St Louis Airports Travel Guide

Key Highlights

• The St. Louis metropolitan area has four main airports. These are St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV), St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS), and Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS).

• Lambert International Airport is the biggest commercial airport in the area. Nearly 16 million people fly in and out of here every year.

• There are many big airlines at these airports. They fly to places in the United States and to other countries, too.

• Each airport has services for people. STL and BLV focus on regular commercial travel. CPS and SUS are more for business aviation.

• There are plenty of choices for parking your car. You can also find good ways to get from the airport to your next stop.

Introduction

Welcome to St. Louis! If you are here for work or fun, getting around the airport is the first thing you will do. The St. Louis metropolitan area in Missouri has many airports. There is more than one option, so you can find the one that works best for you. In this guide, we will show you the main international airport and some smaller places to fly out of. Knowing the differences will help you pick the best airport for your plans. This will help you have a smooth start and finish to your time in St. Louis.

Overview of St. Louis Airports

The St. Louis metropolitan area has a strong aviation scene with four main airports. The largest and busiest is St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL). This is the main airport for most people who travel in or out of the city. There are also other important airports in the area, like MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV), St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS), and Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS).

Each of these airports has its own role. Some are for commercial flights, and others are used for business aviation and general flying. Take a closer look at what the lambert international airport and the other airports offer. This helps you know your options when you fly into or out of the St. Louis metropolitan area.

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)

St. Louis Lambert International Airport, also called STL, is the main airport in the area. It is the busiest airport in Missouri right now. In a recent year, almost 16 million people used the airport. Because of this, the airport is one of the top in the United States when it comes to how many people travel through there. STL has flights from 12 airlines. This means you can get to many places in this country and other countries from here.

Lambert International Airport helps the local economy in a big way. The Federal Aviation Administration has said yes to an early plan. This plan is about combining the two terminals into one new building. Work on this will start in the next few years. The new space will make things better for people who travel and let the airport serve even more flights.

With this focus on the future, STL wants to stay a top place for travel. It has many runways and good buildings, so it can take care of a lot of flights every day. This makes it the most important aviation spot for st louis and the whole region.

MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV)

MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV) gives travelers a great option if they want something easy and quick. You will find it in Illinois, and it is used both by the public and the military. BLV shares its space with Scott Air Force Base, which is an important united states air force base. Many people know BLV for the flights offered with Allegiant. This airline brings low-cost flights to more than ten vacation spots, so it is a favorite for people who want good deals.

The airport has been getting more travelers than ever before. Its new $34 million terminal makes it much easier for people to move around. BLV does a lot more than just fly passengers. It is a place for aviation cargo, for company flights, and for groups in aerospace and manufacturing. Boeing and other big names help it make a big impact on the region’s jobs and economy.

BLV keeps working on ways for people to get there with less hassle. In the future, you will see a MetroLink extension that will connect the airport to more places. BLV stands out in the area’s united states air transportation system. It gives people a smoother trip than the bigger airports nearby.

Downtown and Regional Airport Options

The St. Louis metropolitan area has more than just the big commercial airports. There are important regional airports here that focus on business and general aviation. St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS) and Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS) are two of these key spots. They are often used by private flyers, people with corporate jets, and those in flight training.

These airports are close to the city center. They also offer special services made for private aircraft. Let’s look at what makes each of these regional airports such a valuable part of the Louis area aviation system.

St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS)

If you want an airport close to downtown St. Louis, St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS) is for you. It is just a few minutes away from the Gateway Arch and the city’s center. This spot is seen as the main door for business aviation in the region. Its location helps it stay busy, and you will find the air traffic control tower working with all types of flyers, from big company jets to people flying for fun. It is also one of the top used airports in Illinois.

CPS is a big name in aviation education. The airport is where you find saint louis university’s Department of Aviation Science. This is the oldest flight school in the country, so it brings a lot of future pilots to the area. Because of this, there are always planes moving in and out, making the place busy as a top spot to train new pilots.

The airport has more than one runway and offers top services. These things help make CPS a top pick for both private and business trips. You can also find big names like Gulfstream Aerospace at the airport. All of this adds up to a huge impact, with more than $422 million helping the missouri and illinois area each year from aviation.

Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS)

Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS) is known for being the busiest business aviation airport in its FAA region. The airport sits in St. Louis County. It plays a key role in aviation and business travel in the United States. After STL, it handles the most yearly flights in the area, with close to 155,000 takeoffs and landings each year.

SUS is one of five official Ports of Entry in Missouri. There are over 330 international arrivals every year, and it is a popular place for customs when people fly in on private jets. The airport offers many hangars and has a modern terminal. These help meet the needs of everyone, from single pilots to big companies.

Spirit of St. Louis Airport is fully able to pay for itself, so it does not use any taxpayer money. It also helps the community through events, like the Spirit of St. Louis Air Show. The airport is important for the economy in the Louis area, Missouri, and it also matters to the broader aviation world in the United States.

Services and Amenities at Major St. Louis Airports

A good travel experience can depend on what services and features the airport offers. The main airports in St. Louis—like Lambert International Airport (STL), BLV, CPS, and SUS—have many things that help make your trip better and easier. You can eat and shop in the main parts of these airports. There are also special services just for flyers with private planes. Each airport gives service that fits the needs of who flies there.

If you want to rest before your flight or need some basic travel help, you will find choices at these airports. The next parts will talk about what different things you can use here, with a close look at big places like lambert international airport.

Lounges, Dining, Shopping, and Accessibility

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) wants all travelers to feel welcome and enjoy their time at the airport. You will find many different things to do in every terminal. A special part of the airport is the Lambert Art & Culture Program, where you can see art on display as you walk around the airport. This helps make your wait feel more fun and interesting.

Some airline lounges are for certain airlines such as Southwest Airlines, but there are still many places and services you can use to make your trip nicer. Lambert International Airport is ready to offer both local and well-known brands for food and stores. This means you have lots of places to eat at or shop while you wait for your flight. People who need extra help can expect to find space and services at STL that are made for everybody.

At STL, you can find these options:

• A range of restaurants, cafes, and spots where you can get food fast

• Stores where you can buy travel items, gifts, and things to take home

• Special airline club lounges that some travelers can use

• Restrooms and services that help people with disabilities

Lambert International Airport wants you to have a good experience every time you fly in or out of St. Louis.

Parking and Ground Transportation Options

Getting to or from Lambert International Airport in St. Louis is easy. You will find many ways to park and travel on the ground here. The airport will soon build a bigger main parking garage as part of its big terminal change. This new garage should help make the parking better for all who use lambert international airport.

If you travel out of STL or use another airport nearby, there are options for you. You can pick from parking lots at the airport, shuttle rides, or rental car stations. For MidAmerica Airport, there will be a MetroLink train link in the future. It will be a simple public travel choice.

Common parking and transportation picks are:

• Short-term or long-term parking spots and garages

• Rental car choices from big national companies

• Hotel shuttle buses and private shuttles

• Rideshare cars and taxi options

Airlines, Destinations, and Flight Options

The St. Louis area has many flight choices that can help you reach places around the world. You will find that Lambert International Airport is served by many airlines. Some of the bigger names there are Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines. Southwest Airlines is known for offering the most daily flights. Because of this, travelers can pick from many routes and different prices.

If you want to fly inside the country or take a long trip overseas, the airports in St. Louis have something for everyone. You can find flights with airlines like British Airways for those big international trips. The next parts will show you more about the routes that are available and the airlines you might use for your trip.

Domestic and International Routes

Yes, you can fly straight to international places from St. Louis. Lambert International Airport is now reaching out to more spots around the world. You will find good links to Europe. Right now, there is a direct flight to Frankfurt, Germany, with Lufthansa. There is also a new route to London’s Heathrow Airport with British Airways. These flights help connect St. Louis businesses and people to many parts of the world.

Along with these flights to Europe, the airport also has flights to other countries like Canada. In the United States, airlines like Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines have many flights. They connect St. Louis with lots of other big cities all over the country. This strong set of domestic and overseas options helps make STL, or Lambert, a busy and helpful airport.

Key flight options from St. Louis include:

• Direct international flights to Frankfurt and London.

• Seasonal service to destinations like Montreal, Canada.

• Extensive domestic routes to major U.S. hubs.

• Low-cost flights to leisure destinations from MidAmerica Airport.

Airlines Operating in the St. Louis Area

You can find many different airlines to pick from when you fly to or from St. Louis. Lambert International Airport in St. Louis is the main place for air travel. There are 12 airlines here. This gives you good prices, many flight times, and more places to go.

Southwest Airlines has the most daily flights at STL. It is the airline with the largest number of flights here. Delta Air Lines is here too. It helps people get to other cities in the U.S. For people who want to travel outside the country, British Airways can take you to London. If you need to go to Frankfurt, you can fly with Lufthansa. There is also another airport called MidAmerica Airport. This airport, also called BLV, is where Allegiant offers many low-cost flights for those who just want a nice trip.

Key airlines you’ll find in the st. louis area are:

• Southwest Airlines

• Delta Air Lines

• British Airways

• Allegiant (at BLV)

Comparing the Main St. Louis Airports

When you need to fly, it is a good idea to look at all your choices. St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is the main airport in the area. It has the most flights and air carriers. The other option is MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV), which is smaller. BLV mainly has flights from lower-cost airlines.

Both airports offer things that can help different people. What you choose depends on what is most needed for your trip. In the next parts, we will talk about the things you get at lambert international airport (STL) and BLV. We will also help you figure out what terminal could be best for your needs. It does not matter if you fly for work or fun. This will help you pick what is right for you.

Facilities Comparison: STL vs. BLV

When you compare St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) and MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV), you’ll see two very different but complementary facilities. STL is a large, bustling international airport with multiple terminals and runways designed to handle nearly 16 million passengers a year. It’s a major hub with a vast network of flights.

On the other hand, BLV is a smaller, joint-use airport that offers a more streamlined and less crowded experience. Having recently expanded its terminal, it is focused on serving passengers of its primary carrier, Allegiant. Its dual-use nature with Scott Air Force Base also gives it unique capabilities.

This table highlights the key differences between the two airports:

Feature	St. Louis Lambert Int’l (STL)	MidAmerica St. Louis (BLV)
Primary Role	Largest & busiest commercial airport in Missouri	Joint-use facility with a focus on low-cost carriers
Passenger Volume	Just under 16 million annually	Growing rapidly with record passenger numbers
Main Airlines	12 carriers, including Southwest, Delta, British Airways	Exclusively served by Allegiant
Key Characteristic	Major domestic and international hub with extensive routes	An efficient, low-cost alternative for leisure travel

Which Airport is Best for Your Travel Needs?

Picking the best airport really comes down to your plans. Most people, and those who travel for work, find St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is the top choice. The airport gives you many options when it comes to airlines and places to go. There are even some flights out of the country that don’t stop. This helps if you need to be flexible or make quick choices for business trips. STL has a lot of flights every day, so it is easy to find something that fits your time.

But, if you want a cheap trip and you are going to one of the cities that Allegiant flies to, MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV) is a good one. The airport is not big, so you get through lines fast and walk from the curb to your flight in not much time. This makes flying less hard for people who just want to relax when they travel.

Keep these things in mind to help you pick:

• Choose STL if you want a lot of airlines and the most places to fly to.

• Lambert International Airport is great for people who need choices and different times when they fly for work.

• Pick BLV if you want to fly cheap on Allegiant for fun, not work.

• If you want to get in and out of the airport fast on certain flights, BLV is a smart pick.

Conclusion

To sum up, getting to know the airports in St. Louis can really help make your trip better. When you learn about what each airport offers, like Lambert International or other small airports, you can find what works best for you. Use the many services, helpful staff, and direct flights to make things easy. It does not matter if you are flying for work or fun. If you know about the airport services, you can feel more relaxed and enjoy your time in St. Louis. If you need more help, you can book a free chat with our travel experts to see what will work best for your trip. Have a safe trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get from downtown St. Louis to Lambert International Airport?

Getting from downtown St. Louis to Lambert International Airport is easy. You can pick from a few ways to get there. The MetroLink light rail gives you a straight ride to the airport. You can also use a taxi, a rideshare app, or an airport shuttle. If you want to drive, just take one of the main highways. There is a lot of parking space at Lambert International Airport.

Which St. Louis airport is best for business travelers?

For most people who travel for work, St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is the best place to fly in or out of. It has more airlines to pick from and gives the most flights. You also get direct flights to big cities in the U.S. and other countries. STL is close to business spots in the city. There are many ways to get there and get around, which makes it great for anyone flying for work.

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Are there international flights from St. Louis airports?

Yes, St. Louis Lambert International Airport has direct flights to other countries. You can fly without stopping to Europe. There is a flight to Frankfurt, Germany, with Lufthansa. British Airways will soon have flights to London. This makes it easy for people, whether they fly for work or a fun trip, to reach places outside the US.

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