Milwaukee Airport: Size, Scale, And Significance

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, formerly known as General Mitchell International Airport, is a medium-sized airport located 8-10 miles south of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Covering 2,314 acres, the airport has one terminal with two concourses and 38-50 gates. The airport is recognised as one of the best in the world by the Airports Council International and offers unique amenities such as the only beer garden at a US airport and a free aviation history museum.

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport covers 2,314 acres

The airport has one terminal with two concourses and 38 gates, as well as five asphalt and concrete runways. The terminal houses the Mitchell Gallery of Flight, a free museum on the history of aviation, a USO room, retail outlets, a small food court, and a branch of Renaissance Books, believed to be the world's first airport used bookstore. The airport also has an observation lot open to the public, and an innovative beer garden, Barons' Beer Garden, named after Milwaukee's famous beer barons.

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport was formerly a hub for AirTran Airways, Frontier Airlines, Midwest Airlines, and North Central Airlines. In 2012, there were discussions to close one concourse to cut costs, and in 2018, the Milwaukee County Budget included funding for a new International Terminal to replace the current International Arrivals Terminal, which has limited capacity. The airport has seen a significant reduction in carriers and flights in recent years.

The airport was renamed in February 2019 to highlight its location in Milwaukee, though the old name, General Mitchell International Airport, is still used by the FAA and US government. The airport was originally named after United States Army General Billy Mitchell, who was raised in Milwaukee and is regarded as the father of the US Air Force.

It has one terminal, two concourses, and 38 gates

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport has one terminal building, two concourses, and 38 gates. The airport covers 2,314 acres of land and has five runways. It is located 5 nautical miles south of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is about a 15-minute drive from the city centre. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is the primary airport for Milwaukee and is also used by travellers across Southern and Eastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.

The airport's one terminal building has two concourses: Concourse C and Concourse D. Southwest Airlines and United Airlines operate out of Concourse C, while the remaining airlines operate out of Concourse D. The terminal building also houses various amenities, including the Mitchell Gallery of Flight (a non-profit museum), a USO room, retail outlets, a small food court, and a branch of Renaissance Books, believed to be the world's first airport used bookstore. There are also play areas for children throughout the facility.

Historically, the airport has had a Master Plan to increase the terminal area by expanding the existing terminal or constructing a new one. While this would significantly impact the airport's traffic, it was drafted before a reduction in carriers and flights. More recently, in 2012, there were discussions of closing one concourse to cut costs, and the approved 2018 Milwaukee County Budget included funding for a new International Terminal to replace the current International Arrivals Terminal, which has limited capacity and is not connected to the main terminal.

The airport has undergone several name changes over the years. It was previously known as General Mitchell International Airport, and before that, it was called Milwaukee County Airport. The airport is named after United States Army General Billy Mitchell, who is regarded as the father of the United States Air Force.

The airport is 8-10 miles from downtown Milwaukee

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is located just over 8 to 10 miles from downtown Milwaukee. The airport is situated 5 nautical miles (9.3 km or 5.8 miles) south of downtown Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is named after United States Army General Billy Mitchell, who is often regarded as the father of the US Air Force. The airport covers 2,314 acres and has five runways. It is a civil-military airport, serving as the primary airport for Milwaukee, and is also used by travellers across Southern and Eastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.

There are various ways to travel between the airport and downtown Milwaukee. The fastest way is by taxi, which takes approximately 11 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic. The journey by taxi offers a comfortable and speedy door-to-door service, and the fare typically costs between $18 and $30.

The GreenLine or Route 80 bus is another option, which takes around 19 to 35 minutes. The bus is an inexpensive choice for travellers on a budget, with tickets costing $2.25 for a standard fare. The bus departs every 20 minutes and offers daily services.

For those seeking a direct transfer to their hotel, GO Riteway provides the only shuttle service at the airport. The reservation desk can be found near Baggage Claim 1, and rates for a shared shuttle are $15 one-way and $29 round trip.

It's named after US Army General Billy Mitchell

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, located 5 miles south of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is named after US Army General Billy Mitchell. Mitchell, born in France in 1879, was the son of a US Senator from Wisconsin and grew up in Milwaukee. He attended Columbian University (now The George Washington University) in Washington, D.C., but left to enlist in the US Army during the Spanish-American War in 1898. He served in Cuba and the Philippines, advancing to first lieutenant of volunteers, and was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the regular army in 1901. Mitchell was assigned to various duties, attended military schools, and was promoted to captain in 1903.

In 1912, Mitchell was appointed to the General Staff, the youngest member at the age of 32. He began his advocacy for the use of military air power and played a significant role in the early development of military aviation. He was an early proponent of a separate US air force, recognizing the importance of aviation on the eve of World War I. During the war, he commanded a mass bombing by a French-US air armada of almost 1,500 planes, the largest concentration of air power at the time. His leadership and contributions to military aviation led to his promotion to Brigadier General and Chief of the Air Service.

General Mitchell's outspoken nature and strong beliefs in the importance of air power led to his court-martial and conviction for insubordination in 1925. He resigned from the army in 1926 but continued to promote air power and warn against the threat of other countries, particularly Japan. Despite his early departure from the military, Mitchell left a lasting impact on military aviation and is often regarded as the father of the United States Air Force.

The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors renamed the airport to General Mitchell International Airport in 1986 when a US Customs station was added. The airport has since been rebranded as Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport to highlight its location, but the original name is still used by the FAA and the US government. The airport covers 2,314 acres, has one terminal with two concourses and 38 gates, and is the primary airport for Milwaukee and the surrounding regions.

The airport has a unique beer garden and a free museum

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, located 5.8 miles south of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a medium-hub primary commercial facility. Covering 2,314 acres, it is named after United States Army General Billy Mitchell, who is often regarded as the father of the US Air Force. The airport has one terminal with two concourses and 38 gates. It also has a unique beer garden and a free museum.

The airport's beer garden, Barons' Beer Garden, is believed to be the first of its kind in any US airport. It opened in March 2020, replacing the Valentine's Coffee location on Concourse C. The garden is a collaboration between the airport, Milwaukee County Parks, and SSP America, which owns the concession rights. Designed by O'Kelly & Kasprak, the indoor space features a timber-focused design with the County Parks' Oak Leaf Trail logo and a decorative arch. The beer garden is named after the city's historical beer barons: Val Blatz, Frederick Miller, Frederick Pabst, and Joseph Schlitz.

The Mitchell Gallery of Flight, a non-profit museum located within the airport, showcases southeast Wisconsin's flight heritage. It is free to visit and offers a scavenger hunt for children, who can receive a prize upon completion. The airport also has a USO room, retail outlets, a small food court, and a branch of Renaissance Books, believed to be the world's first used bookstore located in an airport.

In addition to its unique amenities, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport has been recognised by the Airports Council International as one of the best airports in the world for two consecutive years. Expansion plans are also underway, with the approved 2018 Milwaukee County Budget including funding for a new international terminal to replace the current International Arrivals Terminal, which has limited capacity and is not connected to the main terminal.

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