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Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions received via e-mail and phone calls at the Airport. Common myths and misconceptions are below as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
MYTHS & FACTS ABOUT THE AIRPORT
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Myth: If the Airport wants more passengers, it should just reduce fares. - FACT
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Myth: My ticket would be cheaper out of Chattanooga if the Airport didn't charge the airline so much. - FACT
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Myth: If the Airport lowered landing fees, more airlines would come to CHA. - FACT
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Myth: Chattanooga would be a great market for Southwest Airlines. Why doesn't the Airport just get them? - FACT
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Myth: The Airport can quote or book fares. - FACT
Q. What airlines serve Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport? (back to top)
A. Allegiant Air, American Eagle, Continental Express, Delta Connection, Northwest Airlink and U.S. Airways Express.
Q. What are CHA's non-stop destinations? (back to top)
A. Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit (beginning June 5, 2008), Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Memphis, Washington DC, Orlando, Tampa / St. Petersburg.
Q. How much does it cost to park at CHA? (back to top)
A. Short Term Parking Rates: Maximum of $12.00 for 24 hours. Intermediate Parking Rates: Maximum of $7.00 for 24 hours. Long Term Parking Rates: Maximum of $7.00 for 24 hours.
Q. Can I drive up to the terminal to drop off or pick up passengers? (back to top)
A. Yes. The roads in front of the terminal are open. The airport also offers 15 minutes of free parking in the short-term parking lot.
Q. Where do I check in? (back to top)
A. Passengers should check-in at the downstairs ticket counters. A boarding pass or an e-ticket receipt is required to pass through security screening. Many airlines now offer electronic check-in options where passengers can print their boarding pass at home and skip the ticket counter altogether. Visit your airline's website for details.
Q. What is NOT allowed through security screening? (back to top)
A. Please see TSA's list of Prohibited Items.
Passengers are encouraged to pack their carry-on bag with only items they need immediate access to upon arriving at their destination. Again, check the TSA website for Traveler Tips for the most up-to-date list.
Q. How many carry-on bags am I allowed? (back to top)
A. The TSA allows one (1) carry-on bag, in addition to a briefcase, purse, laptop, or diaper bag.
Q. Can I still bring cell phones, PDAs and laptops on the plane? (back to top)
A. Electronic items are allowed through security and will be thoroughly inspected by security personnel. You should remove your laptop from its case and place it in a bin at the checkpoint. All other electronic items should be placed in your carry-on bag.
Q. Who is allowed through the security screening checkpoint? (back to top)
A. Only ticketed passengers with a boarding pass are allowed through the security screening checkpoint. If you have a medical, parental, or other specific, verifiable need to accompany a ticketed passenger, please check with your airline to determine how they would like you to proceed. (Numbers and links)
Q. How and with whom do I file a complaint? (back to top)
A. If a complaint involves an airline's fares, service, schedules or personnel, a formal complaint should be filed with the appropriate airline. Contact information for each airline's customer service department and suggestions on filing a complaint are provided on this website.
If a complaint involves parking, Airport facilities, Airport services or Airport personnel, a formal complaint may be filed with the Airport Authority at (423) 855-2200 or by e-mail at csiebold@chattairport.com.
Q. How do I make airline reservations? (back to top)
A. There are many ways to book tickets for a flight. One of the easiest ways is to contact a travel agent. You can also book directly with an airline through their website or by calling their 1-800 reservations line or through a national ticket booking engine. You can find links to area travel agents and the airlines on the 'Book a Ticket' page of this website.
Q. How can I get the lowest possible fare? (back to top)
A. Be flexible and book as early as possible to find the best fares. Airlines sometimes offer sales on off-peak days like Tuesday and Thursday. Travel agents can help you find good fares and simplify the booking process. You may also want to shop for fares through online travel sites like Travelocity or Orbitz. When booking online, make sure you check a variety of times and days to find the best possible fare. Airlines frequently offer discounts and special fares only available on their websites. Also read the fine print before purchasing. Most of the deeply discounted fares are very restricted and non-refundable.
Q. Why doesn't Southwest Airlines or Air Tran Airways fly into Chattanooga? (back to top)
A. Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport would welcome Southwest or Air Tran; however the Chattanooga market area does not currently meet these companies' requirements for population and travel demand. They can use their aircraft in other cities and gain many more passengers than we can currently provide. But we will continue to seek the right carrier to the right destination at the right time to serve our local travelers.
Q. How do I find out about employment opportunities? (back to top)
A. If you are interested in employment with an airline, you must contact the airline directly. Each carrier does its own hiring of desk, flight and ground crew members. If you are interested with a position with TSA (Transportation Security Administration), please visit their website. If you are interested in employment with Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority, fax your resume to (423) 855-2212.
Fact or Fiction
Over the years, several myths have developed about Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport. Here's a glimpse into what's myth and what's reality.
Myth: If the Airport wants more passengers, it should just reduce fares. (back to top)
Unfortunately, the Chattanooga Airport does not set fares, the airlines do. Airline pricing and revenue staff use complicated yield management systems to adjust fares and restrictions to gain the maximum revenue in a market. In an effort to encourage competitive fares, the Airport staff works diligently with the airlines to help keep fares balanced. When the Airport discovers a non-competitive fare, an airline representative is made aware of the situation.
CHA is seeing more and more competitive fares out of our Airport. However, because only a percentage of the seats per flight are offered at a reduced rate, these fares can be sold quickly. An airport with enough passengers to support larger aircraft will have a greater number of tickets to sell at a reduced rate.
Myth: My ticket would be cheaper out of Chattanooga if the Airport didn't charge the airline so much. (back to top)
Airlines set fares based on competition and demand. On average, the airlines pay Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport about $6 per passenger. Even if the airlines paid nothing to operate from CHA and they passed the savings on to the passengers, the cost of a ticket would only decrease by that amount.
Myth: If the Airport lowered landing fees, more airlines would come to CHA. (back to top)
Landing fees at CHA are very reasonable and have little to do with ticket prices. While airlines always consider costs of operating at an airport, the number one reason a carrier serves a city is passenger demand.
Myth: Chattanooga would be a great market for Southwest Airlines. Why doesn't the Airport just get them? (back to top)
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport would gladly welcome Southwest Airlines, but it is highly unlikely Southwest will serve Chattanooga in the near future. The Airport has approached Southwest Airlines and was told that this market does not currently meet the low-fare airline's requirements for population and travel demand.
Southwest concentrates on markets that are densely populated or have extremely high demand for travel to specific destinations. The company receives more than 150 proposals annually and generally adds only one or two cities to their route system each year.
Southwest's business model requires they have sufficient demand to support 8 - 12 round trip flights a day aboard a Boeing 737 aircraft seating between 122 and 137 people to at least two destinations. That is more than all CHA's carriers put together.
Airport leaders are always working with airlines to improve service. As the Chattanooga market changes or airline business plans alter, potential partners emerge. The Airport will continue seeking the right airline to the right destination at the right time to meet the needs of local travelers.
Myth: The Airport can quote or book fares. (back to top)
The staff of CHA cannot quote or book flights. However, there are several travel planning tools available on www.chattairport.com, the Airport's website.
Working with a travel agent provides a more personalized planning process. A travel agent can quote or book a flight, hotel room and rental car. The agent can help coordinate plans and has access to travel packages. A listing of agents for the region can be found on this website. Passengers can also get fare quotes or book tickets through the airline directly or through a national ticket booking engine. (All of these options are accessible on the 'Book a Ticket' page of this website).
Airport leaders are always interested in feedback from the public. If you have questions or comments, please write to the Marketing & Communications Department at 1001 Airport Road, Suite 14, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
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