โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
35
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
University of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI/KCMI) is a significant regional aviation facility located in Champaign County, Illinois, serving the city of Champaign and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. As one of the few airports in the United States owned and operated by a public university, it acts as a primary gateway for students, faculty, and visiting researchers from around the world. The airport provides regular commercial regional jet service to major hubs like Chicago O'Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth, ensuring seamless global connectivity for the central Illinois region.
The passenger terminal building at CMI is a modern and functional facility designed for efficiency and ease of use. Inside, travelers will find a unified departures and arrivals hall, multiple check-in counters for airlines such as American and United, and a streamlined security checkpoint. Amenities at the terminal include high-speed Wi-Fi, a small cafรฉ and snack bar, and essential restroom facilities. The airport is also home to several university-related exhibits and informational displays, reflecting its strong connection to the academic community. One of the terminal's most appreciated features is the quick processing times, making it a stress-free alternative for those traveling to and from the region.
Operational capacity at Willard Airport is supported by three paved runways, with the primary runway (14L/32R) measuring approximately 2,500 meters (8,102 feet) in length, which is capable of handling narrow-body commercial jets and various private executive aircraft. Navigation through the terminal is exceptionally straightforward due to its compact and logical layout. For ground transportation, the airport is conveniently located just 10 kilometers from the university campus and downtown Champaign, with options including official taxi services, car rental agencies in the terminal, and several local shuttle buses.
๐ Connection Tips
University of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI) is a regional airport where the connection challenge is not terminal navigation but schedule fragility. American's current airport page for Champaign-Urbana shows a single main-terminal ticket counter operation with limited daily hours, and the airport is designed around a small number of departures rather than a rolling bank of alternatives. That means a normal same-ticket connection through Chicago O'Hare or Dallas-Fort Worth can work very well, but if the inbound segment to Willard is delayed or canceled, there may not be another practical same-day option.
Inside the airport, the process is easy. CMI is compact, TSA PreCheck is available, and there is no long walk to gates or train between terminals. For departing passengers, this is one of the main advantages of using Willard instead of driving to Chicago. For connecting passengers, though, it is better to think one step earlier in the chain: protect the hub connection rather than the local airport connection. If you are returning to CMI late in the day on separate tickets, a missed connection upstream can easily turn into an overnight stay in Chicago or Dallas.
The best strategy is to book CMI on a single reservation all the way through, choose longer hub connections in winter or during university peak travel dates, and avoid assuming there will be a later backup flight. If someone is meeting you in Savoy or Champaign, keep them updated because the airport side is simple, but the flight schedule is thin enough that irregular operations matter more here than at most larger airports.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
International โ Domestic
75
minutes
International โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is the primary international airport serving New Mexico, located just three miles southeast of downtown Albuquerque. The airport boasts a distinctive Pueblo-style architectural terminal, which is both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional. This single, multi-level terminal efficiently manages all arrivals and departures, featuring a logical layout designed for passenger convenience. The lower level is dedicated to arriving passengers, housing baggage claim areas (three in total to serve Concourses A and B) and providing direct exits to ground transportation.
The upper level of the terminal is the departure zone, where travelers will find airline ticketing counters, security checkpoints, and access to the two main concourses, Concourse A and Concourse B. Concourse A primarily serves American Airlines, Delta, and United, while Southwest Airlines predominantly operates out of Concourse B. The terminal has a total of 22 gates, ensuring ample capacity for its scheduled domestic flights and limited international services. Recent upgrades include a TSA Checkpoint Terminal Connector Project, which has enhanced security screening with up to four lanes and modern passenger amenities like new escalators and elevators.
Amenities at ABQ are comprehensive for a regional international facility. Passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi, numerous charging stations, a variety of shops (including those offering local artisanal gifts), and diverse dining options ranging from cafes and fast-food outlets to restaurants serving New Mexican cuisine. Additional facilities like a Meditation Room and an observation deck contribute to a comfortable travel experience, complemented by a notable art collection displayed throughout the terminal.
๐ Connection Tips
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) offers excellent ground transportation connectivity just 3 miles southeast of downtown. ABQ RIDE provides completely free bus service (fare-free since November 2023) with Route 50 connecting the airport to downtown via Union Square Bus Station every 15-30 minutes, taking just 24 minutes total - the bus stop is conveniently located on the lower level at the west end of the shuttle island. Route 50 also connects to the Alvarado Transportation Center downtown where passengers can transfer to the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
Rail Runner connections are enhanced through Route 350 (Railrunner Connecting bus) and free bus transfers when you have a valid Rail Runner ticket purchased in advance online or via mobile app - otherwise pay the driver a $1 fare each way. Official taxi service is available with fares starting at $35 to downtown Albuquerque through companies like ABQ Metro Taxi (505-450-8580) and Aspen Rides (505-388-3692). Ride-sharing via Uber and Lyft requires pre-booking as street hailing is not permitted.
For Santa Fe destinations, Groome Transportation operates 30 daily trips taking 75 minutes with variable pricing, while RoadRunner Charter provides door-to-door service to Santa Fe and Los Alamos areas. The Rail Runner Express connects Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Belen with convenient airport shuttle connections. Recent December 2025 improvements under the ABQ RIDE Forward Network Plan enhanced transit connectivity throughout the metropolitan area.
โ Back to University of Illinois Willard Airport