Our Review of Columbus Airport (CMH)

Table of contents: Our Review of Columbus Airport (CMH) Pros and Cons of Columbus Airport (CMH) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Columbus Airport (CMH)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides, since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Pros and Cons of Columbus Airport (CMH)

Pros

Convenience and Accessibility:

The airport is located just six miles from downtown Columbus, making it easy to access the city.
Offers a variety of public and private transportation options, including COTA AirConnect and ride-sharing services.

Wide Range of Destinations:

Provides 148 nonstop flights to 31 airports in the United States and international connections to Mexico, Canada, and the Dominican Republic.
This gives travelers a broad range of options for both domestic and international travel

Modern Services:

The airport features free Wi-Fi, restaurants, shops, and nursing rooms, enhancing the passenger experience.
Additionally, offers services like wheelchair assistance and language assistance.

Expansion Projects:

A $1.4 billion renovation is planned, including a new terminal with more gates and expanded parking.
This will significantly improve the airport’s capacity to handle future growth

Cons

Limitations of the Current Terminal:

The current terminal is relatively small and can feel congested during peak hours.
Although improvements are underway, the current infrastructure may be less modern than that of other major airports.

Limited Operating Hours:

Some car rental services have limited hours, which can cause inconvenience for travelers arriving early or late.
This has led to complaints about staffing shortages at certain times of the day

Car Rental Costs:

Car rental prices can be high, especially if not booked in advance.
This can be a challenge for travelers on a tight budget.

Varied Experiences with Staff:

Some travelers have reported negative experiences with car rental staff, including unprofessionalism and poor communication.
This can affect the overall perception of service at the airport.

Lack of Entertainment Options:

While there are some shops and restaurants, the airport does not offer as many entertainment options as larger airports.
This can make waiting times less enjoyable for some travelers.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is the primary air gateway to Columbus, Ohio. Located six miles east of downtown, CMH provides national and international air connections. The airport was renamed in 2016 to honor astronaut and Senator John Glenn.

Services and Facilities

Terminal: The current terminal features three concourses (A, B, C) and offers modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, restaurants, shops, and nursing rooms.
Transportation: Access to public transportation (COTA AirConnect), taxis, ride-sharing services (Uber/Lyft), and car rentals.
Parking: Various parking options, including short-term and long-term garages, and a cell phone waiting area for passenger pickups.

Flights and Destinations

Daily Flights: Offers 148 nonstop flights to 31 airports.
Popular Destinations: New York, Orlando, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Atlanta.
International Connections: Flights to Mexico, Canada, and the Dominican Republic.

Upcoming Improvements

New Terminal: A new one-million-square-foot terminal is under construction, featuring a centralized security checkpoint and 36 gates. Construction is set to begin in 2025, with completion expected by 2029.

Quick Tips

Best Day to Fly: Thursday for the best prices.
Public Transportation: Use COTA AirConnect to reach downtown Columbus.
Car Rentals: Book in advance for better rates.

Other Reviews

Okay, here’s a summary and rating of Columbus Airport (CMH), also known as John Glenn International Airport, based on Google reviews and the airlinequality.com website:

Overall Summary:

Columbus Airport (CMH) appears to have a mixed reputation. Some travelers appreciate its manageable size, ease of navigation, and friendly staff. Others express concerns about limited food and shopping options, cleanliness, and occasional issues with TSA agents. Several reviews mention that many restaurants close early in the evening. Recent renovations are noted as a positive aspect, but issues with late flights and limited direct flight options also appear in the reviews.

Positive Points:

Easy to Navigate: Many reviewers find CMH easy to get in and out of, with a simple layout.
Friendly Staff: Some reviews highlight the friendliness of the airport staff.
Manageable Size: Its mid-size is viewed as an advantage, offering a less overwhelming experience compared to larger airports.
Recent Renovations: The renovations completed in 2016 are mentioned positively, with improvements to cleanliness, brightness, and dining options.
Good Amenities: Free WiFi and charging plugs at every seat are frequently praised.
Security: Generally quick security lines.

Negative Points:

Limited Food and Shopping: A recurring complaint is the limited selection of restaurants and shops, with many closing early (around 7 PM).
Cleanliness: Some reviewers have found the airport to be dirty.
TSA Issues: Negative experiences with TSA agents, including disrespectful behavior, are noted.
Limited Direct Flights: Some travelers are frustrated by the need for connecting flights.
Late Flights: Punctuality seems to be an issue for some users.
Wheelchair Availability: Can be a long wait for wheelchair assistance

Rating:

Taking all of this into account, I would give Columbus Airport a rating of 3.3/5.

Justification of the Rating:

Columbus Airport receives points for its convenience, ease of navigation, and friendly staff. The renovations and amenities are also positive. However, the recurring issues with limited food and shopping, cleanliness concerns, negative TSA interactions, and flight punctuality bring the overall score down. It seems to be a decent airport for those who prioritize convenience and ease of use but may disappoint travelers looking for a wide range of amenities or a guaranteed smooth travel experience.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation