CMH: John Glenn Columbus International Airport traveler guide
CMH is John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Use this guide to verify the code, find the right concourse, check departures, plan TSA time, compare parking, locate rideshare and rental-car pickup, understand current construction and avoid confusing CMH with Columbus-area LCK.
Check these official live pages before leaving for CMH
This page does not invent live flight, parking or TSA values. The cards below open the airport or FAA source that owns the current data.
Six current details worth knowing before you drive to Columbus airport
These are not generic airport tips. They are the specific CMH details most likely to send a traveler to the wrong airport, wrong checkpoint, wrong curb door or closed parking lot.
Airport live checks & travel tools
Use current local conditions, official live-status links and planning calculators before you travel. Airline gate, terminal and flight times can change; your carrier remains the final source for flight-specific details.
Live flight center
Check the airport's official flight board, then confirm any last-minute gate or timing change with the airline.
Current airport-area weather
Useful for planning your trip to the airport. This is model-based local weather, not an aviation METAR or an airline operational forecast.
Quick official checks
Open the source that matches the decision you are making right now.
When should I reach the airport?
A planning estimate based on flight type and common time buffers. Always increase the buffer for severe weather, major holidays, unusual airport alerts or airline instructions.
Connection-risk checker
This is a planning heuristic, not an airline minimum-connection-time rule. International arrivals that require U.S. entry processing, baggage claim and security can need substantially more time.
Parking cost estimator
Uses the airport-specific rates stored in this article's configuration. Rates can change; verify availability and final pricing on the official parking page before driving in.
Passenger pickup readiness
Landing time is not curb-ready time. Add time for taxiing, deplaning, baggage claim, customs when applicable and walking to the correct pickup zone.
Allegiant means LCK, not CMH
Allegiant operates from Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK). If your itinerary says Allegiant, check the airport code before following directions to CMH.
Wrong-airport preventionSpirit no longer operates at CMH
The current airport airline directory says Spirit ceased operations effective May 2, 2026. Older terminal-map material can still show Spirit, so current airline information wins.
Stale-map warningKnow A, B or C before TSA
The current terminal has three separate concourse checkpoints. The post-security concourses are not one open central hall, so confirm your operating airline and gate before screening.
Security decisionRemember A3, A4, A5
Official arrivals mapping places parking-lot shuttles at A3, rideshare/taxis at A4 and the Rental Car Center shuttle at A5.
Curb shortcutWalking and Blue lots are not current choices
The Walking Lot permanently closed to new parkers May 4, 2026; the Blue lot had already closed for CMH Next construction. Check current status before driving.
Parking changeOld construction screenshots age quickly
Roadway changes can be delayed or revised while the existing terminal remains open. Follow current FlyColumbus/CMH Next notices and onsite signs, not an old social post.
Construction routingWhat airport is CMH?
CMH is the IATA code for John Glenn Columbus International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, United States. The four-letter ICAO code is KCMH, while the FAA location identifier is also CMH.
Why is the Columbus airport code CMH?
The code predates the current John Glenn name. Airport historical material still uses the phrase Columbus Municipal Hangar when explaining the “H” in CMH—for example, the airport’s Hangar 815 concession is explicitly named for that history and the field elevation of 815 feet.
The name changed; the code stayed useful
The airport operated for decades as Port Columbus International Airport and was renamed John Glenn Columbus International Airport in 2016 in honor of the Ohio-born astronaut and U.S. senator. The established CMH code remained because changing a mature airport identifier would disrupt airline, baggage, reservation and operational systems.
Where travelers actually see CMH
CMH identifies your origin or destination in airline apps and tickets.
Your checked bag may display CMH as the routing destination.
CMH appears in airport and airline flight-status systems worldwide.
CMH airport city, state, country, address and time zone
Official passenger address
4600 International Gateway
Columbus, OH 43219
United States
FAA information places CMH about six miles east of Columbus. For navigation, use the complete street address rather than typing only “Columbus airport,” because Central Ohio also has Rickenbacker and Bolton Field.
Eastern Time
CMH uses America/New_York. During daylight saving time Columbus is on EDT (UTC-4); during standard time it is on EST (UTC-5).
Travel tip: boarding passes and airline apps normally show local airport time.
Seeing “CMH” in AWS, an API or a cloud dataset?
The suggested search phrase “CMH airport code AWS” usually points to a data-context question rather than a second airport code. If an AWS-hosted database, API response, S3 file or travel application has an airport field containing CMH, it normally means the IATA airport code for John Glenn Columbus International Airport unless that dataset documents a different schema. AWS is not a CMH aviation identifier.
CMH vs LCK vs TZR: which Columbus airport do you need?
| Code | Airport | Main role | Traveler decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMH | John Glenn Columbus International | Primary scheduled passenger airport | Use for most commercial airline trips to Columbus |
| LCK | Rickenbacker International | Cargo plus separate passenger terminal | Allegiant passengers should check LCK; do not drive to CMH by habit |
| TZR | Bolton Field | General aviation | Not the normal airport for scheduled airline passengers |
CMH has one terminal—but three separate secure concourses
The terminal building is compact, but the security layout matters: Concourses A, B and C each have their own TSA checkpoint. Confirm the operating airline and gate before you enter security because you should not assume you can walk freely between concourses after screening.
Concourse A: Southwest
Current official airline assignment: Southwest Airlines. The map places a nursing room and water filling station near A2, Starbucks near A3 and several concessions along the short pier.
Concourse B: American and United
The current airline directory lists American Airlines and United Airlines in Concourse B. Escape Lounge, a nursing room and a water filling station are mapped near B32. Food options are spread along the B pier.
Concourse C: multiple domestic and international carriers
The current directory places Air Canada, Alaska, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Sun Country and current Viva service in Concourse C. The terminal map places a nursing room and water filling station around C52.
How many gates does the current terminal have?
CMH Next project FAQs describe the current terminal as having 29 operating gates; the replacement terminal is planned for 36. Gate-number ranges on the map are not the same thing as a count of operating gates.
What the CMH terminal-map PDF tells you—and what it cannot tell you
The two-page FlyColumbus PDF is useful for physical layout. It is less reliable for rapidly changing airline assignments, so this guide separates map facts from live operational facts.
The PDF shows Arrivals doors A1–A7 and baggage belts 1–7. It positions parking-lot shuttles by A3, rideshare/taxis by A4 and rental-car shuttles by A5, with the parking garage and ground-transport area across the arrivals drive.
The PDF shows departure doors D1–D7, separate entrances toward the A/B/C checkpoints, Concourse A gates A2–A6, B gates labeled B19–B36 and C gates labeled C46–C56.
The interactive map places nursing and water-filling facilities near A2, B32 and C52; the baggage-level nursing room is near Belt 1. Escape Lounge is mapped at B32 and the USO near the Concourse C exit lane.
The PDF legend and current interactive-map layer can still display Spirit. The live airline directory is the better source for current carrier assignments because Spirit ceased CMH operations May 2, 2026.
Baggage claim and arrivals: use the right CMH door
The official arrivals map shows seven baggage belts and doors A1–A7. Your belt can change, but the ground-transport door pattern is especially useful when coordinating with a driver.
A3: parking-lot shuttles
Use the A3 area for airport parking-lot shuttles. Red and Green shuttles run around the clock; do not walk to a closed lot based on an old map.
A4: rideshare and taxis
The current map places rideshare and taxis at A4. Request the ride only after you have your bags and can follow the app to the current ground-transport position.
A5: Rental Car Center shuttle
Follow the purple rental-car signs to A5. Airport guidance says Rental Car Center shuttles operate 24/7.
If you have checked bags
First verify the baggage belt on the live display, collect every bag, then move toward the correct door. Giving a driver “A4” is much more actionable than saying “baggage claim.”
If you have no checked bag
Go directly from the concourse exit toward Level 1 arrivals/ground transportation. Before leaving the secure side, make sure you have everything you need; returning to a concourse can require another security screening.
CMH security checkpoints, hours, REAL ID and ConfirmID
CMH currently publishes the same public opening window for the A, B and C checkpoints, but the key task is choosing the correct concourse before screening. Live wait estimates and staffing can change during the day.
| Checkpoint | Published hours | Typical current airlines | Traveler action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concourse A | 4:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m. | Southwest | Confirm an A gate before entering |
| Concourse B | 4:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m. | American, United | B is a separate secure concourse |
| Concourse C | 4:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m. | Air Canada, Alaska, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Sun Country, current Viva service | Confirm operating carrier and gate |
How early should you arrive?
The airport currently recommends entering the terminal at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight and two hours before an international flight. Add parking-shuttle time, construction traffic, bag-drop cutoffs, family needs and mobility assistance on top of that baseline.
REAL ID and accepted identification
Since May 7, 2025, adult travelers should arrive with a REAL ID-compliant license or another TSA-accepted identification document. The official TSA identification list controls what is accepted.
What is TSA ConfirmID at CMH?
CMH currently notes TSA ConfirmID as an optional identity-verification path for travelers without acceptable ID and lists a $45 fee. Verification is not guaranteed; if TSA cannot confirm identity, a traveler can still miss the flight. Treat ConfirmID as a last-resort process, not a substitute for bringing proper ID.
PreCheck, CLEAR and live wait estimates
CMH supports TSA PreCheck and CLEAR. Availability/hours can differ from the general checkpoint window. Use the airport’s current security page for live estimates rather than relying on a static wait-time number in this article.
Build a practical CMH travel plan
These tools are planning aids, not live airport feeds. Airline check-in and baggage deadlines always control.
When should I reach the terminal?
CMH parking cost estimator
Passenger pickup readiness
Columbus airport-code checker
CMH parking rates, garage clearances, EV charging and 2026 closures
| Option | Current published rate | How you reach terminal | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term garage · Level 4 | $7 first hour · $30/24h | Connected | Short visits / closest covered option |
| Long-term garage · Levels 1–6 | $7 first hour · $24/24h | Connected | Covered multi-day convenience |
| Red Lot | $11/24h | 24/7 shuttle | Lower-cost lot + EV charging |
| Green Lot | $9/24h | 24/7 shuttle | Lowest current airport-owned daily price; first hour free |
| Valet | $18 first hour · $30/24h | Curbside ticketing | Fast handoff / car-care option |
Garage clearance for tall vehicles
| Area | Published clearance | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Garage helix | 9 ft | Initial circulation clearance |
| Garage level | 8 ft | Check roof racks / vans before entry |
| Short-term area | 7 ft | Most restrictive listed garage figure |
Shuttle lots: addresses and timing
Red Lot: 3795 International Gateway, Columbus, OH 43219. Green Lot: 3256 E 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43219. Airport shuttles operate 24/7 and the airport says they leave the terminal about every 15–18 minutes. Build this transfer into the time you need to reach the terminal.
EV charging and parking conveniences
The airport currently lists 20 EV chargers in the garage and 20 in Red Lot, with charging at no additional airport fee; check ChargePoint availability rather than assuming a charger will be free. The garage also supports Vohnt car-care service and the airport’s ezPark payment/access program.
Walking Lot and Blue Lot are closed
The Walking Lot permanently closed to new parkers on May 4, 2026, and the Blue Shuttle Lot had already closed for the CMH Next footprint. Do not rely on old travel blogs that still price either lot.
Cell Phone Lots, curb rules and meeting inside the terminal
Drivers have three practical waiting choices
- Closer Cell Phone Waiting Lot: between the air traffic control tower and the terminal; follow International Gateway signs.
- Temporary Cell Phone Waiting Lot: another free waiting option retained during construction.
- Green Lot: the airport currently offers a one-hour grace period when you exit within that time.
Do not wait at the curb
Parking is not permitted at the terminal curb. The vehicle owner must remain with the vehicle, and violations can lead to a ticket or tow. Wait off-curb until the passenger has collected bags and can identify the pickup door.
Meeting someone inside
Use the parking garage if you want to walk into baggage claim or meet a traveler outside a concourse security checkpoint. This is safer than repeatedly circling the terminal roadway during construction.
Rideshare, taxi, COTA, rental cars and hotel shuttles at CMH
Uber and Lyft: use arrivals / Door A4
After reserving a ride, go to Level 1 arrivals, cross the Arrivals drive to the ground-transport area and stand in the current pickup area between the columns to the right. The terminal map anchors rideshare/taxis at Door A4. The app’s live instructions take priority if curb operations change.
Taxi
Taxis are on the ground-transportation level. Airport Taxi Management: 614-239-8294. Use the official taxi queue rather than accepting an unsolicited ride.
COTA public transit and paratransit
COTA is Central Ohio’s regional transit provider. Because routes and schedules can change, use the COTA Trip Planner for the actual travel day. Customer service: 614-228-1776. COTA Mainstream/paratransit is available for eligible riders who cannot use fixed-route service.
Rental Car Center: purple signs / Door A5
Follow purple rental-car signs from baggage claim to arrivals Door A5. Official airport guidance says terminal–Rental Car Center shuttles operate 24/7. The center consolidates nine on-site rental companies, so confirm your brand and return instructions before the trip.
Hotel shuttles
Several on-property hotels advertise airport shuttle service, but frequency and overnight availability are hotel-controlled. Call the hotel before travel instead of assuming a shuttle is waiting whenever a flight lands.
Wheelchair, hidden-disability, visual, hearing and caregiver support at CMH
Different organizations handle different needs. Request wheelchair/boarding assistance from the operating airline; TSA Cares helps with screening; airport accessibility programs support navigation and terminal needs.
Wheelchair assistance
Arrange assistance directly with the airline in advance. Be specific about whether you need curb-to-counter, counter-to-gate, aircraft boarding or connection help.
TSA Cares
For disability, medical-condition or screening support, contact TSA Cares at 855-787-2227, ideally at least 72 hours before travel.
Journey Care Kit
The current airport accessibility page says request the sunflower-themed Journey Care Kit at least 45 days before your flight by emailing CustomerService@ColumbusAirports.com with a mailing address.
Universal Changing Table
A Universal Changing Table can be deployed to family restrooms pre-security and in each concourse. Call 614-239-4029 and follow restroom signage for delivery.
Aira visual assistance
Aira provides remote visual interpretation through a smartphone/smart-glasses service for blind and low-vision travelers. The airport also uses tactile Braille in public elevators and directional signage.
Visual paging
Flight and baggage displays support visual paging so Deaf and Hard of Hearing travelers can see important airport messages in addition to audio announcements.
Nursing rooms
Private nursing rooms are available in each concourse and on baggage claim. The current map anchors them near A2, B32, C52 and Bag Belt 1.
Accessible parking
ADA spaces are available in all airport parking areas; parking shuttles have lift equipment for wheelchairs and electric scooters.
Airport Ambassadors
Information centers in ticketing and baggage claim can assist with wayfinding. They complement—not replace—airline mobility/boarding assistance.
Wi-Fi, food, lounge, nursing, carts, cash-to-card and quiet-space details
Because CMH’s current concourses are separated after security, check where an amenity is located before choosing a checkpoint. A restaurant in B is not necessarily practical for a traveler departing from A or C.
Free Wi-Fi
Official network name: CMH Public Wi-Fi. Power outlets are distributed throughout the terminal.
Escape Lounge
Concourse B near Gate B32; the current airport directory lists approximately 5 a.m.–8 p.m. and describes it as open to travelers regardless of airline. Verify access/payment rules before walking to B.
Hangar 815
Pre-security, currently listed about 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Its name explains the “H” in CMH—Columbus Municipal Hangar—and the airport’s 815-foot elevation.
Nursing rooms
Mapped near A2, B32, C52 and Bag Belt 1 so nursing space exists pre/post-security across the passenger journey.
Pet relief
The official map places the pet-relief area outside baggage claim near Arrivals Door 1. Paw Force One therapy dogs may also be in the terminal.
Interfaith meditation
Pre-security on baggage claim near Carousel 6, with prayer/meditation materials for multiple faiths.
USO
The Jake Brewer USO Lounge is near the Concourse C exit lane for eligible military members and families.
SmarteCarte luggage carts
Carts are available in the garage, curbside and baggage claim. Current airport information lists $6 per cart with a $0.25 refund when returned.
ReadyStation Visa cards
Travelers can insert cash up to $1,000 and receive a Visa debit card. The airport currently lists a $6 fee deducted on purchase—useful because airline counters may be card-only.
Water refill
Bring an empty bottle through TSA; refill stations are available in every concourse after security, with map anchors near A2, B32 and C52.
Information and paging
Airport information centers are available pre-security on ticketing and baggage-claim levels, including a location near Bags 3–4.
Late-night reality
Some food locations operate until the last departure, others close earlier. Do not assume restaurants or the lounge are 24/7 even though parking/rental shuttles operate around the clock.
What to do if you need urgent airport assistance
Emergency or immediate safety concern
Call 911 for an emergency. Inside the terminal, airport guidance also identifies red emergency phones that connect travelers to first-responder personnel / the airport communications function.
Non-emergency traveler help
Use Airport Ambassadors/information centers for directions and routine terminal questions. For airline-specific flight, baggage or wheelchair issues, contact the operating airline.
Lost bag, phone or ID: contact the right organization
| Where item was lost | Start here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| On aircraft / airline gate area | Operating airline | Airline controls the aircraft and baggage service |
| Checked baggage issue | Airline baggage service | Airport Lost & Found does not trace airline checked bags |
| TSA checkpoint | CMH Lost & Found | Airport says checkpoint items turned in are included in its Lost & Found system |
| Public terminal / curb / garage | CMH Lost & Found form | Airport records found terminal property |
The airport currently stores turned-in items for 90 days. Lost & Found is listed as open Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., closed weekends and holidays.
On-airport hotels with shuttle service
The airport lists four hotels on airport grounds and says each offers shuttle service. Confirm exact shuttle hours directly with the property, especially for very early departures or late cancellations.
Fairfield Inn & Suites – Columbus Airport
4300 International Gateway · 614-237-2100
Residence Inn by Marriott
4294 International Gateway · adjacent to terminal area · 614-236-1000
Hampton Inn Columbus Airport
4280 International Gateway · 614-235-0717
Hilton Garden Inn Columbus Airport
4265 Sawyer Road · 614-231-2869
Is CMH really an international airport?
Yes. John Glenn Columbus International Airport is an international airport and supports selected international passenger service. However, most CMH itineraries are domestic, and the current terminal does not operate as one big “international terminal.” Airline and concourse assignments still matter.
International departure checklist
- Confirm passport validity and destination entry requirements with the airline/government source.
- Use the airport’s two-hour international arrival baseline as a minimum planning point.
- Verify whether your flight is sold by one airline but operated by another.
- Check the current concourse and gate in the airline app.
- For an international connection through another U.S. hub, customs may occur at that hub rather than in Columbus.
What changes with the new terminal?
CMH Next project materials describe 36 gates including two international gates with onsite customs facilities, designed to expand future capability. That is future infrastructure—not a promise that a particular international route will operate.
CMH Next: what the new terminal changes—and what travelers use today
The existing terminal remains the active passenger facility while a roughly $2 billion replacement terminal is built. Construction matters now because parking inventory and road patterns can change before the new building opens.
Current terminal versus new terminal
| Feature | Current CMH | CMH Next plan |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Three separate concourse checkpoints | One central checkpoint with 12 lanes |
| Gates | 29 operating gates in project FAQ | 36, including 2 international/customs gates |
| Gate waiting | Existing hold rooms | About 50% larger hold rooms |
| Charging | Existing terminal outlets | 4,300 post-security outlets/charging points |
| Parking | Existing garage + Red/Green + valet | 5,000+ space new garage; project page currently lists 100 EV stations |
What the project does not change today
You still use the existing terminal, current A/B/C checkpoints, current baggage claim, current parking products and current curb doors. Do not navigate to a future-terminal rendering or construction gate expecting passenger access.
Construction notices can be revised
CMH Next traffic phasing evolves as work advances. A previously announced May 2026 traffic pattern change was delayed, illustrating why screenshots and old social posts should not be treated as permanent directions. Follow live airport notices and onsite signage.
KCMH runways, airport elevation and what those facts mean for passengers
The current FAA Aeronautical Information Publication is effective July 9, 2026. It identifies John Glenn Columbus International as KCMH, about six miles east of Columbus, with an airport elevation of roughly 815 feet.
| Runway | FAA published dimensions | Passenger-useful context |
|---|---|---|
| 10R / 28L | 10,114 × 150 ft | The longer parallel runway; landing time on an airline app is still not the same as gate-arrival time. |
| 10L / 28R | 8,000 × 150 ft | Parallel-runway operations support traffic flow, but taxi route, ramp congestion and gate availability still affect arrival timing. |
Why “landed” can still mean waiting
After touchdown an aircraft may taxi across a large airfield, wait for ramp traffic or wait for the assigned gate. For pickups, use the airline’s gate/arrival status and wait until the passenger actually reaches baggage claim or the curb.
Watch the CMH Next engineering overview
This official CMH Next video is useful because it explains the replacement-terminal project behind today’s construction, rather than showing a generic airport montage. Watch it if you want to understand the future terminal layout and project scale before reading construction updates.
The official CMH Next page links this video while discussing the new terminal, two-level roadway, parking structure and passenger-experience design.
Read the official project interview ↗CMH airport map and navigation
For driving, use 4600 International Gateway, Columbus, OH 43219. Inside the airport, use the official interactive terminal map because it is more current than static screenshots and lets you search specific gates and amenities.
What to do in common CMH situations
5–6 a.m. departure
Confirm airline counter/bag-drop opening, use the 4 a.m. published TSA opening as a checkpoint reference, and avoid assuming every restaurant or service is open before the first flights.
Picking up with checked bags
Wait in a Cell Phone Lot until the passenger has the bag and can name the curb door. “Landed” can still mean taxiing, deplaning and baggage wait.
Parking during terminal construction
Check current lot status before driving. Walking Lot and Blue Lot are closed; construction can alter road approaches.
Allegiant itinerary
Verify the airport code first. Allegiant’s Columbus passenger operation uses Rickenbacker (LCK), not the CMH terminal.
Separate airline tickets
Because the three CMH concourses have separate checkpoints, changing airlines may involve returning landside and clearing the correct checkpoint. Build extra buffer.
Late-night arrival
Flight arrival can occur after many concessions close. Pre-arrange hotel shuttle or ground transportation and confirm pickup instructions before landing.
CMH travel-day checklist
Frequently asked questions about the CMH airport code
What airport is CMH?
What does the CMH airport code mean?
What is the ICAO code for Columbus airport?
What country is CMH airport in?
What city is CMH airport in?
What is the address for CMH airport?
What ZIP code is Columbus airport?
What time zone is CMH airport in?
How many terminals does CMH have?
Which concourse does Southwest use at CMH?
Which concourse do American and United use at CMH?
Which airlines use Concourse C at CMH?
Does Spirit still fly from CMH?
How early should I arrive at CMH?
What time do CMH TSA checkpoints open?
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at CMH?
Where is the rental car shuttle at CMH?
Where do CMH parking lot shuttles pick up?
Is the CMH Walking Lot still open?
Is there free waiting parking for pickups at CMH?
Does CMH have free Wi-Fi?
Does CMH have a lounge?
Where is the pet relief area at CMH?
How long does CMH keep lost items?
When will the new Columbus airport terminal open?
Is CMH the same airport as LCK?
What does CMH mean in an AWS dataset or cloud app?
Can I walk between Concourses A, B and C after TSA at CMH?
Is the official CMH terminal PDF fully current?
What is the garage height clearance at CMH?
What is TSA ConfirmID at CMH?
How early should I request a CMH Journey Care Kit?
Do CMH rental-car shuttles run 24 hours?
Are CMH restaurants open all night?
Should I follow an old CMH Next detour screenshot?
How this CMH guide was checked
This guide prioritizes current Columbus Regional Airport Authority pages for passenger operations, the official downloadable terminal map for physical layout, CMH Next for construction, and FAA material for airport-level status and airfield facts. When a static PDF conflicts with a newer official web page, the newer operational source is given priority and the discrepancy is explained rather than silently copied.