The first airline flight out of Paducah took place on April 1, 1946, operated by Chicago and Southern Air Lines.

Barkley Regional Airport currently has one airline operating from the terminal: Contour Airlines. Contour Airlines offers Embraer 145 flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. These flights began on December 6, 2022, and provide a convenient travel option for passengers travelling to and from Paducah.

Airport history

Barkley Regional Airport, located in West Paducah, Kentucky, has served the area for over 70 years. The airport is named after former Vice President of the United States, Alben W. Barkley, who was from Western Kentucky. The airport was originally built as a military airfield in 1941, thanks to the efforts of then-Senator Alben Barkley. The first airline flight out of Paducah took place on April 1, 1946, operated by Chicago and Southern Air Lines (C&S Air Lines) using a Douglas DC-3 aircraft. Chicago and Southern was later acquired by Delta Air Lines, which continued to serve Paducah. Ozark Airlines arrived in 1951.

According to the Official Airline Guide (OAG), two airlines served Paducah in 1976: Delta and Ozark. Delta offered nonstop flights from Evansville and Memphis, as well as direct, no-change-of-plane flights from several major cities. Ozark provided nonstop and direct flights from multiple destinations. However, Delta left in 1979, and Ozark pulled out in 1980. Throughout the 1980s, several commuter and regional air carriers served Paducah, including Air Illinois, which operated a nonstop service from Cape Girardeau, MO, Carbondale, IL, Memphis, and St. Louis in 1981.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, several airlines served the airport, including American Eagle, Northwest Airlink, and Trans World Express. Northwest Airlink, operated by Mesaba Airlines, offered service to Memphis International Airport using Saab 340 regional turboprops. When Northwest Airlines merged with Delta Air Lines, service to Memphis from Paducah was discontinued.

In the winter of 2010, Chicago-based United Airlines started daily nonstop flights to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, operated by SkyWest Airlines as United Express. This service was replaced by Contour Airlines in December 2022, providing nonstop flights to Charlotte, North Carolina, using Embraer 145 regional jets.

A new $43 million terminal building opened in June 2023, replacing the original terminal built in 1953. Barkley Regional Airport covers 1,018 acres at an elevation of 410 feet and has two asphalt runways. The airport is categorized as a non-hub primary commercial service facility by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Connections to Charlotte

Paducah, Kentucky is home to Barkley Regional Airport (PAH), which is located about 5 to 14 miles west of the city. The airport offers convenient connections to Charlotte, North Carolina, through its partnership with Contour Airlines, which operates daily non-stop flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport using Embraer 145 regional jets. This connection provides a gateway for travellers from Paducah to reach destinations across the globe.

Barkley Regional Airport has a long history of serving the Purchase Region, dating back to its early days as a military airfield in 1941. The airport has been a vital gateway for the region, providing essential aviation services and convenient connections to the rest of the world. The airport's recent upgrades, including the opening of a new terminal in June 2023, have further enhanced the travel experience for passengers.

The non-stop flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport offered by Contour Airlines provide a seamless travel experience for passengers travelling between Paducah and Charlotte. With this direct connection, travellers can easily access the many destinations that Charlotte offers. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a major aviation hub, serving as a gateway to the world with numerous domestic and international flights.

The convenience of the Barkley Regional Airport-Charlotte connection is further enhanced by the airport's accessibility and transportation options. Located just a short distance from Paducah, the airport is easily accessible by car, with rental car agencies such as Hertz and National Car Rental available on-site. Additionally, ridesharing services like Lyft and cab companies such as Blue Dot Cab Company and Chiz Cabs provide alternative transportation options for travellers.

The Barkley Regional Airport-Charlotte connection offers travellers from Paducah a seamless and efficient travel experience. With daily non-stop flights and convenient transportation options, travellers can easily connect to Charlotte and beyond. The airport's modern amenities and recent upgrades further contribute to a pleasant and hassle-free travel journey, making it a proud gateway to the Purchase Region.

Travel to/from the airport

Paducah, Kentucky is home to Barkley Regional Airport (PAH), located just five miles west of the city. The airport offers the amenities of a larger airport without the crowds and hassle. With free Wi-Fi and a brand-new terminal that opened in 2023, Barkley Regional Airport provides a calm and simple travel experience.

Barkley Regional Airport is conveniently located for travellers, being just a two-hour drive from Nashville International Airport (BNA) via Interstate 24. For those flying into or out of Barkley Regional Airport, there are several transportation options available. Paducah offers ridesharing services such as Lyft, as well as taxi companies like Blue Dot Cab Company and Chiz Cabs. Rental car agencies, including Hertz and National Car Rental, have staff locations at the airport, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car has two off-site locations in Paducah.

When travelling to or from the airport, it is essential to plan and allow ample time for transportation. Most airlines recommend arriving at the airport two hours early for domestic flights and three hours in advance for international flights. It is also advisable to check your flight status and stay updated on any changes to your flight time. Familiarize yourself with the check-in requirements and baggage policies of your airline. If you plan to drive to the airport, give yourself enough time to find parking and complete any necessary drop-offs.

Barkley Regional Airport is served by Contour Airlines, which offers direct daily flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. With connections through Charlotte, travellers can reach Paducah from practically anywhere globally. The airport has a rich history of airline services, previously served by Northwest Airlink, Delta Air Lines, and Ozark Airlines. Today, Contour Airlines provides convenient travel options with Embraer 145 regional jets.

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