Traveling via plane is fun — jet-setting over beautiful blue waters or rolling hills, taking in the cloud formations, and landing in a completely different location in a matter of hours.
The whole navigating the airport part? Less exciting, and sometimes pretty stressful. To help make your time at the Chattanooga Airport as smooth as possible, we’ve created a guide that covers everything from gates and parking to details on the airport’s 11 nonstop flights.
What to know
- TSA | According to the Chattanooga Airport’s website, it takes ~10 minutes to get through during off-peak hours and ~20 minutes during peak hours (5-8 a.m., Monday-Friday).
- Map it out | If you’re like us and need to completely visualize a place before you step foot inside, these maps of the entire airport will be your saving grace.
- Food and drink | Grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Tailwind Concessions after clearing the security checkpoint or snag some extra jet fuel at CoPilot Coffee — we heard the peanut butter cup latte shouldn’t be overlooked.
- Reminder | By Wednesday, May 7, you will need a REAL ID to board commercial flights in the US.
- Flight status | While we recommend staying updated via your respective airline, you can also check the airport’s dashboard for your flight status in a pinch.
Current airport updates
CHA has been in the news for quite a bit this last year. Recently, we have seen the return of direct flights to Miami, FL and New York + with the help of grant funds, a western hub destination is in the works (think: Denver, CO or Houston, TX).
The airport also made airwaves by setting a new record in 2024 — by conducting 556,958 enplanements. In the announcement, CHA states that this kind of data is what helps bring more direct flights to the area. If you’re asking us, we’d love to see Seattle one day.
But wait, there’s more. After first announcing plans for a $28 million expansion in 2021, the updated terminal is now complete. The airport’s looking pretty fly with an added 26,000 sqft, two new gates, a brand new concourse, updated facilities, and so much more.
Parking and shuttles
Not everyone has a bestie who will drop everything to pick them up from their 3 a.m. landing. Each lot and garage offers 15 minutes of free parking, 16-30 minutes for $2, and each additional 30 minutes for $2. Beyond that, the price per day is as listed:
- Short term parking | $20/day
- Covered parking garage | $15/day
- Long term lot 1 | $12/day
- Long term lot 2 | $12/day
Bonus: Because the Chattanooga Airport only has one terminal, all of these parking options are within walking distance of TSA and your gate.
Hate the thought of driving yourself? Try out a shuttle or taxi service that will take you to and from the terminal. These services are suggested by the Chattanooga Airport:
- A-1 Taxi & Transportation | Taxi and shuttle — bonus: This service will also take you to and from Atlanta.
- Ave Taxi | Taxi
- CARTA GO | Shuttle — bonus: Get a connection to the #4 Eastgate/ Hamilton Place bus route where you can easily transfer to the downtown area.
- Lookout Limousine | Premier shuttle — bonus: This service will also take you to and from surrounding airports in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama + there are no mileage fees or max stops.
- Mercury Cab | Taxi
- Nooga Shuttles | Shuttle
- Nooga Taxi | Taxi
- Bonus: You can also use Uber + Lyft ride share services
Top Flights
Chattanooga offers 13 nonstop flights. Remember that flight times and schedules will often change — you should rely on your respective airline for exact timing and to stay updated on any changes.
Bonus: Get lower fares by signing up for Going. You’ll get emailed when flights are 40-90% cheaper than usual. Get a two-week free trial of the Premium plan, which lets you set custom destination flight alerts (score).
- Atlanta, GA | Delta | Daily | Various times
- Charlotte, NC | American Airlines | Daily | Various times — bonus: Check out our sister city, CLTtoday, for fun things to do.
- Chicago, IL | United + American Airlines | Daily | Various times
- Dallas, TX | American Eagle (regional brand of American Airlines) | Sunday-Friday | Various times — bonus: Check out our sister city, DALtoday, for fun things to do.
- Detroit, MI | Delta | Daily | Various times
- Orlando, FL | Allegiant Air | Three days a week, schedule changes seasonally — bonus: Check out our sister city, ORLtoday, for fun things to do.
- Tampa, FL | Allegiant Air | Up to four days a week, schedule changes seasonally — bonus: Check out our sister city, TBAYtoday, for fun things to do.
- Washington, DC | American Airlines | Sunday-Friday | Various times — bonus: Check out our sister city, NOVAtoday, for fun things to do.
- Las Vegas, NV | Allegiant Air | Thursday and Sunday | Will depart in the afternoons + arrive in the mornings
- New York, NY | Delta | Daily | Various times
- Punta Gorda, FL | Allegiant Air | Thursday and Sunday | Various times
- Ft. Lauderdale, FL | Spirit | Flight numbers + schedules are subject to change
- Newark, NJ | Spirit | Flight numbers + schedules are subject to change
Fly comfortably
While we may not be able to offer solutions for crying babies or mysterious in-flight meals, we do have some tricks up our sleeves for upping your comfort while flying. Browse some of our favorite travel essentials:
- The AirFly Pro | Make sure you can always access in-flight entertainment (while avoiding the wired headphones airlines pass out) by using an AirFly. It plugs into your seat’s headphone jack and connects to your earbuds or headphones via Bluetooth.
- Trtl travel pillow | The Trtl pillow is scientifically designed to provide a better head position when sleeping upright, thanks to an internal support system comfortably cushioned in cozy fleece.
- Bose Noise Canceling Headphones | These headphones are tried-and-true traveling companions, beloved for their crisp sound and ability to block exterior noise.
- Cozy Earth joggers | These Oprah-approved joggers are polished enough to navigate the airport in, but comfy and stretchy enough for long flights.
- Anti-nausea wristbands | Some simple anti-nausea wristbands might relieve a nervous stomach or sensitivity to turbulence while flying.
