Salem Municipal Airport-McNary Field

Introduction

McNary Field, or the Salem Municipal Airport (Salem, Oregon), is a city-owned airport in Marion County with two runways and about 100 aircraft based at this facility. The airport is named for U.S. Senator Charles L. McNary and has been serving the Willamette Valley region since 1937.

The airport has had an up-and-down history, the commercial side at least, with airlines coming in only to suspend operations soon after, but now it is going through something of a renaissance. The Salem City Council voted in 2023 to rename the airport as "Salem-Willamette Valley Airport" in order that it would be less of a 'hidden gem', being able to more properly align itself with its surrounding region and also have a better chance at attracting travelers.

Airlines and Destinations

Salem's McNary Field (SLE) is a small airport with domestic flights to only four destinations. The only commercial airline serving the airport is LAKER, which provides nonstop service to Burbank, Calif. (BUR). The 484-mile distance is coverable in a time interval of around 2 hours and fourteen minutes.

Besides the commercial flights, McNary Field houses the Oregon Army National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility and charter service.

Total Passengers and Flights

For several years after losing both Alaska Airlines and Skywest, McNary Field experienced multiple years of declining passenger traffic. A total of 15,205 passengers boarded planes at the airport in 2008 compared to just over 12,979 boardings in all of 2007. At the time, this rendered it a Category I Commercial Service Airport per the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) document.

But the addition of commercial flights to Burbank in 2023 with LAKER resurrects all its lost glory. The rebooted commercial service has not released precise passenger numbers at this time, but the town expects it will help fuel growth for the airport over recent years.

How to Get Here

One of the easiest airports to reach, McNary Field is only 2 miles away from downtown Salem itself. The airport lies at an altitude of 44.90953° and -123.00250°.

From the north, take Interstate 5 to Exit 256 and follow signs for Salem Municipal Airport/McNary Field. It's about a 5-10 minute drive from downtown Salem, depending on traffic.

Parking

The airport provides short-term and long-term parking for its customers. Large parking spaces on the north side of the short-term lots are available next to the terminal building, and plenty of long-term lot space can be found just east of the airport facilities.

McNary Field has one of the lowest parking rates in Oregon, charging only $1 per hour for short-term parking and long-term costing an affordable rate of about $8 a day. The airport will also have dedicated rideshare pickup and drop-off spots.

Transportation Prices

McNary Field is also very cost-effective to visit, and nearly every mode of transportation will allow you access. The parking rates are much more reasonable for those driving themselves.

• Uber and Lyft: These rideshare services offer door-to-door service to and from the airport, with fares generally around $10-$20 depending on where you are in Salem.
• There is public transportation serving the airport, with bus service by Salem-Keizer Transit. With a price tag of just $1.75 for a one-way bus ticket, it is the perfect choice for cost-conscious travelers.

Terminal Layout

All passenger operations are housed in the one terminal building at McNary Field. This spacious terminal has a clean, simple layout that's easy to navigate.

Passengers will locate ticketing counters and baggage claim area once inside the terminal. Further into the terminal is a security checkpoint, followed by the entrance to the gate and boarding lounge. The terminal also has some basic services like restrooms and a snack bar.

The terminal may not be as large or grand in scale as the ones at international airports, but its more contained size can help foster an altogether smoother and quicker boarding process for passengers.

Navigate the Airport

McNary Field is easy to navigate because of its small size and simple circular pattern. Travelers will find adequate signage guiding them to the different aspects of the airport once they have parked and entered the terminal.

The security checkpoint is immediately beyond the check-in facilities, so you're checked in and go straight through. After you pass security, enter the gate area and boarding lounge where guests can sit back until their flight takes off.

If you have questions or need assistance, the airport staff at McNary Field are available to help. They can give you directions, information about your flight, and where to get different amenities and services.

Getting Between Terminals

No need to stress over moving between terminals at McNary Field — it is a single-terminal airport. Conveniently located under the same roof and providing swift access to all areas, it simplifies passenger movements between various functions.

The only possible reason to travel between "terminals" would be if you were accessing the Oregon Army National Guard aviation facilities, which are on the other side of the airfield from where most passenger use is handled. But this area is off-limits to all but authorized personnel.

The entire airport experience, for almost all of the people who use McNary Field as a point on their travels, takes place within this one large single-story main terminal building.

Services and Amenities

This medium, hub-and-spoke size regional airport offers amenities to make traveling out of Salem very pleasant. These include:

• Restrooms
• Snack bar/cafe
• Free WiFi
• Car rental services
• Rideshare pickup (Uber/Lyft)/drop-off area
• Short-term parking, Long-Term Parking

There is even an outdoor seating area where one can sit and enjoy the airport airfield. There are desks and power outlets throughout the terminal for those who need to be productive or get some business done.

Restaurants and Shops

The selection of dining and shopping options at McNary Field is pretty basic, as you'd probably expect for a typical small regional airport. Okay, the airport isn't quite so bad — there's a pop-up snack store in the terminal building.

The snack bar menu includes a variety of dishes for passengers, such as hot and cold light meals, snacks, and beverages. It is not a large menu, but it gives you something to munch on or drink.

There are no actual restaurants or stores beyond the snack bar at the airport. Those seeking a broader selection of restaurants and stores will have to drive into nearby downtown Salem, reachable within 5 minutes.

Security and Customs

Because McNary Field is a domestic-only airport, there are no customs or immigration procedures here. There is only one security checkpoint inside the terminal, and the TSA secures all screening.

High-tech security screening technology was installed at the airport in 2023. That technology is called computed tomography, or CT. That's not a typo: The same kind of relatively common scanning tech that hospital radiologists use to look inside various parts of your body can also be used as another layer of checked-baggage inspection. This serves to augment the TSA officers' threat detection ability and makes physical inspection easier and faster for passengers.

Passengers will go through TSA screening, including removing their shoes and having carry-on items X-rayed. Expedited screening lanes apply to passengers with TSA PreCheck or Global Entry memberships.

Accessibility

Travel at McNary Field is committed to being accessible and welcoming for everyone. The airport terminal and grounds are accessible to travelers with disabilities, offering freedom of access and helpful features as follows:

• ADA-accessible parking spaces
• Ramps and elevators within the terminal
• Wheelchair-accessible restrooms
• Help from airport staff
• Service animal relief areas

The airport also works in tandem with the TSA to help passengers who may have disabilities or require special assistance when navigating their way through security screening. Anyone flying in with accessibility needs is encouraged to notify the airport or your airline ahead of time so this information can be relayed.

Travel Tips

Here are some extra tips to ensure your trip through McNary Field is as easy and hassle-free as it can get!

• Plan to get to the airport at least 1 hour before your departure time so you can park, check-in, and go through security.
• Check your airline website or app for flight and gate status.
• If you are being dropped off or picked up, there is a designated rideshare/pickup area to keep the main lot congestion-free.
• Use the free WiFi to catch up or get ahead while you wait for your flight.
• Get to know the airport and all facilities available, such as restrooms, beforehand so that you would be saved from stress on the day of your travel.

These simple tips can make navigating the Salem-Willamette Valley airport a breeze.