Jacksonville International Airport Mini Guide
What’s Jacksonville Like?
Unknown to most people, it’s the most populous city in
Florida and the largest by area in the whole of continental USA. It has a large, deep port which lends itself to international shipping trade. Today, the city is promoting itself for tourism and in particular to golfers. In the Jacksonville area there are dozens of courses as well as it being the home of the PGA Tour. There are also lots of museums in the area, covering a wide range of disciplines from science and natural history to the history of the city and the state. There’s even a museum dedicated to glass and porcelain, bequeathed by one of the city’s benefactors, Alexander Brest.
How can I get to Jacksonville?
There are dozens of flights daily from across the States and the airport takes no international flights despite its name. Visitors from outside the USA will need to connect to one of the major US airports to get to Jackson. The airport is thirteen miles from the city of Jackson which can be reached by bus, shuttle, taxi or hire car.
What is the Airport Like?
It was built in 1965 but has undergone a complete rebuild of the terminal in recent years. This has been necessary to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic which last year reached eight million. With the rebuild came an increase in the number of facilities as well as improvements in the public areas to make them more spacious and customer friendly.
What can I Expect on my Arrival at Jacksonville?
The new terminal building is quite something with air bridges connecting the plane to the concourse. Once inside, you’ll be transported by moving walkway to the main terminal where you’ll pass through security. Once baggage is in hand, you’ll then go through the customs zone and then downstairs into the main arrivals hall. The main levels are simply functional being reclaim and ticketing but mezzanine levels offer shops, restaurants and other facilities including airport information. All transport options out of the airport are found on level one after baggage reclaim including the desks of the car rental companies.
What About on the day of my Departure?
After checking in on level 2 you can head to the mezzanine level for shopping and food. The area is completely dedicated to services for the passenger and there’s a very good range of shopping and eating options. There are the usual ladies’ fashions and as Jacksonville is a major golf centre, there’s a PGA shop selling golf equipment and apparel. There are bookstores and newsagents, sunglasses and travel accessories. The cafes and restaurants there tend towards the quick and easy with pizza, burgers, hot dogs and Mexican food in abundance. Wi-Fi on a pay per use basis is available across the airport and there’s a Comfort Zone Airport Spa for those with the time to relax and unwind.