Pensacola, Florida: Airports And Their Unique Features

Pensacola, Florida, is served by Pensacola International Airport (PNS), formerly Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport and Pensacola Regional Airport. Despite its name, the airport does not offer scheduled international flights, though chartered international flights are not uncommon. Pensacola International Airport is one of five major airports in North Florida and is the second largest by passenger count. The airport is located 6 miles (10 km) northeast of Pensacola city centre and is easily accessible by road. Six major airlines are based at Pensacola Regional Airport, including Continental and Delta, and offer direct flights to mostly southern cities, including Atlanta, Charlotte, and Orlando.

Pensacola International Airport

The airport serves Pensacola, Mobile, Gulf Shores, Fort Walton, and Destin, offering a range of airlines, flights, and competitive fares. Major airlines operating at the airport include AirTran Airways, American Eagle, Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, United Express, and US Airways. UPS Airlines is the only major cargo carrier, with flights to Pensacola four days a week.

Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport

Pensacola International Airport is served by several major airlines, including AirTran Airways, American Eagle, Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, United Express, and US Airways. The airport offers a range of direct flights to mostly southern cities, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, and Orlando. In addition to scheduled passenger services, the airport also handles chartered international flights and serves as a base for UPS Airlines, which operates two flights into Pensacola four days a week.

The history of Pensacola International Airport dates back to 1935 when a passenger terminal opened, and airline service began two years later. The airport has undergone several name changes and expansions over the years, including a $35 million expansion in 2011. In 2022, the city of Pensacola announced plans for a $70 million concourse and parking expansion to accommodate the increasing passenger numbers and flights.

Pensacola International Airport is easily accessible by road, with the I-10 and I-110 highways located just a short drive from the terminal building. However, there is currently no rail service to the airport. The airport provides easy connections to downtown Pensacola and nearby neighbourhoods such as Gulf Breeze and Perdido Key, as well as popular beaches in the area.

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport

Pensacola, Florida, is served by several airports, including the major Pensacola International Airport (PNS). However, another notable airport in the region is the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, which is located 50 miles from Destin and 70 miles from Pensacola, in Valparaiso, Florida.

The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, also known by the airport codes VPS and KVPS, is a major airport that serves the Valparaiso region. While it is geographically closer to Destin than Pensacola, it is still a viable option for travellers heading to Pensacola, especially if they are renting a car or seeking cheaper flight options.

The airport offers a range of domestic flights from Valparaiso, and its proximity to Pensacola makes it a convenient alternative to Pensacola International Airport. The airport is easily accessible from the I-10 and I-110 highways, and its location near the Gulf Coast provides easy access to nearby beaches and attractions.

The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is served by various airlines, including major carriers such as American Eagle, Delta Air Lines, and United Express. These airlines offer direct flights to popular destinations within the United States, providing convenient travel options for passengers travelling through the airport.

The airport is well-equipped to handle a significant volume of passengers and flights, with efficient transport options available to and from the airport. Shuttle buses, taxis, and limousines are readily available, ensuring smooth transfers for travellers heading to their chosen destination, whether it be Pensacola, Destin, or the surrounding areas.

Airlines and destinations

Pensacola International Airport (IATA: PNS, ICAO: KPNS, FAA LID: PNS), formerly Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport and Pensacola Regional Airport (Hagler Field), is located 6 miles (10 km) northeast of Pensacola, Florida. Despite its name, the airport does not offer scheduled international flights, although chartered international flights are not uncommon.

Pensacola Airport has one passenger terminal with 12 gates, built in the early 1990s. Six major airlines are based at the airport, including Continental and Delta, and offer a series of direct flights to mostly southern cities, including:

• Atlanta
• Charlotte
• Cincinnati
• Fort Lauderdale
• Houston
• Orlando

Other airlines and their destinations include:

• American Airlines: Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Miami International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport
• Contour: Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Miami International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport
• Breeze: Tampa International Airport
• Spirit Airlines: Four new nonstop destinations as of 2025
• Delta Air Lines: Nonstop service to Detroit

In addition to these, UPS Airlines is the only major cargo carrier at the airport, flying two flights into Pensacola four days a week, from Tuesday to Friday.

Transport to and from the airport

Pensacola International Airport (IATA: PNS, ICAO: KPNS, FAA LID: PNS) is located just 6 miles (10 km) northeast of Pensacola city centre. Despite its name, the airport does not offer scheduled international flights, though chartered international flights are not uncommon. This airport is one of five major airports in North Florida and is the second largest by passenger count. The airport has one passenger terminal with 12 gates, built in the early 1990s.

Pensacola International Airport is easily accessible by road, with the I-10 and I-110 just a short drive from the terminal building. There is no rail service to the airport. However, there are excellent charter shuttle buses, hotel courtesy shuttle buses, taxis, and limousines available for transport to and from the airport. These services make it easy to get to downtown Pensacola or your hotel, and they also link to nearby neighbourhoods and beaches.

For those looking to rent a car, it may be worth considering flying into a different airport in the area and driving to Pensacola. This could potentially save money on airfare, as renting a car and driving from a further airport may be cheaper than flying directly to Pensacola International Airport.

Some other nearby airports include:

• Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (70 miles from Pensacola)
• Mobile Regional Airport (78 miles from Pensacola)
• Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (123 miles from Pensacola)

Frequently asked questions