Discover Montana's 8 commercial airports serving over 5.4 million passengers annually, from Bozeman's record-breaking international gateway to seasonal access at West Yellowstone. Complete guide to flights, parking, TSA PreCheck, and travel information across Big Sky Country.
📍 Belgrade, MT (13 miles from Bozeman)
Montana's busiest airport and gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Served 2.64 million passengers in 2024, a 7.2% increase from 2023.
📍 Missoula, MT (5 miles northwest of downtown)
First Montana airport to exceed 1 million passengers (1,021,055 in 2024), earning FAA Small Hub status. Growing 11.8% year-over-year.
📍 Billings, MT (3.5 km from city center)
Montana's third-busiest airport with 980,676 passengers in 2024. Recently completed $60M terminal expansion with 9 gates and 8 jet bridges.
📍 Kalispell, MT (6 miles from city, 30 min to Glacier National Park)
Gateway to Glacier National Park with 420,500+ annual passengers (2022 data). Massive $165M terminal expansion underway through 2026.
| Airport | Code | 2024 Passengers | Growth | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman Yellowstone International | BZN | 2,642,707 | +7.2% | #92 |
| Missoula International | MSO | 1,021,055 | +11.8% | #138 |
| Billings Logan International | BIL | 980,676 | Record | #143 |
| Glacier Park International | FCA | 420,500+ | +17% vs 2019 | #139 |
| Great Falls International | GTF | 387,416 | Record | #196 |
| Helena Regional | HLN | 82,673 | — | #227 |
| Bert Mooney (Butte) | BTM | 32,501 | — | #363 |
| Yellowstone (West Yellowstone) | WYS | ~8,000 | Seasonal | — |
Note: 2024 data reflects calendar year statistics. Yellowstone Airport operates seasonally June-September only.
| Airline | Market Share | Montana Airports Served |
|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | 30.3% | BZN, BIL, MSO, GTF, FCA, HLN, WYS |
| Delta Air Lines | 29.3% | BZN, BIL, MSO, GTF, FCA, HLN, WYS |
| Alaska Airlines | 14.6% | BZN, BIL, MSO, FCA, GTF |
| Allegiant Air | 8.4% | BZN, BIL, FCA, MSO |
| Southwest Airlines | 7.5% | BZN, MSO |
| American Airlines | 7.4% | BZN, BIL, FCA |
| Sun Country Airlines | 0.1% | BZN, BIL, MSO |
| JetBlue Airways | 0.5% | BZN |
| Frontier Airlines | — | MSO |
| Cape Air | 1.3% | BIL, GGW, GDV, HVR, SDY (Eastern MT hub) |
Most popular Montana route. Served from BZN (multiple daily), BIL (6 daily), MSO, GTF, HLN, WYS. Major connection hub for United Airlines.
Delta hub serving all major Montana airports: BZN, BIL, MSO, FCA, GTF, HLN, BTM, WYS. Critical connection point for West Coast and beyond.
Alaska Airlines hub connecting BZN, BIL, MSO, FCA, GTF. Gateway to Pacific Northwest and international connections.
All major Montana airports offer TSA PreCheck screening lanes. Here's what you need to know:
| Airport | TSA PreCheck Screening | Enrollment Center |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman (BZN) | ✅ Available | Periodic pop-up events (2-3x yearly) |
| Billings (BIL) | ✅ Available | Permanent center |
| Missoula (MSO) | ✅ Available | Permanent center |
| Glacier Park (FCA) | ✅ Available | — |
| Great Falls (GTF) | ✅ Available | — |
| Helena (HLN) | ✅ Available | — |
Note: TSA uses CAT-2 (Credential Authentication Technology) units at all major Montana airports to verify TSA PreCheck eligibility. All airlines serving Montana participate in TSA PreCheck.
| Airport | Long-Term Daily Rate | Premium/Short-Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman (BZN) | $10/day ($60/week) | $15/day | First hour free in long-term lot |
| Missoula (MSO) | $10/day ($70/week) | $20/day | Increased from $9 in 2024; first 15 min free |
| Billings (BIL) | $11/day | — | — |
| Glacier Park (FCA) | $15/day | — | — |
| Great Falls (GTF) | $7/day | — | Lowest parking rate in Montana |
Off-site option: Missoula's Vigilante Parking offers $10/day with shuttle service ($8/day if you arrange your own ride).
Montana has approximately 120 public-use airports and over 450 private airstrips serving general aviation, air ambulance, firefighting, and agricultural operations.
Location: 3 miles southwest of Great Falls
2024 Passengers: 387,416 (record-breaking year, surpassing 2015 record)
Airlines: United, Delta, Alaska
Destinations: Denver (58,470 passengers), Salt Lake City (52,970), Seattle (27,710)
Parking: $7/day (Montana's cheapest)
Contact: 406-727-3404
Notes: Public/military airport handling ~2,500 passengers daily with ~40 daily flights. Fifth-busiest Montana airport.
Location: 2 miles northeast of Helena
2022 Passengers: 82,673 enplanements
Airlines: United, Delta, Alpine Air Express
Destinations: Salt Lake City, Denver
Facilities: 3 asphalt runways, main runway 9,000 x 150 feet
Contact: 406-442-2821
Notes: Recently renovated terminal with free Wi-Fi, charging stations, business center, restaurant/bar serving Montana cuisine, on-site car rentals (Hertz, Enterprise, Avis).
Location: 3 miles southeast of Butte at 5,551 feet elevation
2023 Passengers: 32,501 enplanements
Destinations: Salt Lake City, Denver (service resuming 2025)
Facilities: 40,633 sq ft modern terminal (opened 2018), 2 runways (main: 9,000 x 150 ft)
Contact: 406-494-3771
Notes: Named after aviator Bert Mooney, first to fly mail into Yellowstone (1935). $10.5M terminal features free Wi-Fi, café, car rentals, enhanced accessibility.
Location: 1 nautical mile north of West Yellowstone, 2 miles from Yellowstone National Park
Operations: Seasonal ONLY (June-September)
Airlines: United Express (SkyWest), Delta
Destinations: Denver (1h 45min flight), Salt Lake City
Annual Passengers: ~8,000
Contact: 406-646-7631
Notes: State-owned airport subsidized by federal Essential Air Service (EAS) program. Closest airport to Yellowstone National Park. Approximately 73 flights monthly during peak season.
Hub: Billings Logan International (BIL)
Airports Served:
Notes: Cape Air operates Essential Air Service routes connecting rural Eastern Montana communities to Billings hub. These airports serve critical roles for general aviation, air ambulance, and firefighting services.
Total Public Airports: 120 (in every county except Wibaux)
Private Airports: 450+ active airstrips (voluntary registration)
NPIAS Airports: 59 general aviation airports under FAA National Plan
Non-NPIAS Airports: ~49 public-use airports serving local needs
Key Regional Airports Include:
Services Available: All major Montana airports offer FBO (Fixed-Base Operator) services for private aircraft. Many smaller general aviation airports also provide FBO accommodations, fuel, maintenance, and hangar space.
Importance: Aviation provides essential connectivity across Montana's vast rural landscape where road/rail networks may be limited. Airports support emergency medical services, wildfire suppression, agricultural operations, and remote community access.
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is Montana's busiest airport, serving 2,642,707 passengers in 2024, a 7.2% increase from 2023. BZN has held the title of Montana's busiest airport since 2013. The airport serves as the primary gateway to Yellowstone National Park and Big Sky Resort, with service from 8 major airlines offering nonstop flights to 20+ cities including Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, Newark, and Nashville. BZN recently announced a historic $180 million expansion project that will add three new baggage carousels, a second security checkpoint, and three additional gates.
Montana has 8 commercial airports with scheduled passenger service: Bozeman (BZN), Missoula (MSO), Billings (BIL), Glacier Park International/Kalispell (FCA), Great Falls (GTF), Helena (HLN), Bert Mooney/Butte (BTM), and Yellowstone/West Yellowstone (WYS, seasonal June-September only). Additionally, Cape Air operates Essential Air Service routes from Billings to five smaller regional airports in Eastern Montana: Havre, Glasgow, Glendive, Sidney, and Wolf Point. In total, Montana has approximately 120 public-use airports and over 450 private airstrips serving general aviation, emergency medical services, firefighting, and agricultural operations across the state's vast rural landscape.
Yellowstone Airport (WYS) in West Yellowstone is the closest to Yellowstone National Park, located just 2 miles from the park's west entrance. However, WYS only operates seasonally from June through September with limited flights to Denver and Salt Lake City. For year-round access, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is the best option, located approximately 90 miles (1.5 hours drive) north of Yellowstone's north entrance. BZN offers significantly more flight options with service from 8 airlines to 20+ destinations year-round. The airport serves as the primary gateway to Yellowstone, handling over 2.6 million passengers annually, many of whom are visiting the park and nearby Big Sky Resort.
Ten airlines serve Montana airports with scheduled passenger service: United Airlines (30.3% market share), Delta Air Lines (29.3%), Alaska Airlines (14.6%), Allegiant Air (8.4%), Southwest Airlines (7.5%), American Airlines (7.4%), Cape Air (1.3%), JetBlue Airways (0.5%), Avelo (0.3%), and Sun Country Airlines (0.1%). United and Delta dominate with service to all major Montana airports including BZN, BIL, MSO, FCA, GTF, and HLN. Alaska Airlines serves five major airports. Southwest operates from Bozeman and Missoula only, recently adding seasonal Nashville service. Frontier and Sun Country added new routes to Missoula in 2024. Cape Air operates Essential Air Service routes connecting Eastern Montana's smaller airports (Havre, Glasgow, Glendive, Sidney, Wolf Point) to Billings.
Long-term parking rates at Montana airports vary by location. Great Falls International (GTF) offers the lowest rate at $7 per day. Bozeman (BZN) charges $10 per day ($60 per week) for long-term parking and $15 per day for premium parking, with the first hour free. Missoula (MSO) increased rates to $10 per day in 2024 (up from $9) with a $70 weekly rate, offering the first 15 minutes free. Billings (BIL) charges $11 per day for long-term parking. Glacier Park International (FCA) and Helena (HLN) charge $15 per day. All airports accept major credit cards, offer handicap-accessible spaces, and have lots regularly patrolled by security. Off-site alternatives exist in some cities; for example, Vigilante Parking near Missoula airport offers $10/day with shuttle service ($8/day if arranging your own transportation).
Montana has two permanent TSA PreCheck enrollment centers located at Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) and Missoula International Airport (MSO). Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) hosts periodic TSA PreCheck enrollment events 2-3 times per year, typically lasting 4-5 days. Recent events were held in October 2024 and June 2024 at BZN's second-floor lobby. To enroll, visit TSA.gov/precheck, pre-enroll online (recommended for faster processing), schedule an in-person appointment, and bring valid identification and payment ($78-85 for 5-year membership). All major Montana airports (BZN, BIL, MSO, FCA, GTF, HLN) offer TSA PreCheck screening lanes using CAT-2 Credential Authentication Technology units. All airlines serving Montana participate in the TSA PreCheck program.
The three most popular routes from Montana airports are Denver (DEN), Salt Lake City (SLC), and Seattle (SEA). Denver is the top destination, served by United Airlines from all major Montana airports with multiple daily flights. BZN and BIL each offer multiple daily Denver flights, with BIL recently adding a 6th daily flight. Great Falls' top route to Denver carried 58,470 passengers in 2024. Salt Lake City is the second busiest route, served by Delta from all eight commercial Montana airports (BZN, BIL, MSO, FCA, GTF, HLN, BTM, WYS), functioning as a critical Delta hub for West Coast connections. Seattle ranks third, served primarily by Alaska Airlines to BZN, BIL, MSO, FCA, and GTF, providing Pacific Northwest and international connections. Other popular routes include Minneapolis (Sun Country, Delta), Chicago (American, United), Las Vegas (Allegiant), and Phoenix (seasonal service).
Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell is the best airport for visiting Glacier National Park. Located just 30 minutes from the park's west entrance and 6 miles northeast of Kalispell, FCA is specifically positioned to serve park visitors. The airport handled 420,500+ passengers in 2022, with traffic increasing 17% compared to 2019. FCA is served by four major airlines (Alaska, Delta, Allegiant, and United) offering nonstop service to major hubs including Seattle, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Denver, and Las Vegas. The airport is currently undergoing a massive $165 million terminal expansion project running through 2026. When complete, the terminal will expand from 75,000 to approximately 200,000 square feet. Phase 1A opened in March 2024, with subsequent phases continuing through spring 2026. The airport offers car rentals, shuttle services, and ground transportation directly to the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park.
All major Montana airports offer comprehensive car rental services. Missoula International Airport (MSO) hosts 7 major rental car agencies in the baggage claim area for convenient pickup and drop-off, including Dollar, Budget, Thrifty, Hertz, Alamo, Avis, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. On-site agencies operate from 6am until the last flight arrival. Multiple off-site rental companies also provide shuttle service to/from the airport. Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) features four major car rental agencies within the terminal adjacent to baggage claim, plus three additional off-site agencies accessible by shuttle. Helena Regional Airport (HLN) offers on-site car rental services from Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis. All airports also support ride-sharing services including Uber and Lyft. Shuttle services and hotel shuttles are available at most airports (hotel shuttles require advance arrangements directly with the hotel). Glacier Park International operates a dedicated tourism desk during peak seasons to assist with ground transportation planning.
Yes, Montana airports are experiencing significant growth across the board. Bozeman (BZN) grew 7.2% to a record 2,642,707 passengers in 2024 and announced a historic $180 million expansion project. Missoula (MSO) achieved exceptional 11.8% growth, surpassing 1 million passengers for the first time (1,021,055 in 2024) and earning FAA Small Hub status. Billings (BIL) set a record with 980,676 passengers in 2024 following a recent $60 million terminal modernization. Great Falls (GTF) broke its all-time record with 387,416 passengers. Glacier Park International (FCA) grew 17% compared to 2019 and is undergoing a $165 million terminal expansion through 2026. Multiple airports added new routes in 2024: Southwest launched Nashville service from Bozeman, Allegiant added Orange County and Oakland from Missoula, Sun Country started Minneapolis flights, and Frontier returned to Missoula with Denver service. This growth reflects Montana's increasing popularity as a destination for outdoor recreation, national parks (Yellowstone and Glacier), and ski resorts.
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Last updated on November 29, 2025