A guide to Huntsville International Airport (HSV)
Quick insights
- Huntsville International Airport (HSV) is a mid-size airport in Huntsville, AL with daily flights to several U.S. cities.
- There is one terminal at HSV with limited food and shopping options.
- The airport has several parking options, including 10-minute waiting spaces near the terminal for passenger pick up and drop offs.
Huntsville, AL is known to some as “Rocket City” because of its proximity to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. It’s also home to another aviation destination—the Huntsville International AirportOpens overlay (HSV).
HSV is a midsize airport that is used by some travelers as an alternative to larger airport hubs in the Southeast. Huntsville is less than a two-hour drive from busier international airports in Nashville, TN and Birmingham, AL.
With daily flights to more than a dozen destinations, you may find yourself navigating to the Huntsville airport for a trip. Read on to learn more about how to get to and around HSV.
Navigating to and from HSV
HSV is located at 1000 Glenn Hearn Boulevard in Huntsville, AL, approximately 10 miles southwest of downtown Huntsville. The airport can be accessed off Exit 8 on I-565.
There are a few ground transportation options to get you to and from HSV, including:
- Rental cars: The rental car counters at HSV are on the first level of the terminal by baggage claim.
- Rideshare: Popular rideshare services are available for passenger pick up and drop off. There isn’t a designated rideshare spot at HSV.
- Taxis and shuttles: Taxis, limousines and shuttles operate out of the airport. A list of bus and taxi servicesOpens overlay can be found on the HSV website. Many nearby hotels also provide complimentary shuttle services to and from the airport (check with your hotel for details).
Curb space in front of the main terminal is limited, so unless you are picking up or dropping off passengers, the airport does not permit cars to idle in front of the terminal.
Parking at HSV
Parking at HSV includes the following options:
- Parking deck: This six-level parking structure is across the street from the main terminal. On level two, there are skywalk bridges that connect to the second level of the terminal and hotel check-in.
- Premium parking: Premium parking is located on level 1 of the parking deck.
- Parking Lot A: This smaller, uncovered surface lot is located near the terminal and provides parking for the hotel at HSV.
- Economy parking: This surface parking lot is just beyond the parking deck. There is no airport shuttle, but the terminal is just a few minutes away.
- Cell phone waiting lot: The complimentary cell phone lot is accessible on the way to the terminal from I-565 and is less than a minute drive from baggage claim. Drivers must stay with their vehicles in the lot.
Passengers can be dropped off at the curb in front of the terminal building. There are free 10-minute covered “waiting spaces” for passenger pick up. They are equipped with a timer that begins when a vehicle enters the space and flashes when the time slot has expired. Vehicles must be attended at all times while in a 10-minute waiting space.Â
Parking ratesOpens overlay and availability in the parking deck can be found on the HSV website.
The airport also offers SmartPark, a membership which provides the first 30 minutes of parking in any garage or lot for free, details about parking availability, automated check out and more.
HSV terminal information
HSV airport has one terminal with a dozen gates. The terminal is open 24 hours a day, but most ticketing counters do not open until 2 hours before their first scheduled departure.
Ticketing counters are located on the main level of the terminal. All gates are on the second level.
You can reference the terminal mapOpens overlay on the HSV website.
Security at HSV
There is one security checkpoint at HSV with dedicated TSA PreCheck® screening. Security screening is on the second level or the terminal, just before the gates.
TSA recommends arriving at least 90 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Passengers are encouraged to allow extra time during peak travel times. Peak travel times at HSV include early morning and afternoon hours on weekdays.
Getting through airport security faster
TSA wait times can vary, but there are Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs) that may help expedite the security and passport screening processes.
TSA PreCheck® allows members to use designated lanes at airport security checkpoints. Passengers in those lanes typically do not need to remove light jackets, shoes, belts or jewelry during screening.
Some credit cards offer reimbursement for TTP application fees when the cardmember uses their eligible card to pay the fee.
Airport amenities at HSV
There are limited dining options and amenities at HSV. Travelers can find a handful of shops and casual restaurants throughout the terminal. There are options pre- and post-security screening.
The airport also offers:
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Nursing rooms
- Pet relief areas and an outdoor pet park
- Cell phone charging stations
Navigate to the HSV site for a full list of dining and shopping optionsOpens overlay as well as additional amenitiesOpens overlay.
In summary
HSV is a mid-size airport located approximately 10 miles southwest of downtown Huntsville. It has one terminal with a dozen gates and limited dining and shopping options. Airport amenities include pet relief stations, nursing rooms and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The airport has a six-level parking deck with walkways on the second level that connect to the terminal. There is also an uncovered economy lot, cell phone waiting lot and designated 10-minute waiting spaces in front of the terminal. HSV has one security screening checkpoint with TSA PreCheck screening.
