Key Highlights
Here is a quick look at what you should know when you travel through Harrisburg airports:
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Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) has the airport code MDT. This is the main commercial airport for South Central Pennsylvania.
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The airport is a main spot for major airlines. You will find American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Allegiant, and they all offer direct flights.
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You can get nonstop flights to places like Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Orlando.
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HIA has a modern terminal. There are many things you can use and places to eat, along with a connected multi-level parking garage.
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The area has more airports too, like Capital City Airport and nearby places such as Lancaster Airport.
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Getting around is easy. There are rental cars, hotel rides, and public transit you can use.
Introduction
Welcome to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania! No matter if you visit for work or fun, getting around the local airports is the first thing to know. This guide will give you simple facts about Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) and other airports near Harrisburg. Here, you can find what flights you can take and which services are at the airport. We want you to have a good travel time to or from Pennsylvania’s capital area. Get all you need to make your trip easy and stress-free with this guide about harrisburg international airport, harrisburg, and HIA.
Overview of Harrisburg Airports
If you are flying to Harrisburg, you will most likely land at Harrisburg International Airport (MDT). This is the third busiest airport in Pennsylvania. Most people from the United States use this airport when they visit the area. It is the main spot where travelers arrive in Harrisburg.
But Harrisburg International Airport, or HIA, is not your only choice. You can also get in or out through Capital City Airport or nearby places like Lancaster Airport. Knowing how these airports are different can help you pick the one that works best for you. Let’s look at the main options around Harrisburg and some other airports like Lancaster Airport.
Harrisburg International Airport and Capital City Airport Explained
The main difference between Harrisburg International Airport and Capital City Airport is what each airport does and how big they are. Harrisburg International Airport, also known as MDT or KMDT, is the main airport for commercial flights in South Central Pennsylvania. This airport has a large and modern terminal with 12 gates. At this place, you will find many big airlines that fly all over the country.
An interesting fact is that HIA was built where there used to be a U.S. Air Force base called Olmsted Field. This is why the harrisburg international airport has such a big runway and lots of space. The national guard is still there at HIA, and you will see the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 193rd Special Operations Wing is based there.
Capital City Airport, on the other hand, is smaller. Long ago, this airport was used for harrisburg flights before everything moved to the newer HIA location in 1968. Now, Capital City Airport mainly serves people who fly general aviation and private planes. It is not used by large airlines. Most people going on trips will pick harrisburg international airport, or HIA, because it is bigger and has more flights.
Other Nearby Domestic and Private Airports
Besides the two main airports around Harrisburg, you can find other airports within a short drive. These places may give you other travel options that could fit your plans better. It all depends on where in Pennsylvania you want to go. For example, Lancaster Airport (LNS) is about 40 miles from Harrisburg, and it has flights inside the United States.
Lehigh Valley International (ABE) is another big choice close by. It is around 85 miles away from Harrisburg. Like HIA, this airport is important for people traveling in the east part of the state. You might find other flights or better ticket prices by looking at these airports when coming to this region.
If you fly your own small plane or use general aviation, the area near Harrisburg, York, and Lancaster has many smaller airports. These small airfields are in different parts of the counties around here, and private pilots use them all over the United States. Some of the small airports are:
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York Airport (THV)
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Reading Regional Airport (RDG)
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Carlisle Airport
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Gettysburg Regional Airport
Amenities and Services at Harrisburg Airports
Your comfort matters at Harrisburg International Airport. The airport is set up with many services that help you have a good, simple trip. Inside the terminal, you can find all you need. You can relax, have something to eat, or even get work done before your flight.
HIA gives you easy ways to use passenger facilities, find dining options, and ground transportation. From the time you get there, everything goes smoothly. Below, you will see details about what is inside the terminal. You will also learn how to park or get rides to hotels.
Passenger Facilities and Dining Options
The Harrisburg International Airport terminal is made so you can get around with ease. It is a modern place that covers 360,000 square feet. You will see a pier finger design with 12 gates. This helps you find your gate and get to your flight without getting lost. The climate-controlled sky bridge has moving sidewalks and links the terminal to the Multi-Modal Transportation Facility. This means you stay protected from any bad weather when you go between buildings.
While you wait for your flight at the Harrisburg International Airport terminal, there are many things there to help you feel good. You will have seating areas, restrooms, and flight information displays to check your flight. If you need to charge your devices or want to just sit back, these facilities are put in for you and others who fly from Harrisburg.
When you get hungry, you can pick from different dining options at the terminal. Vendor names may change from time to time, but you can always find the right spot to grab a quick snack or, if you want, have a sit-down meal. The main facilities at this Harrisburg terminal are:
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A 12-gate main terminal
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Climate-controlled sky bridge
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Restrooms and seating areas
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Flight information displays
Parking, Ground Transportation, and Hotel Transfers
Getting to and from Harrisburg International Airport is straightforward thanks to the Multi-Modal Transportation Facility (MMTF). This four-story structure is connected to the terminal and centralizes all ground transportation services. The top three floors contain over 2,500 parking spots, offering short-term, daily, and long-term parking to suit your needs.
The first level of the MMTF is where you will find rental car counters, taxis, limos, and shuttles for hotel transfers. This makes it easy to secure transportation to your final destination, whether it is a local hotel or downtown Harrisburg. For public transit, Route 7 of the Capital Area Transit system offers service to surrounding communities.
Finding the right transportation option is simple. The first-floor lobby has information displays and seating areas while you wait. Below is a quick guide to the transportation services available at the MMTF.
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Transportation Option |
Location in MMTF |
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Short & Long-Term Parking |
Levels 2, 3, and 4 |
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Rental Car Counters |
First Floor Lobby |
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Taxis, Limos, & Hotel Shuttles |
First Level |
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Public Bus (CAT Route 7) |
First Level |
Airlines, Destinations, and Flight Information
Harrisburg International Airport, known as MDT, helps you get to cities all over the country. The airport gives you flights with many big airlines. If you want to go on a trip for business or for fun, you can find nonstop destinations that are easy to reach. This makes it simple and quick to start your trip from Central Pennsylvania.
It helps to know which airlines fly from HIA and the places they often go. In the next parts, you will see the main carriers you get at this airport and where they fly most.
Major Airlines Operating at Harrisburg International Airport
Many of the biggest airlines in the United States fly out of Harrisburg International Airport. This gives you lots of choices. American Airlines, along with American Eagle, can take you to big cities like Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia. With their big group of places you can go, you will be able to get just about anywhere in the world.
You can also pick United Airlines or United Express. They have flights from Harrisburg to two main airports they use most in Chicago and Washington. Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection fly to their main cities in Atlanta and Detroit. This means you have more ways to travel between Harrisburg and many other cities.
If you want cheaper flights, Allegiant and Frontier Airlines can be good for you. Allegiant gives you flights from Harrisburg to places in Florida, like Orlando and St. Petersburg. Sometimes, they even have flights to Nashville, depending on the time of year. Frontier takes people from Harrisburg to Orlando, too, so travel to Florida can be easy and less expensive.
Popular Routes and Airport Codes
The airport code for Harrisburg International Airport is MDT. It gets this code because of the nearby town called Middletown. You will use MDT when finding and booking direct flights. This airport gives you nonstop flights to many top business places and places for fun trips. That makes travel easy.
MDT is an important spot for people in the region to connect. It has flights to big hubs often, so you can get to just about anywhere with one stop. The busiest trips from Harrisburg International Airport go to major airline hubs in the eastern and central parts of the United States.
If you are going for work or just want a good time, there are great options for you. Some of the most popular direct flights from Harrisburg (MDT) are:
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Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT)
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Chicago, Illinois (ORD)
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Atlanta, Georgia (ATL)
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Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (DFW)
Conclusion
When you visit the Harrisburg airports, you will see that they give you more than just a place to catch a flight. These hubs are made to help you have a good time when you travel. At Harrisburg International Airport, you can use many quick and handy services. At Capital City Airport, you will find a warm and friendly spot to wait. There is something here for all people.
You can find places to eat, spots to park your car, or details about airlines and where they fly. This guide has shown you the key things you need to know about these airports. If you know how things work at Harrisburg International Airport, you will travel much better and have a good time. If you are set to go out on another trip, you can book your flight right now!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Harrisburg International Airport to downtown Harrisburg?
You can go from Harrisburg International Airport to downtown Harrisburg in a few ways. The Capital Area Transit (CAT) puts out the Route 7 bus and it runs from the terminal. Taxis, hotel shuttles, and rental cars are also there at the Multi-Modal Transportation Facility right by the terminal.
Is long-term parking available at Harrisburg airports?
Yes, you can use long-term parking at Harrisburg International Airport. The lot is inside a parking garage with many levels. This garage is part of the Multi-Modal Transportation Facility. It is also connected to the Harrisburg airport terminal by a walkway that is climate-controlled. There are daily rates and long-term rates for parking, so you have a good choice for your needs.
What is the difference between Harrisburg International Airport and Capital City Airport?
The big difference between the two is what they do. Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), also known as HIA, is the main airport for the Harrisburg area. It works with big airlines. Capital City Airport is smaller. It mostly deals with general flights, business planes, and private jets. Most people who fly in and out of Harrisburg use HIA.