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Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (CHO / KCHO) is located 10 miles from the centre of Charlottesville, Virginia. The airport offers non-stop flights to various destinations, including Atlanta, Charlotte, New York, and Chicago. In 2019, the airport opened The Founder's Lounge, a quiet lounge area at Gate 5 accessible to anyone who purchases a day pass. The airport has seen several improvements over the years, including the addition of new elevator banks in the long-term parking lot and an upgrade to LED airfield lighting in 2023. Charlottesville Albemarle Airport is also known for being the site of the Piedmont Airlines Flight 349 crash in 1959, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Charlottesville Albemarle Airport |
| Location | Charlottesville, VA |
| Distance from Charlottesville | 10 miles |
| Other nearby airports | Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, Lynchburg Regional Airport, Richmond International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Roanoke Regional Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Gordonsville Municipal Airport, Louisa County Airport, Farmville Regional Airport |
| Flight connections | Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, NC |
| Airlines | United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines |
| Aircraft operations in 2020 | 90,555 (average 248 per day) |
| Aircraft based at the airport in January 2022 | 56 (40 single-engine, 8 multi-engine, 6 jet, 1 helicopter, 1 ultralight) |
| Facilities | The Founder's Lounge (a quiet lounge area at gate 5 with comfortable seating, a conference room, tables, and décor from local artists) |
| Historical events | Piedmont Airlines Flight 349 crashed into Bucks Elbow Mountain in 1959 while attempting to land, killing 26 of 27 people on board |
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What You'll Learn
- The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport is 10 miles from the city centre
- Piedmont Airlines Flight 349 crashed into Bucks Elbow Mountain in 1959
- The airport has non-stop flights to New York, Atlanta, Charlotte and Chicago
- The Founder's Lounge opened in 2019, offering a quiet space
- The airport has an old white oak tree, which is 250-300 years old
The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport is 10 miles from the city centre
Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (airport code CHO or KCHO) is located 10 miles from the city centre of Charlottesville, Virginia. The airport offers non-stop flights to several destinations, including Chicago, New York, Atlanta, and Charlotte, with convenient connections to Washington, D.C. and other locations.
In addition to its flight services, the airport also features "The Founder's Lounge," a quiet and comfortable space accessible to anyone who purchases a day pass. The lounge includes amenities such as conference rooms, tables, local artwork, and complimentary beverages and snacks.
The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport is not only convenient for travellers but also takes steps to enhance their experience. In 2023, the airport upgraded its airfield lighting to LED, and it continuously makes improvements to comply with ADA standards, such as installing new elevator banks in the long-term parking lot.
The airport also has a notable piece of history on its premises. The second-largest white oak tree in Virginia, estimated to be between 250 and 300 years old, stands along the approach to Runway 3. This tree is associated with a tragic event: the crash of Piedmont Airlines Flight 349 in 1959, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives. While the tree is in a secure area, visits can be arranged through the airport's website.
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Piedmont Airlines Flight 349 crashed into Bucks Elbow Mountain in 1959
Charlottesville Albemarle Airport is located in Virginia and offers non-stop flights to destinations such as Chicago, New York, Atlanta, and Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2020, the airport recorded 90,555 aircraft operations, averaging 248 per day.
On October 30, 1959, Piedmont Airlines Flight 349, a Douglas DC-3, crashed into Bucks Elbow Mountain near Crozet, Virginia, while attempting to land at Charlottesville Albemarle Airport. The aircraft, with 27 passengers and a crew of three on board, struck the ground at 2,600 feet, killing everyone except one passenger, Phil Bradley. Bradley was trapped at the crash site, immobilized by his injuries for over two days until he was finally rescued.
The accident was attributed to a navigational error, resulting in a lateral course error. The official accident report, adopted by the Civil Aeronautics Board and released to the public on April 24, 1961, identified the probable cause as a "'navigational omission' that went undetected and uncorrected due to a lack of precision in instrument flying procedures. It also noted that the captain's preoccupation with mental stress may have contributed to the accident.
The crash site, located on Bucks Elbow Mountain, is accessible via a trek that begins at the Mint Springs Recreation Area. The journey involves hiking upward on the Fire Trail for about half a mile before intersecting with the Big Survey Trail. The climb gains over 1200 vertical feet in just over a mile, leading towards the top of Bucks Elbow Mountain.
Today, a memorial commemorates the tragic event, and visitors can view the crash site and pay their respects. The story of the crash and the sole survivor, Phil Bradley, continues to captivate and inspire those who learn about it.
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The airport has non-stop flights to New York, Atlanta, Charlotte and Chicago
Charlottesville is served by only one major airport: Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (IATA: CHO), which is located 7 miles away from the city centre. The airport offers non-stop flights to New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Chicago, making it easy to travel to and from the city.
New York is a popular destination with convenient non-stop services offered by Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. These flights provide easy connections to other destinations, making it a great choice for travellers looking to explore the East Coast or connect to international destinations.
Atlanta is another key hub with non-stop flight options from Charlottesville. Delta Air Lines provides a seamless connection between these two cities, allowing travellers to conveniently reach their destinations without the need for layovers.
Charlotte, North Carolina, is also easily accessible from Charlottesville with non-stop flight options. American Airlines offers a direct service, making it convenient for travellers looking for a quick and efficient way to travel between these two vibrant cities.
Chicago is the final destination on the list, with twice-daily non-stop flights available on United Airlines. With a flight time of approximately two hours, travellers can easily reach Chicago from Charlottesville, making it a great option for both business and leisure travellers.
Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport provides a convenient gateway to the city of Charlottesville and its surrounding areas. With non-stop flights to these major cities, travellers can easily access various parts of the country, making it a well-connected airport despite its smaller size.
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The Founder's Lounge opened in 2019, offering a quiet space
Charlottesville Albemarle Airport is located in Virginia and has a storied history. In 1959, Piedmont Airlines Flight 349 crashed into Bucks Elbow Mountain during its landing approach, killing all but one of the 27 people on board. Today, the airport offers twice-daily non-stop flights to destinations like Chicago, New York, Atlanta, and Charlotte, NC.
In 2019, the airport opened "The Founders Lounge," a quiet and relaxing space at Gate 5. The lounge is accessible to anyone who purchases a day pass for a small fee. It offers comfortable seating, a conference room, tables, and décor by local artists and craftsmen, showcasing the Charlottesville area's talent and culture. Complimentary beverages and snacks are also provided, making it an excellent spot to unwind or conduct business before a flight.
The Founders Lounge features a full-service bar, a baby grand piano, and upscale lounge seating. The art on display is inspired by the Constitution of the United States, and books about the Founding Fathers are available for perusal. The lounge is also available for rent in conjunction with the Balcony Lounge, creating a more extensive space suitable for business meetings, small lectures, or social events.
The Founders Lounge provides a unique airport experience, combining convenience and tranquility. It is a place where travellers can relax, socialise, or be productive in a calm and comfortable environment. The Founders Lounge has enhanced the airport's amenities, offering a quiet refuge for passengers seeking a moment of peace or a productive workspace before their journeys.
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The airport has an old white oak tree, which is 250-300 years old
Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport is an airport eight miles north of Charlottesville, in Albemarle County, Virginia. The airport, which opened in 1955, underwent major construction in the summer of 2006, including an 800-foot runway extension that began in summer 2010 and was completed in December 2012.
The airport features a 250-300-year-old white oak tree (Quercus Alba), known as the Earlysville White Oak. It is the second-largest white oak in Virginia, standing at 74-75 feet tall with a circumference of 296-321 inches and an 85-100 foot crown. The tree is located on the southernmost point of the airport property, along the approach to Runway 3, in a restricted section of the airport.
Due to its age and size, the tree is considered a historic landmark and is included in Virginia Tech's Virginia Big Tree Database and the Remarkable Trees of Virginia Program. The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport is committed to protecting and preserving this tree and provides information on its website about scheduling visits.
The tree was first brought to the attention of the Virginia Big Tree Program in 1996 by the previous landowners, Barry and Linda McLane. In 2000, the property was acquired by the airport from the McLane family for expansion, and the tree was designated as a Landmark Tree by the Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards in 2014. Due to its proximity to the runway, the tree's existence has been described as perilous at times, and the airport has had to expand its security footprint and erect fencing to restrict access to the area.
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Frequently asked questions
Charlottesville Albemarle Airport is located 10 miles from the center of Charlottesville, VA.
The airport offers non-stop flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, New York, and Chicago.
The airport features "The Founder's Lounge", a quiet lounge area at gate 5 that offers comfortable seating, a conference room, tables, and décor showcasing local artists and craftsmen. Access is available for a small fee.
