๐บ๐ธ Columbus, United States of America
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH/KCMH), named in honor of the legendary astronaut and U.S. Senator, is the primary commercial airport serving Columbus, Ohio. As one of the largest and busiest airports in the state, it acts as a significant hub for nationwide domestic travel and offers seasonal international connections to Canada and the Caribbean. The airport is a critical piece of infrastructure for the central Ohio region, supporting the diverse needs of both leisure travelers and business professionals visiting the area's many corporate headquarters and the Ohio State University. The terminal at CMH is a unified structure featuring a central ticketing and arrivals hall that branches out into three distinct concourses: A, B, and C. Concourse A primarily handles Southwest Airlines, while Concourse B is home to American Airlines and United. Concourse C serves Delta Air Lines and additional regional carriers. Throughout the terminal, passengers have access to a wide array of modern amenities, including diverse dining options ranging from quick-service snack bars to full-service restaurants, a variety of retail shops, and high-quality Wi-Fi. The airport is also known for its extensive public art collection, which is prominently displayed throughout the terminal to enhance the passenger experience. Operational capacity at John Glenn International is supported by two significant paved runways, with the longest (10L/28R) measuring approximately 3,125 meters in length, capable of handling large wide-body aircraft. Navigating through the terminal is relatively straightforward, as all concourses are connected via a centralized passenger corridor. For ground transportation, the airport is conveniently located just 10 kilometers from downtown Columbus, with a variety of options including official taxi services, frequent shuttle buses, and multiple car rental agencies located in the dedicated car rental center. Travelers are encouraged to use the designated rideshare pick-up zones, which are clearly signed and located just outside the terminal entrance.
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) features a highly efficient but unique layout that passengers must understand when planning a connection. The airport consists of a single main terminal building connected to three distinct concourses: A, B, and C. The most critical operational detail for travelers is that these concourses are not connected airside. If your connection involves switching between different airlines that operate out of different concoursesโfor example, arriving on Delta in Concourse C and departing on Southwest in Concourse Aโyou must exit the secure area, walk through the main terminal, and re-clear security at your new concourse. Because of this requirement, it is recommended to allow at least 60 to 90 minutes for any connection that involves a change of concourse. Fortunately, the walking distance between concourse entrances in the main terminal is very short, typically taking only 3 to 5 minutes. Each concourse has its own dedicated security checkpoint, and while TSA PreCheck is available at all three, the CLEAR expedited screening service is currently only located at the Concourse B checkpoint. If you are connecting within the same concourse, such as between two American Airlines flights in Concourse B, your transfer will be seamless and won't require re-clearance of security. CMH offers several amenities for those with longer layovers. The Escape Lounge, located in Concourse B, is accessible to most passengers for a fee or through various premium credit card programs. Dining options are plentiful within each concourse, though many close by late evening. For ground connections, the COTA AirConnect bus provides a direct link to downtown Columbus, and the rental car center is a short walk from the baggage claim area. Always check your departure gate and concourse upon arrival to determine if a security re-clearance will be necessary for your onward journey.
Check terminal and airline baggage transfer rules, especially on separate tickets.
Minimum domestic connection:
45 minutes
International connections:
90 minutes
Interline transfers:
150 minutes
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Last updated: January 1980 | Data Source: IATA and other airline sites and resources