Presidents

Eight U.S. commercial airports are named after presidents: Gerald R. Ford (GRR), George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), Bill & Hillary Clinton (LIT), John F. Kennedy (JFK), Abraham Lincoln Capital (SPI), Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), Donald J. Trump International (PBI), and Dwight D. Eisenhower (ICT). The newest addition came in July 2026, when Palm Beach International was renamed for President Trump. Each renaming carries historical weight — some were tributes following national tragedy; others recognized decades of leadership. These names appear on millions of boarding passes every year and serve as highly visible reminders of American political history.
Alphabetized by city, here are the U.S. commercial airports named after presidents.

1. Grand Rapids, MI – Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)

Named in 1999 after President Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States and the only U.S. president born in Michigan. Ford represented Grand Rapids in Congress for 25 years before becoming Vice President and later President.
Though he wasn’t known for aviation policy, the airport naming reflects West Michigan’s deep connection to Ford and his decades of public service. Before the renaming, it was known as Kent County Airport.

2. Houston, TX – George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Dedicated in 1997, IAH honors George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States and a longtime Houston resident. Bush’s aviation history is personal: he was the youngest naval aviator in U.S. history, flying combat missions in WWII and surviving being shot down over the Pacific.
The renaming reflects both his military service and his close ties to Houston, though many locals still simply call the airport “Intercontinental,” a nod to its pre-renaming identity.

3. Little Rock, AR – Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT)

Renamed in 2012, LIT honors President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, making it the only U.S. commercial airport whose official name includes a woman. Bill Clinton served as Arkansas governor before his presidency, and Hillary Clinton later served as U.S. Senator and Secretary of State.
It’s one of only two U.S. airports officially named after two individuals, and the only one naming a presidential couple.

4. New York, NY – John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Originally Idlewild Airport, JFK was renamed in 1963 just weeks after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. The renaming became a symbol of national mourning and unity, recognizing Kennedy’s youthful image and association with American progress and global leadership.
Today, JFK is one of the most famous airport names in the world — and a rare case where the new name completely eclipsed the original in everyday use.

5. Springfield, IL – Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI)

Named after President Abraham Lincoln, who spent much of his adult life in Springfield before leaving for Washington to assume the presidency. The name reflects Illinois’s identity as the “Land of Lincoln” and connects day-to-day travel to one of the most significant figures in American history.
Although SPI is a smaller commercial airport, its name may carry more historical weight than almost any other U.S. field.

6. Washington, DC – Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Renamed in 1998 for President Ronald Reagan, whose administration had a major impact on aviation through deregulation policies and the 1981 PATCO air traffic controller strike.
Many locals still stubbornly call it simply “National,” but the official name honors the 40th president. The airport’s DCA code remained intact because changing codes creates huge logistical headaches across airlines, ATC, and reservation systems.

7. West Palm Beach, FL – President Donald J. Trump International Airport (PBI)

Renamed on July 9, 2026, for President Donald J. Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States — making this the newest presidential airport name in the country, and a rare case of an airport renamed for a sitting president.
The historic part for aviation geeks: the airport’s three-letter code is changing too. IATA has approved a switch from PBI to DJT, effective August 18, 2026 — something that almost never happens, since code changes ripple through reservation systems, baggage routing, and air traffic control. During the transition, passengers still book using PBI while pilots and controllers move to the new identifier.

8. Wichita, KS – Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)

Renamed in 2015 to honor President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States and Kansas native who grew up in nearby Abilene. Eisenhower led Allied forces in Europe during WWII and later championed the interstate highway system — one of the largest infrastructure projects in U.S. history.
Before the renaming, the airport was known as Wichita Mid-Continent Airport. Today, its name highlights both Wichita’s identity as the “Air Capital of the World” and Kansas’s pride in Eisenhower’s leadership.
You can go deeper into the local aviation scene in my Wichita itinerary here:
Wichita Aviation Itinerary – Exploring the Air Capital of the World.
 

Political Leaders & Public Servants

Many airports are named after senators, governors, mayors, and other public officials whose leadership shaped aviation policy, local infrastructure, or regional identity. In some cases, their influence was tied directly to airport development; in others, the airport serves as a symbolic tribute to their broader civic impact.
Alphabetized by city, these airports honor political leaders and public servants (including several key civil-rights figures).

9. Anchorage, AK – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)

Named in 2000 after U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, who represented Alaska for more than 40 years and was one of the most powerful figures in Congress. Stevens championed federal investment in Alaska’s infrastructure — especially aviation, which is crucial in a state where many communities are accessible only by air.
Before the renaming, it was simply Anchorage International Airport. Today, ANC is one of the most important cargo hubs in the world, a legacy that fits Stevens’s long push to connect Alaska with the rest of the globe.

10. Atlanta, GA – Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Named for two mayors who turned Atlanta into a global aviation powerhouse:

• William B. Hartsfield, who aggressively promoted Atlanta as an aviation hub in the mid-20th century
• Maynard H. Jackson Jr., Atlanta’s first Black mayor, who oversaw massive airport expansion and pioneered minority-owned business participation in airport contracts

The dual naming reflects both Atlanta’s aviation ambition and its civil-rights history. Today, ATL is routinely ranked as the world’s busiest airport by passengers — exactly the kind of outcome both men envisioned.

11. Baltimore, MD – Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

Renamed in 2005 to honor Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American justice on the U.S. Supreme Court and a Baltimore native. Marshall’s landmark civil-rights work — including Brown v. Board of Education — reshaped American law.
Adding his name to BWI turned a regional airport into a powerful symbol of progress, especially for travelers from Maryland and the mid-Atlantic.

12. Burlington, VT – Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV)

Renamed in 2023 for Senator Patrick Leahy, the longest-serving senator in Vermont’s history. Leahy was deeply involved in national security, judiciary issues, and infrastructure funding, including support for aviation facilities.
The renaming recognizes his nearly five decades in the Senate and his role in raising Vermont’s profile on the national stage. Historically, the facility was simply Burlington International Airport.

13. Houston, TX – William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

Named after William P. Hobby, former governor of Texas and influential Houston newspaper publisher. The field has had several identities: it was briefly named after Howard Hughes in the 1930s, then became Houston Municipal Airport before being renamed in Hobby’s honor in 1967.
Today, HOU is famous as a key Southwest Airlines airport and a very busy secondary airport in a major metro area, but its name still carries that early-20th-century political connection.

14. Jackson, MS – Jackson–Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN)

Renamed in 2005 to honor Medgar Wiley Evers, a civil-rights leader and NAACP field secretary assassinated in Jackson in 1963. Evers’s work focused on voting rights, desegregation, and equal treatment under the law in Mississippi during some of the most turbulent years in U.S. history.
Putting his name on the city’s airport transformed it into a living memorial and a powerful everyday reminder of the civil-rights struggle in the Deep South.

15. Las Vegas, NV – Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

Formerly McCarran International Airport, LAS was renamed in 2021 for Senator Harry Reid, the former Senate Majority Leader and one of Nevada’s most influential politicians.
Reid secured major federal investments for Nevada, including funding that supported aviation, tourism, and infrastructure. The renaming also reflected a desire to move away from the legacy of former namesake Senator Pat McCarran, whose record had become increasingly controversial.

16. New York, NY – LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

LaGuardia Airport is named after Fiorello La Guardia, the reform-minded mayor of New York City
who championed the creation of a modern municipal airport for the city in the 1930s. Before that, the site
was home to Glenn H. Curtiss Airport and then North Beach Airport, but La Guardia pushed for a larger,
city-controlled facility that would put New York on the aviation map.
In 1953, the field was officially renamed LaGuardia Airport in his honor. Today, LGA is one of the three
major New York–area airports, and its name is a daily reminder that it exists because a mayor refused
to accept that “New York” flights should land in New Jersey.

17. Newburgh, NY – Stewart International Airport (SWF)

Named for Lachlan Stewart, a Scottish immigrant farmer whose land became the site of an early airfield, later expanded by his sons, both military officers. The Stewart family’s military service and land contributions led to the airfield’s name, which persisted as it transitioned to mixed military and commercial use.
Today, SWF serves as a reliever airport for the New York City region and handles a mix of commercial, cargo, and military flights.

18. Providence/Warwick, RI – T. F. Green International Airport (PVD)

Named after Theodore Francis Green, Rhode Island’s long-serving governor and later U.S. senator. Green played a major role in reshaping Rhode Island’s modern political identity and advocating for infrastructure improvements.
The airport adopted his name in 1938. Today, PVD functions as an important low-cost alternative to Boston for New England travelers.

19. Rochester, NY – Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)

Renamed in 2021 to honor Frederick Douglass, the abolitionist, editor, writer, and orator who spent many years in Rochester. From here he published newspapers, delivered landmark speeches, and helped people escape slavery through the Underground Railroad.
The renaming connects a modern airport to the historical fight for freedom and civil rights — something few travelers expect when they see “Greater Rochester” on a boarding pass.

20. San José, CA – Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)

Named after Norman Y. Mineta, one of the most influential transportation leaders in U.S. history.
Mineta served as:

• U.S. Secretary of Transportation
• U.S. Secretary of Commerce
• Longtime San José mayor
• Member of the U.S. Congress for two decades

He played a major role in shaping modern aviation policy, especially after 9/11, including the establishment of the TSA and major airport security reforms.
The airport was officially renamed in his honor in 2001 to recognize his service and lifelong impact on aviation and transportation.

21. Washington, DC – Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Named after John Foster Dulles, U.S. Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower and a key architect of American Cold War foreign policy. Dulles helped shape major alliances and strategies that defined U.S. international relations for decades.
Opened in 1962 and designed by architect Eero Saarinen, IAD was one of the first airports built specifically for the Jet Age. Its name and design both signal a forward-looking, globally focused vision.

Cultural Icons

Some airports honor artists, entertainers, and cultural figures whose work influenced how the world sees America — and how America sees itself. These namings reflect local pride in homegrown talent and connect everyday travel to the arts and entertainment world.
Alphabetized by city, here are the U.S. airports named after cultural legends.

22. Burbank, CA – Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) – formerly Bob Hope Airport

From 2003 to 2017, this airport was officially named Bob Hope Airport in honor of the comedian, film star, and USO entertainer whose career stretched over six decades. Hope frequently performed for U.S. troops abroad, tying his name to aviation and global mobility.
Although the official name reverted to Hollywood Burbank Airport, many travelers still refer to it as Bob Hope Airport — a reminder of how sticky famous names can be in aviation.

23. New Orleans, LA – Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

Renamed in 2001 to honor Louis Armstrong, the jazz icon born and raised in New Orleans whose trumpet and voice transformed American music.
Before the renaming, the airport was known as Moisant Field (later Moisant International Airport), named after pioneering aviator John Moisant, who died in a 1910 crash nearby. Changing the name to honor Armstrong tied the airport more directly to the city’s musical identity and the centennial of Armstrong’s birth.

24. Oklahoma City, OK – Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)

Named after Will Rogers, the cowboy humorist, actor, columnist, and social commentator who was one of the most beloved American figures of the early 20th century. Rogers was also an aviation enthusiast and died in a 1935 plane crash with fellow aviator Wiley Post.
OKC’s “World” in the name might sound grand for its size, but it fits Rogers’s global fame and his broad influence on American culture and politics.

25. Santa Ana/Orange County, CA – John Wayne Airport (SNA)

Named in 1979 after John Wayne, the Hollywood actor closely associated with Westerns and war films, who lived in nearby Newport Beach. A large statue of Wayne stands in the terminal.
The name has generated debate at times as cultural attitudes evolve, but it remains strongly supported locally and is one of the most instantly recognizable airport names in the U.S.

Aviators & Military Heroes

This category honors the pilots, astronauts, airpower theorists, and military figures who literally and figuratively built aviation. Their stories include wartime sacrifice, early airline operations, and spaceflight milestones.
Alphabetized by city, here are the U.S. airports named after aviation and military heroes.

26. Austin, TX – Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

Named after Colonel John A. Bergstrom, a U.S. Army Air Forces officer killed during WWII at Clark Field in the Philippines. The site later became Bergstrom Air Force Base, which was eventually converted into Austin’s main commercial airport.
The Bergstrom name preserves the area’s military heritage even as AUS now supports one of the fastest-growing tech and creative cities in the U.S.

27. Billings, MT – Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)

Billings Logan International Airport is named for Dick Logan, the airport’s first manager.
When Billings Municipal Airport opened in 1928, Logan was appointed to oversee the new field and
guided its early growth for nearly three decades. After his death in 1957, the city renamed the
facility Billings Logan Field to honor his years of service and role in establishing commercial
aviation in the region.
In 1971, the name evolved again to Billings Logan International Airport, but Logan’s surname remains
on every boarding pass as a quiet tribute to the local airport manager who helped turn a small airfield
on top of the rims into Montana’s busiest airport.

28. Boston, MA – General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (BOS)

Named for General Edward Lawrence Logan, a Spanish–American War officer, commander of the Massachusetts National Guard,
and a significant Boston civic figure. Logan was deeply involved in veterans’ affairs and public service throughout the early 20th century.
The airport was initially known as “Jeffrey Field” before being renamed in 1923 to honor General Logan, making it one of the earliest major U.S. airports to be named after an individual.

29. College Station, TX – Easterwood Airport (CLL)

Named after Lt. Jesse L. Easterwood, a Texas A&M graduate and WWI naval aviator who died in a flying accident and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
Texas A&M operates the airport, which serves both commercial flights and university aviation training. The name keeps Easterwood’s story alive for each new generation of Aggies who pass through.

30. Columbus, OH – John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)

Renamed in 2016 for John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth (1962) and a long-serving U.S. Senator from Ohio. Glenn returned to space at age 77 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, becoming the oldest person to fly in space.
The renaming connects Columbus to Ohio’s deep aviation heritage, which also includes the Wright Brothers. For many travelers, CMH is their everyday reminder that the space age started with flights like Glenn’s.

31. Dallas, TX – Dallas Love Field (DAL)

Despite sounding romantic, Love Field is not about affection — it honors Lt. Moss L. Love, a U.S. Army aviator who died in a 1913 training accident.
The field became a major military training base in WWI and WWII, an early hub for Southwest Airlines, and a key player in the history of airline deregulation and the Wright Amendment. It’s one of the oldest major airports in continuous operation in the U.S.

32. Fort Cavazos / Killeen, TX – Killeen–Fort Cavazos Regional Airport (GRK)

Serving the U.S. Army’s Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), this airport is tied to General Richard E. Cavazos, the first Latino four-star general in U.S. Army history and a highly decorated combat leader.
GRK functions as both a commercial gateway and a deployment point, reflecting Cavazos’s legacy and the region’s deep military role.

33. Hartford/Windsor Locks, CT – Bradley International Airport (BDL)

Named after Lt. Eugene M. Bradley, a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot who died in a 1941 training crash near the airfield. The base commander pushed to name the field after Bradley as a memorial.
Over time, BDL evolved into New England’s second-busiest airport after BOS, but the simple, solemn name still points back to a single young pilot whose death marked the airfield’s early story.

34. Knoxville, TN – McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)

Many assume “McGhee Tyson” refers to two people, but it honors one man: Charles McGhee Tyson, a Knoxville-born WWI naval aviator who was killed in action in 1918.
His father, a prominent local leader, donated land for the airport in his memory. Today, TYS serves East Tennessee with a mix of commercial, general aviation, and Air National Guard operations.

35. Kahului, Maui, HI – Kahului Airport (OGG)

The OGG code at Kahului honors Captain Bertram J. Hogg, one of Hawaiian Airlines’ early and most respected pilots. Hogg helped pioneer commercial inter-island flying in an era when weather, navigation, and terrain made every flight an adventure.
The airport’s official name doesn’t include Hogg, but the code is a quiet tribute known to locals, airline staff, and aviation nerds.

36. Kailua-Kona, HI – Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA)

Named for Ellison S. Onizuka, Hawaii’s first astronaut and a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, who died when the shuttle broke apart in 1986.
Renaming the airport in his honor tied a key Big Island gateway to one of Hawaii’s most inspiring stories — a boy from the islands who reached space — and one of NASA’s most tragic chapters.

37. Milwaukee, WI – General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)

Honors General Billy Mitchell, the outspoken WWI aviator often called the “Father of the U.S. Air Force.” Mitchell relentlessly argued that airpower would define future warfare — claims that were controversial in his time but later vindicated.
MKE’s name anchors that history in a city with strong aviation and manufacturing roots.

38. St. Louis, MO – St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)

Named after Albert Bond Lambert, an early St. Louis aviator, philanthropist, and Olympic golfer who invested heavily in aviation and helped support Charles Lindbergh.
Lambert purchased and improved the airfield that became St. Louis’s main airport, and he championed transatlantic flight long before it was routine.
STL’s name is one of the clearest links between early private aviation patronage and today’s large commercial airports.

Hawaii

Hawaii is unique: as an island state, it relies heavily on aviation, and several of its airports (and codes) honor important political leaders, military figures, and local heroes. Some of these stories appear in other sections (Aviators & Military Heroes), but Hawaii also deserves a short section of its own.
Alphabetized by city, here are Hawaii’s person-linked airports in this category.

39. Hilo, HI – Hilo International Airport (ITO)

Hilo’s airfield has historical ties to Brigadier General Charles Lyman, who played a key role in early territorial defense and emergency planning. While his name isn’t widely used in the modern branding, early references connected the field to his leadership.
The quirky ITO code — likely an artifact of past naming and telegraph conventions — keeps Hilo on many avgeeks’ “why is the code like that?” list.

40. Honolulu, HI – Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)

Renamed in 2017 for Senator Daniel K. Inouye, a Medal of Honor recipient, WWII veteran of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and one of the longest-serving U.S. senators. Inouye was central to securing aviation funding, Pacific defense resources, and broader federal investment in Hawaii.
The airport remains globally known by its HNL code, but the full name honors Hawaii’s most influential political leader and his decades-long impact on the islands.

U.S. Territories

Beyond the mainland and Alaska/Hawaii, the U.S. maintains territories whose airports are vital lifelines. Many are named after local leaders, cultural icons, or military figures. For residents, these names are not just labels — they’re expressions of identity.
Alphabetized by city, here are the person-named commercial airports in U.S. territories.

41. Aguadilla, Puerto Rico – Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN)

Named after Rafael Hernández Marín, one of Puerto Rico’s most beloved composers. His works, including “Lamento Borincano,” became part of Puerto Rico’s musical identity at home and in the diaspora.
Built on the former Ramey Air Force Base, BQN now serves as an important low-cost and leisure gateway, especially for Puerto Ricans traveling to and from the U.S. mainland.

42. San Juan, Puerto Rico – Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (SIG)

Sometimes known as Isla Grande Airport, SIG is named after Major Fernando Luis Ribas-Dominicci, a U.S. Air Force pilot from Puerto Rico who was killed in the 1986 U.S. raid on Libya (Operation El Dorado Canyon).
The airport handles commuter and regional traffic plus general aviation, making it a key reliever for SJU. Its name honors both Puerto Rican identity and military sacrifice.

43. San Juan, Puerto Rico – Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)

Named after Luis Muñoz Marín, the first democratically elected governor of Puerto Rico and a central figure in the island’s mid-20th-century political evolution. His administration focused on economic development and political reform under the commonwealth model.
SJU is Puerto Rico’s primary international gateway and one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean. The name ties modern travel to the island’s post-war political history.

44. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX)

Named for Henry E. Rohlsen, a U.S. Army Air Forces pilot and one of the Tuskegee Airmen, who later became instrumental in developing aviation in the Virgin Islands.
STX’s name reflects both the territory’s Caribbean identity and its deep connection to African American military history.

45. St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – Cyril E. King Airport (STT)

Named after Cyril Emmanuel King, the second elected governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands and a key leader during the transition away from federal administrative control.
King pushed for greater local autonomy and infrastructure improvements, and STT — one of the Caribbean’s busiest airports — stands as a daily reminder of that shift.

46. Tamuning, Guam – Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM)

Named for Antonio Borja Won Pat, the first Delegate from Guam to the U.S. House of Representatives. Won Pat was instrumental in advancing self-governance, political representation, and federal recognition for Guam.
As Guam’s main international gateway, GUM connects Micronesia, Asia, Hawaii, and the continental U.S., reflecting Won Pat’s vision of Guam as a regional hub, not just a distant outpost.

FYI: Person-Named Airports in Freely Associated States

While not U.S. territories, several Pacific nations have special political and defense relationships with the United States under Compacts of Free Association. Their airports use FAA-style codes and appear frequently in U.S. airline networks — especially for island-hopping operations.
Two of these airports are also named after key political figures.

Francisco C. Ada International Airport (SPN) – Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

Named after Francisco C. Ada, the first Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands and a major driver of aviation and economic development in the commonwealth.
While the Northern Marianas are not a U.S. territory in the same way as Puerto Rico or Guam, Saipan’s airport appears in many U.S.-linked schedules and is a familiar stop for regional and military traffic.

Amata Kabua International Airport (MAJ) – Majuro, Marshall Islands

Named after Amata Kabua, the first President of the Marshall Islands, often described as the “Father of the Nation.” He played a central role in negotiating the islands’ post-trusteeship relationship with the U.S. and shaping their modern political identity.
MAJ is the main gateway to the Marshall Islands and a crucial node in Pacific island-hopper routes.

Why Airports Get Renamed (Politics, Culture & Timing)

Renaming an airport isn’t as simple as swapping signs. It usually takes legislation, board approvals, money, and public buy-in — plus a willingness to live with whatever controversy comes with the new name.
Here are the main reasons airport names change.

Honoring Major National or Local Leaders

Airports are among the most visible pieces of infrastructure a region has, so naming (or renaming) them for prominent leaders becomes a powerful symbolic act.
Examples:

• Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)
• George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)
• Luis Muñoz Marín International (SJU)

These renamings usually follow a leader’s death, a major anniversary, or a wave of political will to “lock in” their legacy.

Recognizing Aviation Pioneers and Local Heroes

Some renamings center on people directly tied to aviation or regional development:

• Ellison Onizuka (KOA) – astronaut, Challenger crew member
• Capt. Bertram Hogg (OGG) – early Hawaiian Airlines pilot
• General Billy Mitchell (MKE) – early airpower advocate

These are usually driven by local pride and aviation history rather than national politics.

Re-aligning Identity & Values

Sometimes, a community decides an older namesake no longer reflects its values. That’s what happened with LAS, which shifted from McCarran International (after Senator Pat McCarran) to Harry Reid International Airport due to concerns about McCarran’s record.
These renamings tell you as much about the present as they do about the past.

Brand & Tourism Considerations

Airports are also brands. Renaming can support tourism marketing or regional positioning:

• John Glenn Columbus International (CMH) doubled down on Ohio’s “birthplace of aviation” image.
• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) ties directly into the city’s global reputation for music.

Sometimes the push is subtle — you’ll see “International” added or rearranged even if the person stays the same.

Infrastructure Milestones

Big expansions sometimes provide the political cover or momentum to rename an airport — new terminals, new runways, or a major reconfiguration can create a “now or never” moment.
HNL’s shift to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport came alongside major modernization, for example.

Preserving Legacy Every Day

Finally, a big reason airports get renamed is simple: you can’t ignore an airport name. Passengers see it on tickets, timetables, baggage tags, websites, and gate screens.
Names like Cyril E. King (STT), Henry E. Rohlsen (STX), Rafael Hernández (BQN), and Frederick Douglass (ROC) ensure those legacies are encountered by locals and visitors constantly — not just in history books.

Airports People Think Are Dual-Named — But Actually Aren’t

Some airports sound like they’re named after two people — or people assume they include two honorees — but that’s not actually the case.
A few common examples:

• McGhee Tyson (TYS) – One person: Charles McGhee Tyson. “McGhee Tyson” is his full name, not two honorees.
• St. Louis Lambert (STL) – One person: Albert Bond Lambert; “St. Louis” is the city, not another honoree.
• George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) – Only George H. W. Bush, not both Bush presidents.
• Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL) – Single honoree, Daniel Inouye.
• John Wayne (SNA) – Just John Wayne.
• Gerald R. Ford (GRR) – Only Gerald Ford, despite occasional informal references to Ford & his wife.
• Abraham Lincoln Capital (SPI) – One honoree: Abraham Lincoln.

In contrast, the only true dual-person airport namings in U.S. commercial service are:

• Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL)
• Bill & Hillary Clinton (LIT)

Everything else with a multi-word surname or city pairing is just one person + one place.

Fun Facts & Trivia

Which Airport Has the Longest Name?

By character count, some of the longest official names in this list include:

• Thurgood Marshall Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)
• Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)
• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
• Jackson–Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN)

Depending on whether you count hyphens, “Greater,” and regional descriptors, the crown shifts a bit. But if you’ve ever felt like the boarding announcement was taking extra long — you weren’t wrong.

How Many Airports Are Named After Astronauts?

From this list, the standout is:

• Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) – honoring Challenger astronaut Ellison Onizuka.

You could arguably include John Glenn (CMH) here as well — he was both an astronaut and a senator — so in that sense, there are two major U.S. commercial airports directly tied to astronauts.

FAQ: Airports Named After People

Q1: Why are so many airports named after politicians?

Because airports are high-visibility civic assets, naming them after presidents, governors, mayors, and senators is a way to cement that person’s legacy in everyday life. Renamings also tend to be easier to justify when someone had a direct role in funding or championing the airport or region.

Q2: Do airport codes change when the name changes?

Almost never — changing a three-letter code breaks everything from reservation systems to luggage routing. But there are famous exceptions: when Idlewild (IDL) became John F. Kennedy International, the code changed to JFK. And in 2026 it happened again: when Palm Beach International was renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport, IATA approved changing the code from PBI to DJT, effective August 18, 2026 — the rarest kind of change in modern aviation.

Q3: Why do locals still use the old airport name?

Because habits die hard.

• Many Washington, DC locals still say “National” instead of “Reagan.” I used to work at National, so I still call it National.
• Older New Orleanians may still remember “Moisant.”
• People in Atlanta talk about just “Hartsfield,” even though Jackson was added years ago.

In everyday speech, shorter or older names sometimes win.

Q4: Are any U.S. airports named after women?

At the big scheduled-commercial level, the list is extremely short:

• Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) – the only major U.S. commercial airport whose official airport name includes a woman (Hillary Rodham Clinton).

Outside the large-airport world, there are a few notable facilities and fields named after women, including:

• Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport (K59) in Atchison, Kansas – a general aviation field named for Amelia Earhart, located next to the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum.
• The Amelia Earhart Terminal at Purdue University Airport (LAF) in West Lafayette, Indiana – named for Earhart, who had a historic connection to Purdue. The new terminal opened in 2025 and now handles United Express flights operated by SkyWest to Chicago O’Hare.

But among larger U.S. commercial airports whose official airport name honors a person, women are dramatically underrepresented. That imbalance is attracting more attention and may shape future naming decisions.

Q5: Why do some airport names and codes not match at all?

Plenty of reasons:

• Legacy names from older airfields (MSY from Moisant)
• Telegraph or radio station codes
• Early airline routing and reservation quirks
• Avoiding conflicts with existing codes
• Another airport had that code first

So you get things like ITO for Hilo, OGG for Kahului, and BQN for Aguadilla that don’t intuitively line up with the city name.

Q6: Are there airports that used to be named after a person but aren’t anymore?

Yes. The most notable recent example is Las Vegas; although the new name is still a person:

• Formerly McCarran International Airport (after Senator Pat McCarran)
• Renamed Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in 2021

Some smaller fields have also quietly shifted from person-based names to geographic ones, especially when the honoree became controversial or obscure.

Q7: How many U.S. airports are named after astronauts?

From this list, the standout is:

• Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) – honoring Challenger astronaut Ellison Onizuka.

You could also count John Glenn (CMH), who was both an astronaut and a senator, so in that sense there are two major U.S. commercial airports directly tied to astronauts.

Q8: Why aren’t all these airports branded clearly with their full names?

Branding, wayfinding, and marketing all play a role. Some airports emphasize the city or region (like “New Orleans” or “New York”) more than the honoree to avoid confusing travelers.
So signage and airline timetables might lean on “New Orleans International” or “Kona International,” while the official legal name still includes Louis Armstrong or Ellison Onizuka.

Bonus: Terminals Named After People

This article focuses on entire airports named after people, but several major U.S. airports also have individual terminals named in someone’s honor. A few standout examples your fellow avgeeks will recognize:

Amelia Earhart Terminal – Purdue University Airport (LAF)

Named for Amelia Earhart, who had a strong relationship with Purdue as an advisor and advocate for women in aviation. The new Amelia Earhart Terminal opened in 2025 and now supports United Express flights to Chicago O’Hare, making it one of the few person-named terminals at a U.S. commercial airport and a very on-brand stop for aviation fans.

Barbara Jordan Terminal – Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

The main terminal at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport is named for Barbara Jordan, the
Houston-born congresswoman, civil-rights leader, and powerful orator who became the first Black woman
elected to the Texas Senate and the first Black woman from the South elected to the U.S. House of
Representatives. In 1999, the City of Austin dedicated the terminal in her honor. Today, most passengers
using AUS are moving through a space that doubles as a living tribute to Jordan’s legacy of justice,
democracy, and public service.

Terminals C, D & E – George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)

Houston has gone even further with its dedications:

• Terminal C honors former Houston mayor Lewis W. Cutrer
• Terminal D honors Congressman Mickey Leland
• Terminal E is being renamed Sheila Jackson Lee Terminal E to recognize the late congresswoman’s decades of service and her role in securing major federal funding for the airport.

Harvey Milk Terminal 1 – San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Named for Harvey Milk, the pioneering gay-rights activist and San Francisco supervisor, and the first openly gay elected official in California. The Board of Supervisors approved the renaming of Terminal 1 in his honor, and the rebuilt terminal opened in phases starting in 2019–2022.

Senator Dianne Feinstein International Terminal – SFO

SFO’s International Terminal has been renamed for Senator Dianne Feinstein, the city’s former mayor and longest-serving woman in the U.S. Senate. The departures hall within the terminal is dedicated to former mayor Ed Lee, so the complex ends up honoring two key San Francisco leaders in one space.

Tom Bradley International Terminal – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Named after Tom Bradley, the long-serving, first Black mayor of Los Angeles, who championed LAX expansion and helped position the airport as a global hub. The Tom Bradley International Terminal was dedicated in 1984 ahead of the LA Olympics and remains the main long-haul international facility at LAX.
There are plenty of other named concourses, halls, lounges, and even control towers out there, but these examples show how airports often layer another level of history and politics into the terminal names that don’t always show up on your boarding pass.

Your Turn

Did I miss your favorite person-named airport — or a great story behind one of these names?
Could you drop it in the comments or email me your story? I may feature some of the best ones in a future update.