John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is the primary commercial airport serving Columbus, Ohio, and the surrounding central Ohio region. Named in honor of John Glenn — the Ohio native who became the first American to orbit the Earth, and later a United States Senator — CMH is located approximately 8 miles east of downtown Columbus. The airport serves a metropolitan area that has grown into one of the Midwest's most dynamic economies, anchored by Ohio State University, a growing technology sector, Intel's massive chip manufacturing campus, and state government.
John Glenn Columbus International Airport operates with two connected terminal buildings — Terminal A and Terminal B — that share a common security checkpoint area and are connected airside, allowing passengers to move between gates without clearing security. The airport has been in a sustained growth period alongside Columbus's remarkable economic expansion, which has made it one of the faster-growing major airports in the Midwest.
Columbus's emergence as a technology hub — accelerated dramatically by Intel's 2022 announcement of a $20+ billion chip manufacturing campus in New Albany, Ohio — has significantly elevated the city's global profile and air service needs. CMH has attracted new carrier service and international routes as the Columbus region's technology economy grows.
CMH serves approximately 9–10 million passengers annually and provides nonstop service to domestic cities across the United States. The airport is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.
Columbus Municipal Airport opened in 1929. The modern facility at its current site developed through successive expansions in the postwar decades. The airport was renamed Port Columbus International Airport for decades before the Ohio General Assembly renamed it John Glenn Columbus International Airport in 2016, following the astronaut's death. Glenn's Ohio roots — he was born in Cambridge, Ohio, and spent much of his life in the state — made the renaming a natural tribute.
Columbus has consistently been one of the Midwest's more economically stable cities, and CMH has grown steadily through both Ohio State University-related travel and the city's diversified economy. Intel's chip campus announcement in 2022 is expected to dramatically accelerate the Columbus region's growth and CMH's long-term passenger demand.
CMH has two terminal buildings, Terminal A and Terminal B, connected on the airside. Terminal A handles American Airlines and some other carriers. Terminal B handles Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and additional carriers. Both terminals share security checkpoints and are navigable as a unified facility despite being separate buildings.
The terminal facilities have been progressively updated in recent years. A concourse extension and gate expansion project has added capacity to accommodate growing demand. The ground transportation area serves both terminals from a central roadway.
American Airlines is among the largest carriers at CMH, providing connections through its Charlotte (CLT) hub. Delta Air Lines connects CMH to Atlanta (ATL). United Airlines connects CMH to Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), and Washington Dulles (IAD). Southwest Airlines operates domestic service. Frontier Airlines provides low-cost options.
International service at CMH is growing. Air Canada serves Toronto. British Airways has added seasonal service to London Heathrow, reflecting Columbus's growing international business profile. CMH provides nonstop service to approximately 40–45 domestic and international destinations.
CMH's terminal amenities are solid and improving, with Columbus-themed dining and retail concepts represented. The airport has invested in modernizing its concourse areas and improving the gate environment. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. Nursing rooms, pet relief areas, and interfaith spaces are accessible across both terminals.
The airport's passenger experience is generally well-regarded for a mid-size regional facility — efficient, uncrowded relative to hub airports, and straightforward to navigate.
CMH does not have a direct rail connection to downtown Columbus. COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) bus service connects the airport to the regional bus network, with Route 33 (CMAX BRT connection) providing access toward downtown Columbus. Rideshare services are the dominant option for most travelers. Taxis serve the ground level. Rental car companies operate from an on-airport facility.
The airport is accessible via I-670 and Stelzer Road. Downtown Columbus is approximately 15–20 minutes by car under normal traffic conditions.
CMH provides parking in a main garage adjacent to the terminals and in economy lots with shuttle service. Rates are competitive for a mid-size regional airport. Economy lots offer the lowest rates. Advance reservations are recommended during Ohio State University home football weekends in September–November, when Columbus experiences peak travel demand.
Ohio State Buckeyes home football weekends — particularly rivalry games against Michigan in November — are the highest-demand travel periods at CMH. Book flights and parking well in advance for these weekends. CMH is also busy during Ohio State graduation weekend in May.
CMH's security lines are typically manageable. Arriving 75–90 minutes before domestic departure is usually sufficient. American Airlines connections through Charlotte (CLT) are the most common connecting pattern for destinations not served nonstop. Note that CMH's international growth is recent and ongoing — check for new route additions if your destination might now be served nonstop.
John Glenn Columbus International Airport is the aviation gateway for a Columbus metropolitan area whose economic trajectory has become one of the most remarkable in the United States. Ohio State University generates enormous travel demand from alumni, academic, and athletic traffic. Columbus's financial services sector (Nationwide Insurance, JPMorgan Chase operations) and technology growth drive business travel. Intel's $20+ billion chip manufacturing campus in New Albany is expected to generate significant new international travel demand from the global semiconductor industry.
CMH's ability to attract new international service — particularly the British Airways London route — reflects the Columbus region's growing global economic significance.
CMH is pursuing a significant expansion program driven by Columbus's projected growth and Intel's chip campus development. Plans include additional concourse gates, expanded international arrivals capacity, and ground transportation improvements. The Columbus Regional Airport Authority is working with airlines to attract new international routes that serve the region's growing global business connections. A future transit connection to the Columbus transit network has been discussed in regional planning.
CMH is a medium hub airport supporting regional travel and business connectivity for central Ohio. It serves as the primary aviation gateway for Columbus's rapidly growing technology, university, and state government economy.
Airports within approximately 60 miles of John Glenn Columbus International Airport that may provide additional scheduled commercial, regional access.
John Glenn Columbus International Airport is an airport on the rise — growing alongside one of America's most dynamic Midwestern cities and benefiting from the extraordinary economic catalyst of Intel's chip campus and Ohio State's perennial draw. For the Columbus region's residents and the growing number of international visitors drawn by new direct routes, CMH delivers an efficient, pleasant gateway that reflects well on its astronaut namesake's spirit of discovery.
John Glenn was an Ohio native who became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962 aboard Friendship 7. He later served as a U.S. Senator from Ohio for 24 years. He passed away in 2016 at age 95, and Columbus Airport was renamed in his honor in 2016.
No direct rail connection exists. COTA bus service connects the airport to the Columbus transit network. Rideshare is the most common option for most travelers.
American, Delta, United, Southwest, and Frontier serve CMH. Air Canada provides Toronto service and British Airways operates seasonal London Heathrow service. CMH serves approximately 40–45 destinations nonstop.
Ohio State Buckeyes home football weekends — particularly the Michigan rivalry game in November — are the highest-demand travel periods. Ohio State graduation in May also drives peak volumes. Book flights and parking well in advance for these dates.
For the most current flight schedules, parking availability, terminal maps, and ground transportation updates, visit the official John Glenn Columbus International Airport website.
John Glenn Columbus International Airport Official Site