Port Columbus International Airport

While it may not be one of the most well known airports in the world, Port Columbus International Airport has become one of the best airports in the Midwest. In 1929 the airport had the first transcontinental air/rail service from New York. Modifications were made so that night and poor weather landings could be, but it wasn't until 1939 that fourteen flights left from Port Columbus International. Transcontinental, Western, American and T.W.A. all had flights. An average day for T.W.A. was twenty one passengers.

Prior to World War II the airport was used by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation to produce aircraft in preparation for the upcoming war. Approximately six thousand planes were produced here throughout the war. In 1942 the Federal government took over control of the airfield and made it a Naval Air Facility. When the war ended the Navy gave the airport back to the city.

Every major airline flies out of Port Columbus International Airport today. Air Canada Regional, Air Tran, American/American Eagle, Continental/Continental Express and Delta/Delta Connection are just a few of the airlines. Other airlines that have a presence at Port Columbus are Midwest Connect, Northwest/Northwest Airlink, Southwest; United, United Express, US Airways, US Airways Express and USA 3000 complete the airlines that provide service.

There are one hundred and fifty six non- stop flights daily out of Port Columbus International Airport. The major non - stop flight destinations are Atlanta, GA, Chicago, Illinois (O'Hare) and New York, New York (LaGuardia). Other destinations of flights are to Washington, D.C., Toronto, Canada, Tampa/St.Petersburg, Florida, Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina, Phoenix, Arizona, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Orlando, Florida, New York, New York ( Newark), New York, New York (Kennedy), Nashville, Tennessee and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

These are not the only destinations for Port Columbus, however. Airlines also go to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Miami, Florida, Memphis, Tennessee, Las Vegas, Nevada, Fort Meyers, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Detroit, Michigan, Denver, Colorado, Dallas, Texas, Cleveland, Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio, Chicago, Illinois (Midway), Charlotte, North Carolina, Boston, Massachusetts, and Baltimore, Maryland. They have seasonal daily non - stop flights to Cancun, Mexico also.

In the main terminal there is a food court with restaurants opening as early as 5:00 am and closing as late as 10:00pm. The restaurants are Charley's Grilled Subs, Famous Famiglia, Great American Bagel Bakery Co and Wendy's. A full service restaurant, Max and Erma's, is open from 7:00 am to 11:00pm. Passengers needing a cup of coffee can get one at Cup O' Joe from 4:00 am to 11:00 pm. When passengers get out to the concourses they have Wolfgang Puck, Starbucks, Columbus Brewing Company, Chili's Too, Johnny Rocket's and Quizno's Subs to choose from. Outside of the terminal there is the 94th Aero Squadron that serves steaks, seafood and pastas and a McDonald's.

Shopping at Port Columbus International Airport consists of many fine stores and newsstands. Bath and Body Works, Big Ten Conference Shop, a souvenir store Broad & High, Brooks Brothers, Cheryl & Co that serves cookies, brownies and pastries, a PGA Tour Shop, CNBC News Store, the Chocolate Octopus and Heritage Booksellers round out the choices.