Worcester, Massachusetts: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Worcester, Massachusetts, is served by Worcester Regional Airport, located 5 miles from the city centre. Worcester Regional Airport is owned and operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and has been in operation since 1946. The airport offers travellers a range of amenities and services, including jetway gates, baggage carousels, and a TSA-installed passenger and baggage screening system. Worcester Regional Airport provides daily flights to destinations such as New York City, Fort Lauderdale, and Philadelphia, with airlines such as JetBlue and American Airlines operating from the airport.

Worcester Regional Airport's history and ownership

Worcester Regional Airport is located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, about three miles west of Worcester city. The airport's code is ORH, believed to have originated from the word "Worcester", with the "H" possibly being arbitrary. Worcester Regional Airport is owned and operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) since June or July 1, 2010. Before that, it was owned by the City of Worcester.

The history of aviation in Worcester began in 1925 when city officials commissioned a study to find a suitable site for the city's first airport. The land owned by a wealthy local, Whitin Whitall, was considered, but the Grafton airport served as the city's first airport. However, by the 1940s, with the increasing popularity of air travel, the Grafton airport was deemed too small. A second study was commissioned, and the current site, Tatnuck Hill, on the borders of Worcester, Leicester, and Paxton, was chosen despite concerns about fog. Construction began in 1944, and the airport opened on May 4, 1946, with regular passenger service starting on May 10. Northeast Airlines operated non-stop flights to New York, Newark, Boston, and Lawrence, MA, and direct flights to Portland, ME.

The Grafton airport ceased operations in 1951 due to dwindling traffic, and the land was redeveloped. Leicester Airport, another small private airfield, served the region until the 1970s. Worcester Regional Airport was served by Northeast Airlines with McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 jet and Fairchild Hiller FH-227 turboprop flights to New York LaGuardia Airport, Boston, and Manchester, NH, in 1969. Northeast Airlines was later acquired by Delta Air Lines, which continued to serve Worcester with non-stop flights to New York LaGuardia Airport and Manchester, NH, and direct flights to Atlanta, Boston, and New Orleans in 1973.

In recent years, Worcester Regional Airport has seen improvements and expansions. The airport offers a modern terminal with amenities like hassle-free check-in, a security checkpoint, free Wi-Fi, and rental car services. Fixed-base operator (FBO) services are provided by Rectrix Aviation, offering upscale ground handling services, a flight planning room, and a pilots' lounge. The airport has six gates in total, with four jetway gates and two ramp level gates, accommodating aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 757. It also features baggage carousels and a TSA-installed passenger and baggage screening system.

Airlines and flight routes

Worcester Regional Airport (IATA: ORH, ICAO: KORH, FAA LID: ORH) is located 3 miles (5 km) west of Worcester, Massachusetts. The airport covers an area of 1,000 acres (4 km2) and has two runways. The airport is served by JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, offering daily commercial services with direct flights to New York and Florida, as well as connections to other domestic and international destinations.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Airways provides daily flights from Worcester Regional Airport to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The airline had previously suspended flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed services in August 2021. JetBlue also offers flights from Orlando International Airport to Worcester Regional Airport.

American Airlines

American Airlines offers daily nonstop service from Worcester Regional Airport to New York City's JFK Airport. They previously operated a daily service to Philadelphia but switched this route to New York as of January 4, 2022.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines provides daily service from Worcester Regional Airport to New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

In addition to these major airlines, Worcester Regional Airport also offers general aviation services through Atlantic Aviation, the airport's fixed-base operator.

Worcester Regional Airport has a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable and accessible travel experience. The airport features four jetway gates, two ramp-level gates, baggage carousels, and a TSA-installed passenger and baggage screening system. The airport's passenger terminal can accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 757.

Airport facilities and amenities

Worcester Regional Airport is located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, about three miles west of downtown Worcester. The airport is owned and operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). Worcester Regional Airport offers travellers a range of facilities and amenities to ensure a comfortable and accessible experience.

The airport features a modern terminal with hassle-free check-in and security checkpoints. The terminal, which opened in 1993, is easy to navigate, with a first-floor lobby for check-in, a second-floor TSA checkpoint, and a passenger holdroom and gate area that is just seconds away. The terminal is equipped with four jetway gates and two ramp level gates, accommodating aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 757. It also has two baggage carousels and a TSA-installed passenger and baggage screening system.

For travellers' convenience, the airport provides free Wi-Fi and a variety of food and drink options at the Mirage Express and Lounge. Electric vehicle charging stations are available in the main parking lot. Worcester Regional Airport also offers scenic views of downtown Worcester and the surrounding hills from its location on Tatnuck Hill, which is 1,000 feet above sea level.

In addition to these amenities, the airport houses the Rectrix Aerodrome Centre, which offers 20,000 square feet of heated hangar space. The centre is equipped with concierge services, a flight planning room, and a pilots' lounge. Worcester Regional Airport is also known for its role in the film industry, having been used for shooting popular movies such as "Captain Phillips", "Knight and Day", "The Judge", and "The Sea of Trees".

Airport location and weather

Worcester Regional Airport is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, in the United States. The airport is situated 3 miles (5 km) west of the city of Worcester, in Worcester County. The main airport property is within the municipalities of Worcester and Leicester, with supporting facilities found in Paxton. The airport's code, ORH, is believed to be derived from the word "Worcester", as "W" cannot be used as the first letter of airport identifiers in the United States, and "ORC" was already assigned. The origin of the "H" is unclear and may have been arbitrary.

The airport covers an area of 1,000 acres (4 km2) and features two runways. Runway 11/29 measures 7,001 feet by 150 feet (2,134 meters by 46 meters), while runway 15/33 is 5,000 feet by 100 feet (1,524 meters by 30 meters). Worcester Regional Airport is equipped with a passenger terminal that includes six gates—four jetway gates and two ramp level gates for regional carriers. The terminal also houses baggage carousels, a TSA-installed passenger and baggage screening system, and various other amenities.

The history of aviation in Worcester began in 1925 when city officials initiated a study to identify potential sites for the city's first airport. The current site, Tatnuck Hill, located on the borders of Worcester, Leicester, and Paxton, was chosen despite concerns about fog due to its elevation of 1,000 feet (300 meters) above sea level. Construction of the airport commenced in 1944, and it officially opened on May 4, 1946, starting regular passenger service shortly after on May 10, 1946.

Regarding weather conditions, Worcester Regional Airport experiences varying conditions throughout the year. On May 22, 2023, the airport reported a partly cloudy day with a high temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit and northeast winds of 11 mph, including gusts of up to 19 mph. The following days were predicted to be mostly sunny, with temperatures gradually increasing to a high of 74 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by a return to partly cloudy conditions and slightly cooler temperatures.

Comparison to other airports

Worcester Regional Airport in Massachusetts is a major commercial airport located in Tatnuck Hill, around three miles west of Worcester. The airport is conveniently situated in Central Massachusetts and owned and operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). It serves Worcester County, the second-fastest-growing county in the state, along with the Boston Metro West region and the Interstate 495 corridor.

Worcester Regional Airport spans 1,000 acres, which is relatively small compared to other commercial airports. For context, Logan International Airport in Boston covers an area of 2,384 acres. Despite its smaller size, Worcester Regional Airport features two runways, with the primary runway (11/29) measuring 7,001 feet in length and the secondary runway (15/33) measuring 5,000 feet. The airport's passenger terminal is valued at $15.7 million and offers various amenities, including four jetway gates, two ramp-level gates, baggage carousels, and a TSA-installed passenger and baggage screening system.

In terms of flight offerings, Worcester Regional Airport caters to three leading airlines: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue. JetBlue operates daily flights to Fort Lauderdale and New York City, including John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA). American Airlines also offers daily service to New York's JFK airport. The availability of nonstop flights to major destinations like New York City and Fort Lauderdale is a significant advantage for travellers in the region.

The airport has also been a popular filming location for movies, including "Captain Phillips," "Knight and Day," "The Judge," and "The Sea of Trees." Its convenient location and modern facilities, including a new control tower and lighting systems, make it an attractive option for travellers in Central Massachusetts.

Frequently asked questions