Lambert–St. Louis International Airport
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| Lambert–St. Louis International Airport | |
|---|---|
| Name | Lambert–St. Louis International Airport |
| IATA | STL |
| ICAO | KSTL |
| FAA | STL |
| Owner | City of St. Louis |
| Operator | St. Louis Airport Authority |
| City-served | Greater St. Louis |
| Location | St. Louis County, Missouri, United States |
| Elevation-f | 605 |
| Elevation-m | 184 |
| Coordinates | 38, 44, 55, N... |
| Website | https://www.flystl.com/ |
| R1-number | 11/29 |
| R1-length-m | 2,194 |
| R1-length-f | 7,200 |
| R1-surface | Concrete |
| R2-number | 12L/30R |
| R2-length-m | 2,743 |
| R2-length-f | 9,000 |
| R2-surface | Concrete |
| R3-number | 12R/30L |
| R3-length-m | 3,048 |
| R3-length-f | 10,000 |
| R3-surface | Concrete |
| Stat-year | 2023 |
| Stat1-header | Total passengers |
| Stat1-data | 15,660,771 |
| Stat2-header | Aircraft operations |
| Stat2-data | 170,201 |
| Stat3-header | Total cargo (lbs.) |
| Stat3-data | 200,000,000 |
Lambert–St. Louis International Airport is a primary commercial airport serving the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area. Located in St. Louis County within the U.S. state of Missouri, it is owned by the City of St. Louis and operated by the St. Louis Airport Authority. The facility has been a major hub for aviation innovation and commercial air travel since the early 20th century, playing a pivotal role in the development of transcontinental flight and serving as a former primary hub for Trans World Airlines and later American Airlines.
History
The airport's origins date to 1920 when it was established as St. Louis Flying Field by Albert Bond Lambert, an alumnus of Princeton University and a prominent aeronaut who had flown with the Wright brothers. It was renamed in his honor in 1923. A landmark moment occurred in 1927 when Charles Lindbergh chose the airfield for his *Spirit of St. Louis* aircraft, funded by St. Louis businessmen, prior to his historic transatlantic flight to Paris. The airport was a key site for the Air Mail scandal investigations and became a major hub for Trans World Airlines under the leadership of Howard Hughes. Major expansions included the iconic Wuerflein Terminal in 1956, designed by Minoru Yamasaki, and the addition of a fourth runway in 2006, which involved significant land acquisition in Bridgeton, Missouri.
Facilities
The airport covers 2,800 acres and features two main passenger terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, connected by a post-security walkway and a shuttle. Terminal 1 is notable for its iconic parabolic arched design and houses concourses used by Southwest Airlines and other carriers. The airport's air traffic control is managed by the Federal Aviation Administration from a tower originally built for the 1994 World Cup. Cargo facilities support operators like FedEx Express and UPS Airlines, while fixed-base operators such as Jet Aviation and Signature Flight Support provide general aviation services. The runways are equipped with Category III instrument landing systems.
Airlines and destinations
As a focus city for Southwest Airlines, the airport hosts a significant portion of its operations. Other major carriers include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, which offer direct flights to domestic hubs like Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, and Chicago–O'Hare. International service includes seasonal routes to Cancún and Punta Cana operated by Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines. The airport also serves as a base for cargo carriers including Amerijet International and Amazon Air.
Accidents and incidents
The airport has been the site of several notable aviation accidents. On February 20, 1959, a Trans World Airlines Lockheed L-1649 Starliner crashed during takeoff, resulting in one fatality. A more severe event occurred on November 20, 1967, when TWA Flight 128, a Convair 880, crashed on approach, killing 13. The deadliest incident was the 1973 Ozark Air Lines Flight 809 crash, which resulted in 38 fatalities. Another significant accident involved Trans World Airlines Flight 517, a Boeing 727 that experienced a rudder hardover on approach in 1992, though there were no fatalities; this event contributed to investigations into the Boeing 737 rudder issues.
Statistics
In 2023, the airport served 15,660,771 passengers, making it the second-busiest airport in Missouri after Kansas City International Airport. It handled 170,201 aircraft operations and over 200 million pounds of cargo. The top domestic destinations included Atlanta, Dallas Love Field, Denver, and Phoenix. Southwest Airlines commanded the largest market share, carrying approximately 60% of all passengers. The airport is a significant economic engine for the St. Louis region, supporting thousands of jobs and generating substantial annual economic impact.
Ground transportation
The airport is accessible via Interstate 70 and is served by the region's public transit system, MetroLink, which has a station connected to Terminal 1. Several rental car companies operate facilities on-site, accessible via shuttle. Taxi services, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft, and hotel shuttles provide additional connectivity. The airport is approximately 14 miles northwest of downtown St. Louis, with driving times varying based on traffic conditions on major highways like Interstate 170 and Interstate 270.
Category:Airports in Missouri Category:Transportation in St. Louis Category:Buildings and structures in St. Louis County, Missouri