St. Petersburg, Florida: Which Airport To Choose?

which airport for st petersburg fl

St Petersburg, Florida, is served by two main airports: St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and Tampa International Airport (TPA). St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is located 13 miles from the city centre and offers non-stop service to more than 60 destinations. Tampa International Airport, on the other hand, is a larger airport located 22 miles from St. Petersburg and offers both international and domestic flights. Other nearby airports include Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (33 miles away) and Orlando Sanford International Airport (133 miles away). When deciding which airport to fly into, factors such as flight availability, cost, and convenience should be considered.

Characteristics Values
Nearest major airport St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE / KPIE)
Distance from St. Petersburg, FL 13 miles
Other major airports Tampa International Airport (TPA / KTPA)
Distance from St. Petersburg, FL 22 miles
Other nearby airports Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ / KSRQ)
Distance from St. Petersburg, FL 33 miles
Smaller airports Albert Whitted Airport (SPG / KSPG), Clearwater Air Park (CLW / KCLW), MacDill Air Force Base (MCF / KMCF), Peter O. Knight Airport (TPF / KTPF)
Distance from St. Petersburg, FL 4 miles, 17 miles, 20 miles, 26 miles
Number of airlines serving St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport 25
Annual passenger record (as of 2023) 2.49 million
Terminal Improvement Project budget $110 million

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St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport

The airport has a long history, dating back to its use as a civil airport after World War II. It was originally called Pinellas International Airport, but the name was changed in 1958 as tourists were reportedly unfamiliar with Pinellas County. During the 1950s and 1960s, major U.S. airlines such as Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, and National Airlines served the airport.

Today, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport continues to improve its services. The airport's Terminal Improvement Project aims to enhance passenger capacity and convenience, with construction planned to begin in late 2025.

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Tampa International Airport

TPA has a range of amenities, including water-bottle-refilling stations near the restrooms, mothers' nursing rooms, and a nondenominational chapel in the Main Terminal. There is also a Marriott hotel attached to the airport. Foreign language and American Sign Language translation services are available in the Airport Reception Office, and there is a Visitor Information Booth near Baggage Claim.

The airport is currently undergoing an expansion, with a new Airside D planned to open in 2028. This will feature 16 gates for international and domestic flights, as well as two new airline lounges, one operated by Delta Airlines. This development will enable the airport to serve up to 35 million annual passengers by 2037.

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Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Before the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport was built, Sarasota and Bradenton had separate airfields. Bradenton Airport was established between 1935 and 1937, while Lowe Field, Sarasota's first municipal airport, opened on March 12, 1929. The Sarasota-Bradenton Airport was constructed in 1939 and opened in 1940 with assistance from the CCC and WPA at a cost of $1 million. The airport was intended to replace Lowe Field due to its poor conditions and low capacity.

The airport's IATA code, "SRQ", is used as a nickname for the Sarasota area and is incorporated into the names of various local businesses. The airport's terminal building, designed by Paul Rudolph and John Cromwell, opened in 1959 and included a control tower, ticketing area, offices, gift shop, coffee shop, and a balcony for passengers. In its opening year, the airport served approximately 22,000 annual passengers.

Today, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport offers over 60 nonstop routes and is served by 11 airlines, including Air Canada, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo, Breeze, Delta, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, and Sun Country Airlines. The airport is designed for passenger convenience, with a spacious terminal, short check-in lines, and easily accessible services. Amenities include short and long-term parking, car rentals, dining and shopping options, complimentary WiFi, animal relief areas, ATMs, and massage chairs.

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Albert Whitted Airport

Today, Albert Whitted Airport is an integral part of St. Pete's tourism and economy, with 100,000 flights each year. The airport offers a variety of activities and opportunities to visitors and residents, including sightseeing tours, a park, fine dining, and youth programs. Sightseeing flights are available by helicopter or historic bi-plane, and the airport is also home to the National Airlines Museum. The airport is also a popular place for aspiring pilots to learn to fly, with several independent flight instructors offering lessons.

In addition to its recreational and educational offerings, Albert Whitted Airport also has a practical function. It is one of two smaller airports in the St. Pete-Clearwater area that accept private planes. The airport is also subject to certain rules and regulations, such as restrictions on UAV flights within a five-mile radius of the airport, which includes the entire downtown area.

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Clearwater Air Park

Clearwater Airpark (KCLW) is a small airport located at 1000 N. Hercules Ave, Clearwater, Florida, with an elevation of 71 feet above sea level. The airport is open daily from 7 am to 11 pm, with no landings permitted outside these hours. The airport has one runway, 16/34, with an adjoining taxiway. Runway 34 has a right-traffic pattern for noise abatement, and all departing aircraft are instructed to turn to a heading of 020 as soon as practical.

Clearwater Airpark features a 2,114 square-foot general aviation terminal building, which is scheduled to be replaced. In addition to the terminal, the airport also has a maintenance facility/hangar, approximately 70 T-hangars, 30 covered "shade" hangars, and two corporate (multi-airplane) hangars. One full-service fixed-base operator, FlyUSA Inc., serves the airport tenants and provides services such as fuel. Additional services available at the airpark include aircraft sales, flight instruction, aerial sightseeing, and aerial photography.

The airport was previously known as Clearwater Airpark, but its official name changed in March 2024. It is now part of the FlyUSA family of services portfolio. The airport has a rich history, with the land originally owned by the Fugazzis in the 1930s. They donated parts of the land to the city of Clearwater between 1934 and 1936, and in April 1939, Clearwater Executive Airpark officially opened, catering to transient aircraft.

While Clearwater Airpark serves the area, travellers to St. Petersburg, Florida, may also consider using nearby airports such as St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) or Tampa International Airport (TPA). These larger airports offer more flight options and potentially lower fares. Additionally, Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg is an option for those travelling via private plane.

Frequently asked questions

The nearest airport to St. Petersburg, Florida is St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), located 13 miles from the city centre.

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is another major airport close to St. Petersburg, located 22 miles from the city. Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is also an option, 33 miles from St. Petersburg.

It is recommended to fly into Tampa International Airport (TPA) and drive to St. Petersburg as it is bigger and has more flights that are cheaper. The drive is approximately 30-40 minutes.

There are several accommodation options near St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, including the St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater, which offers an airport shuttle service. The Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater-Ulmerton Road is also a seven-minute taxi or ride-share trip away.

Albert Whitted Airport and Clearwater Air Park are smaller airports in the area that accept private planes.

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