Airports Serving Philadelphia, Pa: A Comprehensive Guide

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is served by several airports, including Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), which is the only major airport serving the city, the seventh-largest metropolitan area in the US. More than 30 million travellers pass through the airport each year, which is located just seven miles from downtown Philadelphia. The airport is easily accessible by taxi, train, limousine, and shuttle services. Philadelphia International Airport has international and domestic flights and is served by all major domestic carriers. It is also a major hub for American Airlines. Other airports in Philadelphia include Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE), which is Pennsylvania's third busiest airport, and Wings Field, located in Blue Bell, PA.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

PHL is a significant contributor to the regional economy, accounting for $15.4 billion in economic activity, $5.4 billion in total earnings, and supporting over 96,000 direct and indirect jobs, according to a 2017 economic impact report. The airport has a long history as a hub for various airlines, including Altair Airlines, Eastern Air Lines, Midway Airlines, and US Airways, which was the dominant carrier at the airport in the 1980s and 1990s.

In recent years, American Airlines has continued to expand its presence at PHL, taking advantage of greater slot availability and lower operation costs compared to other airports. This expansion has contributed to record-high passenger traffic, with 28,507,420 passengers flying through Philadelphia in 2004, a 15.5% increase over 2003. To accommodate this growth, PHL underwent expansion projects to enhance runway capacity and improve infrastructure. The Runway 17-35 Extension Project, completed in 2009, extended the runway to a length of 6,500 feet and included additional taxiways, aprons, and road modifications.

Philadelphia International Airport offers a range of services and amenities for travellers, ensuring a smooth and convenient experience. From quick bites before takeoff to last-minute shopping, the airport caters to passengers' needs. The airport also provides direct connections to popular destinations, including nonstop flights to Hogwarts, enhancing its appeal to both leisure and business travellers.

Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE)

The airport is 15 miles from the centre of Philadelphia, PA, and is easily accessible by road and public transport. Taxis charge a flat rate of $28.50 for travel between Center City and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), which is the closest major airport to the city. PHL is located just seven miles from downtown Philadelphia and is served by all major domestic carriers. It is also a major international hub for American Airlines.

In addition to PHL and PNE, there are several other airports near Philadelphia, including Trenton-Mercer Airport in Trenton, New Jersey, which is 34 miles from Philadelphia, and New Castle Air National Guard Base in Wilmington, Delaware, which is 38 miles from the city. Philadelphia is centrally located between five other regional and international airports, including Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey, which is 55 miles away, and Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania, which is 102 miles away.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has a range of amenities and services for travellers, including restaurants and shops, and an American Airlines Admirals Club lounge. The airport also features art installations and exhibits throughout the terminals, including a nearly 85,000-square-foot mural along the sides of the airport parking garages facing I-95.

Atlantic City International Airport

The airport is easy to navigate, and passengers can disembark, collect their luggage, and exit to the street in just a few minutes. It also offers magnificent views of the Atlantic City skyline and the Jersey Shore coastline.

The airport has seen several airlines come and go over the years, including WestJet, which operated Boeing 737 jetliner flights to Toronto until 2010, and United Airlines, which briefly served the airport in 2014 with flights to Chicago–O'Hare and Houston. In 2022, American Airlines introduced a unique service from the airport to Philadelphia International Airport, using buses instead of planes for screened passengers who have booked a seat on the route. In May 2023, Sun Country Airlines became the newest carrier to serve the airport.

Trenton-Mercer Airport

The airport covers 1,345 acres of land, with an elevation of 212 feet above mean sea level. It has two asphalt runways, 6/24 and 16/34, and three helipads, H1, H2, and H3. The airport has an average of 308 aircraft operations per day, with 92% dedicated to general aviation, 4% commercial, 4% air taxi, and less than 1% military. Trenton-Mercer is the third-busiest airport in New Jersey, with approximately 601,000 passengers arriving and departing in the 12 months ending in July 2023.

Today, Trenton-Mercer Airport is home to multiple flight schools and army aviation facilities. Frontier Airlines offers non-stop flights to various destinations, including Ft. Lauderdale and Ft. Myers, Florida.

New Castle Air National Guard Base

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is served by several airports, including Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), which is the closest major airport, and Trenton-Mercer Airport, which is 34 miles away. Another airport serving the area is New Castle Air National Guard Base, which is 38 miles from Philadelphia.

The base has a long history of serving various military units. In 1951, the Federalized District of Columbia Air National Guard's 113th Fighter-Interceptor Wing was moved to the base, and the 113th Air Base Group was designated as the host unit. The 113th FIG controlled the 142nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which operated F-84C Thunderjet interceptors. In 1952, the 142nd was upgraded to the F-94B Starfire, and the Air National Guard unit was returned to the control of the state of Delaware.

The base has faced the threat of closure several times. In the mid-1990s, it appeared on the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission list, and in 2005, it was targeted for closure by the Pentagon. However, its fate was reversed, and over $130 million in federal funds was allocated for capital improvement projects.

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