St. Louis Airport: A Sprawling Midwest Aviation Hub

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (IATA: STL) is a large airport located 13 to 14 miles northwest of downtown St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Covering 2,800 to 3,793 acres of land, it is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri. The airport has two terminals, five concourses, and 54 to 81 gates. It is accessible via the MetroLink light rail system, which connects it to downtown St. Louis and other parts of the metropolitan area.

St. Louis Lambert International Airport covers 3,793 acres (1,535 ha) of land

The airport's vast land coverage accommodates not only its runways and terminals but also a complex taxiway system that provides access to all terminals, ramps, and services. The airport's geometry, coupled with its mix of air traffic, makes St. Louis Lambert International Airport a potentially challenging airport for pilots. The airport handles scheduled air carriers, air taxis, general aviation, and military aircraft movements.

The airport's two terminals are located about half a mile from each other, with Terminal 1 being the larger of the two and dedicated to domestic flights only. Terminal 2 handles international flights and has customs and immigration facilities. A free shuttle service connects the two terminals, which are also served by the MetroLink light rail system, providing convenient transportation to downtown St. Louis and beyond.

St. Louis Lambert International Airport's expansive land area allows for the efficient movement of aircraft and passengers, contributing to its status as the busiest airport in Missouri. The airport's size and infrastructure enable it to handle a significant volume of air traffic and facilitate connections to destinations across the globe.

The airport's large footprint also provides space for various amenities and services, including dining options, lounges, children's play areas, and lactation suites. The airport employs thousands of people directly and indirectly, contributing significantly to the regional economy.

The airport is 14 miles (23 km) northwest of downtown St. Louis

St. Louis Lambert International Airport is located 14 miles (23 km) northwest of downtown St. Louis. The airport is one of the oldest municipal airports in the US, established in 1920. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri, covering 3,793 acres (1,535 ha) of land. The airport is connected to other parts of the St. Louis metropolitan area by the MetroLink mass transportation rail system.

The airport is accessible from I-70, with eastbound leading to downtown St. Louis and Illinois, and westbound leading to St. Louis exurbs in St. Charles County. The airport has its own MetroLink light rail stations, with stations at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The stations are served by the Red Line, which runs through St. Louis County in Missouri and Monroe County in Illinois.

St. Louis Lambert International Airport is named after Albert Bond Lambert, an Olympic medalist and prominent St. Louis aviator. The airport rose to prominence in the 20th century due to several factors, including its association with Charles Lindbergh, its air traffic control system, and its status as the primary hub of Trans World Airlines (TWA).

The airport has two terminals, five concourses, and 54 gates. Terminal 1 is the larger of the two, with 36 gates across Concourses A and C. Terminal 2 operates flights by Southwest Airlines, Lufthansa, and any international arrivals. It is located at the southern end of the airport and has 18 gates across Concourse E.

The airport provides nonstop service to airports across the United States, as well as Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. In 2023, it served approximately 15 million passengers, with more than 250 daily departures to over 70 destinations. Southwest Airlines is the most dominant carrier at the airport, accounting for a significant portion of its annual passenger traffic.

It has 81 gates in two terminals

St. Louis Lambert International Airport has 81 gates across two terminals. Terminal 1 is the larger of the two, with 36 gates across Concourses A and C. It operates domestic flights only, with arrivals on the lower level and departures on the upper level. Concourse A has 15 gates, numbered from A2 to A4, A6, A8 to A10, A12, and A14 to A21. Flights from Concourse A are operated by Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. Concourse C has 20 gates, numbered from C1 to C3, C5 to C10, C12, C15 to C19, C23, C24, and C27 to C30. Flights from Concourse C are operated by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Cape Air, Charter Flights, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. Terminal 2 has 18 gates across Concourse E and operates international flights, as the terminal has customs and immigration facilities.

The airport has four runways

St. Louis Lambert International Airport has four runways. Three of the runways are parallel to each other, while the fourth is a crosswind runway. The crosswind runway, 6/24, is the shortest of the four runways at 7,607 feet (2,319 m). The newest runway is 11/29, which was completed in 2006 as part of a large expansion program. The other runways are 11,020 feet (3,360 m), 9,013 feet (2,747 m), and 9,000 feet (2,700 m) long.

The airport's runway configuration can be challenging for pilots due to the mix of traffic and geometry. The airport handles scheduled air carriers, air taxis, general aviation, and military aircraft. To ensure safe operations, pilots must follow specific procedures, such as using transponders with altitude reporting mode and being cautious during taxiing to avoid incorrect runway entrances or takeoffs.

The airport has a complex taxiway system that provides access to all terminals, ramps, and services. It is essential for pilots to follow instructions from the Ground Control (GC) and be vigilant during taxiing to avoid potential risks, such as wrong surface landings or takeoffs.

The addition of runway 11/29 improved the airport's capacity and helped accommodate the increasing passenger traffic. With these four runways, St. Louis Lambert International Airport efficiently handles the diverse air traffic and maintains its position as the largest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri.

It is one of the oldest municipal airports in the US

St. Louis Lambert International Airport is one of the oldest municipal airports in the United States. Its history dates back to the early 20th century, when aviation was still in its infancy.

The airport's origins can be traced back to 1909 when the Aero Club of St. Louis established a balloon launching base called the "Permanent Aviation Field and Dirigible Harbor" in Kinloch Park. The site hosted the first International Air Meet in October 1910, attracting notable figures such as the Wright brothers and President Theodore Roosevelt, who became the first U.S. president to fly.

In June 1920, Major Albert Bond Lambert, an Olympic medalist and prominent aviator, and the Missouri Aeronautical Society leased 170 acres of farmland to establish an airfield for St. Louis. Lambert financed the project, clearing and grading the land, adding drainage, and constructing a hangar at his own expense. The airfield was renamed the "Lambert-St. Louis Flying Field" in 1923 and officially became an airfield.

In February 1925, Lambert purchased the field and added hangars and a passenger terminal. In 1928, the City of St. Louis leased the airport for $1 and, later that year, Lambert sold it to the city for $2 million, making St. Louis Lambert International Airport one of the first municipally-owned airports in the country.

The airport has undergone numerous expansions and name changes over the years. In 1930, it was christened the "Lambert-St. Louis Municipal Airport." A new terminal was designed in 1953 and completed in 1956, becoming a forerunner of modern airline terminals. The airport was renamed "Lambert-St. Louis International Airport" in 1971 and has since expanded further, adding runways and increasing its capacity.

Today, St. Louis Lambert International Airport covers 3,793 acres of land, has two terminals, five concourses, and 54 gates. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri, serving nearly 16 million passengers annually.

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