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General Airport Information
Q. How do I get to the airport?
Missoula International Airport is only minutes from downtown Missoula and is easily accessible from Highway 10 West and the I-90 Airway Boulevard interchange. Several hotels provide shuttles, and Mountain Line public transportation offers scheduled service to MSO. Please see our Maps and Directions page for more information on how to easily get to and from MSO.
Q. How do I contact the airport?
The Airport may be contacted any of the following ways:
5225 Highway 10 West
Missoula, Montana 59808
Website: www.flymissoula.com
Airport Information: (406) 728-4381
Email us for more information: Click here
Q. How can I advertise in the passenger terminal?
MSO presents an excellent venue for advertising your product or business. Hundreds of thousands of people pass through the airport's doors each year. Contact the Administration Office for more information.
Airport Parking
Q. Is free parking available at the Airport?
Yes, the first 15 minutes are free in both the short term and long term parking lots. Republic Parking operates the parking service at Missoula International Airport and fees are charged in order to better serve our customers. Our parking rates are very competitive with other airports throughout the region. Validation is available upon request for customers who patronize the Airport Restaurant and Lounge.
Q. Why does MSO charge for parking?
Other airports might generate revenue for infrastructure improvements through local county taxes. Revenues generated from parking at MSO are used to support maintenance and service of the parking lots and airport facilities.
Q. Does the Airport offer a Cell Phone lot?
Currently, Missoula International Airport does not provide a cell phone lot, however it may be considered in the future as cell phone lots are becoming more and more popular at airports across the country. These lots provide a convenient location for people to park and wait free of charge until their passengers call to be picked up in front of the terminal. This reduces traffic congestion on the terminal loop roads.
Q. Can I park my car in front of the terminal?
The airport cannot allow you to leave any vehicle at curbside for any length of time for any reason due to security reasons. People may still pull up in front of the terminal to drop off or pick up passengers, but the vehicle cannot be left unattended. Please utilize our short-term parking if you need more time. All unattended and/or unauthorized vehicles will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense. Missoula International Airport will not be responsible for damage or loss to any towed vehicle.
Q. Do off-airport rental car agencies offer shuttles?
Yes. Dollar, Rent-A-Wreck, and Thrifty are located off airport property and offer shuttle service from the front of the airport terminal to their facilities.
Q. How do I get to the general aviation terminals?
Minuteman Jet Center is located on the west side of the airport on Aviation Way West, and can be contacted at (406) 728-9363. Northstar Air Express is located on the east side of the airport on Corporate Way and can be contacted at (406) 721-8886.
Q. How do I get to the Flight Museum?
The Museum of Mountain Flying is located east of the main passenger terminal. After turning in to the airport from Highway 10 West, turn left on Aviation Way East and continue straight ahead. After the stop sign, continue straight past the rental car wash facilities. Look for the R. Preston Nash Flight Museum sign on the white building. For your convenience, directional signs are provided to guide you to the museum from the main airport entrance.
Ticketing, Security and Airline Information
Q. I bought my ticket on line, what should I bring?
You will need your confirmation number and your picture ID. International flights may require more or other identification. Contact your airline to be sure.
Q. What airlines currently provide service to Missoula?
For a full list of the air carriers that provide scheduled service to the City of Missoula, please click here.
Q. What are MSO's non-stop destinations?
We are always looking to add new non-stop destinations from Missoula. For a list of our current destination cities, click here.
Q. How early should I arrive at the airport?
Times vary depending on traffic loads. Under normal circumstances, you should arrive at Missoula International Airport a minimum of 60 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time to allow for check-in and security screening. For early morning departures and departures between 11AM-2PM, allow 90 minutes as these are peak travel periods at MSO. For holidays, including Christmas and Thanksgiving, allow up tp 2 hours. Please check with your airline for current requirements for security checks and recommended arrival times.
In addition, the City of Missoula often experiences heavy traffic congestion during rush hours. A drive from the south side of Missoula to the airport can easily take 30-60 minutes, so be sure to allow yourself enough time to get to MSO.
Q. What if I lost my ticket?
Airline policy for lost tickets varies according to the individual airline. Contact the airline you are flying with for specific information.
Q. Do I need a photo ID to board my flight?
Yes, airlines and the Transportation Security Administration will normally require passengers to present a valid photo ID with signature. Acceptable identification includes a driver's license, current passport, or university ID. Some exceptions may be made for children under the age of 16 or adults over the age of 65.
Q. What if I have a child who is traveling alone?
The airlines will allow a parent or caregiver to accompany a child or person who needs physical assistance to the gate. But that person will be required to check in at the ticket counter and obtain a pass. A person without a pass will not be allowed to pass through the checkpoint.
Q. What carry-on requirements can I expect?
Carry-on requirements vary by carrier or aircraft type. Please contact your airline at MSO to inquire about carry-on luggage.
Q. Which carry-on items are currently prohibited?
Please view the current list of Prohibited Items from TSA.
Q. If I can't go the gate, how can I meet my party?
Those seeing people off or picking up guests must wait in the area just before the security checkpoint. There is a sign that designates how far you can go. Because of the way Missoula International is set up, all people exiting the concourses must exit the same way, so you won't miss your passenger.
Q. Do I need a boarding pass to get through security?
Yes. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is now requiring that all passengers have a boarding pass and a photo ID to pass through the security checkpoint. Passengers will need to check in at the ticket counter or at one of the automated kiosks located at or near the ticket counters. Some airlines do issue boarding passes via the internet.
Q. Will the metal detectors ruin my camera film?
The security screening checkpoints utilize multiple technologies for detection of illegal objects. The "arch" you walk under is a magnetometer that detects metal. The belt where you put your carry-on items utilizes x-rays, the strength of which is less than emitted from a color television set. Photographic film less than 1000 ASA is safe going through this procedure. It is recommended that film faster than 1000 ASA be hand inspected. Laptop computers are also safe utilizing the belt inspection and files will not be erased. As an alternative though, you may request a hand inspection of either your camera or laptop computer.
Q. What if my luggage is lost or damaged?
Missoula International Airport is not responsible for lost or damaged bags. You must resolve these issues with your airline. Be sure to save tickets and baggage tags until your bags are returned.
Q. How do I contact TSA?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has set up a hotline for comments, complaints, and inquiries about checkpoint operations. The number is 866 289-9673; you can also contact them by e-mail.
Q. We lose so many passengers to Spokane, don't we?
Actually, no, that's a misconception. The latest Passenger Demand Analysis dated February of 2006 found that 93% of Missoula travelers originated their journey from Missoula International Airport. Only 5% chose Spokane, and the remaining 2% chose to fly out of Glacier International Airport in Whitefish. These numbers indicate Missoula has excellent air carrier service, and will continue to be more competitive as new or expanded service is added, such as our new service to Portland, Chicago O'Hare, and Phoenix..
Although we do lose a few passengers to other airports in the region, it is not at all a situation which is unique to Missoula. It occurs every day to airports all over the country. All airports have what the industry refers to as leakage. While some Missoula residents may choose to fly out of another airport such as Spokane or Glacier, keep in mind those airports experience leakage to other cities as well, such as to Seattle and Missoula.
If you do a little research, you'll quite often find Missoula's air fares are equal to or cheaper than other airports in the region. For example, Expedia.com found a non-stop flight to Minneapolis from Missoula is currently $22 less than Spokane and $14 less than Boise for a round trip flight on the same travel dates. Similarly, Missoula is a staggering $124 less than both Spokane and Boise for a round trip flight to Las Vegas.
When you figure in today’s ever increasing fuel costs, parking fees, and possible hotel accommodations, it often doesn't make much economic sense to fly out of another airport.
Q. Why can't I get a direct flight to the city of my choice?
In 1978 the airline industry was deregulated and many of the airlines went to a more efficient method of doing business. Most established a routing method using a hub and spoke strategy using key cities as hubs where all the flights converged from the smaller airports or the spokes. This method allows customers to reach the widest possible choice of destinations with only one transfer and utilizes the airline's equipment in a more productive way. On a given day several thousand people fly in and out of Missoula International. With many major carriers serving MSO, travelers can reach hundreds of destinations with just one connection. MSO continues to work with air carriers to evaluate potential new markets.
Passenger Services
Q. Is there a lost and found service at the airport?
Yes. The Airport Public Safety Department is in charge of our lost and found items in the terminal building. You may contact Airport Public Safety at (406) 728-4381. For items left or lost aboard an aircraft, contact your airline. Also, be sure to check out our lost and found page.
Q. Is there a currency exchange at MSO?
Missoula International Airport does not provide currency exchange. We recommend you visit a bank in the area.
Q. How many restaurants are available at MSO?
The Airport Restaurant and Lounge is located outside the security checkpoint on the main level of the passenger terminal. Liquid Planet is located past security screening on the second level near the departure gates.
Q. How many shops or concessions are available at MSO?
High Country Gifts is located outside the security checkpoint on the main level of the passenger terminal. High Country provides personal amenities, newspapers, magazines, DVD’s, University of Montana official clothing, and much more.
Q. Are there any ATM’s located at the airport?
Yes, a First Interstate Bank ATM is located on the main level of the passenger terminal in the corridor between baggage claim and the Airport Restaurant and Lounge.
Q. Is smoking allowed at MSO?
As with all public spaces in the city of Missoula, Missoula International Airport is a smoke free facility. Smoking within the terminal complex is only allowed in a smoking room in the Airport Restaurant and Lounge. Smoking is not permitted within 25 feet of the passenger terminal entrances.
Q. What services are available to the disabled?
Missoula International Airport is committed to providing safe access to all public areas of the terminal building for all users of the Airport. An elevator to the second floor is available for those unable to use the stairs. Handicapped parking is available for those with appropriate credentials. Disabled passengers should notify the airline on which they are traveling to request assistance with boarding and during flight. All restrooms are ADA compliant. For more information regarding ADA compatibility at MSO, click here.
Q. Does the airport offer Internet access?
Free Wi-fi Internet access is available throughout the terminal, however the Wi-Fi signal is strongest near the upper level departure gates. Wi-Fi at MSO is free. For more information, please visit out Wi-Fi Hotzone page.
Q. Does the airport offer luggage-storage facilities?
There are no lockers in the terminal. For security reasons, you must keep carry-on items with you at all times. Unattended baggage will be removed and impounded. Smarte Cartes are available, but cannot be taken past screening.
Airport Operations and Facilities
Q. Why are we called MSO? Shouldn't it be MIA?
MSO is the three letter location identifier assigned to Missoula International Airport. While the three letter identifier MIA would seem to make more sense, that code is already assigned to Miami International Airport.
The three letter identification system was first introduced in the 1930's. Airports which were already in existence at the time simply placed an X after the local weather station code. For example, Los Angeles became LAX, and Portland, Oregon became PDX. The identifier for the landing strip at Kitty Hawk is FFA, for First Flight Airport.
Q. How many runways does MSO have?
Missoula International Airport has two runways. Runway 11-29 is the primary commercial service runway, while Runway 7-25 is a shorter general aviation crosswind runway.
Q. How long are the runways at MSO?
The primary runway 11-29 is 9,501 feet long and 150 feet wide for take-offs and landings in both directions. The crosswind general aviation runway 7-25 is 4,612 feet long. To offer a comparison:
• Denver International - 16,000 ft
• Seattle Sea-Tac - 11,901 ft
• Boise Air Terminal - 10,000 ft
• Missoula International - 9,501 ft
• Seattle Sea-Tac - 9,426
• San Diego International - 9,401 ft
• Spokane International - 9,001
• Sacramento International - 8,601 ft
So who has the longest runways? Denver International Airport's Runway 16R-34L is 16,000 ft long. Who has the shortest? That all depends on the aircraft you're trying to land, however Alaska Airlines has been known to land Boeing 737's on a 3,900 foot runway in Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
In terms of usability for air carrier operations, a runway of at least 6,000 ft in length is usually adequate for aircraft weights below approximately 200,000 lb. Larger aircraft, including the Boeing 747, 767, 777, and 787; Airbus A-340, A-330, A-350, A-380 and A-310; McDonnell-Douglas DC-10 or MD-11; and the Lockheed L1011 will usually require at least 8,000 ft at sea level and somewhat more at higher altitude airports.
Q. Local maps show four runways at MSO. How come?
When Missoula International Airport was constructed, it actually had four physical runways:
• Runway 11-29
• Runway 07-25
• Runway 02-20
• Runway 16-34
While 11-29 and 7-25 remain fully operational today, 2-20 and 16-34 were closed in the 1980’s.
Why were they closed? Aircraft need to take off and land into the wind as much as practical. Wind generally blows through the Missoula Valley in an east-west direction, and since Runways 02-20 and 16-34 were more or less oriented in a north-south direction, the winds usually didn’t favor their use. In addition, the threshold for both of these runways intersected at a point where the new Airport Public Safety building was to be constructed. As a result, the last planes landed on 02-20 and 16-34 in the 1980’s, however the remains of these runways are still clearly visible from the air.
Q. Are there plans to extend or build new runways?
The Airport Master Plan includes new parallel runway 29L-11R which would be constructed south of the present primary runway. The new runway would also include necessary taxiway systems to connect to the existing network. These runway projects will be developed based on operational demand and availability of funding.
Q. Missoula's runways are designated 11-29, and 7-25. Why?
Runways are generally numbered according to the magnetic direction in which they point rounded to the nearest ten degrees and then divided by ten. Each digit is pronounced separately for clarity in radio communications. For example, Runway "two-nine" would be aligned in roughly a 290 degree heading, while runway "one-one" is about 110 degrees. Missoula's other two runways are 7 and 25, which are aligned roughly 70 and 250 degrees respectively.
So what would happen if Missoula International Airport were to build a new runway parallel to the existing main runway 11-29? The two parallel runways would be differentiated by a letter "L" for Left, and "R" for Right following the heading numbers. For example, the existing runway 11-29 would become 11L-29R, while the new runway would be designated 11R-29L.
Q. We can't land a 747 in Missoula, can we?
Yes, MSO can accomodate 747's, as well as the DC-10, MD-11, and even the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Normally, the critical aircraft operation is take-off. The runway length required is based on: 1) weight of aircraft, 2) temperature, and 3) elevation. With the runway length and elevation being givens, the remaining factors, weight of aircraft and temperature, will be used to determine the distance the aircraft can fly non-stop. Each airline has different criteria regarding aircraft operations under conditions present at the time of flight. The type of aircraft that typically arrive at Missoula International Airport include Boeing 727's, 737's, and 757's, Douglas DC-9's, McDonnell Douglas MD-80's, Canadair Regional Jets, Airbus A320's, DeHaviland Dash 8's, and various cargo aircraft and general aviation planes. The airport is also the home of the largest aerial firefighting depot in the United States, so we frequently see many specialized firefighting aircraft and helicopters. Larger wide body aircraft, such as 747's, 777's, DC-10's, and Lockheed L1011's, may be accommodated should the above-mentioned criteria be met. In addition, MSO's entire air carrier ramp was recently removed and replaced with over 5 feet of base material and solid reinforced concrete, capable of handling just about any plane in operation today.
Q. How many planes take-off and land each day at MSO?
The Airport currently averages over 160 daily aviation operations. An operation can be either a take-off or a landing. This includes passenger and cargo carriers, general aviation, charter flights and military aircraft.
Q. What are the strobe lights I saw from I-90 at the Wye?
The strobe lights that you can see when driving down Highway 10 West from the Wye are the approach lights to Runway 11. The system consists of 5 sequenced strobes mounted on towers, as well as 45 steady burning white lights, and a row of green threshold lights at the edge of the runway. The system is used to “lead” pilots to the runway as they transition from instruments to visual flight during periods of low visibility. As a pilot descends out of the clouds, the bright approach lights will generally be the first visual cue the pilot will see when on final approach to Runway 11. In addition, on the left side of the runway is a precision approach path indicator, or PAPI. The PAPI uses red and white lights to indicate to the pilot if he is too high, too low, or on the correct glide path.
Q. What is the rotating light on the control tower for?
The rotating beacon on top of the Missoula Control Tower is installed to indicate the airport’s location to aircraft pilots at night. It produces flashes not unlike that of a lighthouse.
Airport beacons are designed in such a way to make them most effective from one to ten degrees above the horizon; however, they can be seen well above and below this peak spread. The beacon at MSO rotates at a constant speed which produces the visual effect of flashes at regular intervals. The light at MSO consists of a greenish-blue on one side, and white on the other side. This green-white-green-white flash tells the pilot MSO is a lighted land airport, as opposed to a seaport, which is yellow-white, or a military airport, which is white-white-green.
During VFR weather conditions, the beacon operates dusk to dawn, but during IFR conditions, the beacon stays on constantly regardless of light conditions.
Q. Can I listen to the Missoula Air Traffic Control Tower?
Yes, you can listen to the tower if you have a scanner radio and live close enough to the airport to receive the radio transmissions. The frequencies for Missoula are available on the Control Tower page.
You can also listen to the Control Tower live on the internet. In October 2005, MSO became the first ATC facility in Montana to begin broadcasting live on the internet. To listen to the air traffic controllers, airliners, helicopters, and firefighting aircraft, visit the Control Tower page here.
Q. Does the airport ever close?
No! We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. Even in the event of inclement weather conditions a combination of administrative, operations, police, fire, parking, building and field maintenance employees are on duty. Airlines and other tenants each have their own schedules but typically are not present 24 hours per day. Very infrequently, the runways are closed for maintenance or snow clearing; however, every effort is made to avoid disrupting aviation operations. MSO has made considerable investments in time and money purchasing and installing sophisticated Instrument Landing and Lighting Systems to enhance the safety and on-time performance of our air carriers. However, decisions to take off or land in questionable weather conditions are largely determined by the individual airlines.
Q. Are Airport Police an actual police force?
The Missoula Airport Public Safety Department consists of fully empowered law enforcement officers that undergo the same training as their municipal counterparts and act in cooperation with other local, state and federal agencies that may be called into action under certain circumstances.
Q. I thought the Airport was on the south side of Missoula?
Missoula International Airport is actually the city’s third aviation facility. The first airport was located near the base of Mount Sentinel. The second airport, Hale Field, was located near the present day location of Sentinel High School, Playfair Park, and the Splash Montana Waterslide Park.
New housing developments and lack of room for future growth around Hale Field prompted construction of the current airport north of Missoula after President Roosevelt authorized funding. The new airport opened in 1941, which ultimately led to Hale Field ceasing operations in 1954.
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Missoula International Airport
5225 Highway 10 West
Missoula, Montana 59808
Website : www.flymissoula.com
Airport Information : 406 728-4381
Email us for more information : Click here
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