Atlantic City, New Jersey: Which Airport To Choose?

The closest airport to Atlantic City, New Jersey is the Atlantic City International Airport (ACY). The airport is located 9-17 miles from the city centre and is served by Spirit Airlines and American Airlines. It is also a base for the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing and the United States Coast Guard's Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City. The airport offers worldwide connectivity and is easily accessible via Exit 9 on the Atlantic City Expressway.

Atlantic City International Airport (ACY)

The airport offers worldwide connectivity and is served by Spirit Airlines and American Airlines. ACY serves over 1 million passengers per year, who get to enjoy a bird's-eye view of the Atlantic City skyline and the Jersey Shore coastline during their flights. The airport terminal is easy to navigate, and passengers can quickly move from disembarking to collecting their luggage and exiting the airport.

Several transportation options are available at ACY, including taxis, Uber, and Lyft, which can be found at designated booths in the baggage claim area or outside the terminal. Car rental services from major agencies are also conveniently located across from the terminal in the parking garage. For added convenience, airport parking is available 24/7, and a free shuttle service operates within the airport's parking lots.

ACY offers a free passenger loyalty program called iFLYACY. Members of this program can enjoy benefits such as discounts on qualifying purchases, designated parking, promotional items, and exclusive news and alerts about ACY services.

Transport to and from the airport

The closest airport to Atlantic City, New Jersey, is Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), which is located in Egg Harbor Township, just 10-12 miles from the city. The airport is serviced by Spirit Airlines and American Airlines, with flights to destinations across the world.

By car

Atlantic City International Airport is easily accessible by car via the Atlantic City Expressway. Car rental agencies are located directly across from the airport terminal in the parking garage. If you're renting a car from Philadelphia Airport, take the I-95 north to the Walt Whitman Bridge, then follow signs to Atlantic City, which will lead you to the Atlantic City Expressway (toll). The drive from Philadelphia Airport to Atlantic City takes around 75 minutes.

By taxi, Uber, or Lyft

A taxi, Uber, or Lyft is a quick and easy way to get to and from Atlantic City International Airport. These services can be found at booths in the baggage claim area or directly outside of the terminal.

By bus

If you're arriving at Philadelphia International Airport, you can take the American Airlines Landline bus, which offers direct service to Atlantic City. From New York JFK Airport, you can take the subway and bus to reach Atlantic City in around 4 hours.

By train

Travelling by train to Atlantic City is a convenient option, with NJ TRANSIT's rail services offering daily connections from Philadelphia's 30th Street Station to the Atlantic City Rail Terminal. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Airlines that serve the airport

The Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) is located in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, and is serviced by two airlines: Spirit Airlines and American Airlines.

Spirit Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier that offers thousands of flights to Atlantic City, serving more than 1 million passengers per year. The airline operates both domestic and international flights, with destinations including Orlando, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa.

American Airlines also offers domestic and international flights, although specific routes from Atlantic City International Airport could not be confirmed.

The airport is conveniently located just twelve minutes from downtown Atlantic City and is easily accessible by taxi, Uber, or Lyft, with services located in the baggage claim area and outside the terminal. For those who prefer to drive themselves, the airport offers 24/7 parking across the street from the terminal, as well as car rental services from four major agencies in the parking garage.

For frequent travellers to and from Atlantic City, the airport also offers a free passenger loyalty program called iFLYACY, which provides members with benefits such as discounts at airport shops and restaurants, designated parking, and promotional items.

History of the airport

The closest airport to Atlantic City, New Jersey, is Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), located in Egg Harbor Township, just 10 miles from the city. The airport has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century.

Atlantic City has long been associated with aviation. In March 1910, local businessmen formed the Aero Club of Atlantic City to encourage pilots and manufacturers to utilise the city's long beach and strong winds for testing aircraft. The following year, aviation pioneer Glenn H. Curtiss became the first pilot to fly an airplane over the ocean, taking off from the beach near the Million Dollar Pier.

In 1917, the first Pan-American Aeronautic Exposition was held in New York City, and Atlantic City wanted to secure the second exposition. The Aero Club proposed constructing an airfield, and in collaboration with other aviation clubs, they acquired 160 acres in Chelsea Heights. The Atlantic City Municipal Airport, later renamed Bader Field, opened on May 1, 1919, marking the start of the second exposition.

However, the focus of aviation activities in Atlantic City shifted with the establishment of a Naval Air Station during World War II. In 1942, the US Navy leased the airport from the city, which had purchased the land in 1940 for constructing a modern airport to replace Bader Field. The Naval Air Station Atlantic City (NASAC) was commissioned on April 24, 1943, and it served as a base for the Navy's Fighter Training Unit and other aviation development and testing initiatives.

In 1958, the Navy decommissioned the Naval Air Station, and the airport's lease reverted to Atlantic City. The city retained 84 acres, and the Civil Terminal Building was constructed in 1961. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operated the airport from 1958 to 1992, and during this period, the terminal underwent expansions, including the addition of a ticketing/waiting area in 1989.

On June 1, 1992, Spirit Airlines began scheduled service to Atlantic City International Airport, and it has continued to serve the region ever since. The South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) acquired the Civil Terminal Building and the retained land from the city in September 1992 and agreed to operate the airport as a public facility.

In the following years, the airport continued to expand and improve its facilities. In 1996, a second floor was added to the terminal, and in 2003, the airport surpassed one million passengers. A new parking garage, terminal expansions, and enhanced emergency response facilities were introduced over the years, solidifying Atlantic City International Airport's role as a significant aviation hub in the region.

Hotels near the airport

The closest airport to Atlantic City, New Jersey is Atlantic City Airport (ACY), which is located in Egg Harbor Township, 10 miles from the city.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Atlantic City/Egg Harbor Township, NJ

Located 1.9 miles from the airport, this hotel is the highest-rated within a 1.9-mile radius of Atlantic City International Airport. Rooms feature a small kitchen and a full-size fridge, and guests can enjoy a different food choice daily included in their stay.

Scottish Inns & Suites Galloway

Just 1.9 miles from the airport, this hotel offers friendly service, clean and quiet rooms, and hardwood floors.

Country View Inn & Suites

8 miles from the airport, this hotel is staffed by family and very accommodating. The exterior could use some work, but the rooms are clean and the price is right.

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Absecon (Atlantic City) Galloway, NJ

This hotel is 2.5 miles from the airport and offers a comfortable stay with clean rooms and good bedding. However, the property could use some updating as the paint and trim are worn, and the bathroom fixtures are wobbly.

Red Roof Inn & Suites Galloway

Located 2.6 miles from the airport, this hotel provides friendly and helpful service. While the hotel was under renovation during one guest's stay, they reported that it was not noticeable.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Atlantic City Absecon

8 miles from the airport, this hotel offers a pleasant and professional service. Guests can enjoy free parking and breakfast, and it is just a 15-minute drive from the casino and boardwalk.

These are just a few of the many hotel options available near Atlantic City International Airport.

Frequently asked questions