Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
Image Credit: Wikipedia Commons
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (IATA code: MKE) is a civil-military airport just five miles south of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the United States. The airport is currently owned by and operated by Milwaukee Count.
The airport is used by travellers throughout Wisconsin, as well as Northern Illinois. Over 40 cities, including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, and Orlando are currently served by non-stop services from the airport.
MKE was a former hub for AirTran Airways, before the airline was acquired by Southwest Airlines. In December 2014, the airport also became a focus city for Southwest Airlines.
Name Change: In February 2019, the airport was renamed from General 'Mitchell International Airport' to 'Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport'. The re-branding aims to highlight the airport's location.
Interesting Fact: It airport is named after United States Army Air Service General Billy Mitchell, who was raised in Milwaukee. Mitchell is often regarded as the father of the United States Air Force.
Location
The airport is located just five miles (8 km) south of downtown Milwaukee, in Wisconsin.
Facilities
Facilities Include:
Food and Shopping: On the concession level, there are a range of retail outlets, offering everything from premium labels to novelty gifts. There is also a branch of Renaissance Books, believed to be the world's first used book store in an airport. There is a small food court within the main terminal, as well as food outlets within both Concourses. Options range from Italian restaurants to coffee shops, fast food and light snacks.
Wi-Fi and Charging: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport for 60 minutes; fees apply after 60 minutes. Outlets for charging can be found in banks of seats near the gates.
Baby and Family Amenities: There are nursing suites are available throughout the airport, complete with power/USB ports and comfortable seating and fold-down shelf. Located throughout the airport, family restrooms provide additional space. There are also play areas for children within both Concourse C and D.
TSA PreCheck: TSA PreCheck is available to those who have signed up. Find out more here to enjoy faster security screening.
Museum: The main terminal building also houses the 'Mitchell Gallery of Flight', a non-profit museum that explores the aviation history of the airport and area.
Additional Facilities: Additional facilities include conference room, a FedEx/UPS parcel drop area, a BMO Harris Bank and a service animal relief area.
Inside the Main Terminal Building. Image Credit: Wikipedia Commons
Lounges Include:
MKE offers a USO Lounge on Concourse D, open 8am-8pm, 7 days a week, and open to military travellers with an active duty military ID and a boarding pass. The lounge provides a comfortable place to watch TV, use the computer, and read or relax. Snacks and beverages are also served.
Delta Sky Club
Exclusive for Delta Air Lines Skyclub members, the lounge is located in Concourse D, Airside, and open 4:45AM – 7:15PM (Sun – Fri) and 4:45AM – 5:00PM (Sat). Facilities include beverages (including alcoholic, fax machines, photocopiers and hot spot printing, newspapers and magazines, snacks, telephones, TV and Wi-Fi.
Runways
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport covers 2,180 acres and has five asphalt and concrete runways. These runways range from 4,183 to 9,990 ft (1,463 to 3,045 m). There is also a helipad on the south side of the airport property.
Terminals
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport one terminal with two concourses. There are 38 gates between the two concourses.
Concourse C (Gates 9-25): Air Canada, Southwest, United Airlines, and Volaris.
Concourse D (Gates 27-56): Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Frontier, Delta, and Funjet Vacations.
International Flights
All international flight arrivals (except those from Toronto) will arrive at the International Arrivals Terminal. A free shuttle service from the International Arrivals Terminal to the main terminal building. A small parking area is also located in front of the building, available for those picking up international passengers.
Please note, passengers connecting from an airline on one concourse to an airline on another concourse will be screened at the security checkpoint of the departure concourse.
Airlines that fly to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
The following airlines fly to/from MKE:
| Airline | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Air Canada Express | Toronto–Pearson |
| Alaska Airlines | Seattle/Tacoma |
| Allegiant Air | St. Petersburg/Clearwater |
| American Airlines | Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix–Sky Harbor |
| American Eagle | Charlotte, Chicago–O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Philadelphia |
| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma Seasonal: Cancún |
| Delta Connection | Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–LaGuardia Seasonal: Orlando |
| Frontier Airlines | Denver, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Orlando, Tampa Seasonal: Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Raleigh/Durham, San Diego |
| Southwest Airlines | Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Dallas–Love, Denver, Fort Myers, Houston–Hobby, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York–LaGuardia, Orlando, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, St. Louis, Tampa, Washington–National Seasonal: Cancún, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma |
| United Airlines | Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Newark |
| United Express | Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark |
| Volaris | Guadalajara |
Top Destinations
The busiest route to/from MKE:
| Rank | Destination | Passengers | Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta, Georgia | 412,000 | Delta, Southwest |
| 2 | Denver, Colorado | 259,000 | Frontier, Southwest, United |
| 3 | Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota | 224,000 | Delta |
| 4 | Phoenix, Arizona | 203,000 | American, Frontier, Southwest |
| 5 | Orlando, Florida | 198,000 | Delta, Frontier, Southwest |
How to get to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
After landing, there are several easy options to get you to downtown Milwaukee; no matter which option you choose, the trip will take about 20 to 30 minutes.
By Car
There are eight rental-car agencies with counters inside Mitchell International Airport: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar Car Rental, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty. There are two ways to travel to downtown Milwaukee. First, you can take the I-94 West (highway), or by following the WI-794-West Lake Freeway/Hoan Bridge (follows the lakefront). The #80 service heads to downtown Milwaukee via 6th Street.
By Bus
Two lines on the Milwaukee County Bus System that service the airport. The Green Line heads north to Glendale/Bayshore Town Center, travelling through downtown Milwaukee on the way.
Another option is to take Coach USA’s Wisconsin Coach Lines Bus, which regularly picks up and drops off passengers just outside Arrivals. The fare is $8 each way (subject to change).
By Train
The Hiawatha Amtrak line runs runs several times a day between downtown Chicago and downtown Milwaukee. There is a station near MKE (Amtrak code MKA) ehich can be accessed by Amtrak shuttle, which can be picked up from the airport. The shuttle fee is $8-$9 one-way ($16-$18 round-trip) and is a 15-minute ride.
By Taxi
A taxi stand is located outside Baggage Claim 3. The fare between the airport and downtown Milwaukee is approximately $25 one-way.