Stuttgart Airport's Code: A Quick Guide

Stuttgart Airport, formerly Flughafen Stuttgart-Echterdingen, is an international airport serving Stuttgart, Germany. It is one of the busiest airports in Germany, with 11,832,634 passengers passing through in 2018. The airport consists of four passenger terminals and is located approximately 13km south of Stuttgart. The airport code of Stuttgart Airport is STR.

Stuttgart Airport's official name and code

The official name of Stuttgart Airport is Echterdingen Airport. The airport is located in Stuttgart, the capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg. It was built in 1939 to replace Böblingen Airport and was initially called Flughafen Stuttgart-Echterdingen. After World War II, the airport was returned to German authorities in 1948, and it has since been expanded and upgraded to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. Today, Stuttgart Airport is the sixth busiest airport in Germany, serving over 11 million passengers in 2018.

The airport code of Stuttgart Airport is STR. This code is used to identify the airport in various travel and aviation contexts, such as booking flights, navigating air traffic control, and designating luggage destinations. The STR code is an essential identifier for the airport and is recognised internationally.

Stuttgart Airport consists of four passenger terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4) with separate check-in facilities and entrances. These terminals are directly connected, sharing a single airside area with eight jet bridges and about two dozen bus-boarding stands. The airport is easily accessible, with two major highways nearby: the Bundesautobahn 8 (A8) and the Bundesstraße 27 (B27), which provide connections to several cities, including Karlsruhe, Ulm, and Tübingen.

In addition to its domestic and international flight offerings, Stuttgart Airport provides convenient amenities for travellers. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, allowing passengers to stay connected and access entertainment during their wait. The airport also offers a variety of shopping and dining options, enhancing the overall travel experience for those passing through.

Stuttgart Airport, with its official name of Echterdingen Airport and the code STR, plays a significant role in facilitating travel to and from the region. It serves as a gateway to Stuttgart and the surrounding area, known for its cultural attractions and sightseeing opportunities. The airport's efficient infrastructure and passenger-centric amenities contribute to its standing as a key transportation hub in Germany.

The airport's history and previous names

Stuttgart Airport (IATA: STR, ICAO: EDDS) is an international airport serving Stuttgart, the capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg. The airport was built in 1939 to replace Böblingen Airport, which had been operating since Luftverkehr Württemberg AG was founded in 1924.

During World War II, the United States Army took over the airport until 1948 when it was returned to German authorities. During the Cold War, the US Army continued to share the runway and facilities, operating helicopters, the Grumman OV-1 Mohawk, and other fixed-wing aircraft from the southern portion of the airfield, known as Echterdingen Army Airfield. The US Army still maintains a small helicopter base, Stuttgart Army Airfield, on the southern side of the airport, shared with the Baden-Württemberg Police helicopter wing.

The airport has undergone several name changes throughout its history. Initially known as Flughafen Stuttgart, it was formerly called Flughafen Stuttgart-Echterdingen, named after the nearby town of Leinfelden-Echterdingen. In 2008, after the death of former mayor Manfred Rommel, local politicians proposed renaming the airport after him, which led to public disputes due to Rommel's lineage as the son of Erwin Rommel. Eventually, in July 2014, the airport was officially christened Flughafen Stuttgart - Manfred Rommel Flughafen in his honour. However, in September 2016, the airport underwent a rebranding and name change, dropping "Flughafen" from its name and becoming simply Stuttgart Airport.

Over the years, Stuttgart Airport has expanded and evolved. The runway was extended multiple times after World War II, and the original 1938 terminal was replaced in 2004 to accommodate four terminals with a maximum capacity of approximately 12 million passengers. The airport has also invested in sustainable initiatives, aiming to achieve net zero by 2040 through projects like the Hydrogen Aviation Center and the use of electric vehicles for ground handling.

Airlines and flight routes

Stuttgart Airport (STR) is an international airport serving Stuttgart, the capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg. It is the sixth busiest airport in Germany, with 11,832,634 passengers passing through in 2018. The airport offers a range of facilities, including shops, restaurants, and lounges.

There are 26 airlines operating from Stuttgart Airport, flying to 190 airports around the world. These include Aegean Airlines, Air Cairo, Air France, Air Serbia, Austrian, British Airways, Condor, Corendon Airlines, Eurowings, Fly One, FlyViking, Freebird Airlines, ITA Airways, KLM, LOT, Lufthansa, Norwegian Air UK, Pegasus, SAS, SunExpress, SWISS, TUIfly, Turkish Airlines, Vueling, Wizz Air, and Wizz Air Malta.

The most popular route from Stuttgart Airport is to Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) in Spain, with an average of 52 flights every week. The most popular domestic destinations are Munich (MUC) and Frankfurt (FRA). The longest flights from Stuttgart are to Boa Vista (BVC), which takes around 6 hours and 35 minutes, and to Dubai (DWC), which takes around 6 hours and 30 minutes. Eurowings is the largest airline at Stuttgart Airport, with around 315 scheduled take-offs every week.

In recent years, there have been several changes to the airlines and routes serving Stuttgart Airport. In 2014, United Airlines cancelled their route to Stuttgart from Newark, and Air Berlin ceased its flights to Abu Dhabi. In 2015, easyJet and Ryanair added Stuttgart as a destination, with easyJet serving Stuttgart as their seventh German destination.

Transport options to and from the airport

Stuttgart Airport (STR) is located approximately 13 km (8.1 mi) south of Stuttgart, Germany. It is easily accessible by various means of transportation.

By Car

The airport is located just off the Bundesautobahn 8 (A8) highway connecting the cities of Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Ulm, Augsburg, and Munich. The Bundesstraße 27 (B27) route leads to downtown Stuttgart, as well as Tübingen and Reutlingen in the south.

By Train

The airport is connected to Stuttgart's main railway station, which is part of the ICE, EC, and IC network. The city train or tram takes around 30 minutes to reach the airport without requiring any changes. The train will take you directly to the terminal, while the tram stop is located opposite the airport building, a short 5-minute walk away. The S-Bahn train is another affordable option, with the S2 and S3 lines departing from Stuttgart Flughafen/Messe Station and arriving at Stuttgart Central Station in about 27 minutes.

By Bus

The Stuttgart Airport Busterminal (SAB) is located between Flughafenstrasse and Terminal 4, beneath the P14 car garage. It offers regional, national, and international long-distance bus services, as well as non-scheduled services. The night bus line N8 connects the city centre with the airport during early morning and late evening hours.

By Taxi

Taking a taxi from the airport to the city centre is a convenient option, especially for newcomers to the city or those with heavy luggage. The taxi ranks are available outside Terminal 1 on the arrivals level, providing 24/7 door-to-door services. The fare to the city centre is typically around €45, and you can expect to reach your destination in about 25 minutes.

Terminals and check-in facilities

Stuttgart Airport (STR) is located approximately 13 km (8.1 mi) south of Stuttgart and consists of four passenger terminals with separate check-in facilities and entrances. Terminals 1 and 3 can be accessed directly from the municipal railway station (S-Bahn) using lifts, escalators, or stairs, while check-in desks in Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4 are just a short walk from the bus stops and car parks. Moving walkways are also provided from car parks (P0, P2, P4) to the terminal building.

Terminal 1 is one of the two landside main halls and has 50 check-in counters. It shares a roof with Terminals 2 and 3 and is mainly used by Eurowings and Turkish Airlines. Terminal 2 is a small area located within the shopping area between Terminals 1 and 3. It has nine check-in counters and a security checkpoint. This terminal is used by Lufthansa and Star Alliance partners, in addition to their counters in Terminal 1. Terminal 3 is the second landside main hall, featuring 39 check-in counters. It is located east of Terminals 1 and 2. Aegean, Condor, Eurowings, and the Lufthansa Group (Austrian, Lufthansa, Swiss) offer a Self Bag Drop Service at Terminal 3, allowing passengers to check in their luggage themselves.

Terminal 4 is a separate building to the east of the other three terminals but is connected by a walkway. It has 17 check-in counters and several bus-boarding gates and is primarily used for holiday charter operations. In March 2018, it was announced that Terminal 4 would be rebuilt and expanded.

Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport 90-120 minutes before departure to ensure sufficient time to reach the check-in desk. Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, and KLM offer priority check-in services for their First and Business Class passengers. Additionally, some airlines provide the option of checking in at electronic machines if document checks are not required.

Frequently asked questions