โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
TSTC Waco Airport (CNW/KCNW) is a unique and significant public-use aviation facility located in Waco, Texas, serving the Central Texas region. Situated on the campus of Texas State Technical College (TSTC), the airport is one of the largest and most specialized institutional airports in the United States. It serves as a primary hub for flight training, aircraft maintenance programs, and corporate aviation, while also supporting significant aerospace industrial activities, including major facilities for L3Harris Technologies.
The terminal building is a functional facility that serves as the administrative center for the airfield and a welcome point for visiting pilots. Inside, travelers will find basic amenities including a pilot's lounge with comfortable seating, a flight planning area, and clean restroom facilities. While the airport does not support scheduled commercial airline service (which is handled by nearby Waco Regional Airport), the terminal is designed to handle the needs of transient aviators and corporate personnel efficiently. Amenities at CNW are focused on essential travel needs, with complimentary Wi-Fi and light refreshments often available to those in transit.
Operational capacity at TSTC Waco Airport is exceptionally robust, reflecting its history as the former James Connally Air Force Base. The airfield features two primary paved runways, with the main runway (17L/35R) measuring an impressive 8,600 feet in length, making it capable of supporting almost any aircraft in the world, including the largest military and commercial jet transports. Navigation through the terminal is exceptionally easy due to its compact and logical layout. For ground transportation, the airport is located near major Central Texas thoroughfares, with taxi and ride-share services readily available to transport visitors to downtown Waco and local industrial centers.
๐ Connection Tips
TSTC Waco Airport (CNW) is a substantial airfield, but it is not a scheduled passenger airport, and that distinction matters. The airport supports Texas State Technical College aviation activity, aerospace industry work, and general aviation operations, so a traveler arriving at CNW is entering a technical and industrial airport environment, not a commercial terminal system. If your journey continues by airline, the real handoff will be by road to another airport, usually Waco Regional, Austin, or Dallas/Fort Worth depending on the route structure you need.
Because CNW has long runways and serious infrastructure, it can create the false impression that it functions like a commercial airport. It does not. There is no public-airline network on the field to absorb delays or allow simple gate-to-gate recovery. If you are arriving by charter or private aircraft and connecting onward, the key variables are road traffic on I-35, the location of your next departure, and whether your pickup has been properly arranged. In central Texas, that can be the difference between an easy same-day movement and a missed commercial flight.
Use CNW as an access airport, not as a transfer hub. Pre-arrange the car, check drive times against the time of day, and avoid building your schedule on optimistic assumptions about Texas traffic. The airfield is capable and easy enough for its intended users, but every important connection after CNW happens off-airport and needs to be treated as part of the main itinerary.
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 TSTC Waco Airport