โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
60
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Salem-Willamette Valley Airport/McNary Field serves as Oregon's state capital airport covering 751 acres at 213 feet elevation, operating two asphalt runways (5,811-foot runway 13/31 with ILS and 5,146-foot runway 16/34) plus helipad H1, with control tower, restaurant, and general aviation center supporting limited flight training. Recently renamed from Salem Municipal Airport in June 2024 to highlight its Willamette Valley AVA location for tourism promotion, the facility experienced the return of commercial service in October 2023 through Avelo Airlines offering twice-weekly Boeing 737 flights to Las Vegas and Hollywood-Burbank serving the Los Angeles market.
Terminal facilities comprise a compact terminal with basic waiting areas and amenities, though travelers are advised to handle major dining or banking needs in downtown Salem just two miles away. The facility supports general aviation operations alongside Avelo's commercial service, with ground transportation including Cherriots Line 04 bus hourly connections to downtown Salem transit center, local taxi companies like Amanda's Taxi and Affordable Taxi, plus active Uber and Lyft services.
Operational characteristics focus on commercial passenger service complemented by general aviation activities, corporate flights, flight training operations, and emergency services, while the airport's proximity to downtown Salem and state capitol buildings makes it an attractive alternative to Portland International Airport for regional travelers. The facility maintains necessary safety and operational standards with control tower operations and ILS approach capabilities.
Strategic importance encompasses serving Oregon's state capital with renewed commercial aviation connectivity after 15 years without scheduled airline service, providing stress-free alternatives to Portland's larger hub for regional travelers, and supporting the greater Willamette Valley's tourism and business aviation needs while maintaining vital general aviation services for emergency response and regional connectivity throughout Oregon's mid-valley communities.
๐ Connection Tips
Salem-Willamette Valley Airport, also known as McNary Field (SLE), is the primary commercial airport for Oregon's state capital and the heart of the Willamette Valley. The fare is a standard $1.60. For a more direct transfer, local taxi companies like Amandaโs Taxi and Affordable Taxi are the primary on-call options; a ride to downtown Salem typically costs between $10 and $15 and takes about 10 minutes. The airport's location just off Mission Street makes it easily accessible by car, with on-site parking located directly across from the terminal entrance. The bus stop is located at the intersection of State Street and Airport Road, roughly a 5-to-10-minute walk from the terminal.
Facilities include a small waiting area and basic amenities, but travelers are advised to handle major dining or banking needs in downtown Salem. For budget travelers, the Cherriots Line 04 bus provides an hourly connection between the airport area and the downtown Salem transit center. The terminal at SLE is compact and exceptionally easy to navigate, allowing passengers to arrive just 60 to 90 minutes before their scheduled departure. Ground transportation from SLE is convenient and well-organized.
For those needing to connect to Portland or other parts of the state, Groome Transportation offers a dedicated shuttle service, while the Amtrak Cascades line provides scenic rail links from the Salem station located just a few miles away. Since the return of scheduled commercial service via Avelo Airlines, the airport has become a popular and stress-free alternative to Portland International (PDX) for regional travelers. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are also active in Salem and provide reliable transfers to and from the airfield.
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 Salem-Willamette Valley Airport/McNary Field