The Quad Cities Airport: A Convenient Midwest Travel Hub

where is the quad cities airport

The Quad Cities International Airport (MLI) is located in Moline, Illinois, and serves travellers across Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. The airport offers daily nonstop flights to and from destinations across the United States, accommodating various aircraft with its long runways, ILS, and high-intensity lighting. With a history dating back to 1919, the airport has undergone several renovations and currently provides efficient customer service, convenient public transit, and modern amenities for travellers in the region.

Characteristics Values
Name Quad Cities International Airport
Location Moline, Illinois
Code MLI
Services Daily nonstop flights to/from U.S. destinations and major hubs
Public Transit Quad Cities MetroLINK
Renovations $20-$40 million renovation announced in 2021 to update and expand the ticketing area, widen the TSA screening area, and add an indoor/outdoor garden and observation deck
History Site of Charles Lindbergh's visit in 1927 during a cross-country commercial aviation promotion tour

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Quad Cities International Airport location

Quad Cities International Airport (MLI) is located in Moline, Illinois, and serves travellers across Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. The airport offers daily nonstop flights to and from destinations across the United States, connecting to major hubs. It is accessible via public transit through the Quad Cities MetroLINK service.

The airport's history dates back to 1919 when Franing Field, the site of the present airport, was chosen as a control point for the first coast-to-coast flight. In 1927, an estimated 10,000 people gathered at the airport to welcome Charles Lindbergh and his plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, during a cross-country commercial aviation promotion tour. The airport has continued to evolve, with various renovations and expansions over the years, including updates to its runways and taxiways.

Quad Cities International Airport is capable of accommodating various aircraft, even the Airbus A380, thanks to its long runways, ILS, and high-intensity lighting. The airport also boasts a range of facilities, including a processing room, interview rooms, space for agricultural inspections, office space, and holding cells.

In March 2021, the airport announced a significant renovation project with an estimated cost of $20-$40 million. This project aims to update and expand the ticketing area, enhance the TSA screening area, and provide modern amenities such as an indoor/outdoor garden, observation deck, modern seating, and power sources. These improvements reflect the airport's commitment to providing a stress-free and convenient travel experience for its customers.

The airport terminal doors open at 3:30 a.m., and passengers are advised to arrive early, allowing ample time for check-in and screening processes. The airport's website provides detailed information on flight schedules, airline policies, and recommendations for a smooth travel experience.

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Renovations and modernisation

Quad Cities International Airport is a public airport in Rock Island County, Illinois, three miles (5 km) south of Moline, partly in Blackhawk Township and partly in Coal Valley Township. The airport serves the Quad Cities Metropolitan area, including Davenport and Bettendorf in Scott County, Iowa, as well as Moline in Rock Island County, Illinois.

Quad Cities International Airport has undergone and is currently undergoing several renovations and modernisation projects. The airport terminal was completed in 1985, and nearly 40 years later, in 2021, the airport announced a major renovation costing $20-$40 million. This renovation project included an update and expansion of the ticketing area, a wider TSA screening area, an indoor/outdoor garden and observation deck, modern seating and power sources, and exterior solar panels above covered parking.

In 2022, the airport began a reconstruction process to alter its layout, which included shortening runway 5/23 by 1500 feet and adding a new taxiway parallel to the main commercial runway 9/27.

The airport has also unveiled plans for another $20-40 million major terminal renovation, known as Project GATEWAY, which will transform the pre-security side (landside) of the airport. The first phase of this project was completed in 2025 and included updated ticket counters and a new baggage handling facility, resulting in a seamless baggage screening process. The next phase will involve renovations to public-facing areas, including replacing the terminal's brick floors, adding a curbside canopy, updating restrooms, relocating public meeting spaces, and creating an indoor and outdoor observation area.

These modernisation projects aim to enhance efficiency, comfort, and convenience for travellers, creating a world-class travel experience at Quad Cities International Airport.

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Transport to and from the airport

The Quad Cities International Airport (MLI) is located in Moline, Illinois, and is easily accessible by road, rail, and river.

By Car

The Quad Cities are accessible via I-80, I-74, I-88, and several major state highways. The airport is around 160 miles from both Chicago, IL, and Des Moines, IA, and 303 miles from Indianapolis, IN.

By Bus

The METRO bus stops in front of the airport terminal twice an hour. The airport can also be reached via Bettendorf Transit, Davenport CitiBus, and the Greyhound Transit Center in Davenport.

By Rail

The Quad Cities are served by three freight railroads, transporting goods and passengers through the region and beyond.

By Boat

The Mississippi River provides access to the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes, and foreign ports. The river is a low-cost, environmentally-friendly transportation option, with barges carrying nearly 700 million tons of commodities annually.

Other Options

Several limousine and shuttle services operate in the Quad Cities, providing transportation to and from the airport. Rental cars are also available at the airport and throughout the region.

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Airlines and destinations

Quad Cities International Airport (IATA: MLI, ICAO: KMLI, FAA LID: MLI) is located in Rock Island County, Illinois, three miles (5 km) south of Moline, partly in Blackhawk Township and partly in Coal Valley Township. The airport serves the Quad Cities Metropolitan area, including Davenport and Bettendorf in Scott County, Iowa, as well as Moline in Rock Island County, Illinois.

The airport does not have any international commercial passenger flights, but it does have the capability to handle any aircraft in almost any weather, with long runways, ILS, and high-intensity lighting. The airport serves travellers in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, supporting 11 nonstop hubs and destinations, with hundreds of domestic and international connections beyond.

The cities served by the airport include Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Las Vegas, Orlando-Sanford, Phoenix-Mesa, St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Sarasota, and the Ft. Myers area via Punta Gorda.

The airport provides a range of services and amenities for travellers, including a processing room, an interview room, space for agricultural inspections, office space, and holding cells for passengers who are prohibited from entering the U.S. or who are being detained by law enforcement. The terminal features a full-service Air Host Restaurant, a full-service bar, a Paradies Gift Shop, a shoe shine service, post office boxes, and a mail drop. An art gallery featuring local and regional modern and contemporary art is located near the security checkpoint, and a visitor information centre near baggage claim provides local tourism information and directions. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport.

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Screening and check-in times

The Quad Cities International Airport recommends that passengers allow themselves ample time to check in and go through the screening process. Most airlines close their counters to passenger check-in 30 minutes prior to the listed departure time, and most expect passengers to be in the boarding gate area 20–30 minutes prior to flight time. The airport terminal doors open at 3:30 a.m., and the screening checkpoint, baggage screening (public area), and airline ticket counters open two hours prior to each airline's first morning departure. If your flight departs between 5:50 a.m. and 6:40 a.m., you should check in two hours prior to departure.

Passengers with disabilities that may not be immediately apparent can choose to wear a Sunflower identifier to indicate to airport staff that they may need additional assistance or time. A Hidden Disabilities Sunflower decal is at each entrance to the airport, and employees may also wear a pin to signify their support for people with hidden disabilities. Wristbands may be available to passengers with non-visible disabilities who would like to wear the Sunflower in the airport's administrative offices.

TSA Cares provides travellers with information on what to expect during the screening process, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on weekends and holidays. Travellers can submit a request for screening assistance via a link on the TSA website. The airport experience is designed to be equitable and equipped to assist travellers with special needs. The customer care team can assist travellers who need wheelchair assistance from the airline ticket counters to their gate, or from their gates to baggage claim. For hearing-impaired guests, TTY machines are available at all public payphone terminals.

Frequently asked questions

The Quad Cities International Airport is located in Moline, Illinois.

Airlines operating from the Quad Cities Airport include American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta.

The airport offers daily nonstop flights to/from major hubs and destinations across the United States, including Orlando and Denver.

Public transit service to the airport is provided by Quad Cities MetroLINK.

The airport features a processing room, an interview room, space for agricultural inspections, office space, holding cells, and a screening checkpoint. It also offers daily nonstop flights and convenient connections to various destinations.

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