Bakersfield Airport: Size, Significance, And Scope

Meadows Field Airport, also known as Bakersfield Airport, is located 7 miles from the centre of Bakersfield, California. Covering 1,357 acres of land, the airport has two asphalt runways, with the larger measuring 10,855 by 150 feet and the smaller measuring 7,703 by 100 feet. Bakersfield Airport provides both convenience and reasonable prices for travellers, with nonstop flights to San Francisco and Denver, among other destinations.

Meadows Field Airport's location and elevation

Meadows Field Airport, also known as Kern County Airport #1, is located in Kern County, California, United States. It is situated three miles northwest of downtown Bakersfield and is easily accessible from the city centre. The airport is conveniently located for those travelling to and from Bakersfield, with parking available right across the street.

The airport is surrounded by other cities, with Sacramento and Monterey streets in East Bakersfield to the west, and Panorama Bluffs in Northeast Bakersfield, where Greenlawn Mortuary currently stands, to the east. The Tejon Industrial Complex is located south of the airport, while the International Trade and Transportation Center can be found in Shafter, to the west of Bakersfield.

Meadows Field Airport has been linked to Kern County since the early days of the aviation industry. In 1926, the Kern County Chamber of Commerce constructed and operated a new airport called Kern County Airport No. 1. This original facility was located at the intersection of U.S. Route 99 and Norris Road but was moved to its current location one mile east the following year.

The airport covers 1,357 acres (549 ha) of land and sits at an elevation of 510 feet (155 m). It features two asphalt runways: 12L/30R, which measures 10,855 by 150 feet (3,309 x 46 m), and 12R/30L, which is 7,703 by 100 feet (2,348 x 30 m). The main runway was lengthened in 1987 to accommodate wide-body jets, and the second runway was extended to 7,700 feet in the early 2000s.

Airlines that serve Bakersfield

Bakersfield's Meadows Field Airport (BFL) is located three miles (four km) northwest of the city's downtown area. The airport covers 1,357 acres (549 ha) at an elevation of 510 feet (155 m) and has two asphalt runways.

Meadows Field Airport has been served by several airlines over the years, with some offering nonstop flights to various destinations. Here is a list of airlines that currently serve Bakersfield or have served the city in the past:

United Airlines

United Airlines offers cheap flights from Bakersfield to Washington, D.C. (DCA). They also provide nonstop flights to San Francisco (SFO) and Denver (DEN) from Meadows Field Airport.

American Airlines

American Airlines operates flights from Bakersfield to Washington, D.C. (DCA), with potential connections through other cities. They have also served the Bakersfield airport in the past, offering flights to Dallas/Fort Worth with a stopover in Santa Barbara using the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft.

Pacific Air Lines

In the 1960s, Pacific Air Lines operated nonstop flights to Los Angeles and Fresno. They also offered a one-stop service to San Francisco using Boeing 727-100s, marking the airport's first jet service.

Pacific Express

During the 1980s, Pacific Express served Meadows Field Airport with nonstop flights to San Francisco and Santa Barbara using BAC One-Elevens.

Continental Airlines

In 1982, Continental Airlines operated the Las Vegas-Houston route using Douglas DC-9s. They also flew Boeing 737-200s to Denver from 1987 to 1988.

America West Airlines

From 1990 to 1991, America West Airlines provided mainline service to Las Vegas using the De Havilland Dash 8 turboprop aircraft.

Mexicana

Mexicana provided international service to Mexico from Bakersfield, marking the airport's foray into international flights. However, this service was affected by the recession of 2008, and the airport lost its international carrier.

Other Airlines

Over the years, other airlines have also served Bakersfield, including US Air Mail, which used the airport as a stop from 1923 to 1926 before moving to Meadows Field. Additionally, in the past, Bakersfield had two airfields: Bernard Field, run by the Pacific Aero Club, and an unnamed airfield on the Panorama Bluffs.

The airport's history

The history of Bakersfield Airport, also known as Meadows Field Airport, dates back to the early days of commercial aviation in the 1920s. Bakersfield initially had two airfields: Bernard Field, located in East Bakersfield, and an unnamed airfield on the Panorama Bluffs in Northeast Bakersfield. In 1926, the Kern County Chamber of Commerce recognised the need for a purpose-built commercial airport in Bakersfield. As a result, they constructed and operated Kern County Airport No. 1, located at the intersection of U.S. Route 99 and Norris Road. The original facility was basic, with one runway, one terminal building, and a few hangars. In 1927, commercial airline service commenced in Bakersfield with Pacific Air Transport operating a route from Los Angeles to Seattle, including stops in Bakersfield, Fresno, and San Francisco.

In 1935, Kern County purchased the airport from the Chamber of Commerce, making it the first county-owned airport in the nation. With the outbreak of World War II in Europe in 1939, Congress appropriated funds for the Development of Landing Areas for National Defense (DLAND). This provided much-needed funding for improvements to Meadows Field, including the operation of airport towers. During World War II, the airport was likely used for military purposes, given the proximity of the US Army Air Corps.

Post-war, Meadows Field Airport continued to develop and modernise. In the 1950s and 1960s, the airport experienced increased air service, with annual enplanements reaching 97,000 in 1975. In 1966, Pacific Air Lines introduced the airport's first jet service, operating nonstop flights to Los Angeles and Fresno. The airport also saw a variety of airlines serving different routes, including Continental Airlines, America West Airlines, and United Airlines. However, in 1978, airline deregulation led to a decrease in service and an increase in prices, causing a significant drop in annual enplanements. Despite these challenges, the airport continued to serve international charter and unscheduled flights, as well as processing international cargo.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Meadows Field Airport saw a mix of airlines serving various routes. American Airlines operated the Dallas/Fort Worth service, while Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines briefly served the airport with flights to Las Vegas and Denver, respectively. The airport also welcomed its largest commercial jetliner, the Boeing 757-200, operated by American Airlines. In 1994, the airport introduced a new travel calculator, allowing passengers to compare departure points and costs, making travel planning more convenient. Today, Meadows Field Airport continues to provide nonstop flights to various destinations and remains a convenient option for travellers in the region.

Aircraft operations and base statistics

Meadows Field Airport, also known as Bakersfield Airport or Bakersfield Municipal Airport, is located 7 miles from the centre of Bakersfield, California. The airport covers 1,357 acres of land at an elevation of 510 feet. It features two asphalt runways: 12L/30R, which is 10,855 by 150 feet, and 12R/30L, which is 7,703 by 100 feet. The airport has a variety of aircraft operations, including general aviation, air taxi, airline, and military flights.

In the year ending May 31, 2018, the airport recorded 61,229 aircraft operations, averaging 168 per day. The breakdown of these operations was 76% general aviation, 20% air taxi, 4% airline, and less than 1% military. As of November 2021, 194 aircraft were based at the airport, including 108 single-engine, 52 multi-engine, 32 jet, 1 ultralight, and 1 helicopter.

The airport has a rich history of commercial air service, dating back to the 1920s. Bakersfield initially had two airfields: Bernard Field, run by the Pacific Aero Club, and another airfield on the Panorama Bluffs. In 1926, the Kern County Chamber of Commerce constructed and operated a new airport called Kern County Airport No. 1, which was moved to its current location a year later. The original facility had one runway, one terminal building, and a few hangars.

Over the years, various airlines have served Bakersfield Airport, offering both domestic and international flights. In 1966, Pacific Air Lines operated the airport's first jet service to Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Francisco. Other airlines that have served the airport include Continental Airlines, America West Airlines, and American Airlines. The airport also introduced a new travel calculator, allowing passengers to compare the cost of travel from Meadows Field Airport with other departure points.

Terminal features and facilities

Meadows Field Airport, also known as Bakersfield Municipal Airport, is located in Kern County, California, about 7 miles from the city centre. The airport covers 1,357 acres of land and is situated at an elevation of 510 feet. It features two asphalt runways, with the larger one being 10,855 by 150 feet, and the smaller one measuring 7,703 by 100 feet.

The William M. Thomas Terminal at Meadows Field Airport boasts six gates numbered 2 through 6. Gate 1 is non-functional due to the absence of a jet bridge, and Gate 6 is conveniently located at ground level. The terminal was constructed in 2006 with a rotunda design, including a compass point floor and a scaled model of Spaceship One, an aircraft that operated out of Mojave, about 50 miles east of Bakersfield. The terminal's design takes advantage of its construction on a hill, with all passenger services located on the second level, while airport services are situated on the first level.

The terminal offers a range of amenities to enhance the travel experience. Passengers can find an Omni Goods gift shop and a Blimpie sandwich restaurant within the terminal. Additionally, there is a variety of art and exhibits on display, adding to the terminal's appeal. The ticket counter is operational during specific hours, closing 30 minutes before departure and reopening 2 hours before the next flight. It is important to note that this location does not accept cash or checks.

Meadows Field Airport provides convenient parking options, with parking available right across the street. The overall process of travelling through this airport is relatively quick and efficient, making it a preferred choice for many travellers. The airport also offers nonstop flights on major airlines such as United Airlines and American Airlines, providing easy connections to various destinations.

Frequently asked questions