โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS/KCPS) is a premier public-use aviation facility located in Cahokia, Illinois, serving the St. Louis metropolitan area. Strategically positioned just minutes from the Gateway Arch and the St. Louis city center, it is the busiest general aviation airport in the region and one of the most significant in Illinois. The airport plays a vital role in supporting corporate travel, private aviation, and flight training, being the home base for the Saint Louis University Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology.
The terminal building is a modern and professional facility that serves as the center for airport administration and passenger services. Inside, visitors will find a welcoming lobby area, multiple pilot's lounges with comfortable seating, and clean restroom facilities. Although the airport does not currently support scheduled commercial airline service, the terminal is designed to handle the needs of transient aviators and corporate personnel with high efficiency. Amenities at CPS include high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the building and a popular on-site restaurant, the Jetway Cafe, which offers a variety of dining options with views of the airfield and the St. Louis skyline.
Operational capacity at St. Louis Downtown Airport is supported by three primary paved runways, with the longest (12R/30L) measuring approximately 7,002 feet in length, which is capable of handling a wide range of regional aircraft and large corporate jets. The airport also boasts world-class support services provided by multiple Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs), including major facilities for Gulfstream Aerospace and Jet Aviation. Navigation through the terminal is exceptionally easy due to its compact and logical layout. For ground transportation, the airport is located within a very short drive of downtown St. Louis, with taxi services and private vehicle transfers readily available to transport visitors to their local destinations or hotels.
๐ Connection Tips
St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS) is a strong private-aviation and corporate field, but it is not a scheduled-airline airport, so any connection through it is really a transfer into downtown St. Louis or to a larger commercial airport. The airport's biggest advantage is location. It puts travelers very close to the central business district and riverfront, which makes it highly attractive for business aviation. But that same advantage should not be confused with commercial-network flexibility. If your next segment depends on an airline, that airline is almost certainly somewhere else.
For many travelers, that means St. Louis Lambert becomes the real hub, and the surface transfer between downtown-area private aviation and the commercial airport system is the critical part of the itinerary. Because the airport sits so close to the city core, CPS works beautifully when the destination is downtown. It is less straightforward when the traveler assumes a same-day private-to-airline transfer will be trivial without planning.
Use CPS as a city-access airport, not as an airline-transfer station. Confirm the car service before landing, allow for downtown traffic and cross-metro movement, and if a commercial departure matters later the same day, give yourself more margin than the raw mileage suggests. CPS is efficient for reaching St. Louis quickly. The fragility begins when the trip depends on reconnecting to the scheduled-airline network afterward.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Apalachicola Regional Airport (AAF), also known as Cleve Randolph Field, is a public-use facility that primarily serves the general aviation needs of Franklin County, Florida. The terminal experience here is centered around a well-maintained general aviation building that houses the Fixed-Base Operator (FBO), Centric Aviation. Unlike commercial hubs, the atmosphere is quiet and professional, catering to private pilots, corporate travelers, and flight training operations. The terminal provides essential services such as a pilot lounge, a flight planning room, and basic administrative offices, all within a compact and easily navigable single-story structure.
The facility is designed for quick transitions from landside to airside, with a parking area located just steps away from the terminal entrance. Inside, visitors will find a clean and welcoming environment with comfortable seating and access to restrooms. While there are no sprawling retail concourses or food courts, the FBO staff are known for their hospitality, often providing complimentary coffee and assistance with ground logistics. The terminal also serves as a hub for local aviation events and military training exercises, reflecting the airport's diverse role in the regional aviation landscape of the Florida Panhandle.
For those arriving by private or charter aircraft, the terminal offers seamless access to the airfield's three concrete runways. There are no jet bridges; instead, passengers deplane directly onto the apron and walk a short distance to the FBO building. Security is managed through standard general aviation protocols rather than TSA checkpoints, allowing for a much faster arrival and departure process. Despite its simplicity, the terminal at AAF provides a high level of service for the general aviation community, offering a gateway to the historic city of Apalachicola and the pristine beaches of St. George Island.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting at Apalachicola Regional Airport is different from commercial transfers as the airport does not host scheduled airline services. All connections are between private, corporate, or charter flights. If you are planning a multi-leg journey through AAF, coordination with the Fixed-Base Operator (FBO), Centric Aviation, is essential. They assist with aircraft staging, refueling with 100LL or Jet-A, and ensuring ground support equipment is ready. The airport operates without a control tower, so pilots must use the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) for local communication.
To transition from a private flight at AAF to a commercial airline, the nearest options are Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) or Tallahassee International Airport (TLH). Both are about an 80 to 90-minute drive from Apalachicola. Since there are no on-site rental car agencies with permanent counters, you must pre-arrange vehicle delivery or shuttle services. Many travelers find it convenient to use local taxi services or pre-arranged private transfers to reach these commercial hubs or destinations along the Forgotten Coast.
Ground logistics should be planned with the airport's operating hours in mind, as services are typically available from 08:00 to 19:00. If you require an after-hours arrival or departure, coordinate in advance with the FBO for terminal access and fuel. The rural area means ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft are not reliably available, so a confirmed transport plan is crucial. Whether you are connecting to a fishing charter, a meeting, or a commercial flight elsewhere, AAF offers a low-stress environment provided that your ground and air logistics are meticulously pre-arranged.
โ Back to St Louis Downtown Airport