Roberta Aguirre
St. Louis Lambert International Airport, commonly referred to as Lambert Field or simply Lambert, is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri. In 2024, it served nearly 16 million passengers to over 80 nonstop domestic and international destinations. Lambert was once considered a large hub airport, especially during its high-flying days as a major mid-continental hub for TWA. However, with the loss of the TWA hub in the early 2000s, the airport experienced a significant drop in passenger traffic. While Lambert has seen modest passenger growth and remains an important economic driver for the St. Louis region, it is not currently considered among the large hub airports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | St. Louis Lambert International Airport |
| IATA | STL |
| ICAO | KSTL |
| FAA LID | STL |
| Location | 14 miles (23 km) northwest of downtown St. Louis, Missouri, US |
| Area | 3,793 acres (1,535 ha) |
| Terminals | 2 |
| Lounges | 4, including Admirals Club and Wingtips Lounge |
| Number of Gates | 81 |
| Destinations | Over 80 nonstop domestic and international |
| Annual Passengers | 16 million |
| Airlines | Air Canada, Lufthansa, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Cape Air, Charter Flights, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines |
| Historical Significance | Ozark's only hub in the 1950s, TWA's main hub in the 1990s |
| Economic Impact | Drives 5.5% of the region's gross domestic product, supports 102,815 jobs, and contributes $27.5 billion in economic impact |
| Large Hub Status | Not considered a large hub airport as of 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
- St. Louis Lambert International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Missouri
- Lambert was TWA's main hub in 1999, but the airline collapsed in the 2000s
- Southwest Airlines is now the dominant airline at Lambert, helping to re-establish passenger traffic
- Lambert is a large economic driver for the St. Louis region, supporting 102,815 jobs
- Lambert's two terminals offer a variety of dining and shopping options
St. Louis Lambert International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Missouri
Lambert has played a significant role in the region's economy, contributing to 5.5% of the region's gross domestic product. A study by Kimley-Horn and Associates, prepared for Greater St. Louis Inc., found that the airport supported a total of 102,815 jobs and drove $27.5 billion in economic impact. These figures are projected to grow to 133,501 jobs and $32.4 billion in economic impact by 2032. The airport has faced challenges, such as the loss of the TWA hub in the early 2000s, which resulted in a significant drop in passenger traffic. However, its relationship with Southwest Airlines has helped reestablish passenger traffic.
In the past, Lambert was considered a large hub airport, especially during its time as a major mid-continental hub for TWA. In 1999, it was TWA's main hub, serving 103 destinations with 515 daily flights. It was the eighth-busiest US airport by flights, and congestion caused delays during peak hours. To address this, a new 9,000-foot runway was constructed at a cost of $1.1 billion, the most expensive public works program in St. Louis history.
While Lambert is no longer considered among the "large" hub airports, it continues to be an important aviation hub in the region. It has two terminals, four lounges, and various airlines operating from its concourses, providing connections to destinations worldwide. The airport has also undergone expansions and improvements over the years, including a $290 million expansion in 1977 that lengthened runways, increased the number of gates, and boosted its capacity.
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Lambert was TWA's main hub in 1999, but the airline collapsed in the 2000s
St. Louis Lambert International Airport, commonly referred to as Lambert Field or simply Lambert, is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri. The airport is named after Albert Bond Lambert, an Olympic medallist and prominent St. Louis aviator.
In September 1999, Lambert was the main hub for Trans World Airlines (TWA), with 103 destinations served by 515 daily flights. This included 352 on TWA mainline aircraft and 163 on Trans World Express flights operated by its commuter airline partners.
However, as TWA entered the new millennium, its financial condition worsened. The airline filed for bankruptcy in 2001 and was acquired by American Airlines, with the last day of operations for TWA being December 1, 2001. TWA was officially absorbed into American Airlines the following day.
The loss of the TWA hub in the early 2000s resulted in a significant decrease in the number of passengers travelling through Lambert. The airport faced challenges in re-establishing itself as a connecting hub, and Southwest Airlines became a key focus for its recovery. As of 2024, Lambert had served nearly 16 million passengers to over 80 nonstop domestic and international destinations. While it is still not considered a "large hub" airport, it is a major economic driver for the St. Louis region, contributing to 5.5% of the region's gross domestic product.
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Southwest Airlines is now the dominant airline at Lambert, helping to re-establish passenger traffic
St. Louis Lambert International Airport, commonly referred to as Lambert Field or Lambert, is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri. It covers 3,793 acres of land and is located 14 miles northwest of downtown St. Louis. In 2024, it served nearly 16 million passengers to over 80 nonstop domestic and international destinations.
Lambert was once a major hub for Trans World Airlines (TWA), with the airline operating 515 daily flights to 103 destinations in September 1999. However, TWA's financial condition deteriorated in the early 2000s, and it was eventually purchased by American Airlines in April 2001. The loss of TWA as a hub resulted in a significant drop in passenger traffic at Lambert.
Southwest Airlines has since emerged as the dominant airline at Lambert, helping to re-establish passenger traffic. In 2021, Southwest boarded more than 3 million passengers at Lambert, far surpassing its closest competitor, American Airlines, which boarded fewer than 880,000 passengers. Southwest's focus on connecting traffic has contributed to the rebound, with nearly 40% of its market in St. Louis consisting of connecting flights. The airline's aggressive schedule, which includes more than 70 additional flights per day out of Lambert, has played a key role in this growth.
As a growing airline in the 2010s, Southwest became a key focus for Lambert's strategy to re-establish itself as a connecting hub. The partnership with Southwest has been instrumental in driving economic growth in the St. Louis region. According to a study by Kimley-Horn and Associates, the airport supports over 100,000 jobs and contributes $27.5 billion in economic impact. This impact is expected to increase, with the airport projected to contribute $32.4 billion to the region's gross domestic product by 2032.
As the fourth-largest airline in North America by passenger numbers, Southwest Airlines operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet serving over 100 destinations across the United States, Mexico, and several other near-international countries. The airline's unique boarding process, open seating policy, and focus on customer experience have contributed to its success at Lambert and beyond.
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Lambert is a large economic driver for the St. Louis region, supporting 102,815 jobs
St. Louis Lambert International Airport, commonly referred to as Lambert Field or simply Lambert, is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri. It covers 3,793 acres of land and is located 14 miles northwest of downtown St. Louis. The airport provides nonstop service to destinations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. In 2024, it served nearly 16 million passengers to over 80 nonstop domestic and international destinations.
Lambert has faced several challenges over the years, including the 2009 Great Recession and the loss of the TWA hub in the early 2000s, which resulted in a significant drop in passenger traffic. However, the airport has rebounded and is now a major economic driver for the St. Louis region, supporting 102,815 jobs and driving $27.5 billion in economic impact. According to a study conducted by Kimley-Horn and Associates for Greater St. Louis Inc., the airport drives 5.5% of the region's gross domestic product.
The study also projected that the economic impact of the airport could grow even further. By 2032, the airport is estimated to support 133,501 jobs and drive $32.4 billion in economic impact. This growth is partially based on the expectation that Lambert's Master Plan is completed, which includes a $2.8 billion plan to consolidate its two terminals into one. The consolidation is expected to improve the efficiency of the airport and enhance its capacity to drive economic growth in the region.
Lambert's relationship with Southwest Airlines has been instrumental in reestablishing passenger traffic and driving economic growth. Southwest has become the dominant airline at Lambert, and its presence has helped to boost the airport's connectivity and attract more passengers. In addition to Southwest, other major airlines serving Lambert include Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Cape Air, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.
The impact of Lambert extends beyond just the direct jobs and economic impact associated with the airport's operations. The airport also facilitates business and leisure travel, connects the region to global markets, and enhances the area's attractiveness for businesses and investors. The improved connectivity and accessibility that Lambert provides have a ripple effect on various industries and sectors, contributing to the overall economic vitality of the St. Louis region.
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Lambert's two terminals offer a variety of dining and shopping options
St. Louis Lambert International Airport, also known as Lambert Field or Lambert, is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri. It is located 14 miles (23 km) northwest of downtown St. Louis. The airport covers 3,793 acres of land and has two terminals with a variety of dining and shopping options.
The two terminals at Lambert offer a range of options for travellers looking to grab a bite or do some last-minute shopping. Terminal 1, located at the southern end of the airport, consists of two levels: the lower level for international arrivals and the upper level for departures. Concourse A, at the northwest end of Terminal 1, can be accessed from the lower level via a security checkpoint. It offers a few shops and a good selection of restaurants and cafes, including Starbucks and Budweiser Brew House. Concourse C, located at the southeast end of Terminal 1, is home to various airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Frontier Airlines.
Terminal 2 houses ticketing counters for Southwest Airlines and Lufthansa on its upper level, along with access to a security checkpoint leading to Concourse E. This concourse boasts an impressive selection of shops and restaurants, such as Burger King and the Stella Artois Bar. The Wingtips Lounge, accessible to Priority Pass members, can also be found near gate 20.
Lambert has played a significant role in the region's economy, contributing to 5.5% of the region's gross domestic product. The airport has faced challenges, including the loss of the TWA hub in the early 2000s, but has rebounded with the help of its relationship with Southwest Airlines.
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Frequently asked questions
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport is not considered a large hub airport. However, it is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri.
The term "hub" is used by the FAA to identify busy commercial service airports. Large hubs are airports that each account for at least 1% of total US passenger enplanements.
In 2025, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was the busiest airport in the US with 930,098 operations.
Lambert airport is a large economic driver for the St. Louis region, supporting a total of 102,815 jobs and contributing $27.5 billion to the region's GDP.
