Boise Air Terminal (Gowen Field) (BOI)

Boise Airport (BOI), also known as the Boise Air Terminal or Gowen Field, is the primary aviation hub for Idaho and the rapidly growing Treasure Valley region. Located just three miles south of downtown Boise, the airport is a joint civil-military facility that shares its grounds with the Gowen Field Air National Guard Base, home to the Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th Fighter Wing. Additionally, the airport serves as a critical logistics base for the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), playing a vital role in wildfire management across the Western United States. The airport operates through a single, modern three-level terminal building designed for intuitive navigation and passenger efficiency. The first floor manages arrivals and houses the main baggage claim area with four carousels, as well as on-site car rental counters. The second floor serves as the main activity hub, containing airline check-in desks, the central security checkpoint, and two primary concourses: Concourse B, which features 13 gates and 11 jetbridges, and Concourse C, with 11 gates. The third level is dedicated to administrative services, featuring a business center and several professional conference rooms. To keep pace with record-breaking passenger growth, the airport has launched the multi-year "BOI Upgrade" program, a $700 million project that will significantly expand the facility's capacity through 2029. A centerpiece of this expansion is the construction of a new Concourse A, which will add up to 10 additional gates and be linked to the main terminal by a high-tech skybridge featuring the airport's first moving walkways. Ongoing modernization efforts also include the complete renovation of Concourse B to provide larger passenger waiting areas, more diverse concession spaces, and upgraded restroom facilities. Ground transportation at BOI is highly integrated, with dedicated pickup and drop-off zones for major ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft located near the second-floor rotunda. Valley Regional Transit (VRT) provides consistent public bus service to downtown Boise via Route 3, while several local hotels and parking lots operate regular shuttle services from the lower-level roadway. The airport also offers extensive parking options, including a new cell phone lot and economy parking supported by 24/7 shuttles, ensuring that BOI remains one of the most accessible and traveler-friendly regional hubs in the Pacific Northwest.