Sarasota's Airport: Does It Exist And Where?

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is located within three jurisdictions: Sarasota County, the city limits of Sarasota, and Manatee County, all in the U.S. state of Florida. It is the only airport in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, situated just four miles north of Downtown Sarasota. SRQ is a public-use airport owned by the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority and has been operational since 1940. The airport has a boutique feel, offering efficiency, comfort, and aesthetics with a local flavour. SRQ provides a stress-free experience with its spacious terminal, short check-in lines, and convenient parking options. With over 60 nonstop destinations, 11 airlines, and a range of amenities, SRQ is a popular gateway to Sarasota and its surrounding resort areas.

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport's location and transport links

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is located within three jurisdictions: Sarasota County, the city of Sarasota, and Manatee County, in the U.S. state of Florida. The airport is owned by the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority and is situated 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Downtown Sarasota and 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Bradenton.

The airport is easily accessible by road, with short and long-term parking available adjacent to the main terminal. Car rental companies located on-site include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty Car Rental. Buses, taxis, limos, and ride-sharing services are also accommodated for drop-off and pick-up.

The airport is served by 11 airlines, including Air Canada, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo, Breeze, Delta, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines.

The airport is designed for traveller convenience, with a spacious terminal, short check-in lines, and a stress-free environment. Airline ticketing, baggage claim, and other services are located near the main concourse.

The airport offers a range of services and amenities, including dining, shopping, complimentary WiFi, animal relief areas, ATMs, and massage chairs.

The airport's history and previous names

Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport (IATA: SRQ, ICAO: KSRQ, FAA LID: SRQ) is a public international airport located within Sarasota County, the city limits of Sarasota, and Manatee County, Florida. It is owned by the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority and is situated 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Downtown Sarasota and 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Bradenton.

Before the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport was built, both Sarasota and Bradenton had their own airfields: Bradenton Airport and Sarasota's Lowe Field. Bradenton Airport was established between 1935 and 1937, but was abandoned during World War II. Lowe Field, dedicated on January 12, 1929, and opened on March 12, was Sarasota's first municipal airport. It was located on 160 acres (0.65 km2) of land west of what was then Oriente Avenue (now Beneva Road) and north of Fruitville Road. National Airlines began flying out of the airfield on August 4, 1937, but frequent cancellations due to a landing strip that got too wet to land on led to the airline's departure later that year.

The Sarasota-Bradenton Airport was constructed as a replacement for Lowe Field, which had poor conditions and low capacity. Construction began in 1939, and the airport opened the following year with CCC and WPA assistance at a cost of $1 million. In May 1941, the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority was created. During World War II, the airport was leased to the Army Air Corps and became known as the Sarasota Army Airfield. The Army Air Corps added 250 acres, bringing the airport to a total of 870 acres. Several Air Force bases were established as sub-bases of Sarasota during this time.

In the 1940s, SRQ was known by its two-character designation, RS. In 1948, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) coordinated the assignment of three-character codes, and the airport received the designation "SSO", which was soon changed to SRQ as "SSO" resembled the international distress signal, SOS. The airport's IATA airport code, "SRQ", is now used as a general nickname for the Sarasota area.

National Airlines was SRQ's first airline, moving from Lowe's Field by 1947. In the 1960s, the airport welcomed two commuter airlines: Executive in 1964 and Florida Air in 1968. By 1970, the airport had five commercial airlines: Eastern, National, Executive, Florida, and, briefly, Mackey. Despite its continued growth through the 1970s, many airline services were intermittent.

In the 1976 presidential election, several candidates visited and/or flew into the airport, including Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, Henry "Scoop" Jackson, and George Wallace. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was a controversial proposal to move the airport due to overcrowding. However, an opinion poll held in 1970 showed that 66% of voters were against a new airport, and the proposal was struck down in 1985. Instead, the airport's facilities were expanded, with a new terminal building opening on October 29, 1989.

In January 2012, AirTran Airways, which had served the airport since 2003, announced that it would drop SRQ as part of its merger with Southwest Airlines. Despite this, Southwest Airlines began servicing SRQ in February 2021. In the late 2010s and early 2020s, the airport experienced rapid growth in passenger traffic, largely due to Allegiant beginning to service the airport. In 2023, the airport broke ground on a second concourse, which opened in January 2025, increasing passenger capacity by 2.5 million.

Airlines that fly from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is served by a variety of airlines, including:

• Air Canada
• Allegiant Air
• American Airlines
• Avelo
• Breeze
• Delta
• Frontier Airlines
• JetBlue
• Southwest
• Sun Country Airlines
• United Airlines

The airport is located within three jurisdictions: Sarasota County, the city limits of Sarasota, and Manatee County, all in the U.S. state of Florida. It is about three to four miles north of Downtown Sarasota and six miles south of Bradenton.

SRQ is designed for traveller convenience, with a spacious terminal that allows for smooth and easy movement. Airline ticketing, baggage claim, and other services are just a short walk from the main concourse, and both short- and long-term parking lots are adjacent to the main terminal.

The airport offers over 60 nonstop routes and 11 airlines, with competitive rates and efficient facilities packed with amenities. SRQ is well-equipped with a variety of dining and shopping options, and its location makes it a great gateway to Sarasota and its surrounding resort areas.

The airport's facilities and services

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is a full-service international airport located within three jurisdictions: Sarasota County, the city of Sarasota, and Manatee County, Florida. The airport is just four miles north of Downtown Sarasota and six miles south of Bradenton. SRQ is designed for traveller convenience, with a spacious terminal, short check-in lines, and a stress-free, unhurried airport experience.

SRQ offers a range of facilities and services to enhance traveller comfort and convenience. The airport features short-term, long-term, and shade parking lots, all within walking distance of the main concourse. SRQ also provides a parking shuttle service between the long-term and shade lots, as well as overflow parking areas. Electric vehicle charging stations are available for those with electric cars.

For travellers with special needs and disabilities, SRQ offers curbside assistance, street-level parking, accessible routes with curb cuts, automatic doors, elevators, and ramped access to gate areas. The airport also provides preferential seating near gate doors and wheelchair-accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. SRQ participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, aiding travellers with non-visible disabilities.

SRQ offers a variety of dining and shopping options, both before and after security. The airport also provides complimentary Wi-Fi, luggage carts, massage chairs, and a literature rack. For travellers with pets, there are three animal relief areas, two outside the terminal and one inside, post-security. This pet relief area is equipped with Astroturf grass patches, a fire hydrant, a sink, a wall faucet, and waste disposal bags.

Travellers can also take advantage of the on-site car rental services, with Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty Car Rental all offering rentals. Additionally, ground transportation options include buses, taxis, limos, and ride-sharing app services for drop-off and pick-up.

SRQ is continuously expanding and improving its facilities to accommodate growing passenger traffic. In January 2025, the airport opened a new concourse, Concourse A, adding five gates, a bar, a café, a restaurant, and a marketplace. This expansion is expected to increase passenger capacity by 2.5 million.

The airport's parking options

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport offers three parking options: short-term, long-term, and shade parking. All three lots are directly adjacent to the main terminal and within walking distance. However, when the long-term lot is full, a parking shuttle operates between the long-term and shade lots and all overflow parking areas.

The short-term parking lot is conveniently located near the terminal, making it ideal for passengers who need to quickly drop off or pick up travellers. This lot also offers eight electric vehicle charging stations for customers parking electric vehicles.

The long-term parking lot is suitable for travellers going on longer trips or those who prefer the convenience of parking closer to the terminal.

The shade parking lot is a unique option that provides covered parking spaces, protecting vehicles from the sun's heat and harsh weather conditions. This lot is also a good choice for those seeking a more comfortable parking experience.

The airport also provides a cell phone lot with restrooms, vending machines, and flight information screens for passengers awaiting traveller arrivals. This lot is designed for drivers to wait for free until their arriving passengers are at the curb and ready for pickup.

Frequently asked questions