MILWAUKEE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MKE) INFORMATION

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is a civil-military airport located approximately 9 mi/14.5 km south of downtown Milwaukee in Wisconsin, USA.

It is owned by Milwaukee County and operated by Milwaukee County Airport Department and it serves the city of Milwaukee and its surrounding areas. It is a hub for Freight Runners Express, a US air carrier.

The airport is named after General Billy Mitchell of the United States Army who is often regarded as the father of the United States Air Force.

Milwaukee Mitchell Airport has many names and it also goes by the names Milwaukee International Airport, Milwaukee Airport, General Mitchell Airport, General Mitchell International Airport and Milwaukee Mitchell Airport to name just a few of the variations.

The airport started out as Hamilton Airport in 1920 when it was just an airfield and owned by a local business owner and aviator named Thomas F. Hamilton. When Milwaukee County purchased the land in 1926 they renamed it Milwaukee County Airport.

The first terminal was called the Hirschbuhl Farmhouse and it opened in July of 1927. Charles Lindbergh visited the airport in August that year.

A new two-story passenger terminal was constructed during 1938-1940 and the airport was yet again renamed in 1941, this time to General Mitchell Field. In 1945 it was leased to the War Department to use as a prisoner-of-war camp for more than 3,000 prisoners.

The current terminal was constructed in the early 1950s and it opened its doors in July 1955, and it was renovated and expanded in 1985 with the addition of the “hammerhead” section of Concourse D in 1990.

The airport was renamed General Mitchell International Airport in 1986, and it was yet again renamed in early 2019 to its current name, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, to highlight the location of the airport.

The airport has five runways with asphalt/concrete surfaces. They are 9,950 ft/3,045 m, 4,183 ft/1,275 m, 4,800 ft/1,463 m, 8,300 ft/2,530 m, and 5,535 ft/1,687 m respectively.

The airport had a peak of annual passenger traffic in 2010 when they registered close to 10 million passengers. In 2019 they registered close to 7 million passengers and in 2020 the number of passengers that came through the airport was 2,627,215. The drop from 2019 to 2020 was due to the travel restrictions in regards to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Arrivals, Departures and Airlines at Milwaukee International Airport

• See live flight arrivals information at Milwaukee International Airport
• See live flight departures information at Milwaukee International Airport
• See all airlines and routes that serve Milwaukee International Airport

The Terminal at Milwaukee International Airport

The airport is said to have one single terminal with two active concourses, C and D, and a third concourse, E, that is not in use. However, there is also a separate International Arrivals Terminal, with the abbreviation IAB, located just north of the parking garage located opposite the Main Terminal. All international flights except flights from Toronto arrive here.

A total of 38 gates can be found in the Main Terminal’s concourses. Concourse E is closed due to remodeling in preparation for moving all international arrivals from IAB.

Transfers at Milwaukee International Airport

Rental Cars – The two lower levels of the parking garage located across the road from the terminal house the car rental companies at Milwaukee Airport. Off-airport car rental companies provide complimentary shuttles from outside the Baggage Claim area of the main terminal.

Buses – MCTS, Milwaukee County Transit System, provides two bus routes between downtown Milwaukee and the airport. The bus stop is located across the road when exiting through Door 1 in the Baggage Claim area. Vending machines for fares and a real time arrivals map are located near Carousel 1.

Some coach and bus companies supply transfers to locations around Milwaukee.

Greyhound buses depart from Milwaukee Intermodal Station in central Milwaukee. More information about bus services at/near Milwaukee Airport.

Taxis – Taxis can be found outside Door 5 in the Baggage Claim area. A journey to central Milwaukee will cost around $25 and take around 15-20 minutes. More details about taxis to and from Milwaukee Airport.

Hotel Shuttles – If a hotel offers an airport shuttle service to their guests collection will take place outside the Baggage Claim area. Need to book a hotel? See a range of hotels near Milwaukee Airport.

Ride Shares and Shuttles – These types of transfers are organized privately by the traveler or their representative through the company’s website or smartphone application. See private transfer options at Milwaukee Airport.

Trains – Milwaukee Airport Rail Station is located a short complimentary shuttle ride from the airport terminal. It is served by Amtrak’s Hiawatha route between Milwaukee and Chicago with several departures going both directions each day. More information about train services at Milwaukee Airport.

Parking at Milwaukee International Airport

Travelers and visitors can choose to park in the parking garage located opposite the Main Terminal or in one of the lots. The parking garage houses the Hourly and Daily Parking while the lots offer open air surface parking. The lot named Surface Lot is located right behind the parking facility and is within walking distance to the terminal while the Savers Lot offers complimentary shuttle transfers.

Valet Parking is available through reservations only. More information about parking at Milwaukee Airport.

Smoking at Milwaukee International Airport

Smoking at the airport is only allowed in designated areas outside the terminal.

WiFi at Milwaukee International Airport

Free WiFi is offered through the network “Boingo Hotspot” through the viewing of an ad, but there are also options for a paid higher speed internet connection through registering at Boingo. Available options are $4.95 for one hour’s access at MKE, $7.95 for 24 hours of access or a monthly unlimited access through thousands of Boingo hotspots throughout the Americas for $9.95.

The options will be available once the device is connected to the network and an internet browser is launched.

Please contact Boingo for technical support or questions at 1-866-3-BOINGO, or support@boingo.com.

Accessibility at Milwaukee International Airport

Persons in need of assistance with a wheelchair or special needs while at the airport have to request this through the airline in good time before the departure.

ATMs and Currency Exchange at Milwaukee International Airport

ATMs and currency exchange service can be found on airside, the latter in Concourse C.

Baby and Family Amenities at Milwaukee International Airport

Children’s Play Areas can be found in Concourses C and D.

A room for nursing moms can be found near the Children’s Play Area in Concourse D.

Mamava Suites for breastfeeding or lactation can be found in a few locations of the airport to provide moms with some privacy and a moment of tranquility while breastfeeding or pumping if they feel they need it or want it.

Dining and Shopping at Milwaukee International Airport

The Main Terminal, including Concourses C and D, offer a variety of places to have a drink, a bite to eat or do some shopping while waiting to board the flight. Some places are located on landside available to visitors and travelers alike.

USO Lounge at Milwaukee International Airport

A complimentary USO lounge for active military duty military members can be found in the Main Terminal.

Closest International Airport to Milwaukee International Airport

The closest international airport to MKE is Chicago O’Hare International Airport 73.3 mi/118 km away.

Things to do in Milwaukee

There are a number of activities to suit all ages and interests in the region - see a selection of tourist activities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the United States of America.

Milwaukee International Airport Contacts

Address: Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, 5300 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA
General Phone: +1 414-747-5300
Lost and Found Phone: +1 414-747-5245
Official Website: https://www.mitchellairport.com/

Local Information

Drive on: Right
Electricity: 120V/60Hz
Plug: A, B
Currency: US Dollar, USD, $