We have a trip coming up where we'll be meeting our travel companions across the country at a large airport that we don't know well. While looking at maps on the airport's website, I stumbled across a fascinating list of all of the "firsts" that happened there. It inspired me to put together this list of US Airport Firsts.
United States Airport Firsts
1909
The oldest continually operating airport, not just in the US but worldwide, is College Park. It has operated continuously since 1909, when it was started as a military demonstration site for the Wright Brothers.
1927
Cleveland offered the first scheduled interstate passenger services in the US in 1927.
1928
When Newark opened in 1928, it was the first commercial airport in the US and the first to have a paved runway.
1929
The first international airport in the US was Douglas Municipal Airport, located on the Mexican border of Arizona. Starting in 1929, passengers would board in Arizona, then the plane would taxi through a gate to the airport in Agua Prieta, on the Mexican side of the border. After clearing customs, the plane would take off and head to its destination in Mexico.
1930
In 1930, Newark became the first airport with an air traffic control tower and an airport weather station in the US.
When Cleveland installed an airfield lighting system in 1930, it became the first airport in the world to have a lighted airfield.
1935
Newark opened the first passenger terminal in the US in 1935. It was dedicated by Amelia Earhart.
1939
When the American Airlines Admirals Club opened at LaGuardia in 1939, it became the first official airport lounge.
1946
Indianapolis started operating the first control tower equipped with radar in 1946.
1952
Newark installed runway lights in 1952, becoming the first airport allowing nighttime operations.
1958
In 1958, O'Hare introduced the first passenger boarding bridges. These air bridges provided shelter between the terminal and the plane and significantly sped up aircraft turnaround times. The air bridges were better known by the brand name "Jet Way."
1965
In 1965, Cleveland was the first airport to establish an emergency medical technician (EMT) program.
1970
In 1970, New Orleans became the first airport to use walk-through metal detectors to screen passengers. (There were there were 40 plane hijackings in the US and a total of 89 worldwide.... just in 1969.)
1973
Concorde 002 flew to Dallas-Fort Worth in 1973, markng the first US visit of the Concorde.
2001
Shortly after 9/11, therapy dog Orion began offering comfort to anxious passengers in San Jose. This was the first airport to introduce therapy animals in the terminals.
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I left it off the list since "First Desegregated Airport" only makes sense if you ignore the many US airports that were never segregated in the first place, but the story of the desegregation of Washington National Airport in 1948 is well-worth a read. There are many other fascinating stories of aviation on the National Air and Space Museum website.
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Interested in other fun facts about US airports? Check this out!
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