Fairbanks International Airport
Fairbanks International Airport is the main air gateway for Fairbanks in interior Alaska, serving the city and the wider region with the practical scale of a medium airport. Known by the codes FAI and PAFA, it sits at an elevation of 439 feet above sea level and operates on the America/Anchorage time zone, which is useful to keep in mind when checking arrivals, departures, and onward transport. For many visitors, it is both an arrival point and a reminder that travel in Alaska often depends on weather, daylight, and distance in ways that feel different from the lower 48 states.
About Fairbanks International Airport
Fairbanks International Airport is the main air gateway for Fairbanks in interior Alaska, serving the city and the wider region with the practical scale of a medium airport. Known by the codes FAI and PAFA, it sits at an elevation of 439 feet above sea level and operates on the America/Anchorage time zone, which is useful to keep in mind when checking arrivals, departures, and onward transport. For many visitors, it is both an arrival point and a reminder that travel in Alaska often depends on weather, daylight, and distance in ways that feel different from the lower 48 states.
The airport’s runway layout reflects Alaska’s varied aviation needs. Alongside a short gravel strip, Fairbanks International has two paved runways, including a long 11,800-foot surface that can handle larger aircraft and demanding operating conditions. There is also a water runway, a notable feature for a place where floatplane flying remains relevant. In total, the runways are 02/20 at 2,900 feet on gravel, 02L/20R at 11,800 feet on asphalt, 02R/20L at 4,510 feet on asphalt, and 02W/20W at 5,400 feet on water.
Overview
Fairbanks International Airport is the main air gateway for Fairbanks in interior Alaska, serving the city and the wider region with the practical scale of a medium airport. Known by the codes FAI and PAFA, it sits at an elevation of 439 feet above sea level and operates on the America/Anchorage time zone, which is useful to keep in mind when checking arrivals, departures, and onward transport. For many visitors, it is both an arrival point and a reminder that travel in Alaska often depends on weather, daylight, and distance in ways that feel different from the lower 48 states.
Airfield At A Glance
- Serves Fairbanks, United States
- Airport type: medium airport
- Elevation: 439 ft (134 m)
- Time zone: America/Anchorage
- Main codes: FAI (IATA), PAFA (ICAO)
What This Means For Travelers
For passengers, this setup means Fairbanks International is more than a small local airfield: it is built to support a mix of scheduled flights, cargo activity, regional aviation, and seasonal flying. That variety matters in a destination where many journeys continue beyond the city itself. If you are connecting to interior Alaska adventures, arriving in winter, or traveling on a tight itinerary, it is wise to allow extra time and keep an eye on local conditions as well as your flight status.
Routes
Top routes from FAI
No routes tracked from FAI yet.
Nearby airports
Other airports in United States
FAQ
Fairbanks International Airport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Fairbanks International Airport is located in Fairbanks, United States (North America), at coordinates 64.820°, -147.870°.
- Its IATA code is FAI and its ICAO code is PAFA.
- Fairbanks International Airport serves Fairbanks, United States. When comparing fares, check whether other airports also serve the same area — prices and transfer times can differ between them.
- Fairbanks International Airport operates on America/Anchorage local time. Departure and arrival times on tickets are always shown in each airport's local time, so double-check the offset when planning connections or pick-ups.
- Fairbanks International Airport sits at latitude 64.820° and longitude -147.870°. The map link in the details panel on this page opens the exact location for driving directions.
- Originfacts does not yet track scheduled routes from FAI. Use the flight search on this page to see live airline options for your travel dates.
- Route coverage for FAI is still being added to Originfacts. Run a search from FAI on the flight search page to see every destination airlines currently sell for your dates.
- Yes — Originfacts lists 9 other airports in United States. The nearby-airports section on this page links to each of them, which is useful when comparing fares or finding an alternative departure point.