Exploring Cleveland Hopkins: Size And Significance

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is a city-owned airport in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state, covering 1,040 acres, and is in the top 50 largest airports in the US by passenger numbers. The airport was founded in 1925 and was the first airport with an air traffic control tower and a two-level design separating arrivals from departures. It was also the first airport in North America to be directly connected with a rail transit line.

Passenger numbers and airlines

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is the largest and busiest airport in Ohio, as well as one of the fifty largest airports in the United States by passenger numbers. The airport is located in Cleveland's Hopkins neighbourhood, 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Downtown Cleveland. It is the primary airport serving Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.

The airport has been at the forefront of several innovations in aviation history, including being the first airport with an air traffic control tower and a two-level terminal design separating arrivals and departures. It was also the first airport in North America to be directly connected with a rail transit line.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has a rich history with United Airlines, which established its easternmost domestic hub in Cleveland after World War II. United maintained this hub until the mid-1980s when it moved its operations to Washington–Dulles. Following United's departure, Continental Airlines (later merged with United in 2010) and USAir became the dominant carriers at the airport. Despite closing its hub, United still maintains a significant presence at the airport, including a flight attendant and pilot base, as well as maintenance facilities. As of 2017, United remained the largest carrier at the airport.

Other major airlines serving Cleveland Hopkins International Airport include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Allegiant Air. The airport offers non-stop passenger service to 43 destinations, with recent additions including transatlantic flights to Dublin, Ireland, operated by Aer Lingus since 2023. In June 2024, Frontier Airlines overtook United as the top carrier in terms of monthly passenger numbers.

Location and transport links

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (IATA: CLE, ICAO: KCLE, FAA LID: CLE) is a city-owned international airport in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state, serving the Cleveland metropolitan area and Northeast Ohio. The airport is located in Cleveland's Hopkins neighbourhood, approximately 9 miles (14 km) southwest of downtown Cleveland. It is easily accessible by road, situated just south of I-480 and west of I-71.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is well-connected to the city centre by public transportation. The airport is directly linked to the Cleveland Rapid Transit system, with the Red Line Rapid Transit station located beneath the terminal. This makes it the first airport in North America to be connected to a rail transit line. The RTA's Red Line provides a convenient connection to downtown Cleveland. Additionally, the airport has a dedicated taxi service with 110 vehicles. For those seeking more premium travel options, private car services are available, offering comfortable and seamless journeys to and from the airport in sedans, SUVs, and executive vans.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport also offers a range of car rental options, with several companies providing services from a consolidated rental car facility located off-airport property at 19601 Maplewood Ave. Shuttle services are provided between the airport and the rental car facility, ensuring a smooth transition for travellers. The airport provides a variety of parking options, including economy, short-term, long-term, garage, and valet services, ensuring convenient access for those arriving by car.

The airport is also accessible by bus services, providing additional public transportation options for travellers. Furthermore, limousine, van, and shuttle services are available for those seeking alternative modes of transport. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is committed to accessibility, offering a range of services and options for travellers with reduced mobility needs, ensuring a fair and equitable experience for all its customers.

History and innovations

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is the largest airport in Ohio, serving the Cleveland metropolitan area and Northeast Ohio. It is located approximately 9 miles southwest of downtown Cleveland.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has a rich history of aviation firsts and innovations.

The airport was founded on July 1, 1925, as one of the first municipally-owned airports in the United States. It was named after its founder, former city manager William R. Hopkins, on his 82nd birthday in 1951.

Cleveland Hopkins was the site of numerous "firsts" in aviation history. It was the first airport with an air traffic control tower, which was constructed in 1929 and featured the world's first ground-to-air radio control system in 1939. The airport also introduced the first airfield lighting system in 1930 and was the first airport in the United States with a direct rapid transit connection to downtown in 1968. Additionally, it was the first airport to employ a two-level terminal design, separating arrivals from departures.

The airport also witnessed the launch of the first air-freight route by the Ford Motor Company to and from Detroit in 1925. It offered the first scheduled interstate passenger services in the United States, beginning in 1922, and the first emergency medical technician program at any airport in 1965.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has a long history of innovation and has played a significant role in shaping commercial air travel. Despite not expanding as rapidly as other airports after the 1960s, it continues to serve as a vital aviation hub, offering nonstop passenger service to 43 destinations.

Facilities and amenities

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is located in Cleveland's Hopkins neighbourhood, about 9 miles (14 km) southwest of downtown Cleveland. It is the largest and busiest airport in Ohio and also one of the top 50 largest airports in the US in terms of passenger numbers. The airport has been at the forefront of several innovations in aviation, including being the first airport with an air traffic control tower and a two-level terminal design separating arrivals from departures.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport offers a range of facilities and amenities for travellers. The airport consists of a main terminal and four concourses (A, B, C, and D), with 67 gates connected via walkways. There are a variety of dining options available at each terminal, ranging from quick-service options like Great American Bagel to full-service restaurants like Quaker Steak & Lube.

The airport also provides a range of shopping options, including books and magazines at Hudson News, and clothing and accessories at Johnson & Murphy. Additional services include currency exchanges, ATMs, salons, shoeshine services, and even a Massage Bar. For travellers with reduced mobility, CLE offers a range of accessibility options and equitable treatment for all customers.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport provides a variety of parking options, including economy, short-term, long-term, garage, valet, and a Smart Parking Garage that can be reserved in advance. The airport is easily accessible via public transit, with bus and light rail options available. Additionally, taxi, limousine, van, car rental, and shuttle services are also available for travellers.

For those who need to stay overnight, there are 20 nearby hotel and motel options, including the Sheraton Cleveland Airport, Days Inn Airport, and Airport Plaza Hotel. The airport also offers nonstop passenger service to 43 destinations and is the first airport in North America to be directly connected to a rail transit line.

Car parking options

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is the largest airport in Ohio, located about 9 miles southwest of downtown Cleveland. The airport offers a variety of parking options, including economy, short-term, long-term, garage, and valet.

On-Site Parking Options:

There are 6 on-site parking lots and garages to choose from at CLE. The airport's official parking options include the CLE Smart Parking Garage, which offers both short-term and long-term parking. The garage is located just steps away from the main terminal and offers guaranteed spots if reserved 24 hours in advance. The rates for the CLE Smart Parking Garage start at $6 per hour for the first three hours and go up to $35 per day for valet service.

The airport also has three other long-term parking lots: the Red Lot, Blue Lot, and Orange Lot. The Red and Blue Lots are situated north of the terminal on Park Road, near the arrivals deck, and charge $18 and $16 per day, respectively. The Orange Lot, located on the other side of Park Road, offers a more economical option at $15 per day and is connected to the Smart Parking Garage by a skywalk.

For short-term parking, the only option besides the CLE Smart Parking Garage is the Cell Phone Lot, which offers free parking. However, you cannot leave your vehicle unattended, and it is further away from the terminals.

Valet parking is also available on-site, located at Door 1 on the upper roadway of the terminal. This service is ticketless, and payment can be made via phone when picking up your vehicle. The rates for valet parking are $30 per day, $9 for up to 30 minutes, $12 for up to one hour, and $15 for up to three hours.

Off-Site Parking Options:

There are several off-site parking options available near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. One popular option is The Parking Spot (formerly known as Park 'N Fly), which offers both short-term and long-term parking with shuttle services to all Cleveland Hopkins gates. Another off-site option is Rightway Parking, which offers secure spots for under $6 per day, with free shuttles to CLE. Parkobility is another off-site parking provider, with rates starting at $3.95 per day or $28 per week.

With a variety of on-site and off-site parking options available, travellers can choose the most convenient and cost-effective option for their needs. It is recommended to arrive early, allowing enough time for parking and reaching the terminal, especially when considering off-site parking options.

Frequently asked questions