Adak Airport: (The Westernmost Airfield in the United States)
Introduction
Located in the middle of nowhere on Alaska's remote Aleutian Islands, Adak Airport (IATA: ADK), about 1,400 miles west-southwest of Ted Stevens Anchorage International, is not only pretty close to Japan as it is. As a state-owned, public-use airport, Adak Airport is an important gateway to the region for passenger travel and air cargo.
Airlines and Destinations
It handles scheduled jet service by Alaska Airlines with flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Still, given the airport's isolated setting and relatively low volume of passengers, it does not offer a large menu of airlines or routes.
Passengers and Flights
Adak Airport is the primary airport in Adak, and at one time was an airliner's stopover for flights between North America and Asia. According to Federal Aviation Administration records, this airport had 1,989 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2008, 1.... It was categorized as general aviation in the 2011–2015 National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, which means it had fewer than 2,500 enplanements per year.
How to Get Here
Adak Airport is a little more difficult to reach, as the airport is situated in Alaska's remote Aleutian chain (about 1,200 miles southwest of Anchorage). Regularly scheduled passenger service at the airport is limited to Alaska Airlines flights that arrive from Anchorage.
Parking
It has two runways, both with asphalt surfaces: 7/25 is 7,800 by 150 feet (2,377 x 46 m), and it closed the eastern portion of its parallel runway in December 2015. The airport has an ILS system: "IATA/ICAO data for PHNL", allowing the aircraft to have precision Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) approaches and landings.
Transportation Price
Because Adak Island is so remote, getting to and from the island via transport can be pricey. Ground transportation and other travel services will always be made available to visitors for a premium.
Terminal Layout
The passenger terminal at the Adak Airport is a utilitarian, no-frills facility designed to provide only essential services for its passengers. Nor the accommodations of a big airport, but enough for passengers to be able to move in and out of flights.
Navigate the Airport
Adak Airport (ADK) The terminal at Adak is small and manageable. There are clear airport signs and wayfinding to assist passengers to their gates, the bathrooms they need, etc.
Getting Between Terminals
It is a single terminal airport, so there are no cumbersome terminal switches. This includes everything from arrivals to departures in a single facility.
Services and Amenities
Adak Airport is located out in the middle of nowhere, and services are limited to reflect its rather remote location and low passenger numbers. Travelers can expect to find basic things like restrooms and a small waiting area, but there are no dining or shopping options available.
Restaurants and Shops
The passenger traffic is also the lowest in the state, so there are no dedicated restaurants or shops within Adak Airport Terminal. There might be a tiny snack bar there or vending machines, but the options are reduced.
Security and Customs
Adak Airport is a domestic airport with TSA screening. Passengers will have to go through the usual security screening before catching a flight.
Accessibility
Adak Airport is accessible to those with disabilities, including cleared pathways for boarding and deplaning the aircraft, as well as wheelchair-accessible restrooms. The seclusion and limited resources at this isolated airport, however, can be a bit of a conundrum for people with varying accessibility needs.
Travel Tips
Because of its seemingly remote location, the airport's services are incredibly limited, and when planning your trip to Adak Island, keep this in mind. Given the airport's relative isolation, travelers should book flights early and pack appropriately for often-brutal weather conditions — as well as be prepared for possible delays or cancellations.