If you haven't been to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) lately, the place is basically a construction zone with a side of high expectations. For years, we all complained about the "hub ghost town" vibe after United pulled the plug. But honestly? Things are looking up. Whether you’re trying to escape the Lake Erie gray for a weekend in Florida or you're a business traveler eyeing that new daily nonstop to Montreal, the landscape of flights from Cleveland airport has shifted dramatically.
It’s busy. Really busy.
The airport actually logged over 10 million passengers in 2024, the highest since the "glory days" of 2008. If you show up 45 minutes before a flight like it's 2015, you’re going to have a bad time.
The Reality of Flights From Cleveland Airport Right Now
One of the biggest misconceptions is that CLE is still "struggling" to find its identity. It’s not. It’s firmly a "low-cost" stronghold now, which is great for your wallet but maybe a little different for your legroom. Frontier has turned this place into a massive crew base, employing hundreds of locals and flying to more destinations—about 17—than just about anyone else.
You’ve got the heavy hitters like United, American, and Delta still running the show for the legacy crowd. But the real news is the expansion into markets we used to have to connect through Detroit or Chicago to reach.
Where Can You Actually Go Nonstop?
It's a mix of the usual suspects and a few surprises.
- The Beach Run: Spirit and Frontier are duking it out for dominance in Florida. You can catch daily nonstops to Orlando (MCO), Tampa (TPA), and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) for less than the cost of a decent dinner in Tremont if you book at the right time.
- The International Connection: Aer Lingus is still the darling of the airport with that nonstop to Dublin. It’s a game-changer. Instead of rotting in Newark for four hours, you just hop on a plane in Cleveland and wake up in Ireland.
- New for 2026: Air Canada is stepping up its game. Starting in Summer 2026, we’re getting daily nonstop service to Montreal (YUL). This isn’t just about poutine; it’s a massive gateway to Europe and Asia.
- The JetBlue Factor: They just launched (or are about to launch, depending on the week) a new nonstop to JFK. This gives us another way to hit New York without dealing with the chaos of LaGuardia or the trek from Newark.
Parking is a Total Mess (For Now)
I’m just going to say it: parking at Cleveland Hopkins is kind of a nightmare right now. Because of the "CLEvolution" (the airport's fancy name for its $1.6 billion modernization plan), things are shifting. They literally just opened—or are about to open—the new Gold Lot near the old Concourse D.
Why does this matter? Because the "Smart Garage" that everyone loves to complain about is eventually going to be a pile of rubble.
If you’re flying out during a peak time, like a Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM, the garage will be full. Guaranteed. You’re better off looking at the Brown Lot on Rocky River Drive or using a third-party lot like The Parking Spot on Snow Road. Honestly, the shuttle ride from an off-site lot is often faster than circling the on-site garage for 20 minutes while your boarding group is called.
The Peak Hour Trap
Don't be the person sprinting through the terminal. Cleveland has three very specific "rush hours" where the TSA lines suddenly look like Disney World:
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- 5:00 AM – 7:00 AM: The early bird special. Everyone and their mother is trying to get to a hub for a connection.
- 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: The midday surge.
- 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: The "I want to be home for dinner" crowd.
If you’re traveling during these windows, give yourself two hours. Seriously. Between the construction and the sheer volume of travelers, the old "30 minutes to the gate" rule is dead.
What No One Tells You About Concourse D
You see that big, empty-looking building sitting off to the side? That’s Concourse D. United built it, used it for a hot minute, and then walked away. For years, it sat there like a weird time capsule of the 90s.
Part of the new master plan involves finally dealing with that space. While the airlines are paying millions in rent for a building they don't use, the airport is slowly reclaiming the surrounding land for more parking and better taxiways. It's a slow process, but it's part of why the "landside" (the part where you park and check bags) is getting all the attention right now instead of the gates themselves.
Business vs. Leisure: The Great Divide
The way we use flights from Cleveland airport has changed. It used to be a business hub. Now, it’s a leisure powerhouse. This means Mondays and Fridays are absolutely slammed with people heading on vacation. If you’re a business traveler, you might find that the "quiet" mid-week flights are actually the ones to target.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Trip
Stop winging it. If you want a smooth experience at CLE, follow this checklist.
- Check the Gold Lot first: It’s the newest addition and might have more availability than the Orange or Blue lots.
- Download the Frontier/Spirit apps: Since they dominate so many routes now, you need to manage your bags and boarding passes digitally to avoid the massive lines at the counters.
- Use the RTA: If you live near a Red Line station, take the train. It drops you off literally under the terminal. No parking fees, no shuttle drama.
- Track the Dublin flight: If you're looking for Europe, the Aer Lingus flight is often cheaper than connecting through a major US hub if you factor in the time and stress saved.
- Book the Montreal flight early: Once the Air Canada route starts in May 2026, it's going to fill up fast with people looking for an alternative to the usual hubs.
The reality is that Cleveland Hopkins is finally outgrowing its "post-hub" depression. It’s loud, it’s under construction, and it’s more crowded than we’re used to—but that’s actually a sign of life. Just remember to pack your patience along with your carry-on.