Tampa Airport: Size, Scale, And Scope Explored

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is a large airport located in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. It is the premier gateway to the West Coast of Florida, serving approximately 25 million passengers per year with more than 100 nonstop domestic and international destinations. The airport covers an area of 3,300 acres (13 km2) and has four active airsides with 59 gates. The airport has consistently been ranked as one of the best airports in the United States and has received high customer satisfaction ratings.

Tampa International Airport's size

Tampa International Airport (IATA: TPA, ICAO: KTPA, FAA LID: TPA) is a large airport serving approximately 25 million passengers per year. It is located six miles (9.7 km) west of Downtown Tampa, in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. The airport covers an area of 3,300 acres (13 km2) and is situated at an elevation of 26 feet (7.9 m) above mean sea level.

Tampa International Airport is recognised as one of the best airports in the United States, offering a convenient and pleasant experience for travellers. It boasts short walking distances to gates, quick security wait times, modern shops and restaurants, and convenient parking options. The airport has also received accolades for its dining options, with Airside C's Bavaro’s, Cigar City Brewing, and Ulele ranked among the nation's best in airport dining categories.

The airport is currently undergoing a significant expansion with the construction of Airside D, a state-of-the-art terminal scheduled to open in 2028. This new addition will increase the airport's capacity, enabling it to serve up to 35 million annual passengers by 2037. Airside D will feature 16 gates, two airline lounges, and a Customs and Border Protection facility to process international arrivals. With an estimated cost of $1.5 billion, it will be the largest Airside at Tampa International Airport, spanning approximately 600,015 square feet, or roughly two football fields by one-and-a-half football fields.

Passenger capacity

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is one of Florida's four large hub airports and is currently growing at a rapid rate. In 2024, the airport served an estimated 25 million passengers, with the capacity to serve approximately 100 nonstop domestic and international destinations. By 2037, the airport is projected to serve almost 35 million annual passengers with the construction of Airside D, a new 16-gate terminal.

Tampa International Airport covers an area of 3,300 acres (13 km2) and has four active airsides (A, C, E, and F) with 59 gates. Each airside includes amenities such as a food court, gift shop, smoking patios, and, for international flights, duty-free shops. Airside A and C each contain 16 gates, Airside E contains 13 gates, and Airside F contains 14 gates.

The construction of Airside D, scheduled to open in 2028, will make TPA's passenger capacity even larger. This new terminal will be the largest on the TPA campus, covering approximately 600,015 sq. ft. or roughly two football fields by one-and-a-half football fields. Airside D will feature 16 gates, including at least six gates dedicated to Delta Air Lines, the anchor tenant for the new terminal. Additionally, Airside D will offer new shopping and dining locations, a Transportation Security Administration security checkpoint with modern technology, and a Customs and Border Protection facility to process international arrivals.

TPA's convenient design, with a central Landside Terminal for baggage and ticketing and surrounding Airsides for embarkment and disembarkment, contributes to its efficient handling of passenger traffic. The airport also boasts short walking distances to gates, quick security wait times, modern shops and restaurants, and convenient parking options, making it a highly-ranked airport in terms of passenger satisfaction.

Accolades and recognition

Tampa International Airport has received numerous accolades and recognition for its operational efficiency, customer service, and overall travel experience. In 2024, it was ranked the "Best Large Airport in America" by USA Today, with high rankings for its public art program, efficient pre- and post-security processes, and recent major renovations.

The airport has consistently earned recognition from JD Power, including the title of the "Best Large Airport in America," and accolades for its concessions program. Notably, Tampa International Airport was also recognised as the "#1 Best Airport for Dining," with multiple restaurants ranked among the nation's best in airport dining categories.

In terms of customer satisfaction, the airport has excelled in this area, as evidenced by its back-to-back recognition from J.D. Power as the #1 Large Airport in this category in 2024. The airport scored highly among North American large airports in terminal facilities and the arrival/departure experience.

Tampa International Airport has also received industry accolades, including being ranked #1 in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards in 2023 by Airports Council International. This award is based on thousands of passenger surveys and is considered one of the industry's highest honours. The airport was recognised for delivering the best customer experience, with a focus on cleanliness, amenities, helpfulness of staff, wayfinding, and security.

Additionally, the airport has been recognised for its efficient ground transportation options, including the SkyConnect train system, and its ability to handle a growing number of passengers and flights effectively. With ongoing expansion plans, Tampa International Airport continues to enhance its reputation as a leading airport in North America.

Airside D expansion

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is undergoing a major expansion with the construction of Airside D, a new 16-gate, state-of-the-art airside terminal. The project is estimated to cost $1.5 billion and is scheduled to open in 2028. This expansion will significantly enhance the airport's capacity and functionality, making it a premier gateway to the West Coast of Florida.

Airside D will be a two-level terminal, plus a mezzanine, spanning approximately 600,000 square feet. It will serve as the airport's international arrivals and departures facility, equipped with a Transportation Security Administration security checkpoint featuring the latest technology. The terminal will also include two new airline lounges, with Delta Air Lines as the anchor tenant operating one of the lounges. Additionally, there will be a Customs and Border Protection facility to efficiently process international arrivals.

The expansion will introduce new shopping and dining locations, providing travellers with a diverse range of options. The design of Airside D draws inspiration from Tampa Bay's rich ecological environment, incorporating brands and flavours that reflect the region's unique qualities. This attention to local characteristics will create a distinct sense of place and enhance the overall traveller experience.

The construction of Airside D is not an isolated project but part of the airport's Master Plan Phase III, which aims to decongest airport facilities and enable future growth. With this expansion, TPA is projected to serve up to 35 million annual passengers by 2037, accommodating the increasing demand for air travel in the region. The groundbreaking for Airside D occurred in December 2024, marking a significant milestone in the airport's development.

Airport history

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is an international airport six miles (9.7 km) west of Downtown Tampa, in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. The airport is publicly owned by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA). The airport serves 100 non-stop destinations throughout North America, South America, the Caribbean, and Europe across multiple carriers.

Tampa Bay is the birthplace of commercial airline service. On January 1, 1914, pioneer aviator Tony Jannus flew the inaugural flight of the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line from St. Petersburg to Tampa using a Benoist Flying Boat. This was the first scheduled commercial airline flight in the world using a heavier-than-air airplane.

In 1928, the city completed the 160-acre (65-hectare) Drew Field, six miles (9.7 km) west of Downtown Tampa. It was named for local developer John H. Drew, who formerly owned the land. In 1935, the more popular Peter O. Knight Airport was opened on Davis Islands near Downtown Tampa, where both Eastern and National Airlines operated until 1946.

In 1939, the United States Army Air Corps began negotiating for the use of Drew Field during the buildup of military forces prior to World War II. In 1940, the City of Tampa leased Drew Field to the U.S. Government for 25 years, or until the end of the "national emergency." During the war, the airfield was used by the Third Air Force and renamed the Drew Army Airfield. The airfield was used as a training center for 120,000 combat air crews, primarily in bomber aircraft for the European and Pacific theaters.

After World War II, the Army Air Forces vacated the facility and Drew Field was returned to the City of Tampa. The Peter O. Knight Airport and Drew Field reversed roles as the main Tampa airport, as Drew Field had been greatly expanded during the war years. Airlines moved to Drew Field from Peter O. Knight Airport, as the latter was too small to handle the Douglas DC-4, DC-6, and Lockheed Constellation prop-liners.

In 1950, Trans Canada Airlines began offering international flights, and Drew Field was renamed Tampa International Airport. The airport's second terminal opened in 1952, but it quickly became congested as larger jets replaced piston airliners. By the 1960s, the Aviation Authority began planning a replacement terminal.

The new terminal opened for passenger traffic on April 15, 1971, with four airside satellites (Airsides B, C, D, and E). This terminal introduced the groundbreaking hub-and-spoke design that earned TPA worldwide praise as an airport of the future. Over 60,000 people came to tour the revolutionary airport design and ride the world's first automated people movers.

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