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🏢 Terminal Guide & Navigation
Ketchikan International Airport (KTN), identified by its ICAO code PAKT, is a uniquely situated aviation facility on Gravina Island, separated from the city of Ketchikan by the Tongass Narrows. The airport is currently undergoing a multi-phase $33 million terminal expansion project through 2025, which will nearly double the facility's size to 56,000 square feet. This modernization effort focuses on alleviating congestion by relocating the security checkpoint to the first floor, upgrading boarding gates with new passenger bridges, and streamlining the flow of travelers between arrivals and departures.
Despite the ongoing construction, the terminal remains fully operational, providing essential services such as an airside lounge and snack bar, free Wi-Fi, and a retail gift shop offering Alaskan souvenirs. The facility acts as a primary hub for Alaska Airlines, with daily jet services to Seattle and Anchorage, alongside seasonal rotations from major carriers like Delta. For regional transit, the airport also supports several floatplane operators that provide vital links to the remote communities and wilderness lodges of the Alexander Archipelago.
One of the most distinctive aspects of traveling through KTN is the required 7-minute ferry ride between the terminal on Gravina Island and the city side on Revillagigedo Island. Ferries typically operate every 30 minutes, and travelers are advised to account for this transit time when planning their arrival. Ground transportation is well-integrated at the ferry terminals, with paid public parking available on both islands and dedicated taxi ranks to facilitate the final leg of the journey into central Ketchikan. As the 2025 expansion progresses, the airport continues to prioritize safety by eliminating ground boarding and enhancing its capacity to serve the region's growing tourism and commercial demands.
Airlines Serving KTN
💡 Connection Tips
Ketchikan International Airport (KTN) presents one of America's most distinctive airport connection challenges, requiring passengers to take a mandatory ferry crossing from Gravina Island (where the airport sits) to Revillagigedo Island (where Ketchikan city is located). Upon arriving at the Revilla terminal in Ketchikan, passengers will find the new 1,600 square foot Revilla Passenger Waiting Facility that opened in February 2024, featuring comfortable seating areas and modern restrooms. The airport's unique geography stems from the infamous 'Bridge to Nowhere' controversy - a proposed $398 million bridge connection that Congress defunded in 2007, permanently establishing the ferry as the sole transportation link.
The Airport Ferry operates using vessels M/V Ken Eichner 2 and M/V Oral Freeman, providing a scenic 7-minute journey across the Tongass Narrows with departures from the airport at the top and half-hour (:00 and :30), running daily from 6:15 AM to 9:30 PM. Ground transportation options include local taxi services available directly at the ferry terminal, hotel shuttle buses that coordinate arrivals with ferry schedules, and the public Silver Line bus service connecting downtown Ketchikan and residential areas. This distinctive setup means travelers should allow minimum 60-90 minutes total transit time from aircraft arrival to downtown Ketchikan accommodations, particularly during summer tourism peaks when both airport and ferry operations experience higher passenger volumes.
Ferry fares are approximately $6 per passenger, payable by cash or credit card, and travelers should budget an additional 15-20 minutes for boarding queues during peak cruise ship season (May-September). Uber and Lyft services operate on the Ketchikan city side but cannot cross to Gravina Island, making pre-arranged ground transportation essential for seamless connections. The ferry crossing offers spectacular views of the Tongass National Forest and Inside Passage maritime scenery, transforming a logistical necessity into a memorable introduction to Southeast Alaska's dramatic landscape.
Expert Travel Tips & Insights
Pro Traveler Secrets
• You MUST take the ferry to leave the airport; it costs ~$6 and runs every 30 mins.
• Ferry departs airport at :00 and :30; ensure you allow time for baggage collection.
• Town-side shuttles and buses meet the ferry arrivals, not the aircraft arrivals.
• Allow extra time; the ferry ride is short but queuing takes time during tourist peaks.
• The airport terminal is on Gravina Island; all major services are across the water.
Quick Facts
Minimum domestic connection:
60 minutes
International connections:
90 minutes
Interline transfers:
120 minutes
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