Finding the right gate, checking in and getting boarding passes, moving about the cabin — it has never been so convenient or comfortable than when traveling through a Tampa Bay airport.
Despite millions of passengers frequenting Greater Tampa Bay each year, traveling is truly made streamlined and simple, from renowned international airports to municipal airports scattered around the region. The world’s first-ever commercial flight traveled between St. Petersburg and Tampa — and the region proves to continue its legacy of excellence in the air.
More than 10 million passengers frequent the Tampa International Airport each year — but despite the heavy traffic, traveling is truly made streamlined and simple. Tampa International features renowned interior design, engineering and Gresham Smith architecture. Road improvements outside and moving walkways inside the airport make it easy to get in and move around the facility. Touchless E-gate boarding pass scanners, water bottle filling stations and airside terminal pet relief areas are just a few amenities available in the airport that has roughly 100 nonstop destination flights. In addition, the airport is located a mere six miles west of downtown.
The airport is active in several green initiatives, especially when it comes to electric vehicles. EV charging stations are available at each of the airport’s parking areas. In addition to the several electric vehicles Tampa International already has in its fleet, four new electric buses will soon bring airport workers to the main terminal.
Public art displays, including a floor-to-ceiling pink flamingo and laser-etched aluminum mural, offer spectacular reasons to pause among the airport foot traffic. The convenient SkyConnect that travels from the main terminal to the parking garage also gives travelers a break from carrying heavy luggage.
Elsewhere in Tampa, Peter O. Knight Airport transports locals and tourists to their destinations, and military aircraft fly in and out of MacDill Air Force Base. Corporate jets frequent Tampa Executive Airport, complete with modern hangars and brightly lit runaways.
Several smaller Hillsborough County airfields whisk away and welcome back travelers, including Atlas Aviation and Blackwater Creek in Plant City. The region even offers heliports L M Hughey, Academy and Teco Plaza for travelers who need to fly by chopper.
Pinellas County is home to four Clearwater and three St. Petersburg airports. The St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport offers roughly 65 nonstop domestic and international flights, with new destinations added on a regular basis. Low-cost carrier Allegiant covers nearly all the domestic flights, making St. Pete-Clearwater a very affordable airport to fly from.
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport lives up to its motto, “Tampa Bay the Easy Way.” With one terminal and two gates, the airport makes travel both easy to navigate and fun for the whole family. Between the Bark Parks that offer pet-relief for four-legged travelers and the Kids Play Zone, which partnered with Great Explorations Children’s Museum for interactive fun, the airport itself becomes part of the vacation. Decorated with palm trees, beautiful artwork from Florida artists and plenty of windows to let in all that sunshine, the airport sets the mood for the beautiful attractions that await beyond the terminal.
Though GTB’s two international airports reside in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, Pasco County has several airports in its nearly 900-mile radius, including three near Dade City, two in New Port Richey and one in Zephyrhills. For travelers south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the airfield Niedra Aviation is located just outside of Bradenton.
No matter what part of Greater Tampa Bay, finding an airport, taking off and landing in the region is readily available almost anywhere.
By the Numbers
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
10,238,151 annual passengers
28,050 daily passengers
486,303,673 pounds of cargo annually
511,353,589 pounds of mail annually
10,500 airport employees
23,312 parking spaces
- No.2
- Tampa International came second in J.D. Power’s Overall Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking of large airports in North America for 2021
St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport (PIE)
1,394,573 annual passengers
250,000 monthly passengers
1,900-acre airport span
- $130.77 average fare in 2021
- St. Pete-Clearwater International is among the nation’s most affordable airports. Compared to the national average of $299.93, St. Pete-Clearwater fliers save about $169.16, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics
