Roberta Aguirre
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (IATA: VPS, ICAO: KVPS, FAA LID: VPS) is the closest airport to Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The airport is located within Eglin Air Force Base, near Valparaiso, Destin, and Fort Walton Beach, in Okaloosa County, Florida. It offers non-stop flights to and from various destinations across the United States, including Atlanta, Orlando, and New York.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport |
| IATA | VPS |
| ICAO | KVPS |
| FAA LID | VPS |
| Location | Eglin Air Force Base, Valparaiso, Okaloosa County, Florida, US |
| Distance from Fort Walton Beach | 14 miles |
| Distance from Destin | 16 miles |
| Distance from Valparaiso | 2 miles |
| Airlines | Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, Contour Airlines, Republic Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Vision Airlines, Southern Airways |
| Terminal size | 116,000 sq ft (10,800 m2) |
| Number of runways | 2 |
| Runway 12/30 size | 12,004 ft x 300 ft (3,659 m x 91 m) |
| Runway 02/20 size | 10,012 ft x 300 ft (3,052 m x 91 m) |
| Previous names | Northwest Florida Regional Airport, Okaloosa Regional Airport |
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What You'll Learn
The closest airport to Fort Walton Beach
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (IATA: VPS, ICAO: KVPS, FAA LID: VPS) is the closest airport to Fort Walton Beach. The airport is located within Eglin Air Force Base, near Valparaiso, Destin, and Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County, Florida. It is approximately 14 miles from Fort Walton Beach and 16 miles from Destin.
The airport was previously known as Northwest Florida Regional Airport until February 2015 and Okaloosa Regional Airport until 2008. It covers 6,500 acres and has two runways, with a 116,000 sq ft passenger terminal that opened in 2004. The terminal has upper and lower levels with gates, ticketing, and baggage claim areas.
Several airlines serve VPS airport, including Allegiant Air, which operates from Concourse C, offering flights to 35 destinations. Avelo Airlines also provides service to Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) in Connecticut. Additionally, Contour Airlines previously offered seasonal service from Bowling Green, KY, using turboprop aircraft.
Other nearby airports include Pensacola International Airport (PNS/KPNS), approximately 43 miles from Fort Walton Beach, and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP/KECP) in Panama City, about 59 miles away. However, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport remains the closest and most convenient option for travellers heading to the Fort Walton Beach area.
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Airlines that fly to Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is a charming city with gorgeous country clubs, small-town history, and miles of flawless white sand. The closest airport to the city is Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS), which is just 9 miles from the downtown area. Other nearby airports include Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (12-14 miles away), Pensacola International Airport (43-55 miles away), and Panama City's Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (59 miles away).
There are 7-9 airlines connecting Fort Walton Beach with 23 airports across the world. Some of the top airlines flying to Fort Walton Beach include American Airlines, which operates the greatest number of flights from Atlanta, and Delta Air Lines. Other popular airlines include Allegiant Air, which offers some of the lowest fares, and Frontier.
When booking flights to Fort Walton Beach, it is recommended to be flexible with travel dates, arrival/departure airports and times, and the number of stops to get the best deals. Browsing tickets several weeks in advance, especially 21-45 days before departure, can also help find cheaper prices. For those looking for last-minute deals, some of the cheapest fares appear 2-4 weeks before travel dates. Booking on a Wednesday morning can also help secure the lowest fares, while Sunday afternoons are typically the most expensive.
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History of the airport
The closest airport to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is the Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport, located within Eglin Air Force Base, near Valparaiso, Destin, and Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County, Florida. The airport covers 6,500 acres and shares two runways with Eglin AFB.
The airport was previously known as the Northwest Florida Regional Airport until February 17, 2015, when it changed its name to Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport. Prior to that, it was named the Okaloosa Regional Airport until September 2008. The airport has a long history, with the Okaloosa County Air Terminal opening on Eglin Air Force Base in 1957, offering direct flights to Atlanta via Southern Airways.
In the 1980s, Republic Airlines was the only carrier providing nonstop flights between VPS and Atlanta, using DC-9-10, DC-9-30, and DC-9-50 jets. Delta Air Lines and Eastern Air Lines later introduced nonstop flights to Atlanta via their regional partners, Delta Connection and Eastern Metro Express, respectively. Delta Connection's service was operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines using turboprop aircraft.
Vision Airlines began a small scheduled passenger hub operation at VPS in 2011, offering flights to various destinations across the United States. However, they eventually ceased all flights and shut down their VPS hub. In May/June 2016, Allegiant Air started scheduled service to VPS from several cities, making Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport a focus city for the airline. Contour Airlines also briefly served the airport from Bowling Green, KY, using turboprop aircraft, but these flights ended in 2018 due to low demand.
The airport features a two-level terminal that opened in November 2004, with the old terminal building being demolished shortly after. The new terminal has a passenger jet ways, ticketing and baggage claim areas, and upper and lower concourses with gates.
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Facilities at the airport
The closest airport to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is the Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport, located within Eglin Air Force Base. The airport is around 14-16 miles from Fort Walton Beach and is accessible by road from Hwy. 98 on Okaloosa Island.
The airport has a range of facilities to assist passengers. The two-level, 116,000 sq ft passenger terminal, which opened in November 2004, includes areas for ticketing and baggage claim. The first level has Gates A1, A2, and A3, along with waiting areas and a concession area. The terminal has a total of eight gates, five with second-level passenger jet ways and three ground-level commuter gates.
The airport has expanded over the years, with the addition of Concourse C in September 2022, exclusively used by Allegiant Air. The airport also has two runways, with the largest being 12,004 ft x 300 ft of asphalt and concrete.
The airport offers non-stop flights to various destinations and has a Visitor's Welcome Center located outside the baggage claim area. The center provides brochures, maps, attraction tickets, and dining coupons to assist visitors in planning their trip.
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Attractions in Fort Walton Beach
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is the closest airport to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, located just 14 miles away in Valparaiso. Pensacola International Airport is also a major airport close by, at 43 miles from Fort Walton Beach.
Now, for the attractions! Fort Walton Beach is nestled on Florida's Emerald Coast, offering cool, quartz-sand beaches and emerald-green waters. The area is perfect for anglers, families, and saltwater fanatics alike. There are plenty of water-based activities to enjoy, including swimming, snorkelling, diving, and fishing for sought-after saltwater species.
Animal lovers will enjoy the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, where you can see turtles, dolphins, seals, penguins, stingrays, and even alligators! The Emerald Coast Science Center is another great attraction, with a variety of interactive exhibits to explore.
Fort Walton Beach also has a range of kid-friendly adventures, including surf lessons, snorkelling with stingrays, and exploring the natural areas on foot, by bike, or by kayak. The beaches offer free use of ramps and beach wheelchairs, making them accessible to all.
For foodies, the area offers fresh "Gulf-to-table" seafood, beachside burgers, and award-winning craft beer. You can also browse the shops of Downtown Fort Walton Beach, which include outdoor outfitters, antique stores, and specialty boutiques.
If you're looking for a break from the sun, there are museums, a military history museum, and cultural institutions to explore, as well as golf courses for all skill levels.
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Frequently asked questions
The Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport.
The airport is located within Eglin Air Force Base, near Valparaiso, Destin, and Fort Walton Beach, in Okaloosa County, Florida.
IATA: VPS, ICAO: KVPS, FAA LID: VPS.
The airport is approximately 14 miles from Fort Walton Beach.
Some airlines that fly to the airport include Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, Contour Airlines, and Vision Airlines.
