Regarding airport design what makes Tampa International Airport so special? The Tampa International Airport stands as a testament to innovation in airport design and passenger convenience. This airport is six miles west of Downtown Tampa.
Originally known as Drew Field Municipal Airport, it adopted the name Tampa International Airport in 1952. Before that inaugural flight of the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line occurred in 1914. A Benoist Flying Boat flew from St. Petersburg to Tampa. This was the world’s first scheduled commercial airline flight using a heavier-than-air airplane.
In 1928, the city established Drew Field on 160 acres. It was named after developer John H. Drew. Peter O. Knight Airport opened on Davis Islands in 1935. Both Eastern and National Airlines operated there until 1946.
During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces expanded Drew Field. It became Drew Army Airfield. The Third Air Force used it as a training center. After the war, Drew Field became Tampa’s main airport. Eastern Air Lines and National Airlines moved there.
Trans Canada Airlines initiated international flights in 1950. The airport’s second terminal opened in 1952. By the late 1950s, the terminal was overwhelmed. An annex was built for new carriers.
The Landside/Airside design was chosen in 1965. Construction began in 1968. The new terminal opened on April 15, 1971. National Airlines Flight 36 from Los Angeles was the first to arrive.
Jane Davis Doggett designed the graphics and signage system. A red and blue color scheme guided passengers. This color-coded wayfinding system improved safety. The Tampa Airport was the first to use this system.
The logo represents Tampa Bay’s blue waters. It shows a jetliner flying into the Tampa sunset. It is called the “Spirit of Flight”.
In its early years, Tampa International Airport saw tourists heading to Walt Disney World which also opened in 1971. Shawnee Airlines offered connecting flights from Tampa to Walt Disney World Airport. Orlando International Airport later adopted Tampa’s Landside/Airside layout.
The air traffic control tower opened in 1972. It was the tallest in the United States at the time. The Airport Hotel opened in 1973.
The airport expanded over the decades. Airside F opened in 1987. Airside A was built and opened in 1995. Airside E opened in 2002. Airside C opened in 2005. A new Airside D is set to open in 2028.
Pemco World Air Services occupies the former US Airways hangar. It performs maintenance for Spirit Airlines and JetBlue.
Federal officials approved charter flights to Cuba in 2011.
Tampa International Airport has received high customer-satisfaction ratings. It was named the best airport in North America for its size in 2020. In August 2022, a flamingo sculpture named HOME was installed.
The Landside Terminal handles baggage and ticketing. Airside satellites handle embarkment and disembarkment. An automated people mover connects the Landside Terminal to the Airsides. Tampa International Airport was the first to deploy a fully automated people mover system.
The airport covers 3,300 acres. It has three runways. The service building houses the communications center and other facilities.
A Rental Car Center opened in 2018. It is connected to the terminal via the SkyConnect train. Bus services connect to the Rental Car Center.
The Tampa International Airport continues to evolve. It will serve up to 35 million annual passengers by 2037. It remains a symbol of innovation and passenger-focused design.