Indianapolis International Airport Overview and Guide

Indianapolis International Airport is a major hub in the Midwest, serving over 8 million passengers annually. It's a bustling airport, but with some insider knowledge, you can navigate it like a pro.

The airport is located about 10 miles west of downtown Indianapolis, making it easily accessible by car or public transportation. Indianapolis International Airport is a relatively small airport, with only one terminal, but it's well-equipped to handle the large number of passengers it serves.

One of the airport's most notable features is its art program, which showcases the work of local and regional artists throughout the terminal. You can even take a self-guided tour of the airport's art installations if you have some time to kill before your flight.

The Indianapolis International Airport is a major hub in the Midwest, serving over 9 million passengers per year. It's a busy place, but with some planning, you can navigate it with ease.

The airport is situated about 7 miles west of downtown Indianapolis, making it easily accessible by car or public transportation.

The Indianapolis International Airport has a rich history that spans over six decades. From 1957 to 2008, the passenger terminal was located on the east side of the airfield off High School Road.

The first terminal was renovated and expanded several times, with notable updates in 1968, 1972, and 1987. Concourses A and B were added in 1968, Concourse D was added in 1972, and Concourse C and the attached parking garage were added in 1987.

In 1976, the International Arrivals Terminal was opened on the north side of the airfield off Pierson Drive. This terminal was a significant addition to the airport, providing a dedicated space for international flights.

The airport's passenger traffic grew steadily over the years, with 82 weekday departures in 1957. Eastern Airlines had the most departures, with 24 flights, followed by TWA with 22 flights.

The first jets arrived at the airport in 1961, with TWA operating Convair 880s. Westward nonstops didn't reach beyond St. Louis until 1967, when TWA started a flight from JFK to IND to LAX with a Boeing 707.

Expand your knowledge: Flights to Teterboro Airport

In the mid-1970s, TWA ran a widebody Lockheed L-1011 on the nonstop flight to Los Angeles. This marked a significant milestone in the airport's history, showcasing its growing importance as a hub for air travel.

Private management of the airport ended in 2007, and control reverted to the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) on December 31st of that year.

The Indianapolis International Airport offers a range of domestic destinations, with over 70 routes to choose from. You can find a domestic destinations map on the airport's website, which highlights the various cities you can fly to.

The map shows that Indianapolis has direct flights to major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. It's also worth noting that the airport has seasonal and future destinations marked on the map, so you can plan ahead for your next trip.

Some of the popular domestic destinations from Indianapolis include Atlanta, Austin, and Boston. You can also fly to cities like Nashville, New Orleans, and Philadelphia.

Here's a list of some of the domestic destinations from Indianapolis:

The airport's domestic destinations map is a useful resource for planning your next trip. It's easy to navigate and provides a clear overview of the various routes available.

The Indianapolis International Airport has seen a steady increase in annual passenger traffic over the years. In 1996, the airport handled 7,069,039 passengers.

The airport's traffic has grown consistently, with a peak of 9,537,377 passengers in 2019. However, it's worth noting that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on air travel, leading to a decline in 2020 with 4,104,130 passengers.

Here's a breakdown of the airport's annual passenger traffic from 1996 to 2021:

The airport's traffic has been affected by various factors, including economic conditions and global events. Despite these challenges, the airport has remained a vital transportation hub for the region, serving over 7 million passengers in 2021.

As you walk through the airport, you might notice the various employees working behind the scenes to ensure a smooth and safe experience for travelers. The total number of airport employees at IND is 464, according to the latest data from December 2023.

The largest department at the airport is parking, with 70 employees making up 15.2% of the total workforce. Terminal services also employ a significant number of staff, with 67 employees accounting for 14.4% of the total.

One of the smallest departments is audit services, with only 4 employees working in this area, making up 0.9% of the total workforce. Another small department is IMC, with 3 employees, which is 0.6% of the total.

The airport's employees are spread across various departments, including fire, building maintenance, police, and airfield operations. Here's a breakdown of the number of employees in each department:

The Indianapolis International Airport has a single terminal with two concourses and a total of 39 gates. It's one of the first airports in the U.S. designed and built following the September 11 attacks.

The current terminal, named in honor of Col. Harvey Weir Cook, opened in 2008 and is a modern facility. You can find international arrivals being processed in Concourse A.

Here's a breakdown of the concourses:

The Indianapolis International Airport has a single terminal with two concourses and a total of 39 gates. It's one of the first designed and built in the U.S. following the September 11 attacks.

The terminal opened in 2008 and is named in honor of Col. Harvey Weir Cook. This is a nice tribute to a notable figure.

International arrivals are processed in Concourse A, which contains 20 gates. This is convenient for travelers coming from abroad.

Concourse B, on the other hand, has 19 gates. It's great to have separate concourses for different types of flights.

Here's a breakdown of the concourses:

IND Airport has two lounges available for eligible passengers only. The Delta Sky Club is located in Concourse A, just after security, and is open Sunday to Friday from 4:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. and on Saturday from 4:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The USO Lounge, on the other hand, is located in the main terminal in baggage claim and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, this lounge is only accessible to military personnel and their dependents.

If you're looking to access the lounges, you'll be happy to know that the Delta Sky Club doesn't charge a day pass fee, but it's only available to eligible passengers in their premium cabins, frequent flyer programs, or participating credit card programs.

Here's a quick rundown of the lounges:

If you need to park for a longer duration, the airport surface lots are the most economical options.

The Park & Walk Lot is located beyond the parking garage and costs $14 per day.

Passengers can walk between the parking lot and terminal in around 8 to 9 minutes, with no shuttle service available.

The Economy Parking Lot is situated behind the Park & Walk Lot and is accessible via the courtesy shuttle service from the Ground Transportation Center.

Economy parking costs $9 per day, making it a more affordable option compared to the Park & Walk Lot.

Explore further: Seatac International Airport Parking Rates

If you're flying into or out of Indianapolis International Airport, you're in luck because several major airlines operate from here.

Frontier Airlines is one of the airlines that calls IND home.

Southwest Airlines offers convenient flights from the airport, making it a popular choice for travelers.

Spirit Airlines and Sun Country Airlines also offer flights from the airport, providing more options for passengers.

United Airlines is another major carrier that operates from Indianapolis International Airport.

Here are some of the airlines operating from IND:

In recent years, airlines have been focusing on improving their in-flight entertainment options. Many airlines now offer over 1,000 movies and TV shows on demand.

The rise of streaming services has also led to a shift in the way airlines provide entertainment. Some airlines are now partnering with popular streaming services to offer their content on board.

Passengers can now expect to find more personalized options when it comes to in-flight entertainment. For example, some airlines allow passengers to create their own playlists or watch their favorite shows in their native language.

The introduction of high-speed internet on board has also changed the way passengers stay connected. Many airlines now offer Wi-Fi at speeds of up to 20 Mbps.

You might enjoy: International Distribution Services

If you're flying out of Indianapolis International Airport (IND), you'll have a variety of airlines to choose from. Southwest Airlines is the largest airline at IND, carrying over 2.8 million passengers between February 2024 and January 2025.

The airport offers non-stop flights to over 70 destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Some of the top international destinations include Toronto-Pearson, Cancún, and Dublin.

Here are some of the airlines that operate from IND:

The busiest domestic routes from IND include flights to Atlanta, Denver, Orlando, Chicago-O'Hare, and Dallas/Fort Worth. If you're planning a trip to one of these cities, be sure to check the flight schedules and book in advance to secure the best deals.

The Indianapolis International Airport has been ranked among the best airports in North America. It's no surprise, considering it's been awarded Best Airport in North America by the Airports Council International.

The Indy airport has received top scores in all categories, including Most Enjoyable Airport and Cleanest Airport. This is a testament to the airport's commitment to excellence and customer service.

Over 10.5 million commuters traveled through the Indy airport last year, with many drawn in by Indianapolis' growing economic opportunities. The airport has also hosted various events, including the Big Ten Tournament and the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.

The airport's staff has been praised for their tireless efforts to improve the travel experience. Indy Airport Authority Executive Director Mario Rodriguez couldn't be prouder of this achievement, saying the airport is "the best team in the industry."

Global Entry kiosks are located at IND for expedited clearance of passengers arriving into the U.S. from international flights.

To take advantage of this service, you'll first need to submit an application. After that, you'll need to arrange an interview at an enrollment center, which can be a bit of a hassle if you're based near IND, as there isn't one located there. The closest enrollment center is actually at South Bend International Airport (SBN).

Getting to and from Indianapolis International Airport is a breeze thanks to the various transportation options available. You can access the Ground Transportation Center on level 1 of the parking garage for information on limousine, shuttle bus, hotel courtesy vehicles, and other services.

The Ground Transportation Center is a one-stop shop for all your transportation needs, offering information and services on the spot. This convenient location eliminates the need for shuttling customers to and from individual companies' remote processing facilities.

From the Ground Transportation Center, you can access onward transport services, prearranged black car services, and even IndyGo bus service. You can also pick up your rental car or drop it off here, making the process seamless and efficient.

Broaden your view: International Container Terminal Services

If you're arriving at the airport, you can find ground transportation services on the first floor of the attached parking garage, including rental car operations and the Ground Transportation Center.

The Ground Transportation Center is a one-stop shop for all your transportation needs, where you can get information about limousine, shuttle bus, hotel courtesy vehicles, and other services like IndyGo bus service.

You can also find all the major car rental companies, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, SIXT, and Thrifty, in the Ground Transportation Facility, adjacent to the terminal.

Here are the phone numbers for each car rental company:

If you're looking for a more luxurious option, prearranged black car services are available from the Ground Transportation Center.

If you're looking for hotels near the Indianapolis Airport, you have plenty of options to choose from. The closest hotels are within a 1.4-mile radius.

The Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Airport and the Hampton Inn & Suites Indianapolis-Airport are tied for the closest hotel to the airport, both located just 1.4 miles away.

You can also consider staying at the TownePlace Suites Indianapolis Airport, which is only 1.5 miles from the airport.

A shuttle service is available at some hotels, making it convenient for guests to get to the airport. The TownePlace Suites by Marriott Indianapolis Airport offers a complimentary shuttle service.

Some hotels offer free hot breakfast, like the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Indianapolis Airport, which can be a great way to start your day.

Here is a list of hotels sorted by distance from the airport:

The Indianapolis International Airport is stepping up its game with some exciting new amenities. The airport hotel, a 253-room Marriott Westin-branded hotel, will connect to the west side of the terminal parking garage for direct access to the terminal.

This hotel will feature a full-service restaurant, a seventh-floor lounge area with an airfield view open to the public, and a fitness center. There's also approximately 10,000 square feet of meeting space, perfect for business travelers or event planners.

IND has 25+ restaurants, cafes, and food outlets to choose from. You can find options in the Civic Center and the individual concourses.

If you're planning where to eat before your flight, you can view available locations on the airport's website and filter results by terminal, concourse, or gate number.

Wi-Fi at airports has come a long way, and Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is no exception. Free and unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal and concourses, making it easy to stay connected.

The Wi-Fi at IND is incredibly fast, clocking in at 8 to 10 times the speed of most U.S. airports. This means you can stream your favorite shows or get some work done without any buffering issues.

IND Airport offers a range of parking options, including official airport parking, long-term parking, and valet parking.

The official airport parking options are located outside or inside the terminal access road, providing convenient access to the airport terminal.

If you're looking for long-term parking, the airport surface lots are the most economical option, with prices starting at $9 per day for the Economy Parking Lot.

The Park & Walk Lot is a great option for those who want to save a bit of money, costing $14 per day and located just a 8-9 minute walk from the terminal.

For those who prefer not to walk, the Economy Parking Lot is accessible via a courtesy shuttle service from the Ground Transportation Center.

Valet parking is also available at the airport, with a convenient location on level 3 of the parking garage and a price of $27 per day.

A new hotel is being built at the airport, which will feature dedicated parking with valet service, making it even easier to get to and from your gate.