Albany International Airport (ALB): Capital Region's Link to National Air Networks
Albany International Airport has served New York's Capital Region since 1928, making it one of the oldest continuously operating commercial airports in the United States. Located in Colonie, just northwest of downtown Albany, ALB is owned and operated by the Albany County Airport Authority and processes roughly 1.5–2 million passengers annually through its two connected concourses. The airport connects Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and the broader Capital District to major national hubs through carriers including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, with non-stop or single-connection service reaching virtually any U.S. destination within a day of travel.
ALB's role extends beyond leisure travel — as the airport for New York State government, the NYS Legislature, and the extensive state agency and regulatory workforce based in Albany, the facility carries disproportionate importance to the functioning of state government and lobbying institutions. Albany Medical Center, one of the region's largest employers, generates significant medical travel through ALB, as does the SUNY Albany academic community and the growing nanotechnology and semiconductor industry cluster in the Capital Region anchored by GlobalFoundries in Malta. The airport's 8,500-foot primary runway accommodates mainline narrowbody aircraft operated by regional jets and full-size Boeing 737s and Airbus A320 family aircraft, and ALB offers free and paid parking, ground transportation, and car rental facilities typical of mid-size U.S. commercial airports.
What non-stop routes are available from Albany International Airport?
ALB offers non-stop service to Boston (BOS), New York JFK and LGA, Philadelphia (PHL), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW), Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Washington Dulles (IAD) and Reagan (DCA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Orlando (MCO), and Tampa (TPA) among others, with seasonal additions. The route map expands in summer with leisure destination service to Florida and the Carolinas.
How far is ALB from downtown Albany and Schenectady?
Albany International Airport is approximately 8 miles northwest of downtown Albany via I-87 and NY-5, typically a 15–20 minute drive. Schenectady is about 15 miles via Route 5W. CDTA (Capital District Transportation Authority) bus service connects the airport to downtown Albany and Schenectady via Route 737.
Is there state government contract ground transportation at Albany Airport?
Yes. Albany Airport features a central ground transportation hub with taxis, rideshare pickup zones, and several car rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, National, Budget) housed in a consolidated facility adjacent to the parking garage. State employees traveling on official business frequently use the rental car facility for travel within the Capital Region.
What are the parking rates at Albany International Airport?
ALB's parking garage (attached to the terminal) offers hourly and daily rates, with daily maximum rates in the $17–$22 range for the closest lots. Economy surface parking is available at lower daily rates with a covered walkway to the terminal. The airport also offers a cell phone lot for free short-term waiting while picking up arriving passengers.
Albany International Airport - ALB Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Albany, New York.
| Name | Albany International Airport - ALB |
| Address | 737 Albany Shaker Road, Albany NY 12211 Map |
| Phone | (518) 242-2200 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Albany International Airport - ALB
Airports near Albany
Albany Airport's Capital District Context and Economic Significance
Albany International Airport anchors the Capital Region's transportation ecosystem alongside Amtrak service at Albany-Rensselaer station and I-87/I-90 highway corridors, forming a multi-modal network that keeps New York's governmental and business capital connected to the rest of the nation. The airport's terminal, substantially renovated in the 1990s and continuously upgraded since, features a single security checkpoint serving both concourses, which simplifies the passenger experience compared to the fragmented multi-terminal layouts of New York City airports. Airlines serving Albany operate primarily regional jets on short-haul routes and mainline narrowbodies on higher-frequency runs to major hubs.
The Albany County Airport Authority has invested in sustainability initiatives including solar arrays, LED lighting retrofits, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the parking facilities, positioning ALB as a progressive mid-size airport operator. The authority's long-term capital plan includes potential terminal expansion to accommodate projected growth from the Capital Region's technology sector, which has attracted semiconductor investment following the CHIPS Act. ALB's catchment area extends north to Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls, west to Schenectady and Amsterdam, east into Berkshire County Massachusetts, and south to the Hudson Valley — a region of approximately 1.1 million people for whom Albany Airport provides the most accessible commercial air service. The airport's annual economic impact exceeds $1.5 billion for the Capital District.