Airports Serving Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska
Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon Census Area spans a vast section of northern Southeast Alaska, including the communities of Skagway, Hoonah, Angoon, Gustavus, Tenakee Springs, Elfin Cove, and Pelican, with a combined population of approximately 3,900 residents. The census area encompasses some of Southeast Alaska's most iconic destinations including Glacier Bay National Park and the historic Klondike Gold Rush port of Skagway. None of these communities are connected by roads to each other or to the Alaska highway system, though Skagway has road access to the Klondike Highway leading to Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. Aviation provides the essential transportation links between these scattered island and coastal communities, supplemented by the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system.
Skagway Airport (SGY) — Gold Rush Gateway
Skagway Airport sits in the narrow valley at the head of the Lynn Canal at an elevation of 44 feet, with a 3,550-foot paved runway flanked by steep mountains on both sides. The confined approach makes SGY one of the most challenging airports in Southeast Alaska for pilots, requiring visual flight rules approaches through the narrow Taiya Inlet corridor. Alaska Seaplanes operates scheduled commuter service from Skagway to Juneau and Haines using Cessna and de Havilland aircraft, with flight times of approximately 30 to 45 minutes to Juneau. One-way fares typically run 150 to 200 dollars.
Skagway receives approximately 1.2 million cruise ship visitors annually between May and September, making it one of the busiest cruise ports in Alaska. Most cruise passengers arrive by ship rather than air, but the tourist influx generates demand for flightseeing tours over the Juneau Icefield and surrounding glaciers. Temsco Helicopters and other operators offer helicopter glacier tours from the Skagway area during summer months, with prices ranging from 250 to 500 dollars per person depending on flight duration and whether a glacier landing is included.
Gustavus Airport (GST) — Glacier Bay National Park Access
Gustavus Airport serves as the primary air gateway to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, one of Alaska's most visited national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The airport features a 6,720-foot paved runway at 36 feet elevation, substantially longer than most Southeast Alaska community airports due to its role serving park-bound travelers. Alaska Airlines operates seasonal daily jet service from Juneau to Gustavus from May through September using Boeing 737 aircraft, with a flight time of approximately 25 minutes. Year-round commuter service via Alaska Seaplanes connects Gustavus to Juneau with slightly longer flight times on smaller aircraft.
Glacier Bay Lodge, operated by the National Park Service concessioner, is located 10 miles from the airport in Bartlett Cove, with shuttle service provided for arriving guests. The park draws visitors for boat-based glacier viewing, whale watching, kayaking among icebergs, and backcountry hiking. Day-trip visitors can fly from Juneau to Gustavus and join park boat tours before returning the same evening during the summer season's extended daylight hours. Air taxi operators in Gustavus also offer charter flights into the backcountry of Glacier Bay for experienced wilderness travelers.
Hoonah Airport (HNH) — Icy Strait Point Gateway
Hoonah Airport features a 3,100-foot paved runway at 30 feet elevation on Chichagof Island, serving the Tlingit community of Hoonah with a population of approximately 760 residents. The airport supports scheduled commuter service to Juneau via Alaska Seaplanes. Hoonah has gained prominence as the site of Icy Strait Point, a cruise ship destination that attracts large cruise vessels with its wildlife viewing, zipline adventures, and Tlingit cultural experiences. While most cruise visitors arrive by ship, the airport supports tour operators, researchers, and residents traveling to and from Juneau and other Southeast Alaska communities.
Angoon Seaplane Base and Airstrip
Angoon is located on the western coast of Admiralty Island, home to Kootznoowoo Wilderness and one of the densest concentrations of brown bears in the world. The community of approximately 460 residents, predominantly Tlingit, maintains both a seaplane base and a 3,300-foot gravel airstrip. Alaska Seaplanes provides scheduled service connecting Angoon to Juneau, with flight times of approximately 30 minutes. Angoon serves as a gateway for visitors to the Admiralty Island National Monument and the Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area, where guided viewing permits are required during the summer season.
Tenakee Springs and Smaller Community Access
Tenakee Springs, a small community of approximately 130 residents on the northeast coast of Chichagof Island known for its natural hot springs, maintains a seaplane dock that receives scheduled floatplane service from Juneau via Alaska Seaplanes. Elfin Cove, a tiny fishing community at the entrance to Cross Sound with approximately 20 year-round residents, is accessible by floatplane from Juneau or Gustavus. Pelican, a fishing community of about 85 residents on Lisianski Inlet, has both a floatplane dock and a short gravel airstrip. All of these communities depend on a combination of air service and the Alaska Marine Highway for transportation, with ferry schedules varying significantly by season.
Connecting Through Juneau International Airport (JNU)
Juneau International Airport serves as the commercial aviation hub for all Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon communities, offering Alaska Airlines jet service to Anchorage, Seattle, and seasonal additional destinations. Commuter connections from census area communities to Juneau are provided primarily by Alaska Seaplanes, with most routes operating one to several times daily depending on demand and weather. Travelers connecting from census area communities to Lower 48 destinations should plan overnight stays in Juneau to account for weather-related commuter flight delays that are common throughout the year in Southeast Alaska. Hotel options in Juneau include properties near the airport and downtown, with rates ranging from 130 to 300 dollars per night during summer season.
International Airports
An international airport is a vital component of any major metropolitan area. It connects domestic and international travelers, providing them with a means to connect to the rest of the world.
An international airport is a large airport that is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights. It also has a significant economic impact on the local community.
These major Alaska Airports generate thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the local economy through tourism and other related industries.
A large international airport also offers a variety of amenities for travelers. These can include shopping centers, dining options, lounges, and other services such as currency exchange and luggage storage.
Private Airports
Private airports, also known as general aviation airports, are airports that are not open to commercial airlines and are used primarily by private aircraft.
One of the main benefits of a private airport is the exclusivity and privacy it offers.
These airports are often used by high-profile individuals, such as celebrities and business executives, who value their privacy and want to avoid the crowds and security lines of commercial airports.
Private airports also offer more flexibility and convenience for aircraft owners. They can also be used for training pilots and hosting aviation events.
There are 0 Private Airport in Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon County, Alaska.
Regional Airports
Regional airports are smaller airports that serve a rural geographic region, such as a smaller city or county with a population of less than 100,000.
Small airports mostly offer flights within the same country, but some may offer flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of regional airports is their convenience. They also tend to have shorter security lines and fewer crowds, making the overall travel experience more enjoyable.
There are 0 Regional Airport in Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon County, Alaska.
Municipal Airports
Municipal airports which are also called "public airports" are owned and run by local governments like cities and counties.
Most of the time, they are smaller airports that serve a certain area and have mostly domestic flights, but some may also have flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of municipal airports is their accessibility. They are often located in or near major cities, making them a convenient option for travelers.
Municipal airports provide a vital link for businesses in the region, allowing them to easily connect to other parts of the country.
There are 0 Municipal Airport in Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon County, Alaska.
Local Airports
There are 4 Local Airport in Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon County, Alaska.
Hoonah Airport - Hnh
Yakutat Airport - Yak
Skagway Airport
Gustavus Airport - Gst
Airports in near by County
Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon Census Area encompasses some of Southeast Alaska's most spectacular destinations, from the glacial wonderland of Glacier Bay to the gold rush history of Skagway and the Tlingit cultural heritage of Hoonah and Angoon. The aviation network connecting these communities through Juneau provides essential year-round transportation for residents and seasonal access for the millions of visitors drawn to this region's natural and cultural attractions. Flexible scheduling, advance booking during the busy summer cruise season, and awareness of weather patterns help ensure smooth travel through this magnificent corner of the Alaska panhandle.