Wiley Post Will Rogers Memorial Airport

Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport: The Key to the Alaskan Arctic

Introduction

Located along the Chukchi Sea, Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport (IATA: BRW, ICAO: PABR) also serves as a primarily public airport for Alaska and its North Slope Borough. This midsized airport serves as the key gateway for the remote polar community of Utqiaġvik (Barrow) to reach destinations outside its own backyard, earning it a respectful name from pioneers Will Rogers and Wiley Post.

Airlines and Destinations

The airport, also known as the Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport, serves mainly domestic flights within Alaska and is primarily used for general aviation. The airport does offer nonstop service to Anchorage, Deadhorse, and Wainwright, creating a connection for residents and visitors with access to major hubs in the state of Alaska as well as the surrounding communities.

Passengers & Flights

Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport is a regional airport that handles medium-haul passenger traffic. This resulted in roughly 100,000 passengers per year as of only a few years ago, with most being North Slope Borough residents. Usually, the airport handles several dozen flights daily, but peak hours come with summer holidays and the winter festive period.

How to Get Here

The issue with getting Wi-Fi has to do with Utqiaġvik being a remote and isolated community far up in the Alaskan wilderness. The airport is accessed mostly by air with scheduled service from Anchorage and other regional hubs. The airport is also accessible via the Dalton Highway, a tough gravel road that connects Fairbanks to the North Slope and follows from south of Cantwell.

Parking

The airport features a small lot for both short-term and long-term parking. Affordability, with daily rates as low as $2.75/day, is a plus. Parking is limited, and travelers are encouraged to arrive early, especially during high travel periods.

Transportation Prices

Flying to and from Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport can be expensive, given that the airport is located in a remote area without much transportation options, so flight prices exceed those of larger airports. Utqiaġvik taxi rides usually cost between $10 and $20 per trip, while shuttles to other nearby towns can exceed a one-way price of more than $50. There are rental cars as well, but the prices can be high given that there is not much availability and a lot of demand.

Terminal Layout

The terminal building itself is a small and efficient single-level design with only an average number of gates providing passenger services. It's no-fuss, with the process marked out by plenty of signs as to where you must go for check-in, security, and boarding.

Navigate the Airport

You will find that Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport is pretty manageable, given its smaller size and ease in terms of layout. Guidance also embraces wayfinding for passengers to get around the gates, baggage claim, as well as various ground transport facilities. And the flow of information continues with employee-support and guest-service departments throughout the airport.

Getting Between Terminals

There is only 1 terminal in Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport, so passengers would not shuttle between pieces of its baggage. Since everything takes place in one terminal, arriving and departing are fast processes. The lobby is also right around the corner from passengers' gates, so people don't have to walk too far just to get there or back home.

Services and Amenities

Though Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport is in an outlying area and its standard conveniences are not numerous, it does provide a place for passengers to snack. Aside from those, there is a small snack bar and gift shop, as well as public restrooms. Free Wi-Fi is available for passengers throughout the terminal building.

Restaurants and Shops

The airport lacks a true restaurant or retail area; there is only one snack bar where you can purchase pre-packaged light snacks, and the gift shop sells Hawaii-themed gifts and souvenirs. For those who wish to dine or shop more extensively, the town of Utqiaġvik is a short distance away.

Security and Customs

Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport has no customs built into the airport. But passengers will still have to go through normal security procedures such as shoe-removing, belt-taking off, and luggage-checking of carry-ons or checked bags.

Accessibility

Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport promises a safe and friendly visit to travelers of all types. Among the features are ramps, elevators, and parking designated for the disabled. Availability of airport staff for passengers with special needs.

Travel Tips

Navigating your way through Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport requires planning, and if flying to the Alaskan Arctic, being ready for its particular difficulties. Wear warm clothes, because the weather is very cold and freezing even in summer. Note: The weather can be unpredictable, and the airport of Punta Arenas is notorious for delayed or cancelled flights. And as always, verify the updated information with their respective airlines (including any service or amenities availability) and the airport's website.