Key Highlights
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Albany International Airport (ALB) is the main airport for the Capital Region in New York. It is also the oldest municipal airport in the United States.
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The Albany airport has nonstop flights to many places that people want to go. You can fly with major airlines like Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue.
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There are new upgrades at the Albany airport. One of them is a large parking garage for 1,000 cars. There is a heated walkway that takes people right to the terminal.
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The airport gives travelers many amenities. People will find new concessions, stores for shopping, and easy places to sit and wait.
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Getting to ALB is simple and fast. There is a dedicated exit on Interstate 87 which helps reduce traffic and cuts down on travel time.
Introduction
Welcome to your easy guide for Albany International Airport! The airport is a key spot for people in the Capital Region, Northeastern New York, and Western New England. It works as the main path in and out of this busy area. If you are coming for the first time or travel a lot, Albany International, or ALB, has a lot to offer. It has a long history and the airport is also up-to-date for your travel needs. This guide will help you know what to do, from parking your car and finding food to learning about the airlines and all the places you can go. You will get the tips that make your trip easy and stress-free.
Overview of Albany International Airport
Albany International Airport is the main place for air travel in Upstate New York. It acts as a big air spot for people who live in New York and those who are just visiting. You will find it in Colonie. This spot is only six miles from Albany and sits close to Albany Shaker Road. Because of this, people get easy access to other locations near the airport.
The airport goes by the official code ALB. You will see this code when you look at your tickets or your bag tags. ALB is now the fourth-largest airport in New York. It helps connect the Upstate New York area to the rest of the country. Keep reading here to learn more facts about its spot and history.
Airport Code, Location, and Access
Are you thinking about where Albany International Airport is? The airport is six miles northwest of Albany, New York, in the town of Colonie. Its official code is ALB. You will see this three-letter code everywhere in your flight details because airlines and air traffic use it to show this airport.
It is easy to get to Albany International. The airport sits right by Interstate 87. You can take the new Exit 3, which brings you straight to the airport campus using Albany Shaker Road. This exit helps cut down on travel time. It also keeps traffic moving better, so getting to the airport becomes faster and less stressful.
After you reach the airport, going from your car to the terminal is simple too. The parking garage connects to the terminal with a heated bridge where you walk from the garage to the check-in area. In winter, this spot keeps you warm and dry while you get ready to start your journey.
Brief History and Expansion Milestones
Albany International Airport is the first municipal airport in the United States. It started in 1908. The airport was once on a polo field. It moved a few times before it got to its Shaker location in 1928. That has made it a big part of aviation in New York State.
Through the years, Albany International has grown to keep up with people’s needs. In 1962, a new terminal building went up. There was another upgrade in 1979. The airport saw a major change in June when it got a whole new terminal in 1998. This was built around parts that were already there to make the space better for everyone. Right after, in 1999, an addition was made to Concourse C for Southwest Airlines.
Not long ago, Albany International finished a big project in 2020. The airport now has a new parking garage that can hold 1,000 cars. There are new escalators, and the concessions have also been updated. If you want tips for flying out from Albany International, keep in mind all these updates. It’s always smart to arrive at the terminal at least 90 minutes early for your flight. You will have enough time to get through security and find your way inside.
Airlines and Destinations Served
Albany International Airport is your gateway to many places across the world. There are different airlines to choose from. Some are big airlines, some offer low fares, and there are also regional choices. This means there is a good mix for both business trips and vacations. You can go on a number of nonstop flights from Albany to many top cities in the United States, which helps make travel plans easy.
You will find details about flights to different cities in the country and even some flights to Canada. If you want to check arrivals and departures at Albany International, you can do that on the airport’s website or by calling 518-242-AFLY. The information below will give more details about which airlines fly from Albany and where they go.
Major Carriers and Regional Airlines
If you want to know what airlines fly out of Albany International, you have lots of options. ALB is served by big name airlines as well as some regional ones. Southwest Airlines takes the biggest share of flights, but you can also find good deals with other airlines flying to places all over the country.
The main airlines with flights from Albany International are:
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Southwest Airlines
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American Airlines
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Delta Air Lines
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United Airlines
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JetBlue
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Allegiant Air
Along with these major airlines, Albany has had ties with smaller carriers, too. For example, CommuteAir used to have a hub at ALB. This airline has linked smaller cities in the Northeast. Now, CommuteAir flies for United Express and connects ALB with United’s Dulles hub. This range of airline options at Albany International means you will find a good flight for your travel plans.
Domestic and International Routes
From Albany, you can take nonstop flights to many exciting domestic destinations, perfect for a vacation or business trip. Whether you’re planning a sunny getaway or a visit to a major city, the airport’s route map has you covered. Popular nonstop destinations include Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando.
The airport connects Upstate New York with key hubs throughout the United States. Here is a sample of popular destinations and the airlines that serve them:
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Destination |
Airlines |
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Baltimore, MD |
Southwest Airlines |
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Orlando, FL |
JetBlue, Southwest Airlines |
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Chicago, IL |
American Airlines, United Airlines |
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Atlanta, GA |
Delta Air Lines |
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Fort Lauderdale, FL |
JetBlue, Southwest Airlines |
In addition to these domestic routes, the airport has previously offered flights to international destinations in Canada. With a growing list of direct flights and connections through major hubs, Albany International Airport makes it easy to plan your next journey, no matter where you need to go.
Terminal Facilities and Passenger Amenities
The main terminal at Albany International Airport is set up to make your visit easy and comfortable. The building has two levels. On Level 1, you will find the airline check-in counters, the baggage claim area, and car rental services. When you finish with check-in, you need to go to Level 2. That is where you pass through the security checkpoint.
After you get through security, there is a central atrium. From here, you can get to all three concourses: A, B, and C. In this spot, the airport has many amenities for you. There are new escalators and updated concessions you can use while you wait for your flight. The next parts will share more about the dining, shopping, and accessibility options you get at the Albany International terminal.
Dining, Shopping, and Lounge Options
After you get through the security checkpoint at Albany International, you will find many places on the second level to eat or shop. These options make it easy if you want a snack, a meal, or if you forgot to pack something you need for your trip.
For shopping, there are stores in the airport that let you pick up different items. These shops have local gifts, popular books, and other things people often buy, like:
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Tech Valley Connect: You can get tech accessories and gadgets for your trip.
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Capital Market Place: This is a good place for local souvenirs or gifts.
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CNBC Smart Shop: Get books, news, travel items, and snacks here.
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News Channel 13 Shop: Here you can buy newspapers, magazines, and more things to read.
These airport shops in Albany offer items like snacks, drinks, luggage, and clothes. If you get hungry before your flight, food and drink concessions are in the concourses. There are also vending machines by baggage claim on the first level, which is handy if you want something quick.
So, when flying in or out of Albany International, you will find all the amenities and concessions you need to make your time at the airport better.
Accessibility and Special Services for Travelers
Albany Airport wants to make sure that all people have a good and easy time when they come to the airport. The airport gives special services and amenities to help travelers. These are in place to help you get through security, from parking your car, and all the way to your flight.
Here are some important services and features you’ll find at Albany Airport:
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TSA Pre-Check: There is a faster security line for people who qualify for TSA Pre-Check. This makes getting through the airport security easier and quicker.
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Curbside Skycap Service: At the terminal, Delta Air Lines has workers outside to help with your bags. Check the hours first to make sure they can help you when you need them.
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Modernized Facilities: The airport has made a lot of updates. There are new escalators, better restrooms, and nicer waiting areas. All of these changes are to help you be more comfortable when you travel.
There is also a heated walkway that runs from the parking garage to the terminal. This is very helpful when the weather is not good and helps everyone reach the terminal safely. The layout of Albany Airport and new renovations are made so your trip is simple from the start—whether you want to go to check-in, baggage claim, or your gate.
Parking, Ground Transportation, and Nearby Hotels
Planning your trip to and from the Albany airport is easy. There are many choices for parking, getting to and from the airport, and places to stay. Is parking available at Albany International Airport? Yes, you will find a few airport lots right at the albany airport. There is even a multi-level parking garage. You can pick one that fits your trip time and price.
If you have an early flight or you just want to be close, there are a few hotels nearby. Are there any hotels near Albany International Airport? Yes, several hotels are only a short drive from albany airport. Some of them even have free shuttle rides. The part below has more information about airport lots, ground transport, parking garage options, and prices so you can plan your trip well.
Parking Options, Rates, and Ground Transit Choices
You will find several convenient choices for parking at Albany Airport. Options include short-term parking for quick trips, long-term lots for extended stays, and a large parking garage. For a more budget-friendly choice, the Economy E-lot offers shuttle service to and from the terminal 24 hours a day. The airport also provides electric vehicle charging stations in both the Long Term lot and the parking garages.
While parking rates vary, you can typically expect different pricing for each lot. All airport lots accept credit cards, and most also accept EZ-Pass Plus for easier payment. Here are the main parking and transit options:
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Service Type |
Options Available |
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On-Airport Parking |
Short-Term, Long-Term, Parking Garage, Economy E-Lot |
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Off-Airport Parking |
Albany Park Ride and Fly (Pre-Booking Available) |
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Ground Transportation |
CDTA Bus, Taxis, Uber, Lyft, Adirondack Trailways |
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Nearby Hotels |
Crowne Plaza, Microtel Inn, and others with “Park, Sleep, and Fly” packages |
For ground transit, you can catch a CDTA bus, hail a taxi, or use rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Intercity bus services from Adirondack Trailways and Vermont Translines are also available. Additionally, the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station is just 14 miles away, providing further connections. Many local hotels, like the Crowne Plaza, offer park, sleep, and fly packages, which are perfect for reducing travel day stress.
Conclusion
To sum up, Albany International Airport gives travelers a nice and easy time, whether you fly in the country or outside it. The terminal at albany international has many airlines and spots to go. There are modern things and good amenities set up for visitors. You can pick dining places that fit what you want. There is also easy ways with transportation. The airport is built to help with all parts of your trip.
If you want everything to go well, look into parking at albany international and find hotels close to the terminal. Take some time to get ready, so nothing gets missed while you travel. When you are getting set for your next trip, think about albany international. This way, your journey can be simple and smooth. We hope you have good travels!