Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) — Pennsylvania's Gateway to the Delaware Valley
Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) serves as the primary commercial aviation gateway for the 800,000-person Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton metropolitan area, handling approximately 650,000 passengers annually in recent years. Located in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, ABE connects the Lehigh Valley's robust industrial and service economy — home to Air Products and Chemicals, B. Braun Medical, and a rapidly expanding warehouse logistics sector along the I-78 corridor — to major domestic hubs. The airport's proximity to the New Jersey and New York border positions it as a genuine alternative to the congested New York metro airports for travelers in western New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.
ABE's runway infrastructure supports both commercial jet operations and substantial general aviation activity, with the airport hosting based business aircraft serving the valley's corporate community. American Airlines has provided hub connectivity to Philadelphia (PHL) and Charlotte (CLT), while other carriers have offered seasonal and low-cost service. The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority manages ABE with a focus on retaining and growing air service — a priority given the competitive pressure from PHL (60 miles southwest), Newark Liberty (75 miles northeast), and New York JFK (90 miles northeast). PennDOT Bureau of Aviation works with the authority on capital improvement projects funded through FAA Airport Improvement Program grants.
What airlines fly out of Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE)?
American Airlines has been a consistent presence at ABE providing connections to Philadelphia (PHL) and Charlotte Douglas (CLT). Frontier Airlines and other carriers have offered periodic service. Travelers should check current airline websites for the most up-to-date route information as service levels change seasonally.
How far is ABE from Allentown's downtown?
Lehigh Valley International Airport is located approximately 3 miles north of downtown Allentown in Hanover Township, making it one of the most conveniently located regional airports relative to its primary city in the northeastern United States.
Does ABE have international flights?
ABE primarily handles domestic service. International travelers from the Lehigh Valley typically connect through Philadelphia International (PHL), Newark Liberty (EWR), or New York JFK for transatlantic and overseas routes.
What parking options are available at ABE?
Lehigh Valley International offers short-term, long-term, and economy parking lots. The airport's relatively modest size compared to PHL or EWR means parking is generally easier to find and less expensive, a major advantage for regional travelers.
Is there car rental at Lehigh Valley International Airport?
Major rental car companies including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National operate at ABE. The rental car facility is conveniently located within the airport campus.
Lehigh Valley International Airport - ABE Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
| Name | Lehigh Valley International Airport - ABE |
| Address | 3311 Airport Road, Allentown PA 18109 Map |
| Phone | (610) 266-6000 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Lehigh Valley International Airport - ABE
Airports in near by County
Airports near Allentown
ABE's Strategic Importance in Pennsylvania's Aviation Network
Lehigh Valley International Airport anchors the eastern Pennsylvania aviation system between the giant Philadelphia International to the southwest and the New York metro airports to the northeast. ABE's survival and growth as a commercial service airport has been a sustained priority for regional economic developers, as air service access directly influences corporate site selection decisions. The Lehigh Valley's emergence as a major logistics and distribution hub — driven by Amazon, FedEx, and UPS facilities along I-78 — has increased demand for cargo and charter operations at ABE alongside traditional passenger service.
The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority has invested in terminal improvements and airfield upgrades to maintain ABE's competitiveness. The FAA Eastern Region, headquartered in Jamaica, New York, oversees ABE's operations within one of the nation's most complex airspace environments. ABE falls within the New York TRACON's extended area of influence, coordinating arrivals and departures with the enormous traffic flows feeding JFK, EWR, and LGA. This airspace complexity is a testament to the Lehigh Valley's position as a major northeastern economic corridor with genuine aviation significance.