The US Airports At The Highest Altitudes
Most of the highest-altitude airports in the United States are located in Colorado.
When you think about airports in the United States at high altitudes, your focus is almost immediately drawn to Denver International Airport (DEN) in Colorado. At a height of 5,434 feet, Denver is undoubtedly well up there, but you may be surprised to learn that it ranks number 20 in the nation’s highest commercial airports. We take a look at the top 10 highest airports in the USA.
1Telluride Regional Airport (TEX)
Topping the list at number one is Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), at an altitude of 9,078 feet. Located in San Miguel County, Colorado, TEX is served by San Francisco-based commuter airline Boutique Air which flies a fleet of eight-passenger Pilatus PC-12 planes. Denver Air Connection also operates flights from Telluride to Denver and Phoenix using 30-passenger Fairchild-Dornier 328JETs. Because the airport’s location is high in the Rocky Mountains during the winter, 20% of all flights are canceled or diverted to other airports.
2Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE)
Coming in at number two is Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) in Colorado. Serving the famous ski resort, ASE is at a height of 7,820 feet above sea level. Nestled in a valley with a single 8,006 feet long runway, the type of planes that can take off and land at Aspen Airport is limited to private planes and regional airliners like the CRJ700. There is, however, talk of widening and lengthening the runway to allow aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 to operate from there too.
3Gunnison–Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC)
At number three on our list is another Colorado airport located near the hiking and camping town of Gunnison. At an elevation of 7,680 feet Gunnison–Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) has a 9,300-foot long runway that can handle planes as large as the Being 737. United Airlines connects Gunnison to Denver with daily flights using CRJ700s.
4San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS)
Number four on the list is San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS). Located in Alamosa County, Colorado, ALS is at an altitude of 7,539 feet above sea level. The airport has a single 8,519-foot-long asphalt runway and is served by DenverAir Connection.
5Laramie Regional Airport (LAR)
Finally, moving away from Colorado but still in the Rocky Mountains is Laramie Regional Airport (LAR) in Wyoming. At an elevation of 7,284 feet above sea level, LAR is subsidized by the Essential Air Service program (EAS). With two runways, the longest of which is 8,502 feet, the airport plays a vital role in fighting forest fires but has limited commercial passenger flights. Currently, SkyWest Airlines operating as United Express, offers Bombardier CRJ-200 flights between Laramie and Denver.
6Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG)
Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, this airport sits at 7,014 feet above sea level. Just five miles outside the historic Route 66 town, the airport is served by American Eagle and is popular for general aviation also.
7Steamboat Springs Airport (SBS)
Coming back to Colorado, our 7th highest airport is found in Steamboat Springs. Also known as Bob Adams Field, named after former wartime B-24 pilot and owner of the largest coal mine in Colorado, the airport sits at 6,882 feet elevation. In the late 20th Century, it was served by Maverick Airways with Dash 7s, but since that airline folded in 1997, it has been only used as a general aviation airfield.
8Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (RKS)
Our 8th highest airport is located in Wyoming, in Rock Springs. Sitting at 6,765 feet elevation, it has a 3,048 m (10,000 ft) runway, but has only one scheduled airline. United Express operates regular service to Denver International via SkyWest, although a number of charter operators and private flights also use the airport.
9Durango–La Plata County Airport (DRO)
Back to Colorado and the city of Durango, which is home to the Durango–La Plata County Airport sitting at 6,685 feet above sea level. It’s been in commercial use since 1946, and has seen airlines including Frontier, Continental Express, Sun West, America West and many others over the years. Today, it is served by United and American via regional subsidiaries Mesa, SkyWest, Republic and others, and is connected to Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles.
10Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)
Our final airport is located in Gypsum, Colorado, and is at 6,547 feet elevation. It is known as one of the ‘most extreme’ airports in the USA due to the mountainous approach, elevation and weather conditions. Despite this, the airport is the second busiest in Colorado during the winter, with only DEN serving more passengers, as ski lovers flock to the slopes nearby. All three big US carriers connect to the airport, with flights to the likes of Dallas, Newark, Houston, Denver, Atlanta, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
