Getting Here: Panama City, Florida Airport

NW Florida Beaches Airport signs

Our Panama City, Florida airport will fly you into the city, and then it's a mere 20 minutes down to the beaches and 30 minutes to Panama City itself. Welcome to the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP)! This is the only public airport you'll find here.

Personally, I really enjoy traveling. There's something very romantic about it for me. Trains and boats are my favorite modes of transportation, but planes are fun, too. Being as old as I am, I remember when traveling by plane was so easy and something I looked forward to. No TSA! Need I say more? Regardless, once you get through that red tape of the airport, it's easy going from there.

Okey doke. Let me tell you about the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport and what you can expect.

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Getting Around The Panama City, Florida Airport...

Most importantly, ECP serves four major airline partners: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, all providing non-stop, direct, and connecting flights throughout major cities in the United States.

Here's a tip: High season is June and July, so you'll want to book your flight at least a few month in advance. The summer and Spring Break are the times when everyone and their mother comes to Panama City and PCB.

The airport has two restaurants (one upstairs and the other downstairs) where you can grab yourself a meal, a coffee, and a drink at, after your plane trip in. If you are military, they have a Welcome Center where active duty, retired military personnel, and Department of Defense employees can take a quiet rest. It's open from 8 am to 8 pm and offers snacks, drinks, TV, and a play area for the kiddies. They have other resources there, too, so take a look around.

The airport offers a mother's room for changing your baby, nursing, etc. Gift shops are located both upstairs and downstairs, if you want to grab yourself a magazine, book, gum, or newspaper. If you need some cash, an ATM is right next to the downstairs gift shop.

ECP does have free Wi-Fi to hook up to. All you have to do is look for the network, “I Fly Beaches.” There is no password needed.

Military Welcome Center at the Panama City Florida airport

Northwest Florida Beaches airport is located sort of out in the boonies, so there isn't a ton of traffic you'll have to contend with, whether you are coming or going. For some people, flying is already something stressful without the added issue of too many people on the road around you. Here? Not a problem.

Checking in at the Panama City Florida airport

Once you arrive to the Panama City, Florida airport, getting to your hotel in the city or down to Panama City Beach shouldn't be a problem. Rental cars, taxis, shuttles, limos, Lyft, and Uber are all at your disposal. You really won't find any place to bed down in the immediate area, so you'll be going the extra mile if you need that. Panama City is your best option.

The airport has a cell phone lot off to the side of the main entrance, where a friend or relative can park and wait for you to come out the front. Make sure you're ready to pile into the car, because they can get sort of cranky if there is a vehicle sitting in front of the airport for an extended period of time. If you've flown before, I'm sure you know how it is.

If you have brought a pet with you, they have a fenced areas where your furry friend can stretch their legs, get a drink, and go potty.

As an aside, If you are an Airplane Spotter who likes to watch the airplanes take off and land (Who doesn't?), there's a gated parking area that has a perfect view of the planes and this Panama City airport welcomes that.


Getting Back Home...

Unfortunately, there will come the time when you have to leave, unless you have decided to stay for good. We'll talk about that one!

Make sure that you get to the airport about 2 hours before your flight leaves. Depending on the time of year, getting through ticket lines and security can be a lengthy process, and you don't want to miss your flight....or DO you, you sneaky dog? 😁

Airplane at the Panama City Florida airport

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport has both short term and long term parking areas that accommodate disabled passengers well. The airport police patrol it 24 hours a day.

Need a shuttle from the lot to the airport? They have drivers perusing the lots to pick you up. Need a wheel chair once you arrive? Let someone in the front know and they'll get one right out to you.

If for some reason you need to stay overnight in the terminal, they can accommodate you. Say that you have a late flight in and an early flight out. That may be a good reason to sleep there, since hotel accommodations are few and far between. It's not preferred, but things like that happen and you need to do what you need to do.

Save On Airport Parking

On To The Fun Stuff...

Well, I think that pretty much covers it. I hope I took your stress level down a tad and helped you feel more at ease when getting into ECP and on to your hotel, condo, or airbnb. Check my Places To Stay In Panama City page to find yourself a place to bed down for your vacation.

For tracking your flight and other information, hit up Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport's official website.

Your vacation awaits! Enjoy! 🌴🌊


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