Jackson Hole Airport: Managing High-Altitude Travel Rush

Jackson Hole Airport is located within Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, Wyoming. In 2019, it was the busiest airport in Wyoming by passenger traffic, with 455,000 passengers. The airport is small, covering 533 acres, and has one runway. It is noise-sensitive and bans older, noisier aircraft with stage-II engines. During peak seasons, the airport offers non-stop airline service from up to 15 destinations across the United States. The airport is served by several major airlines and has various amenities, including restaurants, cafes, and rental car services.

Jackson Hole Airport is located within Grand Teton National Park

The airport is a busy hub, serving as a gateway to the natural splendour of the Teton range and the surrounding area. In 2019, Jackson Hole Airport was the busiest airport in Wyoming, handling 455,000 passengers and 27,325 aircraft operations for the year. During peak seasons, the airport offers nonstop airline service from up to 15 destinations across the United States. Aircraft of various sizes, from private seven-seaters to commercial Boeing 757s, utilise the airport regularly.

The unique location of Jackson Hole Airport within Grand Teton National Park presents some challenges and restrictions. Due to its placement within the national park, the airport's infrastructure development is limited. The National Park Service has restricted the extension of the runway to protect the natural environment and maintain the park's integrity. The terminal building's height is restricted to 18 feet, and the design blends with the surroundings, featuring exposed wood, fireplaces, and nature photography.

The airport is noise-sensitive, and older, noisier aircraft with stage-II engines are banned. The largest aircraft regularly seen at the airport is the Boeing 757-200 operated by Delta Air Lines. The short runway at high altitude also imposes weight restrictions on certain aircraft during take-off. Despite these limitations, Jackson Hole Airport is an important economic driver for the region, contributing to the growth and development of Jackson Hole.

It is the busiest airport in Wyoming by passenger traffic

Jackson Hole Airport (IATA: JAC, ICAO: KJAC, FAA LID: JAC) is located within the Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, Wyoming. It is the only commercial airport in the United States located inside a national park. In 2019, it was the busiest airport in Wyoming by passenger traffic, serving 455,000 passengers. The airport offers year-round service from major airlines such as Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, with seasonal service from Sun Country Airlines. During peak seasons, the airport provides nonstop service from up to 15 destinations across the United States.

The airport's unique location within a national park sets it apart and contributes to its appeal. However, its small size and restrictions on expansion due to its sensitive natural surroundings have created challenges in accommodating the growing passenger traffic. The airport covers 533 acres, with one runway that is 6,300 feet long and 150 feet wide. 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.

Despite its size, Jackson Hole Airport has a range of amenities and services for passengers. The terminal features exposed wood, fireplaces, and nature photography, blending seamlessly with its natural surroundings. Passengers can find a full-service restaurant, grab-and-go options, coffee, and a gift shop beyond the security checkpoint. The airport also offers free parking for the first 1.5 hours in the main, long-term, and overflow lots, with hourly fees escalating thereafter.

The airport has a focus on sustainability and noise mitigation. It encourages travellers to reduce the impact of their flights through carbon offsets and participates in the Fly Quiet Program. Additionally, the airport is noise-sensitive and bans older, noisier aircraft with stage-II engines. It allows no jets louder than stage III due to its location near residential areas.

When travelling through Jackson Hole Airport, passengers are advised to arrive at least two hours before their scheduled departure to allow sufficient time for check-in and security screening. The airport provides information on prohibited items and carry-on guidelines through the MyTSA mobile app, helping travellers navigate security with ease.

The airport is dog-friendly and has free parking for the first 1.5 hours

Jackson Hole Airport is located within Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, Wyoming. It is the only airport in the United States located inside a national park. The airport is known for its stunning natural surroundings, with the terminal building designed to blend in with exposed wood, fireplaces, and nature photography throughout.

The airport is dog-friendly, but they do request that dogs remain leashed while on the premises. In terms of parking, the airport offers both short-term and long-term options. Short-term parking is located at the south end of the airport terminal and is free for the first hour. Long-term and overflow parking lots offer free parking for the first 1.5 hours. After the initial free period, hourly fees apply for both short-term and long-term parking, with a maximum daily rate.

The airport provides clear instructions for paying parking fees. Upon returning to the airport, visitors can use their phones to scan the QR code on the entry ticket received upon entering the lot. This will direct them to a link where they can conveniently pay online without the need to download an app. Alternatively, they can use the entry ticket at one of the pay stations inside the airport terminal or at the parking kiosks located at each parking lot exit.

Overall, Jackson Hole Airport is a unique and scenic airport that offers convenient services for travellers, including dog-friendly accommodations and a grace period for parking.

The airport is noise-sensitive and bans older, noisier aircraft

Jackson Hole Airport is located within the Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, Wyoming. It is the only airport in the United States located entirely within a national park. Because of this, the airport is subject to various restrictions, including a ban on older, noisier aircraft with Stage-II engines.

The airport is committed to minimising aircraft noise over the surrounding communities and sensitive areas of the park. As part of this commitment, they have established a Fly Quiet Program, which encourages pilots to use quieter aircraft and follow preferred procedures to reduce noise. The airport also requests that all aircraft operators respect the Voluntary Noise Curfew and Noise Abatement Procedures, which are outlined in the Airport's Operating Agreement and lease with the Grand Teton National Park. These measures are voluntary and cannot be legally enforced by the airport, as the airspace is governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The unique location of the airport presents several challenges, including a short runway at high altitude. This restricts the types of aircraft that can operate at the airport, with the largest aircraft regularly seen being the Boeing 757-200 operated by Delta Air Lines. Other commonly seen aircraft include the Airbus A319, A320, Embraer 175, and Bombardier CRJ700.

The airport has a relatively small physical footprint, covering 533 acres, and featuring a single runway. The terminal building, designed by Gensler, blends with the natural surroundings of the park, with exposed wood, fireplaces, and nature photography throughout. The height of the terminal is limited to 18 feet (5.5 m) due to its location within the national park.

There is no currency exchange at the airport

Jackson Hole Airport (IATA: JAC, ICAO: KJAC, FAA LID: JAC) is located within the Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, Wyoming. It is the only commercial airport in the United States located inside a national park. The airport is small and cannot be expanded due to restrictions by the National Park Service. Despite this, it is a busy airport, especially during peak seasons, serving around 455,000 passengers in 2019, the highest in Wyoming that year.

The airport's terminal, designed by Gensler, blends with the natural surroundings of the national park, featuring exposed wood, fireplaces, and nature photography. The terminal has received an award for its design. The airport has a restaurant, a gift shop, and a cafe by the baggage claim area. An ATM is also available for dispensing US currency. However, there is no currency exchange at the airport. It is recommended to exchange currency before arriving at Jackson Hole Airport.

The airport's single runway, 1/19, is 6,300 feet long and 150 feet wide, and it accommodates various aircraft, including private planes, commercial 757s, Airbus A319, A320, Embraer 175, and Bombardier CRJ700. The largest regular aircraft is the Boeing 757-200 operated by Delta Air Lines. The airport is noise-sensitive and bans older, noisier aircraft with stage-II engines. It also has restrictions on jet noise, only allowing jets up to stage III.

The airport offers nonstop airline service from up to 15 destinations across the United States during peak seasons. It is served year-round by major airlines such as Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. Sun Country Airlines offers seasonal flights during the summer months. The airport has a range of accessibility services, and its staff aims to provide a memorable and smooth travel experience for its passengers.

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