๐บ๐ธ East Alton, United States of America
St. Louis Regional Airport (ALN) is a premier general aviation and reliever facility located in East Alton, Illinois, serving the greater St. Louis metropolitan area. Situated approximately 30 minutes from downtown St. Louis, the airport acts as a vital logistical hub for corporate aviation, military training, and high-capacity cargo operations. The airfield features two primary runways, including an impressive 8,101-foot main strip capable of accommodating massive aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and the military C-5A, making it a critical asset for the region's industrial and emergency management infrastructure. The terminal experience at St. Louis Regional is centered around a modern and professional Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) environment, primarily managed by West Star Aviation. Inside the main building, visitors have access to a comfortable passenger lounge, a dedicated pilot briefing area, and clean restrooms. A highlight of the facility is the on-site High Flyers Grille, which offers a full-service dining experience with views of the airfield, a rare amenity for a regional municipal airport. The facility also provides modern conveniences such as free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the terminal and specialized conference rooms for business travelers needing to conduct meetings upon arrival. Operational excellence is a hallmark of the ALN terminal, which provides comprehensive services including 24-hour fueling, major airframe and powerplant maintenance, and professional ground handling for transient aircraft. The airport is a major base for West Star Aviation, one of the nation's leading aircraft maintenance and modification providers, attracting a steady flow of international corporate jets for technical services. The layout is designed for maximum efficiency, allowing for rapid transitions from ground transport to the airside. For visitors, the airport represents a professional and welcoming entry point to the Metro East region, offering immediate access to the major interstate corridors and the diverse industrial parks of Madison County.
Connecting via St. Louis Regional Airport (ALN) is a process tailored for general aviation and private charter travelers seeking efficient access to the St. Louis metropolitan area. Since the airport does not currently host scheduled commercial airline services, your "connection" will typically involve a transition from a private flight to local ground transportation. For those visiting the city of Alton or the nearby Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the short journey to the city center is most efficiently completed via pre-arranged taxi or car rental services. It is highly recommended to coordinate your ground transport needs in advance, as on-demand ride-sharing availability can be less frequent compared to larger hubs like St. Louis Lambert.
For travelers looking to connect with national or international commercial flights, the nearest major hub is St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), located approximately 25 miles to the west across the Mississippi River. When planning a transfer to Lambert, allow for at least 45 to 60 minutes of driving time to account for traffic conditions on I-270 or I-255. If you are flying your own aircraft into ALN, be sure to utilize the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS-3PT) on frequency 128.0 for real-time updates. The airport area is known for experiencing seasonal convective weather and occasional river valley fog, so pilots should conduct a thorough review of the latest METARs and NOTAMs before committing to an approach. Ample free parking is available directly at the terminal for those leaving a vehicle on-site, and the FBO provides secure tie-down and hangar storage for transient aircraft staying overnight.
Check terminal and airline baggage transfer rules, especially on separate tickets.
Minimum domestic connection:
60 minutes
International connections:
90 minutes
Interline transfers:
120 minutes
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Last updated: January 1980 | Data Source: IATA and other airline sites and resources