Jackson Hole Airport: A Small But Mighty Aviation Hub

Jackson Hole Airport is a public airport located in Teton County, Wyoming, US. It is the only commercial airport in the United States located entirely inside a National Park, specifically, Grand Teton National Park. The airport covers 533 acres (216 ha) and has one runway, 1/19, which is 6,300 x 150 ft (1,920 x 46m) of asphalt. The airport is quite unique, with an antler arch at the entrance, exposed wood, fireplaces, and nature photography throughout.

Runway length

Jackson Hole Airport is located about seven miles (11 km) north of Jackson in Teton County, Wyoming, US. It is the only commercial airport in the United States located entirely inside a National Park—specifically, Grand Teton National Park.

The airport covers 533 acres (216 ha) and has one runway, 1/19, which is 6,300 x 150 ft (1,920 x 46 m) of asphalt. The runway is in good condition, with only minor signs of distress. The asphalt provides excellent resistance to cracking, even with extreme temperature changes in the area, which can range from -40°F (-40°C) to 104°F (40°C) throughout the year.

The runway's length of 6,300 feet (1,920 m) is considered relatively short for higher speeds and larger aircraft. Due to this, the largest aircraft regularly seen at the airport is the Boeing 757-200, operated by Delta Air Lines. Other aircraft typically seen include the Airbus A319, A320, Embraer 175, and the Bombardier CRJ700.

The unique attributes of the airport, including its high elevation and short runway, have resulted in the need for a reinforced asphalt mixture for the runway. The airport also has strict noise limitations due to its sensitive location within the National Park, banning older, noisier aircraft with stage-II engines.

Airport location

Jackson Hole Airport is located seven miles (11 km) north of Jackson in Teton County, Wyoming, US. It is the only commercial airport in the United States located inside a national park, specifically Grand Teton National Park. The airport was established in its present location in the 1930s as the best place for an airport in Teton County. In 1943, a large portion of the valley, including the airport, was designated a National Monument, which was later merged with Grand Teton National Park in 1950.

The airport covers 533 acres (216 ha) and has one runway, 1/19, which is 6,300 x 150 ft (1,920 x 46 m) of asphalt. The runway is in good condition, with only minor signs of distress, and the asphalt provides excellent resistance to cracking despite the area's extreme temperature changes. Temperatures can vary from -40°F (-40°C) to 41°F (5°C) in winter and -40°F (-40°C) to 104°F (40°C) annually. The airport accommodates smaller and larger planes, such as 757s and A320s, but due to its short runway at high altitude, the largest regular aircraft is the Boeing 757-200 operated by Delta Air Lines.

The airport is served year-round by major airlines such as Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, and seasonally by Sun Country Airlines. In 2019, it was Wyoming's busiest airport, with 455,000 passengers and 27,325 aircraft operations that year. The airport has 11 hard stand gates and three baggage carousels, and passengers board via ramps as there are no jet bridges. The terminal features exposed wood, fireplaces, and nature photography, reflecting its natural surroundings, and received an American Institute of Architects Honor Award in 2014.

Passenger traffic

Jackson Hole Airport is located seven miles (11 km) north of Jackson in Teton County, Wyoming, US. It is the only commercial airport in the United States located entirely inside a National Park—specifically, Grand Teton National Park.

The airport is served year-round by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, and seasonally by Sun Country Airlines. During peak summer and winter seasons, Jackson Hole offers nonstop airline service from up to 15 destinations across the United States. In 2019, it was the busiest airport in Wyoming by passenger traffic, with 455,000 passengers.

The airport has a unique set of attributes, including a relatively short runway length of 6,300 feet (1,920 m) for higher speeds and larger aircraft. The runway is also located at an elevation of 6,450 feet (1,966 m), which causes planes to land at higher speeds. These conditions mean that the airport does not typically see stretched versions of aircraft such as the Airbus A321 or Boeing 737-900, as they become weight-restricted upon takeoff. Due to the short runway at high altitude, the largest aircraft regularly seen at the airport is the Boeing 757-200, operated by Delta Air Lines on flights to Atlanta. Other aircraft typically seen include the Airbus A319, A320, Embraer 175, and the Bombardier CRJ700.

The airport currently has eleven hard stand gates and three baggage carousels. It does not have jet bridges, so passengers board aircraft via ramps. The airport terminal has a restaurant and gift shop post-security, as well as a cafe by the baggage claim area.

The airport was established in the 1930s and has seen several improvements and expansions over the years, including a major terminal expansion and remodel that began in 2009. The airport is subject to stringent noise limitations due to its sensitive location within Grand Teton National Park.

Aircraft types

Jackson Hole Airport is located in Teton County, Wyoming, US, and is the only commercial airport in the United States located entirely inside a National Park, specifically, Grand Teton National Park. The airport is noise-sensitive and has banned older, noisier aircraft with stage-II engines. The largest aircraft regularly seen at the airport is the Boeing 757-200, operated by Delta Air Lines on flights to Atlanta. Other aircraft that can be spotted at Jackson Hole Airport include the Airbus A319, A320, Embraer 175, and the Bombardier CRJ700. The airport does not typically accommodate stretched versions of aircraft like the Airbus A321 or Boeing 737-900 due to weight restrictions during take-off.

The airport has a unique history, with its location chosen in the 1930s as the best place for an airport in Teton County. The first commercial air service to Jackson Hole was provided by Western Airlines in 1941. In 1943, the area, including the airport, became a National Monument, later merged with Grand Teton National Park in 1950. The airport has undergone several improvements over the years, including a major terminal expansion and remodel that began in 2009, doubling the size of the terminal building.

The runway at Jackson Hole Airport is 6,300 feet (1,920 metres) long and 150 feet (46 metres) wide. It is constructed with reinforced asphalt to withstand extreme temperature changes, with temperatures ranging from -40°F (-40°C) to 104°F (40°C) throughout the year. The runway is suitable for both smaller and larger aircraft, but the larger planes, such as the 757's and A320's, need to land at higher speeds due to the relatively short runway length for their size.

The airport has a variety of aircraft operations, including general aviation, air taxi services, airline operations, and military flights. On average, there are around 75 aircraft operations per day. Additionally, the airport is served by several major airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, offering year-round services. Sun Country Airlines also provides seasonal flights.

Terminal design

Jackson Hole Airport is located in a particularly sensitive natural environment, being the only commercial airport in the United States located entirely inside a national park. The airport was established in the 1930s and has since undergone several renovations and expansions to accommodate increasing air traffic.

The terminal design is subject to strict height limitations due to its location within Grand Teton National Park, with a maximum height of 18 feet (5.5 m). The design blends with its natural surroundings, featuring exposed wood, fireplaces, and nature photography throughout. The terminal received an American Institute of Architects Honor Award in 2014 for its aesthetic and functional design.

The terminal has undergone several expansions to cater to the growing number of passengers. In 2009, the airport began a major terminal expansion and remodel, which included adding new space and renovating existing areas. This phase was completed in 2010, doubling the size of the terminal building. The next phase, starting in 2013, focused on enhancing the baggage claim and administrative support facilities, adding more space to the terminal and administration office.

The most recent construction projects at the airport include relocating the pre-security cafe to the baggage claim area, creating additional check-in counter space, and modernising and expanding the TSA checkpoint. The airport also plans to rebuild the restaurant and add two more gates to accommodate more airlines and improve passenger facilities.

The airport covers 533 acres (216 ha) and has a single runway, 1/19, which is 6,300 x 150 ft (1,920 x 46 m) and made of asphalt. The runway is known for its excellent resistance to cracking, even with the extreme temperature changes in the region, ranging from -40°F (-40°C) to 104°F (40°C) throughout the year.

Frequently asked questions