Key Highlights
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Midland International Air & Space Port is a one-of-a-kind place in west Texas. It works as both a commercial airport and a licensed space port.
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You can fly with airlines like Southwest Airlines, American Eagle, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines from here to many big cities.
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This is the first spot in the US to be approved as both a commercial airport and a spaceport by the FAA.
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You can learn the story of the Midland International Air & Space Port. It started as a World War II bombardier school and now is strong in both aviation and aerospace.
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The Midland International Air & Space Port helps grow the local economy and is a big driving force for the region.
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It sits between Midland and Odessa in Texas. The airport gives many services and makes travel easier for people.
Introduction
Welcome to your simple guide to Midland International Air & Space Port (MAF). This place is in the middle of Texas and is truly special. The City of Midland owns and runs the whole Midland International Air & Space Port. It is not just for flights from a commercial airport. MAF is also the first FAA-licensed commercial airport to be called a real spaceport.
If you need to be in the Permian Basin for work or want to fly across the country, Midland International offers both. The airport shows the rich aviation history and brings new ideas in aerospace. The future of travel in midland starts here—with both air travel and space journeys.
Airlines, Destinations, and Space Operations at Midland International Air and Space Port
Getting ready for your trip is easy at the Midland International Air & Space Port. This commercial airport has flights from big airlines like Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. They help you get to many top places and main hubs. You can find daily flights that work for your schedule.
Midland International is not just a commercial airport. MAF is also a commercial space launch site. The spaceport plays a big role in aerospace work and new ideas in the area. Let’s look at the different flight routes you can use and what goes on at the spaceport.
Commercial Airlines and Flight Routes
When you fly from Midland International, you get to pick from many carriers that have daily flights to many places. Southwest Airlines is the largest at Midland International Air and uses big planes, while the others give you regional jet service. This means you have lots of flexible choices for your travel.
The airlines will take you to big hubs, so it is easy to get a direct flight or make a connection. You can trust well-known names, like American Eagle, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.
Do you want to know where you can go? Midland International offers direct flights to some top cities, like:
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Dallas (Love Field and Fort Worth)
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Houston (Hobby Airport and Intercontinental Airport)
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Denver International Airport
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Phoenix, Austin, and Las Vegas
Spaceport Activities and Future Prospects
The “Space Port” part of the name is real. In 2014, Midland International Air & Space Port became the first main airport for commercial service to get a spaceport license from the FAA. Right now, it does not have commercial space trips for people. Even so, you will find it busy with the commercial space industry.
This special license lets it do horizontal launch work. That is why aerospace companies come here to test and work on new ideas and tech. Long ago, the spaceport was built mostly for XCOR Aerospace and its reusable space vehicle. While that company stopped running, people and new businesses still use the facilities to push ahead.
These days, the spaceport brings together satellite technology companies and many more focused on aerospace work and research. With advanced tools like the Midland Altitude Chamber Complex (MACC), Midland International Air & Space Port is moving the future of commercial space. It helps create new tech and keeps midland at the head of the spaceport field.
Getting to Midland International Air and Space Port
Getting to the Midland International Air and Space Port is easy. This commercial airport is right between Midland and Odessa. So, people from both cities can get to it easily. The City of Midland makes sure the airport has good connections to the area.
You can drive yourself or use public transportation. There are ways to get to the terminal for your flight. Below, you will see more information about driving directions and parking at the midland international air and space port.
Driving Directions and Public Transportation Options
Getting to Midland International Air is easy because the airport is in the middle of everything. If you come from downtown Midland, you will go west to reach the terminal. If you start from Odessa, you will drive east. Midland International is right next to the main highways that link Midland and Odessa.
The airport does not have many full public transport lines, but you still have a few options. You can call a taxi or use your favorite ride-sharing app to go to or leave the terminal. Some hotels in Midland offer shuttle rides for their guests, making the trip simple.
For people driving, roads to the airport are easy to follow. You need to remember:
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From Midland: Take I-20 Business Loop W straight to the airport exit.
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From Odessa: Follow I-20 E and take the TX-450 Spur/W-2 exit.
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Use a real-time map app for a good, fast way to the airport. Traffic can change things.
Midland International is set up to make getting in or out simple, no matter which way you go.
Parking Facilities and Rates
The Midland International Air & Space Port offers several convenient parking facilities right next to the terminal. Whether you need short-term parking for a quick drop-off or long-term options for an extended trip, you’ll find a spot that suits your needs. The lots are well-lit, secure, and within easy walking distance of the main building.
Parking rates are structured to provide choices for every budget and length of stay. The commercial airport aims to make your travel experience smooth from the moment you arrive, and that includes hassle-free parking.
For the most current rates, it’s always a good idea to check the airport’s official website. However, here is a general idea of the parking options and typical rate structures you might find:
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Parking Lot Type |
Typical Rate Structure |
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Short-Term |
Per hour, with a daily max |
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Long-Term |
Daily and weekly rates |
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Covered Parking |
Premium daily rate |
Airport Facilities, Amenities, and Passenger Services
Your time at the Midland International Air & Space Port will be both comfortable and easy. The modern terminal at midland international gives you many options and services to make your trip better. There are good places to eat, so you can grab something before your flight. The airport also has things to help people with different needs.
You will find the main things you need here. Security checkpoints are handled by the TSA, so you know you are safe. If you lose something, the Lost & Found can help you get it back. Let’s look at what the midland international terminal offers along with these other helpful services.
Terminal Amenities and Dining Options
The terminal at Midland International Air & Space is a good place to relax before you get on your flight. You can find soft seating, so you can sit down and rest. There are charging stations for your phone or laptop. You also get free Wi-Fi, so you can stay in touch online. The terminal is easy to get around with simple signs to help you find your gate.
If you feel hungry, there are places to get food. You can get coffee in a hurry, a snack, or even a meal. There are plenty of choices to pick from. Midland International Air & Space makes sure you have what you need before your flight.
Some of the things you will see in the terminal include:
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A mix of restaurants and cafes
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Gift shops for quick souvenirs or travel things you may need
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The “Pliska” airplane on show above the baggage area
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Business centers or places to sit and work
Midland International makes things easy, so the time you wait feels better.
Accessibility, Security, and Lost & Found Services
The Midland International Air & Space Port wants all people to have a safe and easy time when they travel. The terminal has ramps and restrooms that anyone can use. It also has things to help those who need help moving around. If you need a wheelchair, you can ask your airline to give you one.
Security matters at the midland international air & space port. TSA checks are done to make sure everyone is safe. It is good to follow the rules for your bags so things go well. The staff at the midland international terminal can help you when you go through the checkpoint.
If you lose something in the terminal at midland international, the Lost & Found team will try to help. If you want to ask about your lost item, talk to the airport’s offices or passenger services at the midland international air & space port. They will tell you how you can claim it or file a report.
Accommodation and Hotels Near the Airport
If you are flying early or getting in late, you can find places to stay near the Midland International Air & Space Port without any trouble. There is no hotel inside the terminal. But you can get to many hotels with a short drive. The airport sits between the city of Midland and Odessa, so you get many options.
You will find all types of places here, from low-cost motels to full-service hotels. This way, you can pick one that fits what you want and need. Many hotels close to the Midland International Air & Space Port also have helpful services for people who are traveling.
On-Site and Nearby Hotel Options
While Midland International Air does not have a hotel right on its grounds, there are many places to stay just a short drive away. Being close to the City of Midland and Odessa, you get easy access to lots of hotels. This means it is not hard for business people, families, or those traveling for fun to find something good.
Many of these hotels know what airport guests want. They let you check in at different times and give special things to help people who come and go for daily flights, even late at night or early in the morning. You can pick from big hotel chains you know or try a local spot during your stay in the city of Midland.
Some hotel options near midland international are:
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Full-service hotels that have restaurants and pools
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Extended-stay hotels with small kitchens
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Cheaper motels for a quick night’s rest
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Hotels for business with room for meetings
Transportation Between Airport and Hotels
Getting from the Midland International Air & Space Port to your hotel is easy. Many hotels near the terminal give you a free shuttle ride. When you book your stay, ask if your hotel has this airport transportation and find out how to set up a pickup.
If your hotel does not have a shuttle, or you want more options, there are other ways to get to your hotel. The midland international air & space port has places for taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. You can get a ride with your phone as soon as you land.
You will also find big car rental company counters inside the terminal at midland international air & space port. Renting a car lets you go where you want in the City of Midland and around the Permian Basin. This works well if you need to visit different places for meetings or sightseeing.
The History and Business Role of Midland International Air and Space Port
The Midland International Air & Space Port has a long and interesting story. It started as a military base. Now, it helps the area grow as a spaceport and a big part of the economy. It has been a driving force in West Texas, especially for the oil industry.
Today, midland international does more than just aviation. The Spaceport Business Park, which gets help from the Midland Development Corporation, brings in many kinds of businesses. These include companies from aerospace, oil industry, and sustainable energy. The space port offers good chances to work and grow here. We will look at important points in its history and see how midland can create new jobs and new ideas for people and their business.
Key Historical Milestones and Development
The story of the airport goes back to 1927. It started as a small field called Sloan Field. The City of Midland bought it and changed it into Midland Army Air Field during World War II. It was a big training place for bombardiers in the Permian Basin. This strong military past helped shape its future in aviation.
When the war was over, it started to be used by people, not just the military. It grew as the West Texas economy grew. The terminal got bigger over the years so it could have more airlines and help more people. In 2014, it reached a big goal and became the first commercial spaceport set up with a commercial airport.
The story of its growth shows how the local leaders think ahead. Now, the airport works for travelers and also keeps history alive. You can see things like the “Pliska” airplane, which was the first one built and flown in Texas, at the terminal.
Spaceport Business Park and Economic Opportunities
The Spaceport Business Park at MAF is a great place for new business in Midland. The Midland Development Corporation works hard to bring in companies from new and growing fields. The park uses the airport’s special airspace and ready-to-use systems. While it is built for aerospace, the business park is open to many kinds of work and does not just aim at one area.
You will see it supports the backbone of all industries here. The park helps both long-standing industries like the oil industry and new areas too. For example, you can use its location and setup for the easy transportation of massive windmill components. That helps all who want to build more about sustainable energy.
Any companies, big or small, who want to do better and try new things, will get good chances here. The spaceport business park gives:
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Access to a licensed spaceport and commercial airport.
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Ways for aerospace research, development, and testing.
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A place that is good for moving goods and building things.
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One environment where everyone gets to work together, from many different fields.
Conclusion
Midland International Air and Space Port is more than a place people use to travel. It is also a spot for new ideas and chances. The airport gives you many choices for airlines, and space port operations show forward thinking. You will find different services that help make your trip easy. If you need to fly for work or fun, or you want to see what is happening in the space port industry, there is something here for every person.
When you get ready for your time at midland international air and space port, the places to stay and ways to get around nearby are convenient. If you have any questions or need help, you can always talk to the airport’s customer service. Enjoy your trip!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there public transportation available to and from the airport?
The City of Midland does not offer a public bus route that goes straight to the Midland International Air & Space Port. But there are other ways to get there. You can use a taxi, hop on an Uber or Lyft, or catch a hotel shuttle. These options pick you up at the terminal at this commercial airport.
Does Midland International Air and Space Port support commercial space flights?
The Midland International Air & Space Port has a license from the FAA to allow commercial space activities, which include horizontal launches. Right now, people cannot take commercial space flights from this spaceport. The Midland International Air & Space Port is used by aerospace companies as a place to do research, develop, and test new technology in Texas.
How can I contact the airport for lost and found inquiries?
If you have lost something at the Midland International Air & Space Port, you need to get in touch with the airport’s administration or passenger services. You can find their contact details on the official Midland International Air & Space Port website. When you talk to them, make sure you say what the item looks like and where you last saw it.