Which US Airports Have The Longest Concourse Walks?


Summary

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has one of the longest walks between its domestic and international terminals.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has a fitness trail that showcases the sights of Phoenix, including the skyline and the world’s only mass transit bridge over an active airport taxiway.
Salt Lake City International Airport features a mid-course tunnel between the A and B gates, decorated with wildlife artwork, but will soon have a new tunnel to reduce travel times.

Long walks to the gate can often be tiring, overwhelming, and stressful, especially when attempting to make a tight connection. While some airports stand out more than others when it comes to walking routes, a few stand out above the rest.

Hiking at Hartsfield

Delta Air Lines’s biggest hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has some exceptionally lengthy walks. The world’s busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic is also one of the largest. While many in-terminal transportation options exist, avid walkers are up for a treat.

One of the longest possible walks on our list occurs at the Georgia airport. Passengers who choose to walk from the beginning of the domestic terminal to the international terminal gates are looking at a journey of 10,600 feet, just over 2 miles.

A Rainbow seen in the background of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Photo: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Other airports have longer distances between gates but are not always accessible on foot. In London, Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4 lies across the runway from Terminals 2 and 3, and connections are only possible via bus transfer or after exiting security. A trip to the end of Terminal E at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) would cover more than 2 miles on foot, but the gates can only be reached by train or bus.

Panoramic views in Phoenix

One airport that has capitalized on its long corridors is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Simple Flying’s February Airport of the Month. The Arizona airport celebrated its expansive concourses with a fitness trail highlighting some of the area’s best features.

A closeup of the Air Traffic Control tower at Pheonix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Photo: Tim Roberts Photography | Shutterstock

Dubbed the PHX Fitness Trail, the horseshoe-shaped journey around the airport starts from gate A30 and runs just over a mile (5,522 feet) to gate D8. Along the way, travelers are encouraged to stop and take in some of the sights of Phoenix. Highlights include the Phoenix skyline, Buttes at Papago Park, Piestewa Peak, and the ​​​​​​PHX Sky Train bridge, the world’s only mass transit bridge over an active airport taxiway.

Stepping out at Salt Lake City

One of the longest airport walks frequently mentioned by Simple Flying readers occurs at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). Another Delta Air Lines hub, the airport features a mid-course tunnel between the A and B gates nicknamed the “Pioneer Trek,” after the 1840s pioneers who crossed the plains to get to Utah.

Adorned with wildlife artwork along the way, the tunnel is only about 1,200 feet, about a quarter of a mile. If walking to the furthest B-Gate, passengers could expect a journey of 3,350 feet, approximately 0.64 miles. The airport has responded to customer grumblings about the length of the tunnel with a sense of humor. Various memes have been shared, and signage installed along the route extolling the virtues of walking. For passengers with mobility concerns, a cart service is available.

The airport is set to drop off the list of long walks next year when a new central tunnel is completed next October. The 1,170-foot-long tunnel will lead directly to the new Concourse B extension after security, reducing travel times significantly. Simple Flying obtained exclusive photos of the tunnel’s process. Once completed, it will include a passenger tunnel alongside a pair of train tunnels and an auxiliary baggage and utility corridor.

Several other US airports reach over a mile between the most distant gates. However, passengers are rarely expected to transit the entire length of the airport, and alternative options are available. Examples include Los Angeles International (LAX), Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), where passengers can walk across a county line between gates.

What are some of the most interesting or scenic airport walks across the United States? Let us know in the comments below.



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