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Huntsville International Airport: Gateway to Rocket City

Your gateway to Rocket City: Huntsville International Airport, where innovation takes flight and space exploration history comes alive.

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Huntsville International Airport (HSV), also known as Carl T. Jones Field, is a public airport and spaceport located ten miles southwest of downtown Huntsville, Alabama. It serves as a vital hub for passenger and cargo travel in northern Alabama and the Tennessee Valley region.

A brief summary to Huntsville International Airport

Local tips

  • Take advantage of the free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport.
  • Check out the aviation and space exploration-themed murals in the terminal.
  • The first 30 minutes of parking in any lot at HSV are free.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From downtown Huntsville, take I-565 West towards the airport. Follow I-565 W until you reach the exit for Huntsville International Airport. The drive is approximately 10 miles and typically takes 15-20 minutes depending on traffic. Parking is available in the airport's parking deck or economy lot. The first 30 minutes are free, with hourly rates of $2, and daily maximums of $13 in the parking deck and $9 in the economy lot.

  • Ride Sharing

    Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Huntsville. Request a ride from your location in Huntsville to Huntsville International Airport. The cost will vary depending on the distance and demand, but a typical ride from downtown Huntsville will range from $20 to $30. Be sure to confirm the fare and pickup location with your driver.

  • Public Transport

    While Huntsville's public transportation system, Orbit, does not directly serve the airport, you can take Orbit to the nearest major intersection and then use a ride-sharing service to complete your journey to the airport. A single fare on Orbit is $1.25. Transferring to a ride-sharing service will add an additional cost of $10-$20, depending on the distance and demand.

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Discover more about Huntsville International Airport

Huntsville International Airport (HSV) is more than just a transit point; it's the primary gateway to Huntsville, Alabama, a city synonymous with aerospace innovation and nicknamed "Rocket City, USA." Opened in October 1967 as the Huntsville Jetport, HSV replaced the city's older municipal airport. The airport has grown to become a key part of the Port of Huntsville, which also includes the International Intermodal Center and Jetplex Industrial Park. This makes HSV a crucial hub for both passenger travel and cargo operations, serving the greater Huntsville-Decatur area. The airport boasts modern facilities, including a main terminal with two concourses (A and B), 12 gates, shops, restaurants, and even a 3-star hotel on the premises. The terminal also features murals depicting aviation and space exploration, reflecting Huntsville's rich history in the space race. One of HSV's unique features is its exceptionally long runway (12,600 feet), the second-longest in the Southeast, capable of accommodating large aircraft and even serving as a re-entry site for spaceplanes like the Dream Chaser. Over the years, Huntsville International Airport has undergone numerous improvements and expansions to meet the growing needs of the region. It was the first airport in the U.S. to get a special radar system called an ASR-9 in 1989 and was also one of the first to use jet bridges with glass walls. These continuous upgrades ensure that HSV remains a modern and efficient airport, providing a pleasant travel experience for all who pass through its gates.

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