My Advice on the Richmond Internation Airport: Use It! It's Good!

The uncannily pleasant airport experience I have been treated to at the Richmond International Airport (RIC) has forced me to do three things: 1.) ponder if I am the unknowing main character of a new Twilight Zone episode, 2.) suspectingly peek over my shoulder and glance about my peripherals seeking out Ashton Kutcher, maniacally waiting to emerge from behind a suspiciously located tarp-covered section of scaffolding with his trucker hat and Punk'd hidden camera crew, and 3.) -the one I have decided (barely) warrants the most credibility- to indulge the uncommon urge I have to share the positive feelings I am brimming with after the experience I encountered at the Richmond International Airport.

RIC in a word: amazing.

This was my first experience flying into and out of RIC and it is truly wonderful. Though Richmond, VA is a secondary city, the airport is big and new, features excellent, informative, and easy to follow signage, is impeccably clean, and is extremely easy to access both internally and externally.

I have since learned that in 2007, the airport completed construction of a multi-million dollar renovation process, expanding the terminal building by 155,000 square feet- quadrupling the amount of usable floor space in the ticketing hall and baggage claim areas, doubling the space for security checkpoints, and doubling the outdoor curbside loading/unloading zones to help ease vehicle congestion for arrivals and departures.

In 2010, an expansion of the North Parking Garage was completed, adding 2,600 on-site parking spaces. Total parking at RIC is now more than 10,000 spaces. In June 2010 a new business center opened in RIC's upper level connector, offering travelers free WiFi, work stations and meeting room space. In addition, a USO center opened for U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families.

The following airlines serve the airport: Air Tran, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines, US Airways, Air Canada, and Vision Airlines.

The airport's website hosts a wealth of information and is easy to navigate (much like the airport itself) and offers monthly statistics, financial information, and a ton of information that is helpful for travelers.

Here is the link for the website: http://www.flyrichmond.com/