Champaign Willard Airport Travel Guide - Beyond Borders

Champaign Willard Airport Travel Guide

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Key Highlights

  • Champaign Willard Airport (CMI) is easy to reach. The University of Illinois owns and manages it.

  • You can fly straight from Willard to big airports like Chicago O’Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth.

  • CMI is here for the Champaign-Urbana area. This makes travel simple for students, workers, and other people who live in this area.

  • There are new things happening at this airport. Now, there is more service to Dallas. CMI also has plans to fix up and improve its terminal.

  • You will find all you need for your trip. There are car rentals and lots of spots for parking. This helps you to have a good and smooth time when you travel.

  • CMI also helps the city in a big way. The airport does a lot to help the local economy and creates jobs in Champaign.

Introduction

Welcome to Champaign Willard Airport! This is the main airport for the Champaign-Urbana area. It is a big travel spot for central Illinois too. The airport is owned and run by the University of Illinois. You will find it easy to travel here. Students, faculty, people who live in the area, and visitors all use this place.

If you are coming for a visit to the campus, on a work trip, or ready to start a new trip from here, you will get everything you need for your travel at CMI. This guide will help you know all the important things, so your time at Willard will be easier.

Essential Information About Champaign Willard Airport

Planning your trip at the University of Illinois Willard Airport is easy when you have the right info. The airport is a short drive south of Savoy, in Tolono Township, Illinois. The code for this airport is CMI. It is the local airport if you live in the Champaign-Urbana area. This public airport gives you a direct way to travel anywhere in the world. The terminal is simple for people to use and helps make travel smoother for everyone.

Knowing how the airport is set up and what services are there can help you get around without trouble. Below, you will see details about contact information, what airlines you can fly with, and where flights can take you from Willard.

[university of illinois willard airport]

Airport Code, Location, and Contact Details

When booking flights or looking up information, you’ll need to know that the official airport code for the University of Illinois Willard Airport is CMI. This three-letter code is used by airlines and travel agencies to identify the airport. Being owned by the University of Illinois, its official name is the University of Illinois Willard Airport, located in Tolono Township, Illinois.

Are you trying to find the airport or get in touch with staff? Having the correct address and contact information is crucial for planning your travel. The airport is situated south of Champaign-Urbana, making it easily accessible. For detailed operational data, pilots and aviation enthusiasts often refer to resources like AirNav.

Here are the key contact and location details for your convenience:

Information

Details

Airport Code

CMI

Address

1 University of Illinois Willard Airport, Savoy, IL 61874

Website

iflycu.com

Operator

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Airlines, Flight Destinations, and Schedule Overview

Right now, American Eagle is the main airline at Willard Airport. It flies to two big U.S. hubs and helps people travel inside the country or catch a trip to another country. This is important for people who fly for work and for those who fly for fun in the area.

Are you thinking about where you can fly straight with no stops? The airport has flights every day and you can get to big cities like Chicago and Dallas right away. You don’t have to worry about changing planes. This will help you make a plan for your trip easy. It also cuts your travel time. Willard has more than one runway. This helps the airport handle flights well and keeps navigation easy for all planes at the airport.

Direct flights go to these places:

  • Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

  • Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

You will find two daily flights from the airport to Dallas/Fort Worth. You also get two flights every day to Chicago O’Hare. You can pick a time that works best for you.

Facilities and Traveler Services at Willard Airport

The terminal at Willard Airport is built to give you a relaxed and easy experience. It is smaller than large international airports, but you will get the main things you need before you board the plane. You can get around the terminal with no trouble, so you will feel less stress and have more time to sit back before flying.

You can find food and there are services for every traveler. The airport has many things in place to help make your trip better. Let’s check out what you can use in the terminal and how you can get from the airport to other places.

Amenities, Dining, and Accessibility Features

Inside the Willard Airport terminal, you will find many things that help make your time better as you wait. The airport wants to give you a place that is both useful and comfortable. Even though Willard is a smaller airport, it still offers what you need before you get on your flight.

The airport cares about accessibility for all people. The terminal is set up so that anyone with a disability can get around with ease. This helps everyone have a smooth trip from check-in up to when you board. If you need something special, it is a good idea to call the airline before your travel day.

Key amenities and features at the Willard terminal include:

  • Car rental agencies found inside the terminal

  • Paid parking lots that are close to the building

  • An easy-to-understand terminal layout with five gates

  • Plans for more space and growth for both the terminal and TSA areas to help service get better

Parking Options, Costs, and Transportation Connections

Parking at Willard Airport is straightforward, with options available right next to the terminal. Whether you’re leaving for a short trip or an extended vacation, you can find a spot in the paid parking lot. The convenience of being just a short walk from the check-in counters saves you time and effort. The parking area is designed to be secure and accessible.

The costs for parking are structured to accommodate both short-term and long-term needs. Understanding the fee structure ahead of time can help you budget for your trip. In addition to parking, the airport hosts four car rental agencies within the terminal, providing another convenient transportation option upon your arrival.

Here is a general overview of parking options and costs:

Parking Option

Features

Paid Parking Lot

Conveniently located near the terminal for easy access.

Rental Car Lot

Designated parking for rental vehicles.

Curbside Zone

Available for quick loading and unloading of passengers.

Getting To and From Champaign Willard Airport

Getting to and from Willard Airport is easy for people from the University of Illinois or other places in the Champaign-Urbana area. The airport is in a good spot and you can reach it by car with no trouble. There are signs to help you find your way. The roads go straight to the airport, so it’s simple to catch your flight to Dallas or any other place.

Public transit is not great, but there are other good choices to help you be on time. In the next part, we will share the best ways to get to Willard Airport. This includes how to drive there and how you can use rideshare too.

Directions from University of Illinois Campus

If you are leaving the University of Illinois campus, it is easy and fast to drive to Willard Airport. The airport is just a few miles south of campus, so it is very close for students, staff, and visitors. Getting there does not take long or require difficult navigation, and you can reach the terminal in about 10-15 minutes if traffic is light.

To make the drive, you will mostly use U.S. Route 45. This road goes south from Champaign. Most people on campus just drive south on Neil Street or another main street to get to Route 45. Look for signs for Willard Airport and follow them. These signs will take you straight to the terminal entrance.

If you have a GPS, put in “Willard Airport” or the airport address. The GPS will give you easy turn-by-turn navigation. The airport’s location near the university of illinois campus is a big plus for anyone flying out of CMI. You do not have to worry about long drives like those needed for bigger airports farther away.

Public Transit, Taxi, and Rideshare Availability

When you want to get to the airport terminal, you need to know what options you have. You might wonder, can you use public transit? As of 2023, there is no direct public transit that takes you right to the airport terminal. The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) does run service to Savoy. This spot is about one mile from the airport. But, it does not go all the way to the terminal.

Still, you do have some good ways to get to the airport. You can call a taxi or use a rideshare. Both taxi services and rideshare companies are easy to find around the Champaign-Urbana area. They can take you straight to your terminal. People often book a taxi or use a rideshare app on their phones. It is a smart and simple way to get to the airport on time.

Your choices for getting there include:

  • Taxi Services: You can use local taxi companies that drive to and from the terminal.

  • Rideshare: Companies like Uber and Lyft work in this area. Many people use these to get to the terminal.

  • Rental Cars: There are four rental car agencies at the terminal you can use.

  • Personal Vehicle: If you drive your own car, you will find parking at the airport, which makes this an easy choice.

Conclusion

To sum up, getting around Champaign Willard Airport can be easy when you have good information. You just need to know the main things about the airport and some details that matter. It’s also helpful to learn about the services and the things they offer for people traveling. Being ready ahead of time is the best way to have a smooth trip. It does not matter if you are going to the University of Illinois or taking a flight to another place in Illinois or outside, this guide is here to help you. If you want to know more or you have questions, you can always ask. Have a good and safe trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the current COVID-19 guidelines at Champaign Willard Airport?

Passenger numbers at Willard went down during the COVID-19 pandemic, but now more people travel again. The FAA and airport rules can still change. For the latest info about health and safety in the terminal, check the FAA website and Willard’s website before you go.

What cities can you fly direct to from Champaign Willard Airport?

You can fly straight from Willard Airport to two big places. American Eagle has flights every day to Chicago O’Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth. You can get good connections from both of these, so it’s easy to go on to other spots in the US or to another country. The whole navigation for your trip will be simple and quick.

Where can travelers find recent reviews about Willard Airport?

For recent traveler reviews about their time at Willard, you can look at popular travel websites and search engine results. AirNav gives you a lot of technical facts about Willard, but sites made for travelers will help you see what the terminal, the amenities, and the whole trip are really like.