Milwaukee's Airport Accessibility: A Comprehensive Overview

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is served by two airports: General Mitchell International Airport and Timmerman Airport. General Mitchell International Airport is located 8 miles south of downtown Milwaukee and is easily accessible from Interstate 94. The airport serves over 30 cities with nonstop flight service and sees nearly 10 million passengers per year. Timmerman Airport, on the other hand, is a small charter airport located about 8 miles northwest of downtown Milwaukee. It services 12,000 reliever airports in small towns across the United States.

Milwaukee has two airports

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is served by two airports: General Mitchell International Airport and Timmerman Airport (also known as Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport).

General Mitchell International Airport is located just south of downtown Milwaukee, around 8 miles or a 15-minute drive away. It is easily accessible from Interstate 94. The airport serves 42 US cities with nonstop flight service and has an average of nearly 10 million passengers per year. It offers a range of amenities, including paid Wi-Fi, children's playgrounds, meeting rooms, on-site banks, retail outlets, and restaurants. Ground transportation options include shuttle services, rental car agencies, and taxi, limousine, and coach services. The airport also has an Amtrak station nearby, with a free shuttle service connecting the two.

General Mitchell International Airport is also home to the Mitchell Gallery of Flight, an aviation museum that showcases retired artwork and memorabilia from the airport, as well as historical aircraft and notable figures in Milwaukee's aviation history. The airport itself is named after General Billy Mitchell, a Milwaukee native who played a significant role in the early history of aviation.

Timmerman Airport, on the other hand, is a smaller charter airport located about eight miles northwest of downtown Milwaukee. It services 12,000 "reliever" airports in small towns across the United States. This airport offers chartered flights, airplane rental services, and pilot training programs. Timmerman Airport provides fewer delays and shorter waiting times due to its smaller size.

Both airports provide services designed to enhance the efficiency of travel in and out of Milwaukee, catering to a range of passenger needs.

General Mitchell International Airport

Milwaukee is home to two airports: General Mitchell International Airport and Timmerman Airport. General Mitchell International Airport, located five miles south of downtown Milwaukee, is a civil-military airport that connects passengers to domestic and international destinations. 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 offers various amenities and services, including paid Wi-Fi, children's playgrounds in Concourse C and D, meeting rooms, on-site banks, retail outlets, and dining options. Ground transportation options, such as shuttles and rental car agencies, are readily available next to the baggage claim area. Additionally, the airport occasionally conducts courses to assist travellers in overcoming their fear of flying.

Timmerman Airport

Milwaukee is home to two airports: General Mitchell International Airport and Timmerman Airport. Timmerman Airport, also known as Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport or Gran-Aire Charter, is a small charter airport located about eight miles or 13 kilometres northwest of downtown Milwaukee. It is owned by Milwaukee County and is the preferred airport for private or business travellers.

The airport was built in 1929 and dedicated on July 6, 1930, by the newly incorporated airplane manufacturer Curtiss-Wright. It was originally known as Curtiss-Wright Field, but in 1945, Curtiss-Wright sold it to Fliteways, Inc., who had been the airport's property manager since 1936. Two years later, in July 1947, Milwaukee County purchased the airport from Fliteways. The airport was renamed in July 1959 for Lawrence J. Timmerman, who was the chairman of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors from 1936 to 1959.

Today, Timmerman Airport offers private and chartered flights, connecting Milwaukee to small towns and cities across the United States. It is also a training facility, providing intermediate and advanced pilot training using flight simulators and training charter planes. The airport offers a range of pilot training certificates, including commercial and multi-engine certification, as well as certified flight instructor training. Additionally, Timmerman Airport provides aircraft appraisal and sales services through their seasoned aviation specialist, Pete Schoeninger.

The airport covers an area of 420 acres or 170 hectares and has two asphalt runways and two turf runways. In the 12 months ending April 30, 2023, the airport recorded 27,266 aircraft operations, averaging 75 per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (97%), followed by military flights (2%), and a small percentage of air taxi services. As of August 2024, 90 aircraft were based at Timmerman Airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jets, and helicopters.

General Mitchell Airport's amenities

Milwaukee is home to two airports: General Mitchell International Airport and Timmerman Airport. General Mitchell International Airport is a civil-military airport located about five miles south of downtown Milwaukee. It is named after United States Army General Billy Mitchell, who is regarded as the father of the United States Air Force. The airport covers 2,180 to 2,314 acres and has five asphalt and concrete runways. It is easily accessible from Interstate 94 and serves 42 US cities with nonstop flight service.

General Mitchell International Airport offers various amenities and services to travellers. Here is a detailed overview:

Wi-Fi

The airport provides access to Wi-Fi, which is available for a fee. This allows travellers to stay connected and access the internet during their time at the airport.

Children's Play Areas

Recognising the needs of families travelling with young children, the airport has designated play areas for children in Concourse C and Concourse D. These play areas offer a safe and engaging space for kids to enjoy while waiting for their flights.

Meeting and Conference Rooms

For business travellers or those seeking a quiet space to work or meet, the airport offers meeting and conference rooms. These spaces provide a convenient environment for last-minute preparations or conducting business remotely.

On-Site Banks

General Mitchell International Airport has on-site banks, ensuring convenience for travellers who need to access banking services before or after their journeys.

Retail Outlets and Restaurants

The airport features a variety of retail outlets, including the world's first airport used bookstore, a branch of Renaissance Books. Additionally, travellers can choose from a selection of dining options, ranging from quick bites to full-service restaurants.

Ground Transportation

The airport offers a range of ground transportation options for travellers' convenience. Shuttle services and rental car agencies are readily available next to the baggage claim area. Additionally, the MCTS Green Line provides easy access to downtown and the north shore suburbs.

Mitchell Gallery of Flight

The airport also houses the Mitchell Gallery of Flight, an aviation museum. This unique attraction displays artwork, memorabilia, and historical aircraft, celebrating the rich aviation history of the airport and Milwaukee.

Observation Lot

An observation lot along the northern edge of the airport is open to the public, providing a space for aviation enthusiasts or those who enjoy plane spotting. Tower communications are also rebroadcast on a low-power FM transmitter, allowing visitors to listen in on their car radios.

Other Amenities

General Mitchell International Airport also provides occasional educational courses to help travellers overcome their fear of flying. Additionally, the airport has an on-site USO room and a small food court.

Getting to and from the airport

Milwaukee has two airports: General Mitchell International Airport and Timmerman Airport.

Getting to and from General Mitchell International Airport

General Mitchell International Airport is located just eight miles south of downtown Milwaukee, about a 15-minute drive away. The airport offers a range of ground transportation options, including eight on-site car rental agencies and several shuttle services. There is also an Amtrak station located near the terminal, with a free shuttle bus service connecting the two.

For those travelling by car, the airport can be easily reached from Interstate 94. If you are being picked up from the airport, the first 30 minutes in the hourly and surface lot is free.

Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft also service the airport.

Getting to and from Timmerman Airport

Also known as Gran-Aire Charter, Timmerman Airport is located about eight miles northwest of downtown Milwaukee. This airport services 12,000 "reliever" airports located in small towns across the United States.

Frequently asked questions