Amarillo Airport: Jetways Or Stairs To Planes?

The Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, located six miles east of downtown Amarillo, is a full-service public airport that does not appear to have jetways. The airport is served by American, Southwest, and United Airlines, and offers flights to popular destinations. With the 7th longest civilian runway in the US, the airport is committed to meeting the current and future air transportation needs of the Texas Panhandle. While there is no shuttle service available, passengers can choose from taxi, limo, and rideshare options.

Airlines that serve the airport

The Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA) is served by three airlines: American, Southwest, and United Airlines. These airlines offer flights to popular destinations and gateway hubs, providing connections to and from various locations.

American Airlines, one of the carriers at AMA, is a major US airline and a founding member of the Oneworld alliance. The airline operates an extensive global network, serving nearly 200 destinations in more than 40 countries. With a hub-and-spoke system, American Airlines connects passengers through its key hubs, including Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York–JFK, and Philadelphia.

Southwest Airlines, another carrier at AMA, is known for its unique point-to-point route network and a strong presence in the domestic market. They serve an extensive network of destinations within the United States, focusing on convenience and affordability for travellers. Southwest has a large number of bases across the country, allowing for a diverse range of travel options for its customers.

United Airlines, the third airline serving AMA, is a significant player in the aviation industry. As a founding member of the Star Alliance, United offers a comprehensive route network spanning across continents. With hubs in cities like Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington–Dulles, United Airlines provides convenient connections for travellers heading to or from Amarillo.

These three airlines, through their respective networks and alliances, contribute to the connectivity of Amarillo to the rest of the country and beyond. They enable passengers to reach popular destinations and connect through hub airports to access a wider range of domestic and international locations. The availability of multiple airlines at AMA offers travellers a choice of carriers, schedules, and potential route options to suit their specific needs.

History of the airport

The Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (IATA: AMA, ICAO: KAMA, FAA LID: AMA) is a public airport located six miles (10 km) east of downtown Amarillo, in Potter County, Texas, United States. The airport is named after NASA astronaut and Amarillo native Rick Husband, who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003.

The first recorded landing of an aircraft in Amarillo took place on 27 April 1918, when two Army Signal Corps planes, commanded by Lt. R. Gray, landed in a pasture located in the 500 block of N. Polk. They refuelled at the corner of NE 4th and N. Polk before taking off again. A year later, in 1919, pilot-mechanics Fred W. Hinds and Jack Hiller, stationed at Call Field, flew W.K. Whipple to the same pasture. Whipple met with Porter Whaley, the head of Amarillo's Board of City Development, to discuss starting an aviation company.

On 29 May 1929, the City of Amarillo opened a municipal airport, known as "Old Muny" or "Old Municipal Airport", located four miles west of the current Amarillo International Airport. Western Air Express air service was inaugurated the following day, on 1 June 1929, with Charles Lindbergh and his wife in attendance. In mid-1930, Western Air Express merged with Transcontinental Air Transport to become Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA), with Amarillo becoming a stop on a coast-to-coast service between Los Angeles and New York City. By 1935, Braniff Airways was also operating from English Field, the new location of Western Air Express since 1930.

In 1945, Pioneer Air Lines, a local service airline, began operating with a route from Amarillo to Houston Hobby Airport, stopping in several Texas cities. In 1955, Pioneer merged into Continental Airlines, which continued to operate the route to Houston and added nonstop service to Dallas by 1959.

Today, the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport is a full-service airport managed by the City of Amarillo's Department of Aviation. The airport offers flights to popular destinations through American, Southwest, and United Airlines, and also supports private aircraft with 24/7 service from a Fixed Base Operator (FBO). With a primary runway of 13,502 feet and a secondary runway of 7,901 feet, it is committed to meeting the current and future air transportation needs of the Texas Panhandle.

Amarillo Airport facilities

The Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA) is a full-service public commercial airport located six miles east of downtown Amarillo, Texas. The airport is committed to meeting the current and future air transportation needs of the Texas Panhandle by providing safe, efficient, and high-quality facilities.

AMA has the 7th longest civilian runway in the US, which is 13,502 feet long, and a secondary 7,901-foot runway. The airport supports private aircraft with 24/7 service from a top-tier Fixed Base Operator (FBO). It is served by American, Southwest, and United Airlines, offering flights to popular destinations.

Various parking options are available at the airport, including a covered garage ($2 per 1/2 hour or $14/day), a Preferred Lot ($2 per 1/2 hour or $11/day, with the first 30 minutes free), and an Outdoor Lot ($2/hour or $10/day, with the first 30 minutes free). Free parking is also provided at the Cell Phone Lot for quick passenger pickups.

The airport does not provide a shuttle service, but taxi, limo, and rideshare services are available. Passengers can be dropped off at the curb in front of the terminal, but no waiting or unattended vehicles are allowed. All luggage is subject to search, and passengers are allowed one carry-on and one personal item. The airport is operated and managed by the City of Amarillo's Department of Aviation.

AMA covers 3,547 acres and has two concrete runways. In the year ending July 31, 2018, the airport recorded 68,367 aircraft operations, averaging 187 per day. At that time, 45 aircraft were based at the airport, including 21 single-engine, 15 multi-engine, 8 jet, and 1 helicopter.

Airport parking options

The Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport offers various parking options for passengers' convenience. The airport has a parking garage with 641 covered spaces located near the terminal entrance. This option is ideal for those seeking covered parking and proximity to the terminal. The garage parking rates are $4 per hour, with a daily maximum of $14.

Additionally, the airport offers two surface lots for passenger parking. The first is the Preferred Parking Lot, which has 104 parking spaces located close to the lower level of the terminal building. This lot is perfect for those seeking quick access to the terminal and offers the first 30 minutes for free, followed by a rate of $4 per half-hour, with a daily maximum of $11.

The second surface lot is the Outdoor Parking Lot, which provides 635 parking spots. This lot is the most cost-effective option for long-term parking, with a rate of $2 per hour and a daily maximum of $10. The first 30 minutes in this lot are also free, making it a convenient choice for travellers.

For those picking up arriving passengers, the airport offers two free options. The first is the Cell Phone Lot, located adjacent to Rosenwald Drive at the airport entrance. Drivers can wait in their vehicles until they receive a call from their arriving passenger, who can be picked up in front of the terminal building. The second option is the Preferred Parking Lot, where the first 30 minutes are free. It is important to note that vehicles must not be left unattended in the Cell Phone Lot.

Rick Husband, the airport's namesake

Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport is named after Colonel Richard Douglas Husband, an American astronaut and fighter pilot, and the airport's namesake. Husband was born in Amarillo, Texas, on July 12, 1957, and earned his pilot's license as a teenager while flying out of Tradewind Airport. After graduating with honours from Amarillo High School in 1975, he went on to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, graduating with a Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech University in 1980. He later earned a Master of Science degree from Fresno State University.

Husband's career in aviation began when he was commissioned as a pilot in the United States Air Force. He underwent pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma, and continued his training at various other Air Force bases across the United States. He accumulated 1000 hours of flying time by the time he became an F-4 instructor at George AFB in California in 1985. Husband's expertise and skills led him to attend the USAF Test Pilot School, where he graduated as a distinguished student. He then served as a test pilot, flying multiple aircraft models, including the F-4 and all five variants of the F-15 Eagle.

In December 1994, Husband was chosen by NASA as an astronaut candidate. He embarked on an extensive training and evaluation programme at the Johnson Space Center, completing it in 1995. Husband then took on the role of Astronaut Office representative, contributing to projects such as Space Shuttle upgrades, the Crew Return Vehicle, and studies focused on returning to the Moon and exploring Mars. He demonstrated his leadership skills as Chief of Safety for the Astronaut Office. Husband's first space mission was as a pilot on STS-96 in 1999, and he later commanded STS-107 in 2003. Unfortunately, during the re-entry of STS-107, Husband and his crewmates perished when Columbia disintegrated.

Colonel Rick Husband's achievements and contributions to aviation and space exploration have been widely recognised. He received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Graduate award for multiple programmes, including AFROTC and Undergraduate Pilot Training. Additionally, he was honoured with the Outstanding Engineering Student Award from Texas Tech University and was named a Distinguished Engineer by the same institution. Husband's legacy is further commemorated through various dedications, including Husband Hill on Mars, the lunar crater named Husband, and several locations in his hometown of Amarillo, Texas, such as Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, Rick Husband Boulevard, and Rick Husband Drive.

Frequently asked questions