Alexandria International Airport

The check in staff (when you can find them) at AEX were super rude and totally useless. They refused to check bags (3 people flying…arrived at 4:00 and flight was at 4:50. This resulted in a missed connection flight which resulted in thousands of dollars lost due to new flights, missed hotel check in, and tour dates/times in London. Delta airlines should be ashamed to be associated with AEX. Will drive a few hours more and use an airport that is worth something from now on. I wouldn’t be surprised if all airlines eventually pull themselves from this area and this airport shuts down. It was literally DEAD when we got here. There were staff standing around doing absolutely nothing, the flight had not started boarding when we got here. Just had to sit and watch the flight leave.

Absolutely AWFUL. Only giving one star because zero stars is not available. As mentioned in other reviews, the ticket counter is not staffed around the clock. This makes it so you are unable to check any bags before your flight. Especially in the mornings. AEX is a small airport & it would’ve been smooth traveling if the airport had adequate employees. Instead of seeing the need for better customer service, the airport will just refer you to “airline policies” so they can find a loop hole to excuse their poor service. We brought the bag we intended to check with us through security & asked the gate attendant to help us check our bag as there was no one at the front counter. This is not an unusual request that customers make. We were told that we would’ve had to check it at the front and the bag was not allowed on the flight. Instead of offering any help, the staff told us “we could just leave the bag behind.” We missed our flight & connection flight…. had to reschedule our entire day. Extremely disappointing.

It's not the biggest airport, but they get the job done. For me, its the fact that you can fly from Alexandria to almost anywhere now, and it will usually be the least expensive ticket you will find. Not to mention, not having to travel out of town to a larger airport just to pay more to fly from there. It is very convenient!

I wish I could give this place 0 stars, absolutely no customer service what so ever. I got to the ticket counter 2 hours before my flight just like recommended and have been waiting for over 45 minutes, it's 7:30 in the morning and no one is working the ticket counter. How are people supposed to check into flights if no one is working the counter. Update: Eventually and employee came up to the counter yawning and stretching and mumbled something about 8:30 then just turned and walked back in the back office

All I can say is gave the airport 1 star because thats the lowest you can give. All i can say is you better hope your not checking a bag. I showed up an hour and 15 mins early for my flight. I walked in to check my bags and well what do you know... yep baggage drop off is closed. By the time I got ahold of someone on the phone, after calling alexandria airports number the person I talked to wasn't even in alexandria. They began to tell me that they leave an hour before to go work the gate and the plane baggage but they probably left early that day. Well thats not how you do business. So then it cost me money to reschedule a flight for the next day and late for work so I lost money moving a flight and lost a days pay at work because of the useless staff at alexandria airport ... I would avoid this place... YALL HAVE A SAFE FLIGHT!!!

Wonderful bartender- Passion at the bar is another Swiss army knife for sure! She treated everyone like they were family! We were flying back home and she great care of us with drinks and food while we waited. Great atmosphere, nice cool lounge area. I was impressed for such a small hometown airport.

Really great experience on my last flight here. Nick the bartender was awesome, and helped me create some great drinks. I was quite anxious and sad about leaving Louisiana, and he calmed me down quickly and helped me enjoy my last hour in the state. The check in, baggage, and overall service was smooth, and quite effortless. Can't wait to fly back in March.

My first trip in I missed a connecting flight in Atlanta due to delay. Somehow they got my bag on the original flight. I guess I was on the last flight coming into the airport. My bag was not at the carousel. So, I looked for a delta employee to tell me where I could pick up my bag. Not a single delta employee around anywhere in the entire airport. How do you not have staff in the airport when planes are still coming in? So, I did not get my luggage until the next day. I had to drive an hour back to the airport to get it myself because they told me they don’t START delivering bags until 11am!

I've flown into this airport multiple times and each time has always been nice. The airport is smaller so it's a lot easier to make your way through without getting lost or confused like some airports I've flown into. The employees, with the exception of the TSA agents, are always very friendly and helpful. ***TSA needs more customer service training. I'd recommend flying into this airport if you need to when visiting the area and will definitely be passing through here again in the future.

Flight was for 530am and ticket counter was not open to check us in. Missed the flight

This is a very small international airport. It opened back in 1993 and is only a little over 3,200 acres. The terminal is named after James L. Meyer, the first chairman of the England Airpark Authority who owns the airport. Mr.Meyer was a partner in the Alexandria-based civil engineering firm, Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix, and Hixson, and worked diligently to establish the airport. The airport has one luggage belt, one restaurant/lounge, and a few on-site rental car places. It kind of reminds me of the show Wings. There are only a few people that work here, so the person that checks you in at the ticket counter may be the same person loading your luggage or towing the plane out. They have limited staff, so you may have to wait to talk to a rental car or airline rep. The staff is friendly though and they give the airport a down home feel. The airport has a lounge area upstairs and is very clean. They have a couple of vending machines, an ATM, and a waterfall. They do have a reputation for losing or leaving luggage. Rumor has it that because they are flying in small planes that they sometimes have to leave luggage at the connecting airport due to weight restrictions. It is a common occurrence of luggage not making it here. The airport is easy to get into and out of and supports two nearby military bases. I like small airports. This is a nice, new and trendy airport that other than the luggage roulette they have going on, I really like.

So nice super easy to get in and out of. Beautiful scenery and calm. Loved it. You won't regret flying into this one.

Security at scanning are rude and tired at 10am. I guess being polite isn't part of procedure. We are passengers not inmates! Desk ladies are not attentive or sympathetic when you are having an issue. They act as if the airport is a busy body, claim they need breaks while talking to them & act as if they have seen all yet you can do a sprint and get from one end to the next, it's SMALL. It seems they are only friendly to other coworkers yet paying customers are treated close to inmates. Embarrassing & uncomfortable. They don't even have a microphone (I guess why would they) or flight departures on screens. I give 2 stars because with it being small you can at least get in and out. Thank god.

Garbage airport with terrible staff, they are never around to give you information and the workers are extremely slow with baggage claim.

We showed up at 3:30 pm because our flight boards at 5:52 pm today. Last time my husband was here he was told to check in 2 hours prior if he had a check in bag. Today we get here and the gentleman at the counter stated they don't open till 4:30 pm, this does not make no sense?? Can someone please explain this mess ... very disappointed

Very small airport with only one security screening checkpoint. There is a small bar but it was closed when I passed through. No covered parking that I could see. There are a few rental car places but they were all sold out of cars during my visit. This is a very clean airport. No issues.

I grew up in in Alexandria and I've watched this little airport grow and evolve. They have done some really great things here. AEX has just a few gates, and one TSA checkpoint but that doesn't matter. They didn't have a TSA Precheck so even if you have precheck, you will need to take your shoes off and remove your computers from your bag. They do what they need to do efficiently. The toilets are clean and spacious. Parking is almost free and plentiful As many times as I've flown in this airport, usually quite early or late, the little coffee shop on the second floor is never open which is disappointing.

Used to be England Air Force Base. AEX replaced Esler Field airport. No rush needed here. A little podunk air port serving a going-nowhere city. Only one baggage claim carousel. Parking is free the first hour and $1/hrs there after. Do not leave you car unattended, just like the signs warn! Local sheriff is looking to make any buck possible. Avoid American Airlines if possible!

This regional airport is spacious and fresh feeling. Their redesign was well done. Interior of the terminal upstairs offers soaring vista views with an second floor lined with rocking chairs. There is much space here for future expansion. The drop off area is covered and spacious- plenty of room for vehicles to drop off passengers and unload luggage. Never a crowd or hassle here. Restrooms are conveniently spaced, large enough for a crowd ( though they never crowded) and always clean. Lines are short or non existent here at this gem of an airport. The grab and go eatery offers a few standard offerings at airport type pricing and is probably the weakest part of this operation.

A small airport that's build more like a mall that has an airport located within. The facility is really nice and all of the staff was very pleasant. Even YSA was easy to get through due to the small size of the airport. It took no time to get through security and locate the gate. It's definitely a small town airport and one of the better smaller airports.

Beautiful, small airport. Entry way has Air Force planes displayed outside. This use to be an Air Base. Not much choice for food. Definitely Not vegan friendly, bring your granola bars! TVs are scattered but almost all tuned to FoxNews. This is Duck Dynasty land, however, with the Military Base nearby, it adds some class. The TSA person had such a southern accent, I could not understand her and asked her to speak slowly. Friendly, easy free parking and pick up. No outlets for iphones, you have to do a search and plug on your own. Very limited in the surrounding area for restaurants, shopping ,etc.

Literally the worst airport I've ever seen. If there isn't a flight landing at the exact moment you're here, nobody will be at the ticket counter to help. You will have to wait for the next incoming flight before anyone will come out to the ticket counter. Good luck if you're trying to recover lost luggage as well

I was really impressed with the service and speed of the staff. But the grounds were covered in cigarette butts, what distraction for such a nice new airport. Overall the airport is better than most large airports that I have visited in my world travel. Also the local taxis park right in front of the main door, blocking access for families, not done in other areas, they usually are across the street.

After you check in, if you're thirsty, there's only two beverage vending machines. One is sold out of water. The other requires exact change. After managing to scrounge $2.75 in quarters, I put it in the machine, and found out it's sold out of water as well. Real airports have a restaurant that sells food after passengers go through security. This airport has two machines that are sold out of water. They used to have a little concession stand. I never saw it open. They got rid of that. Folks talk about how "beautiful" this airport looks. I'd trade that for the ability to purchase food and water, especially when flight is delayed for hours. At this airport, when there is rain, there's a high chance that the flight will be delayed for hours. When that happens, it would be nice to be able to get water!!

This Airport is the worst place ever whenever it comes to caught a flight. You have to be there day ahead of time to get a boarding pass because no one is ever behind the desk, but once you see a worker, they have the worst attitude ever as if it's your fault that they're no help to at all. So you will most definitely miss your flight if you're leaving out from Alexandria, Louisiana. SO SAD, so I'll give this plane Zero stars over all.

Super small airport with all of 4 terminals. If you're flying out of here you are most likely military and coming to and from fort Polk. There is one place to get food, and one small bar. We arrived at the airport 6 hours early, skipped checking in, and moved upstairs to the snack bar area where there is a TV and chairs. The security line is also located in this area, there is only one metal detector and even with 200 soldiers the line wasn't long because of the different timed flights going out. For being in the middle of where this airport isn't bad at all, and it is rather clean. It's just small and if you have to spend a long time here there's not much to do

Very nice, very small regional airport. Boy is it nice to only have to drive 15 minutes from the airport to my local work location... so I am NOT complaining! Clean. Comfortable seating. Pretty zippy security. Free WIFI!

Wow, what a Cadillac facility for such a small airport! There is a very nice waiting area and observation deck (2nd floor). Not much in the way of food options but there is a nice little cafe that will make burgers and coffee. (I wonder how much this cost the taxpayers?)

It's fast, small, and pretty convenient for a small town airport, but NO WIFI! This is 2018, and especially since reception is terrible all over this area anyway, it should really have this. Also, there's too few electrical outlets in the boarding area, and the soda and snacks in the machines are way too expensive.

I have an undying love for regional airports. I like the few food options, the plentiful bathrooms, the free wifi. Alexandria really is no exception. I must say, despite several hassles their staff came out ahead and was very cordial. They ran out of rental cars, so they bought me lunch while I waited, the TSA agents all go on break at the same time, but I guess they make sure everyone has gotten through for the most recent departure before doing so. They were also shocked I was actually over an hour early for a flight. Yes, only the small connections fly in and out of here, and they have 2 maybe 3 airlines, but it gets the job done. For an airport this is a cadillac in an area that is otherwise selling used chevy novas and toyota tercels.

For Alexandria, Louisiana this get's 4 stars! Would have been 5 if there were any food options (only 1 place to go). Best small town airport I have been through (and I have been through a bunch). CLEAN, SIMPLE, FAST!. Improve the food.

Had an extremely pleasant experience last month while flying to Orlando from AEX. Very clean and friendly. The bartender was awesome too...always a plus ;)

Sometimes the best airports are the smallest airports. This place isn't crowded, has free Wi-Fi, and very comfortable chairs on which to chill. The place looks more like the mezzanine level of a full-service Marriott (or Hilton) than it does an airport. Serviced by three feeder airlines for Continental, Delta and American Airlines respectively. The one drawback is their concessions are weak. Just a small, independent snack bar reminiscent of something you'd see at a high school basketball game (albeit at a nice high school) or a community center. A nice change of pace from the hectic high volume mega airports.

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of this airport. I do think it is great that Alexandria has a cute quaint one for direct access to the town, however I'm starting to notice that its small size is directly related to its lack of resources, making visits there time consuming. On my last visit it took 30 minutes for our bags to show up. The single security line can become extremely long. Everyone, including sky priority and pre tsa stands in the same line, and if there are people in line who pack the wrong things and want to argue with agents or someone gets selected for, it adds time for everyone. I also had an experience where I showed up for a 2 hour delayed flight and it was a GHOST TOWN. I'm guessing it was the last flight of the night because there were absolutely no agents at any of the airline desks. A custodian walked by me and asked if I had been helped, I said no and he had to go hunt someone down. When I showed up to security, no one was there (surprisingly), and I had to find someone to help me. They then had to call someone to make sure my bag got on the plane. I'll still continue to use this airport because of its convenience, however I always give myself way more time to check into this airport than any others, even the big ones!

The thing about this airport is that it's surprisingly clean, modern and nice unlike the rest of the surrounding community. This is the first experience of Louisiana when you get off the plane and the facilities make you think that the area is all nice. But once you step out of the doors reality sets in. Overall, the airport is REALLY nice. This is why I love smaller regional airports. It's fast, typically hassle-free, has free wifi and the staff was very nice and cordial. Try finding that in LAX or JFK! A few of our bags were stuck in Dallas because the planes that fly in here are are typically the CRJ-700s and can only hold so much cargo in the hold. So we had to wait till the next plane arrived to get the remainder of our luggage. The process was pretty painless but nothing was lost so that was good. I didn't see any restaurants in the airport so that would probably be my only complaint...unless I'm wrong.

Great facility for Alexandria. Especially if you had ever flown into Esler field. Clean, has a place to eat, get a stiff drink. Beautiful clock tower. Sometimes if you fly on late strange things happen with your luggage.

Easy airport to travel through. The rental car pick up and drop off were effortless; just make sure you call the car rental office directly if you need to book a car with little notice.

5 hour delay with no notice, $3 water, $3 muffin, t.v.tuned to Communist Not News Network!

Had to wait for a female TSA agent to come to work so females could get through security. They moved us to the side and let all males through while we waited. It was embarrassing and caused great anxiety as to whether we would make our flights in time.

I will say this is the WORST experience i've ever had with an airport . TSA is rude and inconsiderate as well as American Airlines. Me and two other woman were denied the opportunity to check in but i will blame American airlines for their stupid policy. There was a Hispanic man (whose name i never got) at the American Airlines desk who didn't even have the decency to try to help us get on the plane, he left me at the desk for 15 mins to go help others board the plane after telling me to wait and see if he can help,i rang the doorbell on the desk like i kept being told by Delta and TSA, and no one came. when he returned he said the plane is gone and that i would have take a flight the next day which i could not !! Neither could the other woman who needed to go home to their kids. One woman was in tears begging to be assisted before the plane took off and all of the TSA workers spoke to her in the rudest manner and showed absolutely NO compassion or respect. She was told "You can cry all you want but theres nothing we can do, take that up with your airline" (at the desk who had no one to help us) I will NEVER fly to this airport again!!!!!!

I have flown in/out of AEX many times. I could not agree more w/ one of the other reviewers - the regional airports can be the best! You can get in and through security and out after arrival in no time. Also, for military with leave forms, parking is free!

Alexandria "International" Airport (AEX) is a very clean, nice looking building. It's relatively new, and looks well-maintained. It's a small, regional airport with four gates; I believe it's called "International" because it flies to other airports that have international service (DFW, Houston). AEX has only a few carriers, which I believe were American, Delta, and United (regional partners), and only flies to four airports. Flights are to/from DFW, Houston IAH, Atlanta, and one other place (Maybe Little Rock? I can't remember). AEX is in an area that used to be England Air Force Base, but the base closed like 20 years ago. As long as your flight doesn't have any issues, you will probably like this airport. But...if you experience delays, cancellations, or other logistical problems, you will probably be in for a nightmare. Thunderstorms in Houston delayed my flight from AEX for seven hours. Alexandria and other nearby small airports couldn't fly there due to a brief groundstop, despite the fact that larger airports were only delayed one hour. Well, unfortunately the AEX airport and airline staff is so small, they were completely overwhelmed by ONE flight being delayed for so long. They really didn't seem to know what to do. In fact, the one clerk that Delta or United (I can't remember which I used now) had there actually ran away from the gate a couple of times because he didn't know what to do with all of the angry customers! I felt bad for him in hindsight when I finally got home, but at the time, I was very angry about that. Because of this experience, I will never fly out of AEX again. Instead, I will just drive a few hours to a larger airport in New Orleans, Dallas, or Houston. Ultimately, it would have saved me significant time on this trip.

Small and convenient, but waiting a half hour + for bags is ridiculous!

The check in and check out is pretty easy, flights are great! Not too much to complain about. I gave 4 stars because the baggage claim dept takes FOREVER! Longer then any other major airport I've been to. But overall great service !

This airport is really nice! The terminal is modern, comfortable and clean. I wish there was a little more food options though. Great place overall!!

I am happy that Alexandria got a really nice airport. This airport is awesome even tho it is a bit small. its a really pretty airport.

It's a nice little regional airport with short TSA lines and pleasant staff members. There's a hamburger / sandwich shop upstairs which isn't bad. The building itself is new, modern, and kept clean - including the bathrooms! I'm turned-off by the lack of rental car availability but that's about it.

*update to my review. I just had one very good employee go out of his way for me. That single handedly got one star added on in my book. This may be the worst airport I've ever been at. It looks nice but the staff is not helpful, the food was overpriced and horrible (even for an airport), and they delayed our flight for over 24 hours because they are disturbingly underprepared. We waited 6 hours for a mechanic to show up and look at our aircraft. Afterwards they did not have the simple utilities required to repair the minimum issue (a deflated tire). Not to mention the computers and intercom systems both broke while I was there. I have never had such a horrible experience with the quality of an airport.

The airport is very nice and the security is fast and no nonsense! The staff for the airlines, preferably United are the worst, they leave the desk early if no one is there, they do not care for the safety of there passengers traveling an hour away in extreme weather! How do I know, I traveled from Leesville in a shower storm early in the morning which made me slow done my flight was at 7:00, I arrived at 6:27 walked through the door and no one was at the United desk so needless to say I missed the flight! When I tried to plead my case they told me that United would not change the airline due to weather because they can't control it! WHAT? That should be one of the only reasons! Stay away from United!