โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Airfield (AFF), historically known as the USAF Academy Airfield, is a private military airfield located within the grounds of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is primarily dedicated to the Academy's Airmanship Programs, which include cadet training in soaring, parachuting, and powered flight. As a military installation, the airfield does not operate a traditional civilian passenger terminal and is closed to the general public and unauthorized transient aircraft.
The facility layout is optimized for military flight training and cadet operations rather than commercial passenger flow. It features multiple runways and specialized areas for glider operations and parachute landing zones. There are no commercial check-in counters, baggage carousels, or public waiting areas. Access to the airfield is strictly regulated and requires Prior Permission Required coordination at least 72 hours in advance for official business flights.
Amenities at the airfield are non-existent for the general public. While the Academy operates an Aero Club that provides aircraft rental and flight instruction for eligible military personnel, faculty, and alumni, these services are not available to civilian travelers. There are no restaurants, retail shops, or public lounges on the premises. Security is maintained by U.S. Air Force personnel, and commercial aviation travelers should instead use Colorado Springs Airport (COS).
๐ Connection Tips
Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Airfield operates as the United States Air Force Academy's exclusive aviation training facility, renamed in November 2019 to honor Tuskegee Airman General Benjamin O. Davis Jr., serving as one of the world's busiest airfields supporting comprehensive cadet airmanship programs including soaring, parachuting, and powered flight operations that began in 1974. This private military installation provides no commercial airline connections, operating exclusively for Academy training missions, official government business, and authorized military operations within the secured 18,000-acre Academy grounds.
Access requires strict Prior Permission Required (PPR) coordination minimum 72 hours advance notice through Academy Airfield Management, with entry limited to military personnel, government officials, Academy faculty, authorized contractors, and sponsored visitors possessing proper security clearance and official business justification. All arrivals must coordinate through sponsoring Academy departments, as the facility maintains restricted access protocols consistent with Department of Defense security requirements and Federal Aviation Regulation Part 93 operational restrictions.
Ground transportation within the Academy grounds requires pre-arranged military or official vehicle support, as civilian taxi, rideshare, and rental car services cannot access the secured installation. Visitors typically coordinate transportation through Academy Protocol Office, Cadet Squadron sponsors, or designated military escorts depending on official business requirements. The facility's strategic position at 7,258 feet elevation creates unique operational considerations for aircraft performance, weather patterns, and physiological adaptation for personnel unaccustomed to high-altitude conditions.
The airfield serves critical roles in cadet development through the Academy's Airmanship Programs designed to expose, motivate, and challenge future Air Force officers, with training operations including T-6 Texan II powered flight instruction, TG-16A glider soaring programs, and specialized parachute operations utilizing dedicated drop zones. Operational tempo varies with academic calendar cycles, creating periods of intensive training activity during cadet flight rotations and seasonal weather windows suitable for mountain flying operations in Colorado's Front Range environment.
Civilian travelers requiring access to Colorado Springs region should utilize Colorado Springs Airport (COS) located 12 miles south, offering comprehensive commercial airline service, ground transportation, and accommodation options. Military families, contractors, and official visitors to the Academy coordinate lodging through Academy Inn on-base facilities, off-base commercial accommodations, or Peterson Air Force Base temporary lodging depending on security clearance levels and visit duration requirements.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, serves as a vital regional gateway to the Lehigh Valley and Eastern Pennsylvania. It offers a less congested and more convenient travel experience compared to larger metropolitan hubs. The airport features a single, modern terminal building spread across two levels, designed for efficient passenger processing and easy navigation. The lower level is dedicated to arrivals, housing baggage claim, car rental counters, and exits to ground transportation. The upper level manages departures, with ticket counters, airline check-in desks, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening checkpoint.
The airport continually invests in enhancing its passenger facilities. A recent TSA Checkpoint Terminal Connector Project has significantly upgraded the security area, incorporating up to four screening lanes, modern escalators and elevators, and an enhanced air purification system. The terminal is structured with two main concourses: Concourse A on the ground level serves airlines like Allegiant Air, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, while Concourse B on the upper level is utilized by United Airlines and Frontier Airlines.
Amenities at ABE are well-appointed for a regional facility, including several cafes and snack bars, shops for essentials and souvenirs, and free Wi-Fi throughout. ABE also offers family-friendly amenities such as a children's play area, a sensory room, and a therapy dog program, along with occasional live music performances, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all travelers.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting through Lehigh Valley International Airport provides efficient access to Pennsylvania's fourth-busiest passenger facility serving 14 nonstop destinations through Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Frontier Airlines from its renovated single terminal with two-level design. The airport's 14 gates split between ground-level Concourse A (8 gates) and upper-level Concourse B (6 gates) enable quick connections with minimal walking distances, while recent TSA Checkpoint Terminal Connector Project upgrades include four screening lanes, modern escalators, and enhanced air purification systems reducing security wait times to 3-8 minutes with PreCheck or CLEAR enrollment.
Domestic connections benefit from ABE's position as an alternative to crowded Philadelphia, Newark, and JFK airports, offering reliable connectivity to major hubs including Atlanta via Delta, Charlotte via American, Chicago O'Hare via United, and Detroit via Delta for onward domestic and international connections. Regional destinations include popular leisure markets such as Fort Lauderdale, Orlando Sanford, Myrtle Beach, Nashville, and Florida Gulf Coast cities through Allegiant's low-cost network, while business travelers utilize American's Charlotte hub and United's Newark and Chicago services for broader network access.
Weather-related disruptions during Northeast winter storms can impact operations, though ABE's modern runway and de-icing equipment maintain better reliability than larger metropolitan airports. Ground transportation includes rental cars, taxis, and ride-sharing services for the 65-mile drive to Philadelphia or 90-mile journey to New York City, while regional bus connections serve Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. The airport's family-friendly amenities including children's play areas, sensory rooms, and therapy dog programs create comfortable connection environments, while free WiFi and dining options support extended layovers in this efficiently designed regional aviation facility.
โ Back to Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Airfield