Memphis Airport: Managing Busy Travel Hubs Efficiently

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a civil-military airport located 7 miles southeast of downtown Memphis, Tennessee. It is the primary international airport serving Memphis and covers 3,900 acres with four runways. The airport currently has three terminals (A, B, and C) with a single concourse (Concourse B) that has 23 common gates and 2 international gates. Memphis International Airport serves thousands of passengers every month and averages over 80 passenger flights per day. The airport recommends passengers arrive at least 2 hours before their departure time for security checks, with the average wait time being 10 to 15 minutes.

The airport averages over 80 passenger flights per day

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a civil-military airport located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. The airport currently has three terminals (A, B, and C) with a single concourse, and it averages over 80 passenger flights per day.

Concourse B is the only active concourse with 23 common-use gates and 2 international gates. Memphis also has Concourse A, which is scheduled for demolition in 2025, and Concourse C, which is currently closed to the public. All non-pre-cleared international flights are processed on the southwestern leg of Concourse B.

Memphis International Airport has been one of the busiest airports for cargo operations, ranking first from 1993 to 2009 and briefly regaining the top spot in 2020 due to the surge in e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport serves as the FedEx Express global hub, offering nonstop FedEx destinations to various regions, including the continental United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and South America.

In terms of passenger traffic, Memphis International Airport has experienced significant growth. During spring break in March 2019, the airport saw a 9.1% increase in traffic compared to the previous year, with nearly 195,000 enplanements. The airport also witnessed record passenger numbers during the 2019 Thanksgiving week, with approximately 170,000 passengers arriving or departing from MEM.

To manage the volume of passengers, Memphis International Airport recommends passengers arrive at least 2 hours before their departure time for security checks. The average wait time is typically 10 to 15 minutes but can extend during peak hours, holidays, and due to weather conditions. Passengers can use tools like iFly's Flight Tracker to check for arrival or departure delays and plan their airport activities accordingly.

FedEx Express hub, busiest airport for cargo operations

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is the busiest cargo airport in the United States, a title it has held since 1993, barring a few years. This is largely due to it being the primary hub for FedEx Express, the world's largest express transportation company. The airport's infrastructure is designed to support FedEx's massive operations, with dedicated facilities that ensure a seamless flow of goods.

The FedEx SuperHub in Memphis is an engineering marvel, capable of processing more than 3.3 million packages per day. The airport's central location in the United States makes it an ideal hub for FedEx's operations, providing quick access to major cities across the country. FedEx operates a fleet of over 650 aircraft and uses Memphis International Airport as its primary sorting facility. Thousands of packages are loaded, sorted, and dispatched to destinations worldwide every night.

Memphis International Airport handles over 4.5 million metric tons of cargo annually, with a slight decline of 4% in cargo volume in 2023, it still handled nearly 3.9 million tons of goods. The airport's cargo operations are nonstop, with cargo planes coming and going 24 hours a day. The airport has four runways and covers 3,900 acres (1,600 hectares).

Memphis International Airport is also a civil-military airport, located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis, Tennessee. It has three terminals (A, B, and C) with a single concourse (Concourse B) that has 23 common-use gates and 2 international gates. The airport averages over 80 passenger flights per day and offers manageable security wait times, with an average wait time of 10 to 15 minutes. However, passengers are advised to arrive at least 2 hours before their departure time to accommodate security checks and potential variations in wait times.

TSA PreCheck security wait times

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a civil-military airport located 7 miles southeast of downtown Memphis, Tennessee. It is the primary international airport serving Memphis and covers 3,900 acres with four runways. The airport averages over 80 passenger flights per day and is home to the FedEx Express global hub, often referred to as the FedEx Superhub.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operates security screenings for all departing passengers at Memphis International Airport. TSA PreCheck is available at the B Concourse checkpoint and offers a streamlined security process for eligible frequent flyers and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Global Entry program. Children 12 and under can accompany an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes without restriction, while children 13-17 may join if they are on the same reservation and the PreCheck indicator appears on their boarding pass.

TSA PreCheck operating hours may vary depending on operational requirements, but generally include mornings and afternoons throughout the week. For example, on Tuesdays, TSA PreCheck is open from 3:00 AM to 7:00 PM, while on Wednesdays and Saturdays, it is open from 4:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The average security wait time at Memphis International Airport is typically 10 to 15 minutes. However, this can extend during peak hours, holidays, and adverse weather conditions. Passengers are advised to arrive at least 2 hours before their departure time to accommodate security checks and any potential delays. To better plan their time at the airport, passengers can use tools like iFly's Flight Tracker to check for arrival and departure delays.

Peak hours, holidays, and weather conditions affect wait times

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a civil-military airport located 7 miles southeast of downtown Memphis, Tennessee. It is the primary international airport serving Memphis and covers 3,900 acres with four runways. The airport averages over 80 passenger flights per day and serves thousands of passengers every month.

Peak Hours

The average security wait time at Memphis International Airport is typically 10 to 15 minutes. However, this can extend during peak hours, with Monday mornings being particularly busy. It is recommended that passengers arrive at least two hours before their departure time to allow for security checks. This is especially important for international flights, while one hour is generally considered sufficient for domestic flights.

Holidays

Holidays can also impact wait times at the airport, with Thanksgiving week and Spring Break being notably busy periods. During these times, the airport may experience record passenger numbers, with an increase in traffic compared to other times of the year.

Weather Conditions

In addition to peak hours and holidays, weather conditions can also affect wait times at Memphis International Airport. Adverse weather can cause delays and cancellations, leading to longer wait times at security checkpoints. It is always advisable to check for any delays or disruptions before heading to the airport.

Overall, while Memphis International Airport generally offers manageable security wait times, it is important for passengers to arrive well in advance of their flights to accommodate security screening and check-in procedures, especially during peak hours, holidays, and adverse weather conditions.

Airport facilities and amenities

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a civil-military airport located 7 miles southeast of downtown Memphis, Tennessee. It is the primary international airport serving Memphis and covers 3,900 acres with four runways. The airport currently has three terminals (A, B, and C) with a single concourse (Concourse B), which has 23 common-use gates and two international gates.

Memphis International Airport offers a range of facilities and amenities for passengers. The airport recommends that passengers arrive at least two hours before their departure time to allow for security checks, although the average wait time is typically 10 to 15 minutes. There are two security checkpoints, and the airport offers TSA PreCheck lanes to expedite the security process for eligible frequent flyers. Passengers can use the iFly Flight Tracker to check for any arrival or departure delays.

The airport offers a range of dining options, with restaurants and shops located throughout the terminals. Free Wi-Fi is also available for passengers. For those driving to the airport, there are parking options available within the airport facility, as well as off-site parking lots that offer lower costs. The Ground Transportation Center, completed in 2013, provides economy parking and parking for rental car companies.

Memphis International Airport serves thousands of passengers every month, with an average of over 80 passenger flights per day. The airport experienced significant growth during spring break in March 2019, with a 9.1% increase in traffic compared to the previous year. The busiest day in 2019 was in May, with a total of 10,197 people passing through TSA checkpoints. The airport also expects high passenger volume during holiday weeks, such as Thanksgiving.

Frequently asked questions