Airports Serving Buffalo, New York: A Comprehensive Guide

Buffalo, New York, is serviced by several airports, including the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, one of the country's oldest public airports. The airport, located 10 minutes east of downtown Buffalo, offers nonstop service to 23 airports and serves over 5 million passengers annually. Aside from Buffalo Niagara International Airport, there are six other airports in Buffalo, New York, both public and private.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport

The airport is about 11 miles (18 km) east of downtown Buffalo and 60 miles (97 km) southeast of Toronto (the driving distance to Toronto is 106 miles or 171 km). The airport covers 1,000 acres (400 ha) and is the third-busiest airport in the state of New York. It is the busiest airport in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area. On average, there are over 100 flights per day, with nonstop service to 31 airports across the United States. The airport also offers seasonal international flights to the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

The terminal has been expanded and renovated several times since its first expansion in 1955. In 1959, the airport was acquired by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and renamed Greater Buffalo International Airport. Another significant renovation took place in 1961, which included the addition of a new control tower and a concourse for American Airlines. The airport's name was changed again to Buffalo-Niagara International Airport in 1977. A new terminal was constructed between 1995 and 1997, with further expansions and renovations taking place in the early 2000s and late 2017.

The airport can be accessed via the Kensington Expressway (NY Route 33), which ends at the airport. Route 33 intersects with the New York State Thruway, Interstate I-90, about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the airport. The drive time from the intersection to downtown Buffalo is approximately 10–15 minutes. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority provides bus services to and from the airport on several routes. Additionally, the NFTA Metro Paratransit offers transportation services for individuals with mobility issues, but pre-booking is required.

Airport location and transport links

Buffalo is served by several airports, both public and private. The main airport serving the city is Buffalo Niagara International Airport (IATA: BUF, ICAO: KBUF, FAA LID: BUF). This airport is located in Cheektowaga, New York, about 11 miles (18 km) east of Downtown Buffalo and 60 miles (97 km) southeast of Toronto. The drive from the airport to downtown Buffalo takes approximately 10-15 minutes via the Kensington Expressway (NY Route 33), which intersects with the New York State Thruway, Interstate I-90. The airport covers 1,000 acres (400 ha) and is one of the oldest public airports in the country, having opened in 1926 on former farmland.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport offers nonstop service to 23-31 airports across the United States, with an average of 100-110 flights per day. It also provides seasonal international flights to the Dominican Republic and Mexico. The airport is served by major carriers such as Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, US Airways, United Airlines, and American Airlines.

The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years. The terminal was expanded in 1955, adding more gates, increasing square footage, and including a restaurant and lounge. In 1959, the airport was acquired by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and renamed the Greater Buffalo International Airport. Another overhaul in 1961 added a new control tower and a concourse for American Airlines. The first scheduled jet service to/from New York was in 1965.

The Buffalo Niagara International Airport is easily accessible by road, and public transportation options are also available. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority provides bus services to and from the airport on routes 24B (Genesee), 47 (Youngs Road), 68 (George Urban Express), and 204 (Airport-Downtown Express). Additionally, the NFTA Metro Paratransit offers transportation services for individuals with mobility issues, but pre-booking is required.

History of the airport

Buffalo, New York, is serviced by several airports, both public and private. The primary airport serving Buffalo is the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), located in Cheektowaga, New York, about 11 miles (18 km) east of Downtown Buffalo. The airport has a rich history dating back to the early days of aviation.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport has a long and fascinating history, starting with its early days as an airfield on former farmland. The airport opened as Buffalo Municipal Airport in 1926, making it one of the oldest public airports in the country. In its early days, the airport featured a small terminal building, one hangar, and four cinder runways, each 3,000 feet (910 m) long and 100 feet (30 m) wide. Passenger and mail service began in December 1927, with the first route serving Cleveland.

The airport underwent its first major expansion in 1955, adding more gates, tripling the terminal's size, and introducing a restaurant and lounge. This expansion marked a significant upgrade in the airport's capabilities and passenger experience. In 1959, the airport was acquired by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority from the City of Buffalo and renamed the Greater Buffalo International Airport. This change in management brought further developments, including a new control tower and a dedicated concourse for American Airlines in 1961.

The introduction of jet services was a significant milestone in the airport's history. In 1965, the first scheduled jet service operated by American Boeing 727 began, providing service to and from New York. This development enhanced the airport's connectivity and attracted more airlines and passengers. To accommodate the growing demand for air travel, the airport constructed an auxiliary terminal building, the West Terminal, which opened in 1971 with nine gates.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Buffalo Niagara International Airport experienced its "glory years," regularly hosting wide-body passenger jets from major airlines. The airport was served by several prominent carriers, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Eastern Air Lines, and Allegheny Airlines. In 1986–1987, the US airline industry underwent a series of buyouts and mergers, leading to a consolidation of domestic air service providers. By the end of 1989, most airlines operating at Buffalo were among the "legacy carriers," including American, United, Continental, USAir, Northwest, and Delta Air Lines.

At the turn of the century, the airport expanded its offerings with the addition of low-cost carriers Southwest and JetBlue. This move contributed to a significant increase in passenger traffic, and by 2006, the airport exceeded the 5 million passenger mark, well ahead of previous projections. Today, Buffalo Niagara International Airport continues to play a vital role in the region, serving over 5.2 million passengers annually and offering nonstop service to numerous destinations across the United States and seasonal international flights to the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

Airlines that serve the airport

Buffalo, New York, is serviced by Buffalo Niagara International Airport, previously known as Buffalo Municipal Airport and Greater Buffalo International Airport. The airport is located in Cheektowaga, around 11 miles (18 km) east of Downtown Buffalo. It is the third-busiest airport in the state of New York and the busiest in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area.

Several major airlines serve Buffalo Niagara International Airport, including:

• Southwest Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• JetBlue Airways
• American Airlines
• United Airlines
• USAir
• Continental
• Northwest
• Allegheny Airlines
• Eastern Air Lines
• People Express

The airport offers an average of 100-110 flights daily, with nonstop service to 23-31 airports across the United States. It also provides seasonal international flights to the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

Passenger traffic and flight numbers

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) is the primary airport serving Buffalo, New York, and is located in Cheektowaga, about 11 miles (18 km) east of Downtown Buffalo. It is one of the oldest public airports in the country, having opened in 1926 as Buffalo Municipal Airport.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the third-busiest airport in New York state and the busiest in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area. It is also the largest airport by passenger traffic in Upstate New York, averaging 4.5–5.5 million passengers per year. The airport exceeded 5 million passengers in 2006, a feat that was previously projected to be achieved by 2020.

The airport offers over 100 flights daily, with nonstop service to 31 airports across the United States. Seasonal international flights are also available to the Dominican Republic and Mexico. During the 1970s and 1980s, the airport regularly hosted wide-body passenger jets, and it continues to do so for charter flights for the Buffalo Bills or their National Football League opponents.

The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. In 1955, the terminal was expanded to 11 gates, and in 1961, a new control tower and concourse for American Airlines were added. The addition of low-cost carriers Southwest and JetBlue at the beginning of the 21st century contributed to the significant growth in passenger numbers. In 2017, another low-cost carrier, Frontier, began service from Buffalo, further increasing the airport's accessibility.

The latest expansion, which began in late 2017, included an $80 million renovation and expansion project, adding more than 54,000 square feet of new space. This expansion focused on enhancing the passenger experience by creating secure walkways, relocating the central exit walkway, and expanding the curbside space for arriving and departing passengers. The renovation also doubled the baggage claim area's capacity by replacing the existing flat plate baggage carousels with sloped plate carousels.

Frequently asked questions