Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is the main commercial airport serving Columbia and South Carolina’s Midlands region. Its compact, single-concourse terminal offers nonstop access to several major airline hubs, making it useful for both direct domestic trips and one-stop travel across the United States or abroad. Because airline routes change frequently, this guide reflects the airport’s published service as of July 31, 2026.
Quick Answer
As of July 31, 2026, Columbia Metropolitan Airport is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. Together, they offer more than 25 daily flights to 10 nonstop airports, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, seasonal Miami, New York-LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia, Washington-Reagan, and Washington-Dulles.
Key Takeaways
- The current scheduled passenger airlines at CAE are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
- CAE publishes service to 10 nonstop airports in nine city markets; Washington, D.C., is served through both DCA and IAD.
- Miami service on American Airlines is seasonal, so it may not operate on every date.
- Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, and Allegiant are not listed on CAE’s current airline roster.
- CAE has no scheduled nonstop international passenger flights, but travelers can connect through several major U.S. hubs.
History of Airlines at Columbia, SC Airport
The airport’s documented history at its present location begins in the early 1940s, not 1930. Lexington County Airport came under military control in 1941 and became Columbia Army Air Base. After World War II, it returned to civilian use, and Delta Air Lines and Eastern Air Lines moved their Columbia operations to the airport in 1947.
After years of planning and construction, Lexington County Airport was officially rededicated as Columbia Metropolitan Airport in May 1965. The new facility included a 100,000-square-foot terminal, two runways, and a 500-car parking lot. Delta returned in 1966, joining airlines such as Piedmont, Southern Airways, and Eastern that had served the airport during its development.
Air service grew during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. United arrived in 1983, American followed in 1985, and several other carriers added or removed routes as the airline industry changed. The airport completed a major terminal renovation between 1995 and 1997, while a regional UPS cargo hub opened in 1996.
CAE’s airline roster has continued to change in recent years. Allegiant and Spirit both entered the market in 2025, but Spirit later exited and neither airline appears on CAE’s current passenger-airline page. American Airlines restored nonstop Chicago O’Hare service in May 2026.
For a detailed decade-by-decade timeline, see Columbia Metropolitan Airport’s official history.
Major Airlines Operating at Columbia, SC Airport
CAE’s current airline directory lists three scheduled passenger airlines. American offers the widest selection of nonstop destinations, while Delta and United provide access to several major connecting hubs.
| Airline | Current Nonstop Airports From CAE | Service Notes |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Charlotte (CLT), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA), New York-LaGuardia (LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), and Washington-Reagan (DCA) | Miami is seasonal. Chicago service returned in May 2026. |
| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta (ATL) and New York-LaGuardia (LGA) | Atlanta provides extensive domestic and international connections. |
| United Airlines | Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Newark (EWR), and Washington-Dulles (IAD) | These airports provide connections across the United States and to international destinations. |
Note: Routes, frequencies, aircraft, and seasonal operating dates can change. Check CAE’s airline page and the operating airline’s timetable before purchasing a ticket.
Regional Airlines Serving Columbia, SC Airport
Travelers may see names such as American Eagle, Delta Connection, or United Express on a boarding pass or aircraft. These are regional service brands associated with the three main airlines rather than separate airlines that passengers normally need to search independently.
| Regional Brand | Ticketed By | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| American Eagle | American Airlines | An American flight may be operated by a regional affiliate using a smaller aircraft. |
| Delta Connection | Delta Air Lines | A Delta-marketed flight may be operated by one of Delta’s regional partners. |
| United Express | United Airlines | A United-marketed flight may use a regional operator and regional jet. |
The specific company operating a regional flight can change by route, date, or schedule period. Check the “operated by” line during booking when the aircraft type, onboard service, or regional operator matters to you.
Low-Cost Carriers at Columbia, SC Airport
CAE does not currently list a dedicated low-cost or ultra-low-cost passenger airline on its official airline page. Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines are not part of the current roster, and travelers should not expect nonstop Southwest service to Baltimore or Nashville from CAE based on older or third-party listings.
Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air entered the Columbia market in 2025. Spirit offered service to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale but later exited. Allegiant also offered Florida routes, but it is no longer listed among CAE’s current scheduled passenger airlines.
This does not mean every fare from CAE is expensive. American, Delta, and United regularly publish basic-economy and promotional fares. Compare the complete trip price, including baggage, seat selection, parking, ground transportation, and the cost of driving to a more distant airport.
International Airlines at Columbia, SC Airport
CAE does not currently offer scheduled nonstop international passenger flights. Its published nonstop routes are to domestic airports, but several of those airports provide convenient connections to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and other regions.
Common international connection points include Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Newark, Washington-Dulles, Philadelphia, and Miami when the seasonal Miami flight is operating.
CAE became a Port of Entry in 1982. That designation supports customs clearance for international cargo and a limited number of private, commercial, or charter aircraft. It should not be confused with regularly scheduled international airline service.
Warning: Do not rely on older claims that CAE currently has nonstop flights to the Bahamas, Caribbean, or Toronto. Confirm every international itinerary with the airline and expect at least one connection unless new service is formally announced.
Popular Destinations From Columbia, SC Airport
CAE’s busiest and most useful routes generally connect Columbia with large airline hubs. These airports give passengers access to hundreds of onward destinations:
- Atlanta: Delta service to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, with a large network of domestic and international connections.
- Charlotte: American service to one of its largest East Coast hubs.
- Chicago O’Hare: Served by both American and United, providing options for Midwest, West Coast, and international connections.
- Dallas/Fort Worth: American service with strong access to Texas, the western United States, Mexico, and Latin America.
- New York area: American and Delta fly to LaGuardia, while United flies to Newark.
- Washington, D.C. area: American serves Reagan National and United serves Dulles.
- Philadelphia: American service with onward connections throughout the Northeast and beyond.
- Miami: Seasonal American service that can also support connections to the Caribbean and Latin America when available.
The airport’s official nonstop-destination page provides the latest published city list.
Amenities and Services at Columbia, SC Airport
CAE is an easy-to-navigate, single-concourse airport. Its current amenities include food, coffee, retail shops, free Wi-Fi, work areas, and several facilities designed for families and passengers with accessibility needs.
Dining and Shopping
The post-security Runway Food Court includes Jimmy John’s, Samuel Adams Columbia Brewhouse, and Dunkin’. Red Eye Express Coffee is also located past security. Before security, travelers can use The Friendly Caterer To-Go in the main terminal lobby. Gift and convenience shops operate on both sides of the checkpoint.
Family and Accessibility Facilities
- Lactation room
- Family restroom with an adult changing table
- Indoor pet-relief room
- Sensory room
- Interfaith and meditation room
- Accessible parking and terminal facilities
Business and Connectivity
The airport offers complimentary Wi-Fi through the “FlyWithEase” network. A post-security business center includes workstations, privacy pods, seating, and built-in electrical outlets.
Because concession hours may change with flight schedules, review CAE’s current dining, shopping, and amenities directory before relying on a specific restaurant or service.
Tips for Finding the Best Deals on Flights From Columbia, SC Airport
Start by comparing every current CAE airline rather than searching only one carrier. American, Delta, and United may offer very different prices for the same destination because each uses different connection hubs.
- Check flexible dates: Midweek and off-peak departures may cost less than Friday or Sunday travel.
- Compare the full itinerary: A cheaper fare may include a longer connection, restrictive basic-economy rules, or added baggage and seat fees.
- Set fare alerts: Use airline or reputable flight-search alerts for your route and travel dates.
- Check seasonal routes: Miami may appear only during selected schedule periods.
- Book directly after comparing: Booking through the operating airline can make schedule changes and customer service easier to manage.
- Review nearby-airport costs: A lower ticket price elsewhere may disappear after fuel, parking, hotel, or ground-transportation expenses are added.
Pro Tip: Compare the total door-to-door cost rather than the airfare alone. Flying from CAE can save several hours of driving and may reduce parking, fuel, and overnight-hotel expenses.
Travel-Day Planning
CAE and TSA recommend arriving about two hours before a domestic departure. Early-morning periods can be busy, and airlines may stop accepting checked baggage well before departure. Confirm your airline’s baggage cutoff, check in online when possible, and review your flight status before leaving home.
The airport is open around the clock, but security-checkpoint and airline-counter hours are tied to the flight schedule. Review CAE’s security guidance and estimated wait times before traveling.
Future Expansion and Development at Columbia, SC Airport
CAE has moved beyond the article’s earlier vague discussion of possible terminal improvements. Its checkpoint-modernization project was completed in November 2025, increasing the number of screening lanes from two to four and creating new passenger spaces, including a business center, sensory room, meditation and interfaith room, and indoor/outdoor lounge.
CAE welcomed 1,371,977 travelers in 2025, setting a new annual passenger record for the second consecutive year.
In June 2026, CAE broke ground on a multi-phase terminal energy project. Plans include a solar-array canopy and microgrid on the parking garage, a battery-storage yard, and 700 additional covered parking spaces. The airport expects the project to be fully completed by December 2027. Details are available in CAE’s terminal energy project announcement.
Air-service development will remain less predictable than construction. Airlines add, reduce, or discontinue routes based on demand, aircraft availability, operating costs, and network strategy. Travelers should treat announced routes as current only after confirming that seats are available for their dates.
The Convenience of Flying From Columbia, SC Airport
Columbia Metropolitan Airport gives Midlands travelers a compact alternative to driving to a larger airport. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines currently connect CAE with 10 nonstop airports and several major hubs, making one-stop travel possible to destinations around the world.
The strongest reasons to use CAE are its simple terminal, nearby parking, short walking distances, current passenger amenities, and access to multiple airline networks. The tradeoff is a smaller nonstop map and fewer dedicated low-cost options than some larger airports.
Before booking, verify the operating airline, airport code, connection time, baggage rules, and seasonal status. Doing so provides a more reliable picture than depending on an undated airline list.
If you are planning a trip from Columbia and need travel gear, you can also review these guides to the best travel pants with hidden pockets, the best travel fishing rod, and compact binoculars for hiking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What airlines operate out of Columbia, South Carolina?
As of July 31, 2026, Columbia Metropolitan Airport lists American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines as its scheduled passenger airlines. Some flights may be operated under the American Eagle, Delta Connection, or United Express regional brands.
Which destinations can I fly to nonstop from Columbia, South Carolina?
CAE publishes nonstop service to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, seasonal Miami, New York-LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia, Washington-Reagan, and Washington-Dulles. This represents 10 airports in nine city markets.
Are there international flights from Columbia Metropolitan Airport?
CAE does not currently publish scheduled nonstop international passenger flights. Travelers can reach international destinations with a connection through hubs such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Newark, Washington-Dulles, Philadelphia, or seasonal Miami.
Does Southwest or another low-cost airline fly from CAE?
Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, and Allegiant are not listed on CAE’s current airline page. Spirit and Allegiant served the airport during 2025, but travelers should use the current CAE airline directory rather than older route lists.
How can I find which airline flies to a specific destination from Columbia?
Check CAE’s official airline and nonstop-destination pages, then search your exact dates on the airline’s website. A destination may be seasonal, operate only on selected days, or require a connection even when the airline serves both cities.
How early should I arrive at Columbia Metropolitan Airport?
CAE and TSA recommend arriving about two hours before a domestic departure. Allow extra time when checking baggage, traveling during holidays, or departing during the busy early-morning period.
Sources
- Columbia Metropolitan Airport: Airlines — current passenger airlines, nonstop airports, and ticket-counter information.
- Columbia Metropolitan Airport: Nonstop Destinations — current destination and carrier pairings, including seasonal Miami service.
- Columbia Metropolitan Airport: Our History — airport development, airline history, Port of Entry status, and major terminal milestones.
- Columbia Metropolitan Airport: Dining, Shopping and Amenities — current dining, retail, Wi-Fi, family, accessibility, pet, sensory, and business facilities.
- Columbia Metropolitan Airport: TSA and Airport Security — arrival-time recommendations, checkpoint information, and screening guidance.
- Columbia Metropolitan Airport: Terminal Energy Project — the 2026 solar canopy, microgrid, battery storage, covered parking, and completion schedule.
