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
110
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Rochester International Airport operates as the premier gateway to Mayo Clinic and Minnesota's second-busiest aviation facility, positioned 7 miles south of downtown Rochester on two concrete runways including a 9,034-foot primary runway capable of accommodating international charter flights from business jets to Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Originally founded in 1928 by the Mayo Foundation specifically to transport patients to Mayo Clinic, this unique facility is owned by the City of Rochester and operated by the Rochester Airport Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mayo Clinic, reflecting its specialized medical aviation mission.
The compact terminal features a single-building design spanning two levels with 14 gates (1-6 on the lower level), specifically optimized for medical travelers with specialized amenities including private rooms equipped with beds or recliners and adjacent restrooms for nursing mothers and patients requiring quiet spaces before departure. The facility operates dedicated Mayo Clinic concierge services within the main lobby, providing appointment information, local resources, and ground transportation coordination, while maintaining U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities specifically added in 1995 for international medical charter operations.
Terminal amenities emphasize patient comfort and convenience including free Wi-Fi ('RST FREE' network), quiet rooms, mini-library, and Tailwind concessions offering meals and local craft beer, supported by comprehensive medical aviation infrastructure including air ambulance services critical for Mayo Clinic operations. The facility processes approximately 200,000 annual passengers (6% increase in 2024) while serving specialized international medical charter traffic ranging from routine business aviation to emergency medical evacuations.
Strategic partnerships with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines provide daily service to Chicago O'Hare and Minneapolis-Saint Paul, while the airport's proximity to IBM Rochester campus supports significant business aviation traffic. The facility's unique dual role as both a commercial regional airport and specialized medical aviation hub positions it as an essential component of Mayo Clinic's global healthcare delivery system, serving patients and medical professionals from around the world while maintaining critical connections to national transportation networks.
๐ Connection Tips
Rochester International Airport (RST) operates as the premier gateway to Mayo Clinic, uniquely owned by the City of Rochester and operated by Mayo Clinic's wholly-owned subsidiary Rochester Airport Company, facilitating specialized medical aviation from its 9,034-foot runway capable of accommodating international charter flights from business jets to Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Patient Travel Services (toll-free 866-551-3392) arranges airfare discounts and ground transport for qualifying medical travelers, while Angel Flight East (215-358-1900) and Miracle Flights (800-359-1711) provide free transportation for patients requiring life-changing medical care. The facility processes international medical charter operations through dedicated U.
American Airlines and Delta Air Lines provide daily service to Chicago O'Hare and Minneapolis-Saint Paul, connecting Mayo Clinic patients worldwide through the facility originally founded in 1928 specifically for medical transportation. Local taxi services include Rochester Yellow Cab, Rochester Taxi, and Med-City Taxi charging approximately $30 for the 10-mile journey to Mayo Clinic. S. Customs and Border Protection facilities added in 1995, supporting emergency medical evacuations and routine medical travel from around the world.
Ground transportation centers around Mayo Clinic Concierge Services maintaining an information booth near baggage claim (507-280-9270) coordinating specialized patient transportation including Groome Transportation shuttle service, wheelchair-accessible van transportation, and direct hotel connections. Specialized terminal amenities serve medical travelers including private quiet rooms equipped with beds or recliners plus adjacent restrooms for nursing mothers and patients requiring rest before departure, complemented by skycap services providing wheelchair assistance and luggage support. Terminal operations emphasize patient comfort with the 'RST FREE' Wi-Fi network, mini-library, and Tailwind concessions, while maintaining efficient 90-minute advance arrival requirements for domestic flights through this unique medical aviation hub serving Mayo Clinic's global healthcare delivery system.
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 Rochester International Airport