Palm Beach Airport: Does It Exist?

Palm Beach County, Florida, is served by several airports, including Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) and Palm Beach County's general aviation recreational and sports flying airport, Belle Glade State Municipal Airport. Palm Beach International Airport, formerly known as Morrison Field and Palm Beach Air Force Base, is the primary airport for West Palm Beach and most of Palm Beach County. It is also the third busiest airport in the Miami metropolitan area, serving over 8 million passengers annually.

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)

Palm Beach International Airport, also known as PBI Airport and historically as Morrison Field and Palm Beach Air Force Base, is a public airport in Palm Beach County, Florida. It is located just west of the city of West Palm Beach, for which it acts as the primary airport. It is also the primary airport for most of Palm Beach County, serving the suburbs and cities of Boca Raton, Wellington, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, and Palm Beach Gardens.

The airport began operations in 1936 as Morrison Field, named in honour of Grace Morrison, who was a key participant in the planning and organisation of the airfield. The airport was officially dedicated on December 19, 1936. In 1937, the Palm Beach Aero Corporation obtained a lease, built hangars, and constructed the first terminal on the south side of the airport, known as the Eastern Air Lines Terminal. The field was used by the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, playing a role in the Allied invasion of France, with aircraft departing for the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

In 1947, ownership of the field was returned to Palm Beach County by the newly established U.S. Air Force, and the name was changed to Palm Beach International Airport the following year. The Air Force retained a presence at the base until 1962, with the airfield being used for training and weather research. Delta Air Lines and Capital Airlines began scheduled flights in 1959 and 1960, respectively.

Palm Beach International Airport is easily accessible, with road access via I-95, Southern Boulevard, and Congress Avenue. It is bordered on the west by Military Trail. The airport is served by the Palm Tran shuttle bus service, connecting it to the West Palm Beach Amtrak/Tri-Rail station and the West Palm Beach Brightline Station.

History of Palm Beach Airport

Palm Beach International Airport, also known as PBI Airport and historically as Morrison Field and Palm Beach Air Force Base, is a public airport in Palm Beach County, Florida, located just west of the city of West Palm Beach. It is one of the three major airports with commercial airline service in the Miami metropolitan area. The airport is nearly 100 years old and has a rich history.

Palm Beach International Airport began operations in 1936 as Morrison Field, named after Grace K. Morrison, a key participant in the planning and organization of the airfield. The airport was officially dedicated in December 1936, and the first flight departing the field was a New York-bound DC-2 operated by Eastern Air Lines in the same year. In 1937, the airport expanded beyond an airstrip and an administration building when the Palm Beach Aero Corporation obtained a lease, built hangars, and constructed the first terminal on the south side of the airport. This new terminal was known as the Eastern Air Lines Terminal.

During World War II, Morrison Field was used by the U.S. Army Air Forces. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the field served as a training ground and a staging base for the Allied invasion of France. Numerous aircraft departed from Morrison Field to take part in the D-Day invasion of Normandy. In 1940, the U.S. Army Air Corps began converting the airport for military use, and it was activated for military use in 1941. More than 6,200 planes and 45,000 military members passed through Morrison Field on their way to war in Europe.

In 1947, the operations of the Air Transport Command were transferred to Mobile, Alabama, and Morrison Field was deactivated. The following year, in 1948, ownership of the field was returned to Palm Beach County, and the name was changed to Palm Beach International Airport. For the next four years, the airport operated solely as a civilian airport. However, in 1951, during the Korean War, the Air Force reactivated the field as a military base, and it was renamed the Palm Beach Air Force Base. USAF operations occupied the north half of the airfield, while civilian operations and the airline terminal were relocated to the south half.

After years of Palm Beach County fighting the Air Force's presence in West Palm Beach, the Air Force began to close down operations in 1959. The Air Force retained a small presence at the base with the 9th Weather Group, conducting hurricane and weather research. Finally, in 1962, the Air Force closed the Palm Beach Air Force Base, and all property was conveyed to Palm Beach International Airport. Delta Air Lines and Capital Airlines began scheduled flights in 1959 and 1960, respectively, marking the resumption of civilian operations at the airport. Today, Palm Beach International Airport serves more than 8 million passengers annually and is a vital gateway to Palm Beach County, Florida.

Transport to and from the airport

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is located in Palm Beach County, Florida, just west of West Palm Beach. The airport is easily accessible by various means of transportation.

If you prefer to travel by train, you can take the Amtrak or Tri-Rail to the West Palm Beach station, located at 201/203 South Tamarind Avenue. From there, you can take the Palm Tran shuttle bus service to the airport. The Palm Tran shuttle is a convenient and reliable way to get to and from the airport, and it is also available for passengers travelling to and from the West Palm Beach Amtrak station.

For those who prefer the convenience of a car, the airport is easily accessible from Interstate 95, Southern Boulevard, and Congress Avenue. SuperShuttle Express offers airport transportation services to and from the airport, providing flexible and direct travel options with door-to-door service. They offer various vehicle options, including black cars, SUVs, and private vans, ensuring a comfortable and secure travel experience. SuperShuttle Express also ensures that your pickup times and routes are carefully planned so that you can reach your destination punctually.

Additionally, ridesharing services such as Uber, Lyft, and Metro Taxi offer discounted rides to and from the West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station. This can be a convenient and cost-effective option for those who want a quick and easy travel solution.

Lastly, for those who prefer public transportation, Palm Beach County's public bus service, Palm Tran, provides regular bus services throughout the county, including a bus stop conveniently located outside the airport on Level One. Route maps are available inside the Terminal on Level One, in the Baggage Claim area, making it easy for travellers to navigate their way to their destination.

Passenger facilities at PBI

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is located in Palm Beach County, Florida, and serves over eight million passengers annually. The airport has a rich history, with the Air Force previously occupying the site as Palm Beach Air Force Base until 1962. Since then, it has undergone significant expansion and modernisation to accommodate growing passenger traffic.

PBI offers a range of passenger facilities to ensure comfort and convenience. The airport has a Single Passenger Terminal with various amenities, including changing tables and breastfeeding rooms in all restrooms. Assisted-care restrooms are also available in pre-security and post-security areas. The terminal provides easy access to parking pay stations, MBTA ticket machines, ATMs, and first-aid and medical facilities.

For passengers seeking relaxation or entertainment, PBI houses several lounges, including the American Airlines Admiral Club and the Chase Sapphire Lounge. These lounges offer various services, such as conference rooms, shower facilities, refreshments, Wi-Fi, private phone rooms, magazines, and newspapers. The airport also features a nine-hole putting green for golfers and indoor and outdoor pet relief areas for travellers with pets.

In addition to the terminal facilities, PBI provides a seamless travel experience with its PBI Travel Plaza, located nearby for convenient passenger pickup. The travel plaza offers free Wi-Fi, arrival and departure screens, dining options, and electric car charging stations. PBI also provides on-site parking options, including long-term and premium parking lots, with self-service baggage carts available in the baggage claim area.

Advertising opportunities at PBI

Palm Beach International Airport, also known as PBI, is a public airport in Palm Beach County, Florida, located just west of the city of West Palm Beach. PBI is the primary airport for most of Palm Beach County, serving Boca Raton, Wellington, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, and Palm Beach Gardens. It is the third busiest airport in the Miami metropolitan area, serving over 8 million passengers annually.

PBI offers a range of advertising opportunities for businesses looking to showcase their products or services to a diverse and engaged audience. With thousands of travellers passing through the airport's concourses each day, businesses can take advantage of various advertising options, including:

• Traditional billboards
• Digital displays
• Interactive kiosks
• Custom installations

PBI is a crucial transportation point, providing a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with travellers from across the globe. The airport's frequent flyers have been found to be well-educated and hold consequential decision-making roles in various businesses. With an average income of $127K per year and an age range of 25 to 54, this audience is particularly attractive to marketers.

Additionally, PBI is a prime location for educational institutions looking to advertise their programs. It allows them to connect with both current students and alumni, capturing their attention and inspiring them to explore new educational possibilities.

With millions of travellers passing through each year, PBI offers an excellent opportunity for brands to promote themselves to a diverse, engaged, and often affluent audience.

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