Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE/KCLE) is the primary commercial airport serving Cleveland, Ohio, and the surrounding Great Lakes region. As the first municipally-owned airport in the United States and the site of the world's first air traffic control tower, it holds a significant place in aviation history. Today, it operates as a major hub for several domestic and regional airlines, facilitating millions of passenger journeys each year and providing essential connections to key cities across North America.

The terminal at CLE is a unified structure featuring a central ticketing and arrivals hall that branches out into four distinct concourses: A, B, C, and D. Concourse A primarily handles Frontier and Spirit, while Concourse B is home to Delta and United. Concourse C serves American Airlines and additional United flights, and Concourse D, while currently inactive for scheduled commercial service, has historically served as a regional hub. Throughout the terminal, passengers have access to a wide array of amenities, including diverse dining options ranging from quick-service snacks to full-service restaurants, a variety of retail shops, and multiple airline lounges for eligible travelers.

Navigating Cleveland Hopkins is relatively straightforward, as all active concourses are connected via a centralized passenger corridor behind the main security screening area. This consolidated security checkpoint helps to streamline the departure process, although travelers are encouraged to allow extra time during early morning and late afternoon peak periods. For ground transportation, the airport is uniquely served by the RTA Red Line train, which provides direct and affordable rail access to downtown Cleveland from a station located directly beneath the terminal building. Additionally, a dedicated rental car center is accessible via a short shuttle bus ride, and multiple parking lots are available for both short-term and long-term stays.