Wondering where international flights take flight? You are standing at Main Terminal – Airside E in Tampa. This airside is a vital part of Tampa International Airport. Main Terminal – Airside E plays a key role in international travel operations.
Let’s step back in time. Tampa International Airport has a rich history. Commercial airline service began in Tampa Bay. Tony Jannus flew the first flight from St. Petersburg to Tampa in 1914. He used a Benoist Flying Boat. It was the world’s first scheduled commercial airline flight using a heavier-than-air airplane.
In 1928, the city built Drew Field six miles west of Downtown Tampa. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces used it as a training center. It was renamed Drew Army Airfield. After the war, it became Tampa International Airport.
Tampa International Airport’s second terminal opened in 1952. It was near Columbus Drive and West Shore Boulevard. Trans Canada Airlines began international flights in 1950. The airport was expanded in the late 1950s. Turbine-powered flights began in 1959.
Airport leaders chose the Landside/Airside design in 1965. Construction on the new terminal began in 1968. The terminal opened on April 15, 1971. National Airlines Flight 36 from Los Angeles was the first to arrive at Airside E.
Main Terminal – Airside E sat dormant for a few years. The current Airside E opened in 2002.
Today, Main Terminal – Airside E is primarily for international flights. It has 13 gates. Major airlines operate international routes from here. Passengers enjoy amenities like a food court, gift shops and duty-free stores.
An elevated automated people mover connects Main Terminal – Airside E to the Landside Terminal. This driver-free system ensures efficient transfers. Tampa International Airport was the first to deploy such a system.
In its early years, the 1971 terminal saw tourists heading to Walt Disney World. Orlando International Airport was smaller then. Shawnee Airlines offered connecting flights from Tampa to Walt Disney World Airport in the 1970s.
Tampa International Airport has received many awards. Zagat Survey ranked it the Best Overall U.S. Airport in 2007 and 2008. Condé Nast Traveler recognized it as the second-best airport in the world in 2008. In 2024, Travel+Leisure ranked TPA the eighth-best domestic airport in the US.
The airport continues to improve. A new Airside D is under construction. It is set to open in 2028. Tampa International Airport aims to serve up to 35 million annual passengers by 2037.
Remember the color-coded signage system at Tampa International Airport. Designed by Jane Davis Doggett, it uses red and blue to guide passengers. It began on the highway outside the airport. This innovative system was safer and required fewer signs.
When you pass through Main Terminal – Airside E, think of its history. From Drew Field to a modern international hub, it has played a significant role in Tampa’s aviation story.