This is definitely the smallest airport I have flown out of or into. But every adventure has to…read morestart somewhere. With a birthday trip coinciding with a trip home, this was the closest airport I could take that would ultimately get me to my final destination.
John Murtha Johnstown - Cambria County Airport, or JST (not to be confused with the Amtrak station downtown) offers flights to just two destinations operated by United Airlines. You can either make your way to Chicago or Washington, D.C. But with those two destination you can connect to your heart's desire. That could change at any time, as they have had different airlines servicing this airport. Who knows who may come in.
Interesting fact, when and if the President or Vice President ever visit the Flight 93 Memorial, they land here. Yes, it is still a ways to the memorial, but they will fly in here and either take a motorcade or helicopter to the site. When they do this, try to schedule your day accordingly. They will close down the highway when doing this.
If you do book a flight out of here, the rules of a major airport really do not apply to here. Usually you show up well in advance to get through security, check bags, and grab a bite to eat. Which is what I did, however I could have saved myself a few hours of sitting at an airport when I didn't need to.
With it being a small airport there is only one building with all the services in it, right down to the car rental. All that separates you from the "gates" and everything else is a roped off area that serves as security. When you think of airport security you think long twisting lines that are constantly busy. Not here, you will see a sign on a podium with a Velcro placard that flips between 'open' and 'close.' When it opens, they will make an announcement overhead, but really don't need to.
You can check your bags beforehand or in person. Then take them to the security area where they will roll it out to the plane. Something to note, even if you bring a carry-on, they will check it at the gate as the planes they use are smaller than usual and you can really only take a personal item, backpack, or purse with you on the plane. You will get that back at the gate when you land.
Security is brisk here. You make your way through the line real quick. TSA Precheck is the same line, you just carry a card through with you. Then you wait in an area before you are boarded. Boarding the plane is interesting as you walk out onto the tarmac and up the ramp to the plane. When landing, same thing in reverse.
Restaurant available on site. Car rental available on site. Free parking. Flights are regularly scheduled so you can definitely plan your day around it. Remember how I said you don't need to be here early. If you check in via the app, you can literally park and walk right in to the security line like ten minutes before the plan leaves.
For a small airport, it serves its purpose, but does lack a lot. No store to pick up something if you forgot it. Seating in the 'landside' portion of the airport is uncomfortable as the choice of seating for your wait either lacks back support or has odd shaping. It is a bit outdated and obvious in certain areas. However, there is a lot of history to look over here as well. Loads of articles and what not hanging on the walls.
I used to just always wonder what this place was like racing by on the highway and seeing the landing lights, but now I can say I have flown out of here.
