Taking off Travel blog

Today we’re looking at Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), a follow-up to previous coverage of New York airports, including JFK, LaGuardia (LGA) and Albany (ALB) airports.  Buffalo Airport serves Southern Ontario in Canada as well as the New York metropolitan area.

History

The airport started life as the Buffalo Municipal Airport in 1926, so it’s one of the country’s oldest public airports. It started passenger service in 1927 with flights to Cleveland.  The airport had successive expansions in 1955 and 1961 and its name was changed to Greater Buffalo International Airport in 1959. Expansions continued to address the growing air traffic, but it soon became clear that a new airport would be needed to keep pace with modern requirements. This was built between the existing terminals and opened in November 1997 as the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. The old terminals were then demolished.

The airport now has 25 gates and handled more than 5 million passengers in 2010. According to the airport it’s the fifth least expensive place to fly in the US, with a price per mile of about half of the most expensive place. It serves several major air carriers including AirTran, American Airlines, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United and US Airways.

Services and Amenities

BUF Airport has a range of useful passenger services and amenities. In addition to food outlets and shops, the airport has a cell phone lot, laptop workstations near gates 3,14, and 20, and charging stations for cell phones and MP3 players at gates 4,14, and 20 and in the baggage claim. There are also special services for disabled travelers. Check out the terminal map and list of accommodation for more nearby amenities.

BUF Airport Parking

In addition to the onsite airport parking, we also offer Buffalo airport parking reservations. These include Thrifty Airport Parking, Airport Valet Parking and airport parking from The Parking Spot. Book on the web for discounted airport parking rates which are locked in when you reserve.

Things to Do Near Buffalo Airport

If you’re visiting the area, you’ll find plenty to do near Buffalo-Niagara International Airport.  You could make things easy by hopping on a plane and visiting Niagara Falls, but if you want to stay in the US, here are some suggestions:

• Go on a sailing adventure on the Spirit of Buffalo. Best done in summer, a sail on a 73 foot schooner is one of the areas most popular things to do.
• Visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House.
• Check out the beautiful Victorian homes, lovely walks and eclectic nightlife in Allentown.
• Find out more about Theodore Roosevelt at Wilcox Mansion.
• See the Heritage Farm (and the animals) at Buffalo Zoo.

Image: Craig Damlo

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) lies south of Atlanta’s central business district. For the last 7 years it has had more passenger traffic and more takeoffs and landings than any other airport in the world, making it the world’s busiest. It handles around 90 million passengers each year.

History of ATL Airport

ATL Airport’s history goes back to 1925, when an airfield was developed on an abandoned car racetrack, renamed Candler Field. The first commercial flight to this field took place a year later. In 1929, the airport was renamed Atlanta Municipal Airport and it got its first control tower in March 1939.

World War II saw the airfield double in size as it was used as a government air base. By 1957 it was the country’s busiest airport. In 1961, the country’s largest terminal was opened there, but capacity was soon exceeded. In 1971, the airport was renamed the William B Hartsfield Atlanta Airport and then to William B Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport , with the launch of services to Mexico and Jamaica.

In 1980, a 2.5m square foot passenger terminal, the world’s largest, was opened. Other major infrastructure improvements followed. The airport gained its current name in 2003 to commemorate Atlanta Mayor Maynard H. Jackson.

The airport serves Delta Airlines (which has the world’s largest airline hub there), AirTran Airways, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, ExpressJet and many more.

ATL Airport Terminals and Services

Read more »

Chicago O’Hare (ORD) Airport Photos

Chicago O’Hare (ORD) Airport is one of our most popular off airport parking locations. So popular, in fact, that we’ve just added another parking lot, Blue Sky Parking, to our more than 150 locations nationwide. We don’t often think of airports as beautiful, but these photos from ORD airport show that they can be.

First up, Caged Sky by Clearly Ambiguous – doesn’t the blue seem to reverberate when you look at it?

Next, the Web of Color by San Diego Shooter – we often pass these areas and don’t even notice. I know I did.

Read more »

JFK Airport is one of our most popular airport parking locations, so it’s a great place to kick off an occasional series of airport photos. First, here’s an aerial photo from the USGS via Wikimedia Commons:

Next, a surprisingly modern looking view (taken in 1967) by gbaku: Read more »

On my recent trip, I flew into Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) via Newark Liberty International Airport.  This airport has a venerable history as the first major airport in the New York/New Jersey area. It opened in 1928 and America’s first commercial airline terminal, the Newark Airport Administration Building, was dedicated by Amelia Earhart in 1935.  For the next four years it was the world’s busiest airport.  Today the airport is a major hub, handling 33 million passengers in 2010. Here’s what’s on offer at Newark Airport in t6erms of flights, amenities and parking.

Terminals and Airlines

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) has three passenger terminals, each of which has three concourses. Forty airlines operate out of the airport, serving a wide range of US and international destinations.

Amenities

The airport has a full range of amenities including retail outlets, food and beverage concessions, Wi-Fi (not free), accessibility services and more. With more than 45 stores and 36 restaurants, there’s something for almost everyone. As well as other ground transportation, the AirTrain connects the airport to Amtrak and New Jersey Transit services and there’s a free monorail between the terminals. While you might want to avoid the airport cabs because of the steep prices, transport to and from EWR works beautifully.

Newark Airport Parking

EWR offers a wide range of airport parking options. In addition to the regular Newark airport parking facilities, options include the following off airport parking lots: Newark Airport Long Term Parking, FastTrack Economy Airport Parking, Sky/Park Airport Parking, EZway Parking, Vista Valet Airport Parking, Park Plus Airport Parking, Airpark Airport Parking, AviStar McClellan Airport Parking and AviStar Haynes Airport Parking.

Beyond The Airport

If you happen to have a layover in Newark, then there are a few enjoyable things to do. It won’t take long to get into the city proper and you can enjoy activities such as visiting the Newark museum or chilling out at Branch Brook Park. If you’ve got a longer layover or plan to overnight, then check out some New York attractions too.

What New Jersey attractions would you recommend?

(Photo: Hunter-Desportes)