Aspen/Pitkin County Airport

Had to fly here for a work trip. Never again. This is a tiny airport and people can’t stay overnight if a flight is cancelled. Play it safe and look at the airport at Eagle for less chances of cancellations due to weather. Also, do your research when looking for a hotel to stay overnight. Keep in mind that there are no taxis or Ubers available before 7am and the airport phone line is useless after hours.

Aspen’s airport is very small, but it’s definitely worth paying the extra bucks to fly directly in if you’re planning to stay in Aspen. The convenience can’t be beat especially since it’s about al 41/2 drive from Denver. A lot of private planes fly in and out of Aspen probably more than commercial flights but there are still a few major airlines that service the airport seasonally. If you can’t get a direct flight, the next best option is flying into Eagle (EGE) and taking a 40-minute shuttle to Aspen. The ride is absolutely beautiful, winding through the Rockies with incredible scenery the whole way. All in all, it’s a small, scenic, and super convenient airport. Perfect for anyone wanting to skip the long drive and start their mountain getaway right away. Thanks for watching! ✈️🏔️

I love this airport. It’s one of the best to fly out of because it’s so small. The parking lot is right next to the terminals. There is almost never a wait to get through security. The planes are smaller and regional so they create less noise pollution. The views when walking on to the plane and flying out of the airport are spectacular. You can also very easily coordinate a driver to pick you up from the airport. Baggage claims are easy to navigate. Very well organized location. That said, be sure to check your flight status in inclement weather, as many flights are either cancelled, rerouted, or delayed during periods of heavy snowfall. This is a very difficult airport for planes to fly in and out of.

Flying into this airport is very fun. And the views are amazing. It’s a smaller airport with rental car options and a little shop. I do wish there were more seating for when you’re flying out. Also little shoutout to the SkyWest Captain for one of the smoothest landings ever!

Compact airport ever seen in my life. There are many colourful flowers in summer and a monument of gondola outside the airport. You can take a taxi as soon as get out the airport from the departure door and it was very convenient. Including gratuities we paid $60 to snowmass but turned out there are FREE public bus.On our way back home, the flight was delayed by storm and it seems that it's very easy to be affected by the weather as it's surrounded by mountains.

My brother and I booked separately and wanted to ask if we can possibly sit together on the plane. There were a couple of people in line to talk to the TSA agent in front of us, who were serviced very quickly. When it was our turn though the two ladies wearing glasses started talking long to each other and acting like they did not see us. Once we left another woman went up and was serviced just like the others quickly. I have not dealt with racism, but when I ask in line about us sitting together the lady mentioned I should have asked before, when she herself had ignored me with the other agent. Never again!

A super compact airport, yet hosts a surprisingly large amount of room inside. Security has precheck and normal lines, and there is a small snack/food court. Flights are unloaded and boarded outside, and expect to plane side check any carry-on that won’t fit under your seat.

The airport is situated in a wind tunnel with one runway. The pilots are forced to reduce weight to takeoff almost every afternoon. We listened to four other flights be delayed while they wait for people to volunteer to get off. The same happened with our flight. We volunteered to get off since we were already delayed past our connecting flight departure. The airport is hot. There is limited seating (especially when flights start getting delayed). There is one food option and it’s overpriced. It’s frustrating that flights are required to depart at 70% capacity most days and the airlines still fully booked them. On top of all of that, it’s an expensive airport to use in the first place. If staying in aspen, it’s cost effective and easier to rent a car and drive to Denver. If not, book the earliest flight out of aspen available.

NO FRILLS AIRPORT Aspen Airport is quaint and small. You'll feel like you're in a time warp as soon as you walk off the plane, straight on to the tarmac. If you look around you'll spot numerous private planes nearby. Supposedly, commercial jets are not prioritized over private ones, but sometimes pilots have informed passengers that they cannot land and must reroute due to the high volume of private jet activity! This time, I was flying off-season, and we landed early. Follow the crowd to the Entrance of the wood cabin. Don't worry about which carousel will have your luggage - there are only two of them! Food and drink are not available when you arrive, so head straight out the door where you'll find some seating while you wait to be picked up. Or, ponder the sign directing you to rental cars, shuttles, etc. When you depart, you'll notice how cute the airport is. Forget about all those airport lounges you belong to - none of them are here. We sailed right through security to our gate. Yours won't be hard to find as there are less than a handful. Since a flight was delayed due to mechanical issues, the small waiting area was packed. There is only one dinky cafe, Jedediah's, and a tiny shop, so we forked over $18.16 for a hearty and tasty breakfast burrito before our early morning flight. Aspen is located in a narrow valley surrounded by mountains, which creates a steep and demanding approach, unpredictable high-altitude winds, and tricky terrain. As a result, it is one of the most challenging and dangerous ones to navigate in the United States, so pilots need special training. Plus, ASE has a relatively short runway, requiring specialized operating procedures. Landings and takeoffs can be especially difficult during snow season or when it's windy, so don't be surprised if you're flight is cancelled due to the weather! When things go smoothly, though, the LAX to ASE non-stop flight is short and quick. I would rather fly in and out of here than Grand Junction, and I refuse to make the 3-hour drive from Denver. So, ask yourself: are you feeling lucky?

Such a small but efficient airport. The lines can be a wee bit slow when trying to pick up a rental car. They have a nice wall rack with magazines for purchase if you need some reading material. The airport set up is pretty nice and very easy to navigate.

Convenient little airport in Aspen with free bus service pretty much anywhere you want to go. If you're staying in Aspen, you can use the bus to take you all around town and if you're staying up in Snowmass, you can take it there, too. All free. No need to hire a taxi or Uber. The airport itself is BITTY. Not much space in there, as others have mentioned. Some food buying options, but limited for sure. Good news is you don't have to arrive too early because it's small enough that you can get in and out quickly. Bad news is this place is INSANELY PACKED and there's no space to even breathe. Would only recommend if it's necessary. I hope I never fly in or out of here again.

This is a cute little airport with a gorgeous backdrop (snowy mountains in the winter; mountains in the summer) as you deplane. The women's bathroom is adequate and clean. There's also free WiFi... but that's about it. The boarding area is tiny and doesn't have nearly enough seats for everyone who passes by. In fact, it barely has enough room for folks to even stand around and wait and not be in other people's way. It's hard to get to the bathroom and out without bumping into people and/or their luggages. The gates are so close together that the announcements blend together. It's not always clear which plane is being boarded based on the displays near the gates, because they're not being used. I understand that perhaps not increasing the footprint of the airport may be an important consideration for the city, but some modernization inside the airport could go a long way.

The departures area is OUTRAGEOUSLY OVERCROWED!!! This must be a safety hazard. Use some of the private jet fees to expand the terminal. Arrivals was a very good experience. Majority of the staff are very friendly.

Weather aspects aside I have no real complaints about the Aspen airport. I was in town for a night, flew in at 7p to run the marathon at 6a and fly home that night. I'm accustomed to flying in and out of large and small airports, each have their own set of pros and cons. Older reviews mentioning no food or beverage - are simply that, outdated. You are able to obtain food/snacks, drinks, even alcohol (there's a bar and small cafe of sorts) behind security. TSA precheck similar to other small airports is simply a printed handout and really doesn't make a huge difference. Did I still get in that line? Of course, I did. My flight in was ok, my flight out a disaster and "delayed" OVERNIGHT mind you, requiring many out of towners to scramble around at 11p at night (for transportation and hotels) after United decided to wait until this late in the evening on our originally scheduled 8p departure. I love the simplicity of Aspen, similar to Montrose, Burbank, Jackson Hole and the old Kansas City airport being that you are on and off of the plane and curb side within a minute or two but if you aren't prepared for cancellations and weather delays this is surely not going to be a fun option for you. You can tell the locals know the risk and are plenty use to needing to leave and go back to their property due to these factors. These are the ones you'll spot leaving more quickly than others. All in all, what can you do? Planes can't take off when wind speeds are in upwards of what they get to on this runway. One thing to note: this airport does actually close. It's not like a flight being cancelled or delayed over night at a large airport where you can say F it! and snuggle up in a chair or on the floor to wait it out, or even hope airport security distributes cots and dopp kits, no no none of this here. You will absolutely need to leave the airport and have accommodations and a way to get to/from them. Keep this in mind for evening flights that are departing after car rentals have closed for the night. Most Aspen hotels will run you 1-2k a night and won't have much if any availability during high seasons. I'd say, take your chances if you want to and maybe you'll luck out - on the other hand you're looking at several hour drives from other regional and larger airports in the surrounding area. If things go smoothly with your flights, Aspen is a dream and super convenient if they don't it's a cluster.

Oh this place is a super dump It's just such a joke come to Jackson Wyoming see a real Mountain in Airport. Aspen is crowded poor old dirty and packed with people understaffed this place is a disaster. Hard to believe once you get out of this rat trap there's actually a luxurious mountain to be found

This airport is great! The staff here were so nice, helpful and understanding. We were traveling from Aspen back to California and (of course) overpacked our bags with all of the goodies we bought while in Aspen. We had to unload, repack and pare down and all of the staff were extremely patient and kind about it!

Smallest airport I've ever flown into too. Easy quick efficient. Def high on the tubulant side due to the mountains, but easy on easy off.

The upsides of this airport are also its downsides. It's SMALL. We exited straight from the plane to the tarmac. Lots of wood, giving it a cabin feel. The baggage claim is also where the car rental offices are, and the rental cars are parked right in front of the airport. Pretty convenient. It's also about a 10 minute drive to both Aspen and Snowmass Village. But, it's so small that any delay creates a cascade of delays. One flight didn't arrive on time on our way out, and that delayed the next and next and next flight, and we ended up being stuck in the airport for 4 hours. Because it's small, there's also barely any food options. Jedediah's is it, with $15 Heinekens. Not much space to social distance either, especially by the gates. They have a waiting area that was less crowded. There are restaurants and cafes across from the airport, but we didn't want to exit and go through security again. If you know your flight is going to be delayed that could be a better option than hanging out inside. Everything considered, I'd probably still choose to fly in rather than drive from Denver.

Unless you are flying in on a private jet, the commercial side of the Aspen airport is an overcrowded mess. There are too many people and too little space. The day I was there there were not enough seats to accommodate the crowds. Your eating options are very limited to one grill and some off the shelf items. There are no jetways so on a chilly mountain cold day you will feel the bite. Signage outside the airport is also lacking. This airport needs a substantial redo to accommodate the volume.

Flying into tiny airports is a dream after leaving a heavily populated international airport. This little airport is a perfect for nervous travelers because its small and easy to get around, there's no way you could get lost. Flights can get weight restricted especially during the winter. Lots of direct flights out of major cities so don't go thru Denver, its a long drive from the Denver International to Aspen. The mustache and grey-haired TSA guy was a bit of a grouch. You will have to walk out to your plane so dress to weather the elements especially during the winter. Don't take off your jacket. Aspen does have Lyft and Uber and the Westin has a free shuttle that runs every 15-20 minutes.

worst airport i have ever flown out of and into easily. if you do not have a private jet literally do not come here because they will just let those planes go in front of you to land and deplane regardless of how long a plane has been waiting. never expect to arrive anywhere in comfort or in a timely manner.

Chaos, expensive to fly here but totally disorganized. Long queues for everything, not enough seating. Airlines overbook all the time causing more chaos. Just not good enough for a small, manageable airport. Lots of improvements possible here.

This one is a tough one for me. You can't beat the location if you're planning to ski at any of the four Aspen mountains. You're within 10-30 mins of any of the four and the major carriers fly in/out of here. So why only 3 stars? We've flown in and out of here twice now. Last season we had no issues but this season was not the same. We were unable to fly home because our inbound aircraft could not land due to "visibility". This is apparently quite common here. As a result we had the choice of rescheduling to fly the next day or find transportation to another airport and fly out of there. We chose the latter and ultimately were able to fly out of Eagle (near Vail). The cost for a shuttle to Denver Intl Airport was quoted at $130 per person. Rental car one way was $310. Yes, they have you over a barrel so what are you going to do? If you get stuck in our predicament here is my advice: 1) Call your airline and ask for alternatives out of Grand Junction, Eagle, and Denver Intl. 2) Quickly check car rental counters for availability. Cars are scarce here. 3) Have a backup plan for lodging if the weather is at all questionable for the day of your flight. Good luck!

I Received my bag broken when we arrived to Aspen , you have to do an incident report within 24 hrs . I found out when leaving because while checking in lady made sure it was marked as broken on departure but not arrival and I asked what happens when it's done upon arrival , she said there's 24 hr time limit to make a claim .

This airport is a nightmare I have been flying in and out for decades. Airlines are totally unreliable if you think you're going home think again... Staff is totally in the dark and have no clue. 8 out of 10 times you're going to get screwed over.

The airport is super small, but there is a restaurant that serves really good food. My husband and I had breakfast sandwiches and they were some of the best we have ever had. Only complaint is the United gate agent accommodated 3 locals and let them tag their carry on bags early. I asked if we could tag ours and he told us we would have to wait - it is all in who you know in Aspen. Welcome to the "fray".

Consistent cancellations and severe delays. Don't fly in or out of this airport. Complete disorganized mess..

This is not an airport. This is a room with windows. This is a parking lot for your Learjet. Arrival: Land, walk outside, mountains! Walk in, baggage claim. Two options - "Denver" and "Not Denver". I came from Denver. This was easy. No real crowd, just a few people that worked there, some rental car booths, and tourist into. No place for coffee, food, etc. My bags came quickly. This step is very difficult to mess up. Welcome to Aspen. Ground Transportation: There were a few taxis, a few hotel shuttles, and a few benches. We waited outside, it was fine. No traditional airport traffic, noises, etc. Departure: Security line was short. There were 4 flights going out and 0 seats available. The "airport" really is just a room with doors, with very little area for anything else. Standing room only = standing in everyone's way everywhere all the time. Food: No actual food place with a name, just a counter. $7 for an un-good coffee and corn pops. They wanted to charge extra for milk. Cue: laughter and milkless cereal.

Never fails to disappoint. It's cancellation or no workers to bring planes in. This is truly the worst airport.

what i loved: - tiny , cozy , cute, none of the busy running around you get at a big city like LAX - i was here early and it took me 10 minutes to get through TSA - beautiful views of the mountain outside the airport , absolutely gorgeous - cozy little cafe- nice but it's also your only option for food disliked : - I got here two hours before my flight like recommended.... annnnd TSA was not even open until 9:30... so I just sat around for like 30 mins unable to do anything else - apparently there is only ONE airport dock working on off season hours or something, because coming into Aspen and out of Aspen, my arrival and departure was delayed because another plane was either in the dock, and we had to wait for the to unload, or there wasn't enough staff.. thats seriously annoying

absolute garbage airport. they list your flight as "on time" even after the planned departure time has passed. pathetic airport that only serves private jets, never use it.

Flying in/out of Aspen is hit or miss. If everything goes according to plan, it is fabulous. Flying in. The flight lands. You grab your carry on, which has to be valet checked, and you are out at the curb waiting for your ride or the bus in 5 minutes. Flying out. You arrive 1 hour max before your flight. You chat with the desk attendant. Not sure why, but I always get TSA bypass at this airport. No shoe removal. No going through that weird body scanner. You go grab a cookie and an Izze from Louis Swiss Pastry, grab a seat and catch up on your Yelp reviews courtesy of the free wifi. Unfortunately this is Colorado. Between the winter snow storms and the summer monsoons, flights tend to be canceled or delayed on a regular basis. You can't blame the airport for Mother Nature. Really nothing to do here to wait out a flight delay. With a cancellation, just go for a hike and come back tomorrow!

Terrible experience with security today. I pulled up to drop off my boyfriend and say goodbye for his trip, and I was parked in the drop off for not even five minutes. A security guard came up to talk to us and started a conversation and started asking us about our Thanksgiving plans. After about a minute of him just standing there and watching us another security guard comes up and tells us "He asked you to move once I'm not gonna ask you to do it again" in a very rude tone. Mind you the first security guard never asked us to move. He was having a conversation with us the entire time asking us about our Thanksgiving plans. We were never asked to move by anybody until the rude security guard came up and yelled at us. When I told him that nobody has asked us to move yet until he came up and said so, he walked away from me. My boyfriend asked if we could have one more minute without them breathing down our necks. He then said " one more minute. If it goes over one minute I'm putting your license plate on the TSA board " and honestly if you ask me, that was very dramatic. I understand airports have rules. But when I'm literally the ONLY ONE car in the drop off area for miles, I should be able to say goodbye to somebody. I didn't get the security guards name but he was wearing a purple badge and had glasses on. Very very disrespectful human being.

It's a big arse house in the middle of a mountain with a slab of concrete outside for a runway. One side of the house is arrivals, walk though the middle of the house where there is a sitting area and food counter, and you get to the other side of the house at departures. Aspen is a PIA to get to from almost anywhere. I took a chance and booked a flight going there from NYC with stopover in Houston, and a stopover in Denver returning. My arriving flight was fine because the weather was perfect. The airport is smack-dab in the middle of the mountains - seriously. So the plane has to basically just drop itself in the middle of the mountain range. The pilots are pros, so don't worry about it. What you SHOULD worry about - if there is bad weather you can be stranded in Aspen because the flights WILL BE cancelled - period! This is what happened to me trying to get out of Aspen and to Denver. 36 hours later - I arrived home in NYC after a 5-hour bus shuttle ride to DIA. Nice. . . Anyway, if Aspen wasn't such a huge PIA and unreliable to get in/out, I'd go back because Snowmass is amazing (see my review). But, I'll probably stick to the mountains closer to Denver because DIA is very reliable and Denver weather is generally easy and cooperative.

I wish there were a priority pass lounge here because this tiny airport feels cramped. But overall, this is a fine little airport with friendly staff, and they do have PreCheck available, plus a newsstand with snacks and a small cafe with hot foods available. The airport isn't designed for people who are laid over (does anyone connect thru Aspen?) so as long as your flight is on time, you probably won't be spending much more than an hour here, which is more than tolerable.

This has got to be the smallest airport I've been to my entire life. When I landed at this airport the other day, instead of a jet bridge, they merely wheel stairs to the entrance of the plane and then deplane the passengers into the jetway. Most people are waiting for their bags outside because their carry on baggage will not fit into the overhead compartment. I have to say that people are extremely friendly, in particular, this one lady from the information booth. She guided me through the whole entire town via a three dimensional map. She even practically walked me to the bus stop. Now, that's what I call some service. The only real gripe about this airport is the lack of quality food after clearing the security checkpoint. All I saw to eat at this airport was prepackaged food. Other than that, this airport is close to the four mountain resorts: Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, abd Snowmass.

Love Aspen. The airport is way to small. Can't handle the amount of people that travel to and from Aspen. American Airlines needs employees Too crowded. Not enough counter help. Very friendly. Thank you for being friendly. You should stay open 365 days a year.

So convenient to glenwood springs and quick in and out. Wish there were more non-stops and better refreshments after security.

This airport is out of control. If you fly on any seem semblance a holiday, weekend, and/or other sort of large scale travel day in season this airport will be a zoo, a real clusterf$@& people wIll be everywhere and delays are imminent. Much left to be desired.the inability of this airport to handle its influx of travel is comical, yet incomprehensibly frustrating.

This airport is really easy to get in and out of if it isn't storming. Because any little storm and your flight will get delayed or even cancelled. It's basically the approach into the airport that causes the delays and cancellations. Depends on what the visibility is and they only come in one way since their is only one airstrip and they have to navigate the tall peaks. It is listed as one of the top 10 most dangerous airports in H2's documentary. If planes can't get in they you can't get out if there aren't any planes on the ground. If you are lucky like I was to hitch a ride on a private plane it seems they have less restriction on getting into the airport. I was able to get out of there or I would have been stuck in aspen for another 2 days. Also there isn't much for food options and room since the airport is so small.

It's a small airport. So things here are simple. No sit down restaurants. They do have a small cafe. But love the fact that across the street is the bus stop which you can take pretty much anywhere. And it's free. Again, i repeat ITS FOR FREE.

DEPARTURE REVIEW Upon arrival, the man didn't help me unload my bags from the car outside. Then unfortunately he was unable to print both of my boarding passes (I was using two different airlines) so I had to go to the American counter after I was finished working with United. The woman at the American counter then proceeded to tell me that she was not going to be able to print my next boarding pass because of "something weird in the computer", so said I should do it when I got to Chicago. Well, looking at my flight and current delay, I'm going to have 30 minutes from when my flight lands in Chicago to go to another terminal for another airline, print my ticket, and somehow make my flight. Thanks for the added pressure! Well, as it turns out, both women looked at my reservation (which I had previously been on the phone for an hour that morning rearranging with American Airlines) and neither thought that it was an issue that they couldn't print my boarding pass. Got to chicago, ran a mile to my gate at a full sprint, only to be told that I didn't even have a ticket for that flight home the day before Christmas Eve. Really? Nobody could have caught that or helped me in Aspen? TWO different people looked at the reservation! Naturally I was crushed, didn't make the flight, and I still do not have my bags, which all could've been resolved in the Aspen airport during my 3 hour wait where I asked two different AA women for assistance. Went to sit down and charge my phone, which is nice because some seats have chargers. Unfortunate thing is that all of the seats are FILTHY with food, crumbs, and garbage. Everything else in Aspen is wonderful! What is going on in this airport today?

Fabulous, mountain town airport. Short security line and cozy interior. Can't complain.

I must warn people buying food at the airport. The cook doesn't wear a mask. He doesn't wash his hands. He is eating whole cooking. I'm sure he's breaking every safety protocol even for normal times. Forget covid protocols. The manager did absolutely nothing about getting the cook to at least wash his hands.

Absolutely mess here. Delay after delay. It's 2020 get your stuff together. How can an airport run so poorly

Very cosy little airport. I like snow, so I'd say scenic too. Flights were delayed though due to holiday season. My flight was super delayed. I noticed another flight to my destination that was on time and earlier. I walked up to United staff to see if I could take that flight instead. Monica Wild and Folami S from United not only put me on that flight but also on a preferred seat. You guys, you are amazing! And oh, the airport has something called care cart with a choice of snacks for free!

Wonderful service with a smile. Great food. Nice bar. I'm looking forward to going back.

Arriving in Aspen's tiny airport is about as no-fuss as it gets, but departing is an entirely different story. So the Aspen airport is basically sandwiched between two mountains and once you factor in the notoriously capricious weather, you have a recipe for a lot of cancelled or delayed flights. And because the airport offers basically nothing in terms of food or adult beverages (or even enough seating), it's best to head back into town and enjoy a hot toddy or three at your favorite cozy bar whilst waiting out your delay. I know I said arriving was no-fuss, but the actual act of landing can be a bit tricky. My friend Josh (a local) said that a small plane crashes every couple of years or so. The unpredictable, rapidly-changing weather coupled with the need to descend very quickly (about 2,400 feet in about a minute) means that how a pilot responds in the final moments of the approach is absolutely critical. That being said, only the most veteran pilots fly into Aspen! Phew. If you wish to avoid the anxieties of flying into Aspen, the shuttle from Denver will get you into town in about 3 hours - however, if it's snowing it's closer to 5 or 5.5 hours! Plan accordingly.

Tiny little airport that gets very crowded during the holidays. I love how easy checking our bags was but they could use a lot more seating behind security. You probably can get there 30 minutes before your flight and make it without a problem! Once you are through security there are people sitting on the floor and it seriously feels like you are piled on top of each other. Also, getting our bags took surprisingly long considering the small size of the airport.

*********************** 747 ************************* The smallest airports I've ever been in my life. Just a few gates, not enough chairs for passengers to sit. Great folks work here though. Aspen is the place where I see no chain fast food, no chain restos, no Starbuck's and I love it. But when the first class passengers, chefs, the rich, and the famous-look-alike got to carry his/her own bags to the airplane, I love watching it. Think of Burbank Airport, ha, I feel like first class all the sudden :-) Because of the windy afternoon, American Airlines by American Eagles (the worst airlines ever, base on US survey on NBC June 2012), stuck in this tiny airport for 4 hrs, absolutely nothing to do, no resto, no bar, no wine!!! Arrrr now, even the best sommeliers have to sit next to me without a drink, I feel fancy! I usually fly to Denver or Colorado Springs, then drive here during the snowboarding season, this was Aspen Food & Wine Class in the summer, stuck at this airport, I feel as I HAVE to behave as I was in a church! And I'm not Christian nor Catholic! This airport rule, needs to change!

This is like a Barbie airport--an extremely miniaturized and simplified version of the real thing. Which actually works out great, because it keeps security lines short, boarding times reasonable, and gate agents accessible. I arrived for my outbound flight 90 minutes early, but could have rolled up much later and had no trouble. The airport is cute with a cabin feel that matches the vibe of the Aspen area. Only private planes and regional jets service the airport. All boarding and disembarking takes place outdoors with rollaway stair cases, which, while something 60s First Lady Barbie would appreciate, can be a bit challenging for those unsteady on their feet (or in snowy conditions. I heard it sometimes snows in Aspen.). Minus one star for being a bit TOO small to hold all the passengers waiting for their flights. It got to be a bit of a zoo right before boarding, and our flight was only half full.

Going into the Pitkin County Airport is always exciting. There are a few things you should know: 1) Don't fly in with a novice pilot, so, stick to the airlines or a pilot who has flown into Aspen regularly before. Not a great place to go with Uncle Ned and his new Piper 172 for the first time. 2) Take a morning flight if possible.. afternoon is more likely to be bumpy or cancelled due to weather / airplane stuck. 3) Don't expect this airport to be like any other... it's pretty crappy but easy to navigate. 4) It can move at the speed of Aspen (that's slow). 5) Don't get freaked out if in the summer the airplane spools the engines before starting to move (with the brakes on).. it's just so they don't run off the end of the runway or into a mountain. Always exciting!

I agree with all the posters who think that this airport is terrible. First a little history. The terminal building has barely changed in 35 years. It was built for a time when 3/4 of the flights came from Stapleton Airport in Denver. There were no direct flights to any of the big cities meaning that all of the jets coming in were quite small eg BAE 146. Back then there was no TSA either. The big problem is the waiting lounge which is way too small and should be doubled in size. The county has plans for a new and bigger terminal but don't hold your breath waiting for it to happen. This area has been populated by rich hippies who are highly politicized and very green. No doubt there will be objections to a bigger terminal because it might destroy the habitat of the lesser spotted marmot or some similarly cute little critter. Here are a few tips that might help some. Before leaving home check your hotel's website to see if they offer airport pickup and load their number into your phone if they do. There is also an assistance desk where they will make the call for you. Don't freak out if your bags aren't there. That happens all the time and they will be there by the next morning. It is much better to tip the hotel driver $5 than pay $30 plus for a shared limo to Aspen and much more to Snowmass. If you are travelling light then take the free bus into either town. The bus stop is about 50 yards from the terminal door. When you are leaving ignore those super friendly guys on the sidewalk who will try to check your bags. Be warned, they are not free. Just walk through to the check in which is free and only 10 yards inside the door. There are no tips for the waiting lounge. Grab a cup of the dreadful coffee then sit on the floor if you have to and dream of fresh powder.

This airport sucks because TSA is so slow. Worst I've ever seen in the USA. Don't care about speed at all. Huge lines always. Makes one want up fly to EAGLE and ski at Vail. Town of Aspen, Pitkjn County and Aspen Skiing Company should take note because they're competitor Vail has much better airport. And Aspen airport closes easily because of weather as well. For greater reliability and service, fly EGE and ski Vail

Not bad for a small town. Its surprising how many places have flights to Aspen and with LAX only 90 min away, they make it easy to visit. And unlike Whistler, which is 2 hrs from Vancouver Airport, or Banff, Jackson Hole, Park City, etc that are all nearly or more than an hour from the nearest airport, when you land at Aspen airport you are literally 5 minutes from both downtown Aspen in one direction and Snowmass Village, the other. Its an easy in and out, has surprisingly quick security and not so slow baggage handling. A nice airport.

What a weird airport. It's super small (as one would expect) and obviously there's not a ton of things to within the airport itself. I tried to go to the one store in the airport to get some Alka-Selzer and it was closed because one person's shift ended before the other person showed up. That's the kind of tiny this airport is. Overall we had no issues getting in and out, but this isn't a place you'd want to be stuck. There's no place to go.

Although this airport is small and convenient, I found many flaws with it. Upon arrival, AA did not check our bags curbside. I did get my boarding passes from the kiosk, which was the only convenience to this airport. Upon ascending to the security checkpoint, the line was long and only one person was working the TSA stand to verify your ticket and identification and only one xray machine was open!!!!! There must have been 50 people in the line. They FINALLY opened another xray machine as I was getting into the terminal. Once in the terminal, it was very small and claustrophobic. The food cart there was terrible and I would not let my canine eat it. The only part I liked of the terminal was the gift shop (they don't sell gum) and the water fountain had an area where you can refill your water bottle.