Albany Airport Full Guide 2022

About Albany International Airport

Albany International Airport is a public airport located in Colonie New York, United States situated 9nkilometers northwest of Albany, in Albany County. This airport was built on the site of Sharker settlement. The airport serves Albany and the capital District, New York.

Albany International Airport is operated by the Albany County Airport Authority and is owned by the Albany County New York. The airport covers 1,000 acres of land in an area which is approximately 400 ha with an elevation of 285 ft.

Albany International Airport is the oldest airport in the United States and was the first municipal airport to be built in the United States. The airport started as an airstrip in 1908 located on a former polo field on Loudonville Road 4.8 kilometers north of the city in the town of Colonie. In 1909 it was moved to Westerlo Island which is in the city of Albany where by this time it was the city of Bethlehem. The airport got its first name at this time and was named after Teddy Roosevelt’s son, Quentin who was a fighter pilot during World War I.

There was an established prize for the sustained flight between Albany and New York City where Glenn Curtis achieved it on May 29^th, 1910. Mayor John Boyd Thatcher II with his words “a city without the foresight to build an airport for the new traffic may soon be left behind in the race of competition” pushed for the construction of a new modern airport in 1928 on the Sharker site near Albany Shaker road.

Often the airport was closed and threatened with closure which prompted repeated improvements in the late 1930’s and 1940’s then later closed from January of 1939 till December 1940. Later on the airport was reopened to traffic during daylight hours only. The restrictions were later pulled down in January 1942 and the airport has since not been closed again.

There were developments in February 1947 which involved a 3500-foot runways aimed 12, 98 and 133 degrees magnetic. The primary runway extended its length of 5000 feet having a hard surface. Later on the surface was extended to the north by 1966 and 1967 to 600 feet. The north south/runway was extended again 7200 by 1980s.The east/west crosswind runway extended to 7200 feet from 5999 feet in early 2000s; the maintenance of the land threshold was done. Due to the disruptions from the east, the available landing distance was unchanged. Later on, 1300 feet of runway was added to the main runway to bring it to its 8500 foot length. The management of the city was done and owned ALB.By 1960; the county of Albany ended the city’s stake.

The opening of the new terminal was done in 1962 where a landslide building which had ticket counters, a coffee shop, a baggage claim on the first floor and a restaurant, and on the second floor offices and viewing area. A single Storey building which was a boarding concourse was extended outside from this building and later on was expanded in 1979 with an additional two-storey building attached diagonally to the northwest and had boarding gates for Allegheny Airlines on the second floor and baggage carousels on the first floor. 

In the year 1993, the creation of the Albany County authority was done within a 40 year lease during the operations of the airport in 1996.By May16, 1996, the construction of the new terminal began which was opened in June 1998.The construction was done around the existing terminal and demolished upon its completion living behind the 1979 extension from the old terminal building.

The construction of a16000-square-foot began in the airport by 1999 which was added to the new terminal for Southwest Airlines’ use. In the year 2000, the project was completed and gave allowances to passengers by adding the two new dual jet projects.

By 2019, the construction started for various airport improvements which includes anew, 1000 car parking garage which was opened in March 2020;

               -new solar panels 

               -escalators

              -energy efficient taxiway lighting and concessions were also installed.

Below is the homepage of Albany Airport’s main website:

Albany International Airport main Terminal and Concourses

The airport contains one main terminal and three concourses that serve its passengers.

Main terminal

It’s divided into two levels; level 1 includes the main check-in area, baggage claim, car rental, and taxi services. Level two includes the public waiting area.

Concourses

It includes 3 concourses; the first concourse was opened in 1968 which hosts Allegiant Air and United while the second concourse hosts American, Delta and JetBlue. In 1998 June the third concourse was opened as part of the airports & 184 million renovation projects. It has three gates used by Southwest and Frontier.

Albany International Airport Airlines and Destinations

Passenger 

Cargo 

Alabany Airport Incidents/Accidents

The American Airlines Flight Conair 240, were flying –Albany-Syracuse-Rochester Buffalo-Detroit-Chicago by September 16, 1953.The 28 occupants were killed during the crash when flying into a series of radio towers in a fog while descending for landing.

The Mohawk Airlines Flight 405, a Fairchild Hiller FH-227, crashed into a house in Albany on March 3, 1972 when approaching Albany County Airport, 16 people were killed in the aircraft including one person on the ground during the crashing of the aircraft.

Albany International Airport Lounges

There is no pay per use airport lounges access.

Military Lounges

The captain John J. McKenna IV Military Courtesy rom is located in the 3^rd level to the left of the observation view. The available amenities to enjoy includes a comfortable seating, a large screen TV, computer access, free Wifi access, fridge, food, beverages, books and DVDs. Access to this lounge is enlisted to the military and their families. 

Albany International Airport Facilities

Airport Wi-Fi

There sis availability of free Wifi access in the airport, you need to connect to the AirportWifiFree network and you are connected

Airport Tours

A tour can be arranged while travelling in groups in order to see how the airport works. An aircraft can be seen and heard during landing when going through Albany airports ticketing area. There is also availability of visiting the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting headquarters.

Arts and Culture Program

There is availability of Art Gallery observed at level 3 open 7:00am-11:00pm daily.

ATMS and cash machines

There is accessibility of ATMs whenever you need to withdraw some cash and operations of machines by key banks and Bank of America. The application of fees is done and brings the notification when you want to tell your bank of your travel plans. It’s located at 1^st floor near Information Desk near Landslide and at Concourse A. and C near Airside.

Baby care Facilities

There is availability of baby changing tables located in various parts all over the airport.

Baggage Trolleys

You can access baggage trolleys in the baggage claim area at rates of: US$ 4 with a $ 25 refund upon return.

Business Center

There is availability of internet stations, TV lounge, and limited business services. There is no payment when getting to the center; the payment is only needed in the conference room facilities and some services.

Currency Exchange

There is provision of currency exchange by Travelex located in the Main terminal and Baggage claim Area at 7:00AM-8; 00 PM daily.

Duty Free & Shopping

It is located along with standard airport newsstands and bookstores at Concourse A, B and C.There is availability of DEPARTURE Museum shop located in the 1^st floor, Baggage claim Area at 9:00AM-6:00pm featuring fine art and gifts.

Food and Drinks

There is availability of restaurants in each Concourse and some can be found in the food courts depending on the opening time, some are open 24hours such as Dunkin Donuts.There is also accessibility of vending machines on the first floor in the baggage claiming area. 

Information Desk

You can also talk to an agent at the information desk in case you need some help and guidance. The information desk is located on the first floor between the ticket counter and the baggage claim being operational from 6am to 11pm from Monday to Friday and 7 am to 11pm on Saturdays and Sundays. U can also seek information from Airport Ambassadors who are in red blazers all over the airport.

Postal Services

There is accessibility to mailboxes where you can drop off your last minute postcards to friends and family; there is also purchasing of stamps at the information desk located in the 1^st level, near the information Desk.

Prayer Room

For a peaceful prayer session at the airport you can access an interfaith prayer room located in airside, concourse C.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted inside the airport, designated smoking areas are provided outside of the terminal.

Lost and Found

It’s located in the operation center on the first floor of the terminal. There are offices where Transportation Security Offices operate their own lost and found. The lost and found airport is reachable at 518 242-2357.It is easily submitted an online lost and found report form. In case you have lost or misplaced an item in the airport you will be contacted or you can contact the individual airlines if you think you are missing something. It also operates its own lost and found center.

Hotels near Albany International Airport

Albany International Airport Ground Transportation

There are accessibility of different choices of transportation onsite and offsite of the airport. You can choose to walk, use a car, use a bus or catch a train.

Car 

The airport has direct access to I-87 and New York State Route 7via Albany-Shaker Road which is a 3.3 mile four lane boulevard. There was an announcement by the New York State officials of a new I-87 Exit 3 which will provide direct access to the airport. There are a variety of major car rental companies you can choose from.

Bus

The airport is served by CDTA route 117, 155 and 737 where route 737 provides access to Downtown Albany, while Route 117 provides access to Colonie and Guilderland via Colonie Center and Cross gates mall. There are different bus services providing services to the airport including Adirondack Trailways and Vermont Transline offering a to and fro service to the airport.

Rail 

Schenectady Amtrak Station in Downtown Schenectady located 10 miles from the airport can be an option to commute through. Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station is also an option too and is 14 miles away and has more routes.

Walking 

 There are different sidewalks connecting the terminal to different hotels and other destinations. During a layover you can opt to take some walk through the airport and visit some outlets for some refreshments. New York state officials have announced the installation of pedestrian and bicycle facilities along Albany-Shaker Road.

Albany International Airport Delays

There are incidences where there are flight delays and on other occasions flight cancellations depending on the weather conditions experienced in the airport. There was the closure of the airport when the Covid-19 pandemic struck hard but there was resumption following the WHO guidelines.

Albany International Airport Opening and closing Hours

Albany International airport is operational for 24 hours but you have to keep in mind that TSA, airline check in and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule.

Albany International Airport Address and Codes

The official address for Albany International Airport is https://www.albanyairport.com and the codes for the airport are IATA: ALB, ICAO: KALB, FAA LID: ALB and the zip code is 12110.

Albany International Airport Expansion Weather

You can check real time weather of Albany International Airport from the link http://weather.com/weather/I/Albany+international+Airport+ALB:9:US and check with your airline to see if your flight is affected.

You can also view live landings and takeoffs of flights from the airports live webcams and you can also listen to live traffic radio from airportwebcams.net/albany-airport-webcam/

Albany International Airport Maps and Images

Albany International Airport Runways

This airport has two runways with Asphalt surface and they include Runway 1/19 which is 2,591 meters long and Runway 10/28 which is 2,195 meters long.

How busy is Albany International Airport

According to 2018 statistics it shows that the airport has had 64,603 aircraft operations with 88 based aircrafts and 1,466,706 enplanements.

Albany International Airport Parking

On Albany Airports’ main website, they have detailed information on Albany airport parking which you can find here.

Here is Albany Airport’s parking map:

The airport offers its customers with a variety of parking options with different rates. All the lots in the airport accepts EZ-pass plus and credit cards. The parking options range from;

Valet Parking

The parking option is available in the long term lot which is located behind the parking garage. The service entails you leaving your vehicle with the valet and let them know the date and time that you will arrive back where upon your return you will find your vehicle waiting for you right where you dropped it. The services are offered at rates of $10 a day.

Short-term Parking

The facility is located directly across the terminal on the first level of the parking garage and allows those arriving for flights, dropping off or greeting passengers to park free for the first 30 minutes and $24 per day.

Long Term Parking

Long term parking lot is located behind the parking garage and other two located at both east and west ends of the terminal. The East and West lots are accessed through credit cards and EZ-pass only and the one located behind the parking garage offers at rates of $10 per day.

Garage Parking

There is availability of garage parking option on floors n2, 3, 4 and 5of the parking garage. There are three electric vehicle charging station on the second floor of the garage.

Economy E-Lot

This parking facility offers parking services at rates of $6per day with free shuttle to and from the terminal and operates 24 hours a day. The lot is accessible directly from Albany Shaker Road.

Disabled Parking

For those differently able can access their designated parking in each parking lot, on each floor of the parking garage and with a valet parking service on the long term lot.

Employment and Careers at Albany International Airport

There are different employment and career opportunity at the airport and if you have the entire requirement to secure a slot you can obtain application by contacting the prime flight between 10am and 2 pm at (618)528-7310 or visit http://www.indeed.com/m/jobs?q=Airport%2C+NY to check the available slots.

Albany International Airport Carry-on Rules

For all travelers  using the airport are permitted one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a purse, a laptop or a briefcase beyond the security checkpoint and any electronic device larger than a cell phone will have to be removed and placed in a bin with nothing on top or below them.

Albany International Airport Quarantine

Following the global pandemic of Covid-19 virus, Albany international airport got a directive on June 24^th from the Governor Andrew Cuomo directing all passengers arriving in New York State to complete a quarantine form on arrival.

Albany International Airport Security Wait Time

Passengers that moving through the security checkpoints in Albany airport are expected to be cleared within approximately 4 minutes at most.

Destinations from Albany International Airport

Fred Woods

Hi there! My name is Fred and I have a weird obsession with airport lounges. I recently joined Alex here at Airport LLC and will be writing about airport lounges in the US and in a few countries in Europe including the UK, Germany, and France. If you have any question(s) about any airport lounge, you can reach me on fred@airportllc.com.