โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Bismarck Municipal Airport (BIS) serves as the primary aviation gateway for central and western North Dakota from its location just three miles southeast of the state capital. The airport operates from a modern terminal building that is currently entering a significant growth phase, with a major $160 million expansion project planned to add approximately 70,000 square feet of space and increase the number of gates to six. As a premier regional hub, the facility supports a robust network of daily flights to major U.S. cities through American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, along with ultra-low-cost services from Allegiant Air.
The terminal is organized into a functional bi-level layout designed for intuitive passenger flow. The ground floor houses the arrivals hall, automated baggage claim carousels, and centralized ticketing counters, while the second floor is dedicated to the security checkpoint and the departures lounge. A unique feature of the facility is the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame, located near the ticketing area, which celebrates the state's rich aeronautical history. For travelers' convenience, the airport has recently upgraded its boarding infrastructure, including the installation of new climate-controlled 'apron-drive' jet bridges at several gates to enhance comfort during North Dakota's varied weather conditions.
Amenities at BIS are well-developed for its regional role, including the 'Corner Cafรฉ' on the first floor and 'The Junction' gift shop and snack bar in the airside boarding area. The terminal is equipped with modern passenger care facilities such as a Mamava nursing station for families and dedicated business kiosks with hardwire connectivity. Sustainability is a focus, with a Level 3 fast-charging Electric Vehicle (EV) station located north of the baggage claim area. Ground transportation is well-supported by on-site car rental desks, dedicated taxi ranks, and the Bis-Man Transit bus service, while the airport's parking facilities are undergoing a significant technological upgrade in mid-2025 to improve efficiency and reliability.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting at Bismarck Municipal Airport (BIS) is notably stress-free due to its compact, efficient design as a primary regional hub for North Dakota. The terminal operates on a logical bi-level system: the ground floor is dedicated to arrivals, baggage claim, and car rentals, while the upper level handles ticketing, the TSA security checkpoint, and all six departure gates. Because BIS is a regional facility, it rarely serves as a transfer point for passengers; instead, it acts as a feeder into major international hubs like Denver (DEN), Minneapolis (MSP), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), and Chicago (ORD). One of the greatest advantages of BIS is its speed.
Security wait times are typically under 10 minutes, and even during peak morning hours (5:00 AM โ 8:00 AM), they rarely exceed 20 minutes. For those arriving from a hub on a connecting flight, your luggage will be automatically transferred, allowing you to walk straight from your gate to the ground-floor arrivals hall in just a few minutes. If you have a short wait before a flight, the airside 'Junction' gift shop and snack bar provide essential refreshments, and the 'Dakota Lounge' offers a quiet space for business travelers. Given North Dakota's climate, BIS is highly specialized in winter operations.
The airport uses high-speed brooms and plows to keep runways clear even during significant snowstorms, and de-icing procedures are streamlined to minimize delays. However, travelers should always check their flight status frequently during the winter months, as de-icing can add 15-20 minutes to departure times. If your layover in Bismarck is unexpected due to weather, the airport is conveniently located just three miles from downtown, though there are no on-site luggage storage facilities.
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 Bismarck Municipal Airport