--- iata: CMH name: John Glenn Columbus International Airport city: Columbus country: United States lastUpdated: '2026-09-02' officialWebsite: 'https://flycolumbus.com/' sources: - 'https://flycolumbus.com/' - 'https://flycolumbus.com/passengers/terminal-map/' - 'https://flycolumbus.com/passengers/security/' - 'https://flycolumbus.com/passengers/dining-shopping-amenities/' - 'https://flycolumbus.com/passengers/parking-options/' - 'https://flycolumbus.com/passengers/taxis-shuttles-rideshare/' - 'https://escapelounges.com/us/airport-lounges/columbus/' - 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Glenn_Columbus_International_Airport' - 'https://cmhnext.com/' - 'https://ohio.uso.org/columbus-airport-lounge' - 'https://www.reddit.com/r/Columbus/comments/1rsi9pc/cmh_security_line/' - >- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g50226-d25210597-Reviews-Escape_Lounges_John_Glenn_Columbus_International_Airport-Columbus_Ohio.html - 'https://cota.com/riding-cota/fare-overview/' quickFacts: - >- Single terminal with three concourses (A/B/C) that are not connected airside—re-clear security to switch - >- Southwest dominates Concourse A; American/United/Air Canada in B; Delta and others in C - >- Record ~9.0–9.4M annual passengers; new terminal under construction for 2029 opening - >- Escape Lounge (only real paid lounge) sits in B by Gate 32; USO landside for military - >- Separate TSA checkpoints per concourse open ~4am–8:30pm; PreCheck and CLEAR available - >- Local food standouts include Donatos pizza, Land-Grant Brewing, Jeni’s ice cream, and Eddie George’s Grille bentoTips: - label: Timing title: 'Arrive 90 minutes early, earlier for peaks' detail: >- Official average waits hover under 15 minutes but real peaks hit 30–45 minutes; check flycolumbus.com/security live estimates. summary: >- Hit the airport 90 minutes before domestic departures; add buffer for 6–9am Southwest banks when lines spike. category: timing - label: Terminal title: Know your concourse before security detail: >- Wrong checkpoint means exiting and re-clearing TSA; Escape Lounge access from A or C requires the same double security hit. summary: >- Confirm your airline’s concourse (A Southwest, B AA/UA, C Delta) and go straight to that checkpoint—concourses do not connect airside. category: terminal - label: Food title: Hit local spots over chains detail: >- Wolfgang Puck and Plum Market also solid; pre-security Hangar 815 and PeppTron robot pizza for landside options. summary: >- Prioritize Donatos (A/C), Land-Grant Brewing or Eddie George’s (B), and Jeni’s ice cream machines for Columbus flavor. category: food - label: Status title: Watch construction traffic and new terminal progress detail: >- Current facility handles record traffic but feels dated; monitor flycolumbus.com for traffic pattern alerts. summary: >- CMH Next construction is active—expect shifting curb patterns and parking changes; new terminal targets 2029. category: status lounges: - name: Escape Lounge hours: '05:00-20:00' access: - Priority Pass (pre-book recommended) - American Express Platinum - Delta SkyMiles Reserve (on Delta flight) - Day pass from ~$45 pre-book / $60 walk-up bestFor: - Work - Short pre-flight meal - Priority Pass holders in B summary: >- Small single-room lounge with surprisingly good chef-prepared local food and drinks but no restrooms, showers, or quiet zones—worth it if your gate is in B, skip the double-security hassle from A/C. verdict: depends terminal: Concourse B amenities: - Hot and cold food - Full bar with local beers - Wi-Fi - Charging ports - Workspaces - name: Jake Brewer USO Lounge hours: '09:00-18:00 daily (volunteer staffing may vary)' access: - 'Active-duty military, Guard, Reserve and families (DoD ID)' - Some retirees space-available bestFor: - Military travelers - Families summary: >- Free solid landside haven for eligible service members—use it before security if hours align. verdict: worth-it terminal: Main terminal (landside near Concourse C exit) amenities: - Quiet space - Snacks - Wi-Fi - Family-friendly waterOptions: - kind: refill name: Water bottle filling station zone: airside summary: >- Free filtered refill right after security—bring an empty bottle and skip the markup entirely. location: Near Gate A2 / restrooms terminal: Concourse A isBestValue: true isBestQuality: true - kind: refill name: Water bottle filling station zone: airside summary: >- Convenient free station at the far end of B next to the lounge—fill before boarding. location: Near Gate B32 / Escape Lounge and nursing room terminal: Concourse B - kind: refill name: Water bottle filling station zone: airside summary: >- Free station in C near popular gates and ice cream—reliable post-security option. location: Near Gate C52 / nursing room and Jeni’s terminal: Concourse C - kind: purchase name: Columbus Marketplace or CMH Supply Co. zone: airside price: $3–5 for 500ml–1L typical airport bottle summary: >- Standard convenience-store markup for bottled water; only if you forgot a bottle. location: Gate B28 / B21 area or Gate C49 / C51 terminal: Concourse B or C - kind: purchase name: Starbucks zone: airside price: $3–4+ for bottled water or larger summary: >- Convenient but pricier grab; mobile order coffee and add water if desperate. location: 'Between gates B21–B23, Gate A3, Gate C48, or pre-security food court' terminal: Any concourse or pre-security airportistScore: 6.9 slug: cmh region: North America --- > Markdown for [/airports/cmh](/airports/cmh). Append `.md` to any page URL (or send `Accept: text/markdown`) for an agent-readable copy. - [HTML page](/airports/cmh) - [Lounge directory](/airports/cmh/lounges.md) - [Sitemap](/sitemap.md) # John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) Columbus, United States · North America CMH is a straightforward mid-size airport with good local food and easy ground access, but separate concourses, aging facilities under construction, and limited lounge options create clear friction for multi-airline or lounge-seeking travelers. ## Airportist Score **6.9 / 10** - Comfort: 6.5 - Navigation: 6.8 - Food: 7.5 - Transport: 7.4 - Disruption resilience: 6.5 ## At a glance - Passengers: 9.0–9.4M - Terminals: 1 terminal with 3 concourses (29 gates) - Typical security: 15 min - On-time: 76% - Disruption: normal ## Best for - Quick domestic hops with Southwest, American, United or Delta - Travelers who value local food and craft beer - Rideshare or short-drive access to downtown Columbus - Military families using the USO ## Watch out for - Unconnected concourses forcing re-security for lounge or gate changes - Morning peak security lines (especially Southwest banks) - Ongoing CMH Next construction curb and parking disruptions - Limited lounge options and small Escape Lounge with no bathrooms ## More intel - [Lounge directory](/airports/cmh/lounges.md) (free) - [Getting there](/airports/cmh/getting-there.md) (free) - [Amenities](/airports/cmh/amenities.md) - [Traveler tips](/airports/cmh/tips.md) - [Water](/airports/cmh/water.md) - [Full guide](/airports/cmh/guide.md) - [Disruptions](/airports/cmh/disruptions.md) - [Reviews](/airports/cmh/reviews.md)