Eppley Airfield's Comprehensive Gate System Explained

Eppley Airfield, also known as Omaha Airport, is located in Omaha, Nebraska, in the midwestern United States. It is the largest airport in Nebraska, with more arrivals and departures than all other airports in the state combined. The airport has two main terminals, north and south, and a central terminal for ground transportation. The South Terminal, including Concourse A, has gates A1 through A10, while the North Terminal, including Concourse B, has gates B11 through B20. However, as of 2024, three of these gates are not in use due to construction, bringing the total number of operational gates to seventeen. Extensive upgrades are planned for the airport, including the addition of two new gates, bringing the total to twenty-two.

Concourse A and B gates

Eppley Airfield, also known as Omaha Airport, is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and is the largest airport in the state. The airport has two main terminals, North and South, and a central terminal for ground transportation.

Concourse A (South Terminal)

Concourse A is located on the south side of the airport and houses Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Airlines. The South Terminal includes gates A1 through A10, with baggage claims 1 through 3. Alaska Airlines typically operates daily from 1-3 pm and offers flights to Seattle and seasonal flights to Portland. Frontier Airlines offers three direct flights, two of which are seasonal. They open two hours before their first departure and close 45 minutes after their last. American Airlines operates between 3:45 am and 7 pm and offers several direct flights daily, making them one of the most active airlines at Eppley. Delta Airlines operates between 4 am and 7:30 pm and offers seven different direct flights, as well as connections to international flights.

Concourse B (North Terminal)

Concourse B is located on the north side of the airport and houses Allegiant Air, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. The North Terminal includes gates B11 through B20, with baggage claims 4 through 6. Allegiant Air opens two hours before their first departure and closes one hour after their last. They offer multiple direct flights. Southwest Airlines has the most direct flights out of Eppley, with eleven. They open ninety minutes before their first departure and close fifteen minutes after their last. United Airlines is open daily from 4 am to 7 pm and offers several direct flights.

Future Expansion Plans

Eppley Airfield has plans for a $950 million expansion of the terminal, which includes adding gates and improving the overall passenger experience. The expansion will see the addition of two new gates, bringing the total to twenty-two, with the potential for future expansion to the north. The space at each gate and the baggage claim area will be increased, and new retail and concession options will be introduced.

North and South Terminals

Eppley Airfield has two main terminals, the North Terminal and the South Terminal, as well as a central terminal for ground transportation. The central terminal is where passengers check in and claim their baggage.

South Terminal

The South Terminal, including Concourse A, has gates A1 through A10 and baggage claims 1 through 3. It serves the following airlines:

• Alaska Airlines (Gate A9)
• Allegiant Air (Gate A1)
• American Airlines (Gates A6-A8, A10)
• Delta Air Lines (Gates A2-A5)
• Frontier Airlines (Gate A1)

North Terminal

The North Terminal, including Concourse B, has gates B11 through B20 and baggage claims 4 through 6. It serves the following airlines:

• Southwest Airlines (Gates B16-B19)
• Sun Country Airlines (Gate B15)
• United Airlines (Gates B11-B14)

Note that Gates B11, B19, and B20 in the North Terminal are currently closed due to construction related to the airport's BuildOMA Terminal Modernization Project.

Additional Information

Eppley Airfield (IATA: OMA), also known as Omaha Airport, is located in Omaha, Nebraska, in the midwestern United States. It is the largest airport in Nebraska and is considered a medium-hub airport by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The airport is owned and operated by the Omaha Airport Authority (OAA).

The airport has a modern terminal with various amenities, including ample parking, a comprehensive car rental centre, and cab and ride-sharing services. Inside the airport, travellers can find restaurants, shops, free Wi-Fi, and lounge areas.

Extensive upgrades are planned for Eppley Airfield, including the addition of two new gates, bringing the total to twenty-two gates, with the possibility of future expansion.

Airlines and destinations

Eppley Airfield, also known as Omaha Airport, is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and is considered an important gateway to the Midwest. The airport is served by several major airlines, including:

• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Allegiant Air
• Sun Country Airlines

These carriers offer direct flights to major U.S. cities, including:

• Atlanta
• Chicago
• Dallas/Fort Worth
• Denver
• Los Angeles
• New York City
• Orlando
• Phoenix
• Seattle
• Las Vegas

The airport is a vital hub for business and leisure travellers, providing access to Omaha's economy, cultural attractions, and historic sites. It is also an important gateway to the surrounding region, promoting tourism and facilitating business travel.

In 2024, Eppley Airport served over 5 million passengers and is considered the largest airport in Nebraska in terms of arrivals and departures. The airport has a modern terminal with various amenities, including ample parking, a comprehensive car rental centre, and cab and ride-sharing services.

Baggage claims

Eppley Airfield, also known as Omaha Airport, is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and is the largest airport in the state. The airport has two main terminals, North and South, and a central terminal for ground transportation. The baggage claim process at Eppley Airfield is straightforward and efficient. Here is a detailed guide to the baggage claim areas at the airport:

South Terminal (Concourse A) Baggage Claims

The South Terminal at Eppley Airfield includes gates A1 through A10 and serves several major airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Frontier Airlines. This terminal has three baggage claim areas, conveniently located for passengers arriving at this concourse. Baggage claim 1, 2, and 3 are situated within the South Terminal, providing a seamless experience for travellers to collect their checked luggage.

North Terminal (Concourse B) Baggage Claims

The North Terminal, on the other hand, includes gates B11 through B20 and serves Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines. This terminal is equipped with baggage claims 5 and 6, ensuring a smooth baggage retrieval process for passengers arriving at the North Terminal.

Central Terminal

The central terminal is the hub for ground transportation and is where passengers check in and claim their bags. This centralised location simplifies the process of collecting luggage upon arrival and facilitates a smooth transition to onward travel arrangements.

Baggage Claim Tips

To ensure a smooth baggage claim experience at Eppley Airfield, travellers should be aware of a few key tips. Firstly, it is recommended to arrive at the airport ninety minutes before departure to allow ample time for check-in and baggage drop-off. Secondly, familiarise yourself with the layout of the airport and the location of your airline's gates and baggage claim areas. This can be done by referring to the airport's website or mobile app. Additionally, keep track of your baggage size and weight restrictions to avoid any additional fees or delays. Finally, remain in the vicinity of the baggage claim area until all your checked luggage has arrived.

Construction and expansion plans

The Omaha Airport Authority has announced a $950 million expansion and renovation plan for Eppley Airfield, which will significantly expand the terminal and allow for long-term growth. The plan, called the Build OMA Terminal Modernization Program, will see the current 375,000 square feet of terminal space expanded to 646,000 square feet. This will be achieved by changing the current layout of two separate terminals into a single, unified concourse. This will create a more streamlined experience for passengers, with ticketing adjacent to the TSA checkpoint and a single concourse design for a more intuitive traveller flow.

The number of gates will increase from 20 to 22, with the ability to add more gates as Eppley Airfield grows. Two of these gates will be capable of handling international flights, with a new Customs and Border Protection international arrivals hall for passenger processing. The baggage claim area will be expanded, and the space for boarding areas at the gates will be increased.

The expansion plan will also see the addition of new and expanded restaurant and retail concessions beyond the security checkpoint. There will be enhanced vertical circulation for passengers, including new elevators and additional escalators, as well as a new automated inline baggage handling system. The plan will also see improvements to accessibility throughout the terminal, with enhanced ADA-compliant modifications to the pick-up and drop-off areas, and the addition of new and expanded restrooms, including companion care and family restrooms, nursing rooms, and a new service animal relief area.

The expansion and renovation plan will be carried out in phases, with work scheduled to be completed by 2028. This phased approach will help to maintain a smooth experience for travellers while supporting the construction schedule. The first phase of the project includes the Terminal Drive and Canopy Project, which will provide another passenger drop-off lane, expand accessibility, and provide cover from the weather. This phase is scheduled for completion by Spring 2025.

Frequently asked questions