โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
International โ Domestic
90
minutes
International โ International
120
minutes
Interline Connections
150
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Charleston International Airport (CHS), located in North Charleston, South Carolina, is the busiest aviation hub in the state and serves as a premier gateway to the historic Lowcountry region. The airport is a unique joint-use facility, sharing its runways and airfield infrastructure with the Charleston Air Force Base, part of Joint Base Charleston. This partnership supports a diverse mix of commercial, military, and industrial aviation, making it a critical node for both national defense and the regional economy.
The airport features a modern, single-level passenger terminal building designed for maximum efficiency and ease of use. The terminal is organized into two primary concourses, Concourse A and Concourse B, which are connected by a spacious central atrium. Concourse A primarily serves Delta Air Lines and its partners, while Concourse B handles a wide variety of other domestic and international carriers. A centralized TSA security checkpoint serves both wings, and the intuitive layout ensures that travelers can navigate between the ticketing hall, baggage claim, and boarding gates with minimal transit time.
Amenities at CHS are extensive and reflect the growing demand for premium travel services in the region. For those seeking a quiet workspace or relaxation, 'The Club CHS' is a shared-use lounge located in the main concourse, offering food, beverages, and Wi-Fi. The terminal provides free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the building and features numerous integrated charging stations for electronic devices. The central atrium food court offers a variety of dining options, from local South Carolina favorites to national chains. Additional passenger services include nursing suites, animal relief stations both pre and post-security, and a well-appointed business center.
CHS provides robust connectivity to over 50 non-stop destinations across the United States and select international locations. It serves as a major focus city for Breeze Airways and is a key destination for American, Delta, United, and Southwest. A significant industrial feature of the airport site is the Boeing South Carolina facility, which is the only location in the world where the entire production cycle of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner occurs. Ground transportation is well-integrated, with a dedicated rental car pavilion, official taxi ranks, and CARTA bus services providing easy access to historic downtown Charleston, located just 12 miles to the southeast.
๐ Connection Tips
Charleston International Airport (CHS) is a relatively easy U.S. airport to use because the terminal is centralized and the gate layout is simple. That should reduce stress, but it should not be confused with making the broader itinerary easy. If your trip involves an international connection, the real timing risk almost always sits at Atlanta, Charlotte, or another major hub rather than at Charleston itself. The right move is to use CHS as a calm regional gateway and put the schedule protection where the network actually gets complex.
That is especially important because Charleston's local convenience can tempt travelers into trimming the wider plan too tightly. The airport is close to the city and generally straightforward, but that does nothing to shorten passport control, terminal movement, or delay recovery at a major connecting hub. If the onward leg matters, extra time there is the rational choice.
For local arrivals, CHS works well because the landside transfer into Charleston, North Charleston, or the resort areas is usually much easier than at larger airports. If your next move is a cruise, wedding, golf itinerary, or beach transfer, however, that road segment still deserves proper timing. CHS works best when you take advantage of its easy terminal without asking it to solve a bigger connection problem upstream. Let Charleston be the efficient entry point, and protect the high-stakes connection at the airport where the trip truly becomes vulnerable.
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 Charleston International Airport