I recently had the chance to visit one of the smallest airports in the world during my vacation in Juneau, Alaska. While I was in Juneau, I made the decision to travel to Gustavus. There are two options for getting to Gustavus from Juneau: by ferry or by seaplane. The ferry ride takes about 4 to 6 hours, so I opted for the seaplane, which offers a quick 30-minute flight from Juneau International Airport. This seaplane could accommodate eight passengers, along with a pilot and a copilot.
About One of the Smallest Airports in the World
Gustavus Airport (GST) is a commercial airport owned by Alaska, located in Gustavus, a city in the Hoonah-Angoon Census Area of Alaska, USA. Although it is not the smallest airport in the United States, that title belongs to Dawson Community Airport (CDV) in Glendive, Montana, which operates around two flights daily. In contrast, Gustavus sees about five flights arriving each day. To put this in perspective, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, handles roughly 1,000 flights per day.
Gustavus Alaska Airport
If you’re planning to fly into Gustavus Airport, be prepared for a different experience than what you might be used to. Upon arrival, after my pilot checked in at the terminal, he started unloading the luggage by putting it on a trolley and then brought it inside to help with its distribution.
Departing from one of the smallest airports in the world is equally unique. There’s just one ticket counter, staffed by a single person. After checking in each passenger, this employee tags every bag, places them on a trolley, and then wheels the trolley to the plane before loading it.
If you’re in the mood for coffee and snacks, you’ll need to wait until the airline employee completes all the tasks I just mentioned before they can attend to the snack counter. Calling this employee a Jack or Jill of all trades is truly an understatement. One person wears many hats to ensure passengers are taken care of.
Now, if you’re looking to rent a car during your stay in Gustavus, Alaska, you’re in luck! Right in the terminal, you’ll find the only car rental service known as Bud’s Rent-A-Car. Don’t expect too much from these vehicles; they tend to be older, have various blemishes, and some might even lack license plates. Honestly, you can’t expect much given that you’re visiting a remote location. My video above includes the phone number if you’d like to call and make a reservation with Bud’s.
Why Fly into One of the Smallest Airports in the World
I decided to fly to Gustavus, Alaska, specifically to take a catamaran from Bartlett Cove into Glacier Bay. This is a full-day cruise that brings you up close to glaciers, whales, and seals. I booked a room at Glacier Bay Lodge, which is conveniently where the boat departs from. Here is a link to Glacier Bay Lodge: https://www.visitglacierbay.com/lodging-camping/glacier-bay-lodge/. The views are breathtaking and worth the time it takes getting to Gustavus.
As a passionate hiker, I was fortunate enough to explore this stunning area, especially since I had a rental car to help me get around. Check out this link to one of my hikes that led me to a plane crash site in Gustavus: PLANE CRASH HIKE VIDEO LINK
