โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
McCarthy Airport (MXY) is a remote bush facility serving the small community of McCarthy and the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark within the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska. The 'terminal' is minimal, typically consisting of a basic shelter or a small administrative building for pilots and passengers. It primarily caters to bush plane operations, providing a critical air link for this isolated wilderness area, which is only accessible by a long and challenging gravel road.
Facilities at the airport are virtually non-existent, reflecting its location in one of the most remote and rugged parts of North America. Travelers using this airport must be completely self-sufficient and ensure that all ground logistics, including transport to the town or the historic Kennecott site, are pre-arranged with local shuttle services or guesthouses. The airport is a popular hub for flightseeing tours, wilderness expeditions, and for residents and workers in the McCarthy and Kennecott communities.
Ground transportation from the airport to McCarthy town or the Kennecott mine site is typically managed via local shuttles, as the airport is located a few miles from the main community centers. Arriving at McCarthy offers an immediate and raw experience of the Alaskan wilderness, with spectacular views of the Root Glacier, Mount Blackburn, and the surrounding Wrangell Mountains. The airport remains a vital piece of infrastructure for the connectivity and safety of this unique and historically significant part of Alaska.
๐ Connection Tips
McCarthy Airport (MXY) is a true remote-access airport for Wrangell-St. There is no ordinary drive-through airport-to-hotel transfer in the way visitors might expect elsewhere in Alaska. Keep a buffer day if the trip contains any non-refundable onward connection, and carry what you need for an unexpected delay because airport facilities are minimal.
Elias travel, so the crucial connection issue is not another flight but how you complete the final approach into McCarthy and Kennicott after landing. If you are flying in, coordinate with your lodge or local operator before departure so you know exactly who is meeting you, where baggage will be handled, and how the final segment to McCarthy or Kennicott is covered. Travelers using the McCarthy Road instead of flying should still think of the footbridge and town-side shuttle as the real final transfer.
The airstrip sits on the road side of the Kennicott River footbridge; from there, travelers normally connect by local shuttle to the bridge area, cross on foot, and continue with town-side lodging or shuttle arrangements. Weather, daylight, and small-aircraft operating limits all matter here, so avoid building a razor-thin same-day chain back to Anchorage or another major flight. MXY is an excellent shortcut into the park and historic district, but it works smoothly only when the flight, the bridge crossing, and the lodging pickup have been planned together as one remote Alaska arrival.
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 McCarthy Airport