CHA airport code: Chattanooga flights, terminal, parking and travel help
CHA is the three-letter passenger airport code for Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This expanded guide explains CHA and KCHA, Lovell Field, the terminal, current airlines and nonstop routes, ticket-counter hours, TSA timing, parking construction, pickup, CARTA service, accessibility, baggage help and airport amenities.
Check these official sources before leaving for CHA
A static airport guide should not pretend that a gate, delay, TSA line or parking space is live. Check the source responsible for the information whenever it affects your actual trip.
What is the Chattanooga Airport code?
CHA is the passenger-facing three-letter airport code for Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport. It is the code travelers normally see when buying airline tickets, reading boarding passes, checking baggage tags, searching arrivals or arranging an airport pickup.
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.
KCHA is the four-letter aviation identifier used in U.S. aviation and other operational contexts. Travelers generally do not need KCHA unless they are looking at aviation weather, procedures, charts or pilot-facing systems.
CHA is not CHS, CLT, BNA or TYS
Travelers sometimes enter the wrong three-letter code because several nearby or similarly named cities begin with “Cha.” Always match the airport code to the full airport name before paying for a flight, hotel shuttle or rental car.
Chattanooga
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Charleston
Charleston International Airport in South Carolina.
Charlotte
Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina.
Knoxville area
McGhee Tyson Airport near Knoxville, Tennessee.
Chattanooga Airport’s Lovell Field name
The present Chattanooga airport site opened in 1930 and was named Lovell Field in honor of John Lovell, a Chattanooga civic leader who supported development of a modern airport for the city.
The airport’s official history says the current site replaced earlier Chattanooga airfields. Passenger service began after the airfield was expanded and paved during the 1930s. Ownership later transferred to the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority in 1985, and the present passenger terminal opened in 1992.
1930
The new airport opened at the present location as Lovell Field.
1985
Ownership transferred to the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority.
1992
The current passenger-terminal building opened.
Where is CHA airport?
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport’s main passenger terminal is at 1001 Airport Road, Suite 14, Chattanooga, TN 37421. The airport’s published main number is 423-855-2200.
Main passenger terminal
1001 Airport Road, STE 14
Chattanooga, TN 37421
Airport main line: 423-855-2200.
Time zone
Chattanooga uses Eastern Time, including EST during standard time and EDT during daylight saving time.
Check the local time carefully if you are connecting through airports in Central Time.
CHA terminal hours, layout and expansion
Chattanooga Airport says the airport is open 24 hours, while the passenger terminal normally operates from 4:30 a.m. until midnight or the last flight of the day, seven days a week. Individual airline ticket counters follow their own schedules.
CHA completed its largest passenger-terminal expansion in more than 30 years. The project added approximately 26,000 square feet, three passenger gates with jet bridges, a larger TSA checkpoint area, additional restrooms, new concessions and an expanded post-security area.
New gates
The expansion added three passenger gates with jet bridges to increase boarding capacity.
Larger checkpoint
The security-checkpoint area was expanded as part of the terminal project.
Business center
The post-security E Concourse includes a free business center with seating and charging.
Information booth
The airport information booth is on the first floor of the rotunda before baggage claim. The airport currently lists volunteer staffing Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Maps, local information and visitor brochures may be available there.
Which airlines fly from Chattanooga Airport?
CHA currently lists Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Routes and frequencies can change seasonally, so confirm service for your actual date before arranging parking, ground transportation or a connection.
| Airline | Current ticket-counter information published by CHA | Nonstop markets listed by CHA |
|---|---|---|
| Allegiant Air | CHA currently lists Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday operations; check-in starts about two hours before departure. Published ticket-sale window: Sunday and Thursday, noon–1 p.m. | Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Punta Gorda and Tampa. |
| American Airlines | Published CHA counter hours: daily, 5 a.m.–6 p.m. | Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Miami and Washington, D.C. |
| Delta Air Lines | Published CHA counter hours: daily, 5 a.m.–7 p.m. | Atlanta, Detroit and New York-LaGuardia. |
| United Airlines | Published CHA counter hours: daily, 5 a.m.–6 p.m. | Chicago, Denver, Houston and Newark. |
Ticket changes, cancellations and missed connections
The airport authority does not control airline reservations. If your flight is canceled, delayed, rebooked or you miss a connection, contact the operating airline first.
| Problem | First contact | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Flight cancellation | Operating airline | Confirmation code, flight number and preferred replacement option. |
| Missed connection | Operating or ticketing airline | Inbound and onward flight details. |
| Ticket name/date change | Airline or ticket seller | Reservation number and identification. |
| Gate change | Airline app / airport display | Current flight number. |
TSA timing, identification and bag rules at CHA
Chattanooga Airport currently recommends arriving at least two hours before departure. The airport identifies its weekday peak screening period as approximately 5:00–8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Published average
CHA currently displays about 20 minutes during its weekday morning peak and about 10 minutes off-peak.
Do not plan to the average
Those numbers are averages, not a promise. Airline check-in, baggage, parking and unexpected screening demand can make your total airport process longer.
Late-night checkpoint
Effective July 17, 2026, CHA says the TSA checkpoint closes one hour after the last scheduled departure of the day.
REAL ID and acceptable identification
Adults age 18 and older need TSA-acceptable identification for airport screening. REAL ID enforcement began May 7, 2025. A passport, passport card and several other federally accepted documents can also be used, so a REAL ID driver’s license is not the only possible document.
CHA also points travelers to TSA’s newer identity-verification process when they arrive without acceptable identification. Identity verification can require additional time and screening, and entry is not guaranteed if TSA cannot confirm identity.
Children under 18
TSA generally does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion on a U.S. domestic trip. Airlines can have their own age or identification requirements, so check with the carrier.
Carry-on liquids
For normal carry-on liquids, follow TSA’s 3-1-1 rule: containers are generally limited to 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters and placed in a quart-size bag. Medically necessary liquids and certain child-feeding items have separate TSA exceptions.
Chattanooga Airport parking rates and construction
CHA publishes short-term, garage, long-term, economy and valet parking. Current availability matters because construction of another parking garage is underway.
| Parking | First 15 minutes | Published daily rate | Traveler note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Term / Hourly | Free | $20 | Near the terminal; useful for short visits and passenger pickup. |
| Parking Garage | Free | $15 | Close to the terminal with covered access. |
| Long Term / Daily | Free | $12 | Lower daily cost than garage parking. |
| Economy | Free | $10 | Airport Road and Rosedale; free shuttle to the terminal. |
| Valet | Not applicable | $25 | Airport also publishes a one-time $1.50 transaction fee. |
Parking contacts
CHA states that airport parking is managed by PCI & BrightBase Management. The current parking-management number published on the parking page is 423-805-0151. The airport contact page separately lists a parking line at 423-899-4849.
Picking up an arriving passenger at CHA
CHA provides a cell phone lot for drivers waiting for an arriving passenger. Instead of repeatedly circling the terminal, wait until the traveler has landed, collected any checked luggage and is ready at the pickup area.
Rental cars, rideshare, taxis, shuttles and CARTA
CHA lists several ground-transport choices, including rental cars, taxi and limousine companies, ride-sharing services, private shuttles and CARTA public transportation.
Multiple rental-car counters serve CHA. The airport currently publishes counter hours that commonly run from about 8 a.m. until midnight or 12:40 a.m., depending on the provider. If your flight arrives late, verify your provider’s exact closing time and after-hours process before departure.
Ride-sharing service is listed on CHA’s official ground-transportation page. Use the provider’s app after landing for the current pickup instructions rather than relying on an old curb location.
The airport publishes a current directory of taxi, limousine and shuttle operators. Availability can vary by arrival time, so pre-arrangement may be useful for late flights or destinations outside central Chattanooga.
CHA’s current ground-transportation page identifies Route 19 Cromwell Road service and #5 North Brainerd Dial-a-Ride service. The airport bus shelter is on Airport Road in front of the airport.
CARTA airport connection details
The airport states that #5 North Brainerd Dial-a-Ride trips start and end at the Brainerd Walmart and currently operate every 30 minutes from about 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Brainerd Walmart also connects with Route 4 for onward travel toward downtown Chattanooga or Hamilton Place.
Dial-a-Ride reservations are required and CHA says they should be made at least 30 minutes in advance by calling 423-629-1487. CARTA’s general information number is 423-629-1473.
CARTA fare
CARTA currently lists the regular one-way adult cash fare as $1.50. Exact change is required when paying cash; mobile payment is also offered through CARTA’s listed payment system. Reduced and free categories have separate eligibility rules.
Wheelchair and disability assistance at Chattanooga Airport
Airport facilities and airline assistance are separate responsibilities. For flight-related wheelchair or ADA help, CHA specifically directs passengers to the operating airline because the airport authority cannot access airline reservation or assistance systems.
Before travel
Add wheelchair, mobility or other airline assistance to the reservation as early as practical. Reconfirm with the carrier before the trip if assistance is essential.
At security
For disability-related screening questions, TSA Cares can help explain the screening process and available assistance.
Lost bag vs lost item: contact the right office
A missing checked suitcase and a wallet left inside the public terminal are handled differently. Contacting the wrong office can delay recovery.
| What happened? | Contact first | Useful information |
|---|---|---|
| Checked bag missing after flight | Operating airline | Baggage receipt/tag, flight number and passenger name. |
| Item lost inside a public airport area | CHA Lost & Found | Detailed description, location and approximate time. |
| Item lost inside aircraft | Operating airline | Flight, seat and item details. |
| Property damaged during TSA screening | TSA | Screening details and supporting documentation. |
CHA Lost & Found
The airport Lost & Found is in the Dispatch Office on the lower level of the rotunda. CHA currently publishes hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern. Phone: 423-855-2204.
Airline baggage phone numbers published by CHA
Wi-Fi, charging, food, business facilities and paging
Free Wi-Fi
CHA publishes free high-speed wireless internet throughout the terminal, provided by EPB Fiber Optics.
Charging
Charging is available in the ticketing lobby, restaurant lounge areas, gate areas and the post-security business center.
Business center
The E Concourse business center is after security and is free for travelers who need workspace and electrical outlets.
Food and drinks
CHA says dining is available both before and after the security checkpoint. Published options include a pre-security cafe and two post-security restaurants, with coffee, smoothies, bar service and a range of meals and snacks. Concession hours can vary with airport operations and flight schedules.
Airport paging
During normal Airport Authority business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern, paging is available at 423-855-2202. CHA directs after-hours and weekend paging calls to 423-855-2204.
Foreign currency
CHA’s current FAQ says the airport does not offer foreign-currency exchange. International travelers who need cash exchange should arrange it through a bank or another provider before relying on the terminal.
Pet screening at CHA
CHA’s security guidance says small pets may pass through the checkpoint, subject to airline policy and TSA screening rules. Confirm acceptance, carrier size, fees and reservation requirements with your airline before arriving.
Medication in carry-on baggage
CHA’s FAQ points travelers to TSA rules allowing medication in carry-on baggage, including medically necessary liquids in quantities above the standard 3.4-ounce liquid limit when properly declared for screening.
For essential medication, keeping it in carry-on baggage is usually more practical than placing all supplies in checked luggage because checked baggage can be delayed. Follow TSA screening instructions and any state rules that apply to prescription labeling.
12 checks before leaving for Chattanooga Airport
- Confirm that your itinerary shows CHA.
- Check the operating airline, not only the company that sold the ticket.
- Review actual flight status before leaving home.
- Confirm your airline’s bag-drop cutoff.
- Carry TSA-acceptable identification.
- Check TSA rules for any unusual item in your bag.
- Check whether your preferred CHA parking area is open.
- Add economy-shuttle time when using the Economy Lot.
- Allow extra time during the weekday 5–8 a.m. screening peak.
- Reserve airline wheelchair help in advance when needed.
- Check CARTA’s live schedule if traveling by bus.
- Confirm rental-car or rideshare arrangements for a late arrival.
Chattanooga Airport code FAQs
What is the airport code for Chattanooga, Tennessee?
What is KCHA?
Why is Chattanooga Airport called Lovell Field?
Is Chattanooga Airport open 24 hours?
How early should I arrive at CHA?
What are the busiest TSA hours at Chattanooga Airport?
How much does parking cost at Chattanooga Airport?
Is Chattanooga Airport parking under construction?
Does CHA have a cell phone lot?
Which airlines fly from CHA?
Does Southwest fly to Chattanooga?
Does Chattanooga Airport have free Wi-Fi?
Can I use public transportation from CHA?
Who handles a missing checked bag?
Where is CHA Lost & Found?
Can I exchange foreign currency at CHA?
Official sources used for this Chattanooga Airport guide
Stable facts such as the CHA code and airport address are separated from operational details that can change. Airline service, ticket-counter schedules, TSA operations, parking construction, transit service and ground-transport availability should be checked again for your exact travel date.