John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is Ohio's second-busiest airport, providing critical links between Columbus and major cities across the United States. A diverse range of airlines operate at CMH, serving various destinations with both domestic and limited international flights. Based on recent data from aviation analytics platform Cirium, here's an overview of the airlines operating at CMH and their contributions in terms of flights, seats, and available seat miles (ASMs).
American Airlines
2,151 flights and 199,364 seats
American Airlines (AA) is one of the top operators at John Glenn Columbus International, with a substantial 2,151 flights per month even after a recent reduction in services from the Midewest regional hub. This frequency translates to 199,364 seats and 125,136,732 available seat miles (ASMs).
These flights primarily connect CMH to America's significant hubs, offering Columbus travelers seamless access to various US destinations. According to FlyColumbus, America's presence highlights its commitment to connecting Ohio residents with considerable business and leisure destinations.
|
Airline |
Year-Round Destinations |
Seasonal Destinations |
|---|---|---|
|
Air Canada Express |
— |
Toronto–Pearson |
|
Alaska Airlines |
Seattle/Tacoma |
— |
|
American Airlines |
Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor |
Cancún, Chicago–O'Hare, Miami (resumes December 5, 2024) |
|
American Eagle |
Boston, Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Washington–National |
— |
|
Breeze Airways |
Charleston (SC), Hartford, Raleigh/Durham |
Fort Myers, Jacksonville (FL), Norfolk, Orange County, Providence |
|
Delta Air Lines |
Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City |
— |
|
Delta Connection |
Boston, Detroit, New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia |
— |
|
Frontier Airlines |
Denver |
— |
|
Southwest Airlines |
Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Houston–Hobby, Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Sarasota, St. Louis, Tampa, Washington–National |
Cancún, Kansas City, Miami (resumes January 11, 2025) |
|
Spirit Airlines |
Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Newark (ends November 4, 2024), New York–LaGuardia, Orlando |
Atlanta (begins April 9, 2025), Fort Myers, New Orleans (begins February 20, 2025), Tampa |
|
Sun Country Airlines |
— |
Minneapolis/St. Paul |
|
United Airlines |
Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, San Francisco |
Newark, Washington–Dulles |
|
United Express |
Chicago–O'Hare, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, Washington–Dulles |
— |
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines (WN) is commanding at CMH, offering 2,001 flights and leading in seat capacity with 322,751 seats available monthly. Southwest's ASMs total 255,552,354, the highest among all carriers at CMH, reflecting its focus on high-demand, short-to-medium-haul routes.
Known for affordable fares and convenient policies, Southwest's extensive operations at Columbus cater to a diverse range of travelers. According to FlyColumbus, Southwest is popular for families and leisure travelers looking for direct flights to top US destinations.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines (DL) maintains a strong network at CMH, with 1,572 flights each month, providing 163,280 seats and generating 83,800,145 ASMs According to Cirium. Delta connects Columbus with its major hubs, including Atlanta, New York, and Detroit, providing convenient business and leisure travelers options. The airline's high frequency and capacity ensure reliable access to Delta's extensive domestic and international routes, according to FlyColumbus.
United Airlines
United Airlines (UA) operates 1,390 flights from CMH, offering 131,292 seats monthly and 86,230,216 ASMs. With connections to United’s significant hubs like Chicago, Newark, and Washington, DC, United Airlines provides CMH travelers access to many international destinations.
FlyColumbus notes that United's robust presence at CMH supports efficient connections for Ohio travelers looking to reach global destinations. Not too long ago, United made a special surprise visit by landing one of their 777s at Colombus Airport. It was definitely a sight for sore eyes.
Spirit Airlines
According to Cirium,Spirit Airlines (NK) brings an affordable option to CMH, operating 352 flights monthly. These flights provide 67,426 seats and 76,474,744 ASMs, making Spirit a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers. According to FlyColumbus, Spirit focuses on direct flights to popular leisure destinations, offering Columbus residents affordable travel options without sacrificing convenience.
Other carriers
- Volaris (MX):According to Cirrium, an aviation analytics company, a more minor but significant operator at CMH is Volaris whihc provides 76 monthly flights, offering 10,412 seats and 6,472,976 ASMs. Volaris connects Columbus to Mexico, catering to Ohio's Hispanic community and those seeking direct access to Mexican destinations.
- Alaska Airlines (AS): With 60 monthly flights, Alaska Airlines offers 10,623 seats and 21,426,591 ASMs, linking Columbus to the Pacific Northwest. This service is vital for travelers heading to Seattle and beyond, according to FlyColumbus.
- Frontier Airlines (F9): Operating 32 flights monthly, Frontier offers 6,688 seats and 6,535,736 ASMs. Frontier's budget-friendly model appeals to Columbus residents seeking affordable travel options to select US destinations.
- Sun Country Airlines (SY): Although smaller, Sun Country provides 16 monthly flights, with 2,976 seats and 1,865,952 ASMs. Sun Country's presence allows for unique travel opportunities from Columbus to key destinations, especially for leisure travelers.
Historical airlines that serviced Colombus
Columbus has a rich history of airline service, with several major carriers establishing significant operations at the city's airport over the decades. TWA was the first major airline to serve Columbus, maintaining a presence for over 70 years and even offering an exclusive passenger club until 2000, when financial issues led to America West taking over its gate and club space.
America West later set up a hub in Columbus in 1993 to expand its Midwest network, but the hub was closed in 2003 following financial losses and a post-9/11 decline in air travel. Columbus also became the home base for Skybus Airlines in 2007, a low-cost carrier that aimed to revolutionize budget air travel with $10 seats on every flight.
However, Skybus ceased operations less than a year later in 2008. These historic developments reflect Columbus's evolving role in US air travel, with airlines adapting to economic shifts and changing travel demands.
The terminal building
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) features a modern and efficient terminal layout designed to provide travelers with a seamless experience. The airport has a single terminal building divided into three concourses: Concourse A, B, and C, which host a range of airlines and amenities.
- Concourse A is primarily used by Southwest Airlines, providing access to many of their popular domestic routes.
- Concourse B serves major carriers like American Airlines and United Airlines.
- Concourse C is home to Delta and Spirit Airlines.
The terminal offers a variety of dining options, retail stores, and passenger services, including free Wi-Fi, ample seating, and charging stations throughout. For convenience, CMH also provides streamlined security checkpoints and easy access to baggage claim and ground transportation, making it straightforward for travelers to navigate.
