Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport

Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport sits in Avoca, Pennsylvania, roughly halfway between the two cities it serves. The airport handles around 200,000 passengers annually, mostly on regional jets to hubs like Philadelphia, Chicago, and Charlotte. Its single terminal is compact, efficient, and free of the congestion that defines larger airports, though the busiest times—Monday evenings and Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons—can see lines build. The airport's location in the Wyoming Valley, near the Susquehanna River, places it within a region known for its coal mining history and the Pocono Mountains to the east. Travelers passing through will find a facility that covers the essentials without pretension: clean, accessible, and straightforward.

Getting There

The airport is located at 100 Terminal Drive, Avoca, PA 18641, about 11 kilometers from downtown Wilkes-Barre and 13 kilometers from Scranton. The most direct route is via Interstate 81, taking exit 178B for Terminal Drive. From Wilkes-Barre, follow Route 115 north to the airport exit; from Scranton, take US-11 south or I-81 south. Driving times are generally under 20 minutes from either city center, though traffic on I-81 can back up during evening peak hours, especially near the Moosic area where the interstate narrows. Parking is available on-site in a single lot directly across from the terminal. The lot is wheelchair-accessible with designated spaces near the entrance. Rates are moderate: short-term parking costs $1 per hour with a daily maximum of $10; long-term is $8 per day. No shuttle is needed—the walk from the farthest spot to the terminal is around three minutes. Taxis and rideshares are available at the arrivals curb. The Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA) runs a bus route (Route 46) that stops at the airport, but services are limited to weekdays with infrequent schedules. Most passengers find driving or arranging a drop-off more reliable.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is a single-level building with a straightforward layout: check-in counters and baggage drop on one side, security checkpoint in the center, and the departure lounge beyond. The airport provides free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal—connection is generally stable but can slow during peak boarding times. Confirmed facilities include a wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible car park, wheelchair-accessible toilet, a changing table in the restroom, and standard toilet facilities. On-site services include a small snack bar and gift shop in the departure lounge, but no full-service restaurant or bar. Passengers should bring their own food for longer waits, though vending machines are available. Security typically moves quickly, with average wait times under 10 minutes outside of the busiest periods (Monday 5 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 12 pm). The airport has no airline lounges. The departure lounge offers bench seating and charging outlets near some seats, but not all. The walking distance from check-in to the farthest gate is less than 200 meters. Baggage claim is on the same level near the main entrance. Overall, the terminal prioritizes efficiency over amenities—a facility where a passenger can arrive 60 minutes before boarding and still have time to spare.

Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport and Avoca

The airport's location in Avoca places it at the heart of Luzerne County's Wyoming Valley, a region whose identity was shaped by anthracite coal. Avoca itself is a small borough of about 2,600 residents, primarily residential, but its proximity to both Wilkes-Barre and Scranton makes it a convenient base for exploring northeastern Pennsylvania. The Pocono Mountains, a popular outdoor recreation destination, lie a 30-minute drive east. Attractions like the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, the Mohegan Sun Arena (home to minor league hockey), and the historic downtowns of both cities are within a 20-minute drive. The region also has a rich food scene—old-fashioned pizza in Old Forge, pierogies and kielbasa in Polish communities, and farm-to-table dining in the rural areas. For history enthusiasts, the Eckley Miners' Village offers a preserved 19th-century coal mining town. The airport's existence owes much to the region's industrial past; Wilkes-Barre and Scranton were once connected by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, and the airport was built in the 1930s as a commercial hub. Today, it serves as a vital link for business travelers from the area's healthcare and education sectors (Geisinger Health System and the University of Scranton are major employers) and for leisure travelers heading to the Poconos. The terminal also sees general aviation traffic. The area experiences all four seasons, with snowy winters that sometimes cause delays, and pleasant summers. The airport's compact size means it integrates closely with the local community—many of the staff live within a few miles. For a traveler with a layover, it is worth noting that the airport itself has no significant waiting area beyond the lounge, but the city of Scranton is a short drive and offers the Electric City Trolley Museum, the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, and the Houdini Museum.

Practical Information

Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is open daily from 4:30 am to 11:00 pm. It is not open 24 hours; overnight layovers are not possible inside the terminal. TSA checkpoint hours match flight schedules, typically opening at 4:30 am and closing after the last departure. Contact: +1 570-602-2000, website http://flyavp.com/. Busiest times: Monday at 5 pm, Tuesday at 12 pm, Wednesday at 12 pm, Thursday at 4 pm—these are the windows when security and parking see the most demand. No showers or sleeping facilities are available. Wi-Fi is free with no time limit. Baggage claim is on the first floor. Lost and found can be reached through airport police. Rental car counters (Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, and others) are inside the terminal. One concrete tip: during busy periods, arrive 90 minutes before departure; otherwise, 60 minutes is fine. If connecting through Philadelphia or Chicago, check gate assignments before leaving because those hubs often change gates close to departure.