Columbia Metropolitan Airport – CAE

Inky dinky airport — not a coffee place to be found! We arrived at 9 PM ish on a Thursday night and the place was deserted. Nothing open!
It is clean and modern but make sure you get your coffee before you make your connection here.
Rental car was easy to get. Everyone very friendly.

Love this airport! Easy to get into and out of. Have never had an issue with anything here. I love the how easy it is to negotiate this airport. Can’t wait to travel into and out of this airport again!!!

You are not apt to find many airports out there which are as painless and convenient as this place is. From a guy that has to do a lot of traveling and hates nearly all airports, I would even go so far as to say it is a «pleasure» to fly into CAE. All the typical components that make airports suck are noticeably absent here (lines from here to China, waste of oxygen employees, 500% mark-​up food, etc.). You can show up 45 min before your flight with no troubles whatsoever.
There is a large zen garden out front, which is about the last thing I was expecting to find in Columbia, SC, but it is quite tranquil and well maintained. Wifi is free and everywhere, and there are even huge rocking chairs around to relax in while waiting to catch a flight. How cool is that?
The Skybar Café and food court is located inside the terminals, which I found out is run by a local catering company. It’s nice to see an airport that is not infested with chains like Burger King and Starbucks. The food was actually damn good, reasonably priced and the service was super friendly.
All the amenities here are clean and the facility is well lit. If all airports I traveled out of were like this I would not mind being on the road so much. This place is stress free from start to finish. Since I have to be in Columbia frequently, I am happy that they do now fly non-​stop to and from O’hare via ExpressJet, so no need for a connection out of Charlotte or Atlanta. Granted that it is a small regional airport but other facilities out there really need to take a page out of CAE’s book. This is how travelers, and perhaps more importantly, paying customers, are supposed to be treated.

I never thought I’d write a Unilocal review for an airport, but this is honestly the best airport experience I’ve ever had. I love to provide positive feedback for jobs well done, and the employees at CAE from cleaning staff to ticket agents to TSA are all amazing. On one occasion my 8 am flight was cancelled, so the Delta ticket agent called me personally at 3 am to see if I could make it for the 5:30 am flight. She made all the arrangements and thanks to her, I was able to make it home for my baby shower. On another occasion I slept through my alarm and was in tears because I missed my flight. The same agent worked her magic and got me on a flight later that day for only $ 50 extra (instead of the $ 1,000 that Delta corporate quoted me) and once again saved the day. I’m always traveling with my baby and all the employees go out of their way to help me with all the baby gear. Even TSA is cheerful and friendly while maintaining its commitment to safety and security. Excellent work, CAE.

Wish they had more flights. More direct flights. I fly to Dulles regularly and it is a direct flight. No lines. Polite. :)

I am not a fan of the city of Columbia but I am a fan of this airport. Wow, so clean and up to date. Best airport I have been in. So nice and comfortable. Restrooms are clean. The entire facility is just wonderful. CAE keep doing what you are doing cause you are doing it right!
No lines. Only person in the security line. Amazing. Parking is easy. Rental car is easy.
Clean baggage claim area. Dining area is clean. Terminal area is clean and well designed.
5 stars.

Decent little airport was easy to get to. Easy for rental car return. A nice area to sit at before going through the TSA check point of no return. They also have charging stations built in next to the furniture so it works out.

Quaint metropolitan airport with the kindest employees. Complete with work stations, free Wi-​Fi, rocking chairs, and 2 bars, they have everything you need while traveling through the area. The line for security is never long, and the agaents are always happy to help.

Once upon a time when Rosa J. lived in Columbia, it was her hometown airport. The next closest airport is the Charlotte Douglas International Airport which is one (1) and half hour away from Columbia, SC.
The Columbia Metropolitan Airport, or affectionately known as the CAE, is quite beautiful in my opinion. The entire venue is always bright and well-​lit; the public facilities are nicely maintained; the TSA checkpoint is never a hassle.
The State of South Carolina is debt-​free, and it’s what I miss the most about it. Having no deficits allows the state to pave nice roads, to plant some palmetto trees here and there, and to have a good-​looking fountain without having to worry about if the water will be cut off at some point.
The wifi is free. Hence I don’t need to finish this review within thirty (30) minutes, like what I did at the O’Hare International Airport.
However, I would suggest to find a nice breakfast, lunch, or dinner spot, like the nearby Lizard’s Thicket because there’s only a continental breakfast type of place inside of the terminal.
If you need to fill up your gas tank before returning your rental car, the closest gas station is on the Airport Blvd. next to the Waffle House before turning onto the John Hardee Expressway.
Flights in many cases are over-​sold. Thus, if your ever want to earn freebies, like $ 300 travel vouchers, you may have good luck getting some of those deals, as long as your travel plan is flexible and don’t need to report back to your work place immediately.
Yes, I remember it took forever to get my checked luggage. Pack light and have the largest-​sized carryon to do the gate-​check. People in many southern states do work, but they aren’t good at time management. There’s no point of completing their daily duty in a hurry anyways.
Lots of military personnel come through the airport. Salute to them and show your appreciation to each of them who serves our country.
Columbia, SC is no longer my hometown, but many of my teenage and young adult memories happened in this nice southern capital. See ya’ll next time!

This was my first time flying out of CAE, and I must say it was t that bad at all.
They have the option of parking in a garage or out in a lot for a reasonable fee, and the walk from that location is less than two minutes to the terminal.
I was checking in for a flight at 8:30am, and it was super quiet. It look me less than ten minutes to print out my ticket and go through security.
There aren’t a lot of options for food or coffee (you have to get generic coffee at one of the small airport markets — no Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts in the airport), but they have a few options if you didn’t get a chance to grab something before you got to the airport.
Free wifi, quiet terminal, good service overall from the airport staff.

Flew back home to California with American Airlines… Guy at the front desk was trying to help me out with re-​scheduling my next flight because they were delayed so long that I was going to miss my connecting flight in Charlotte. The guy behind the counter just kept cursing under his breath at the computer and kept complaining about how the system was messing up and not letting him do anything… he then proceeded to jump to two other computers and just kept huffing and puffing with frustration… It was irritating for me because no one else really seemed to know what to do, and there seemed to be a lack of management. I think this airport is nice overall and it’s not the CAE’s fault that the American Airline reps that work there don’t know what they’re doing or their system doesn’t work properly. But still, it was quite frustrating having to stand there for about 20 minutes while the service rep was just cursing under his breath about how the system wouldn’t let him do anything. I ended up getting put on stand by for the next possible flight even though there was seats available in first class. Being active duty military I was hoping they’d just slide me into the first class seat, but no, they couldn’t figure it out so I was just put on standby and barely made that flight. That’s a long story that has to do with American Airline’s failure at customer service and coordination so I can’t blame CAE for it, but I do believe the employees at the airport are a reflection of it. Then the TSA agents were super rude when I was going through security. I am TSA Pre-​check, so I didn’t think I needed to take my laptop out of my bag, because at every single other airport I’ve ever been to, you don’t have to if you’re pre-​checked, but apparently at this one you do. God forbid you don’t, because they will all insist on explaining to you why you need to take it out and ask you why you didn’t. All while I’m trying to hurry up and get to my gate. Note to the CAE TSA agents, I don’t care about your protocols, I’m just trying to make my flight, you do not need to explain them to me, because I honestly don’t really care. You’re job is important, but it’s definitely not my number one priority to learn about why you guys do certain things. Holiday travel is always frustrating and dealing with stupid and incompetent people always makes it worse, especially when you’re in a time crunch.

Great airport. It’s all new, quite small and has free wifi. The service is really great. ALMOST too good!
I was flying on standby and they were waiting for last passenger to arrive. Normally at any other airport they would have called my name but they actually went LOOKING for him (it wasn’t busy) as they could see he had checked in. They got him from security and waited for him to get on. Needless to say I was super bummed since the next flight was five hours later for me since I didn’t make this flight but I was very impressed in the service. And to be honest he wasn’t as grateful as he should have been but the agent was fantastic. A true asset for United Airlines customer service. And Lord knows they need the help…

Hello local airport. This guy is definitely not your big giant hubs. No industrial setting, no giant ticketing halls, it’s just your friendly neighborhood Columbia airport serving up southern hospitality on the realness.
First thing noticed is how new everything here is. The dry wall, the paint, the fixtures, all the way to the dropped ceiling is very new. Seems like it went through a face-​lift just a few years ago. The all white color, the American flag, the rocking chairs at the terminal is a welcoming indication that you are in the South.
However, it still is an airport. You’re still responsible for coming early and being on time for your fight. Yes, that means preparing for whatever that might happen. None of the airport and airline employees woke up this morning to mess your day up just because you’re flying today. Be responsible, cause no one is responsible for you. You’re responsible for you.
It was nice to meet you Columbia Airport. I’ll see you again next time.

The airport itself is small but beautiful, easy to get to, and the USO staff were wonderful! Love the rockers!
However, some members of the TSA staff were awful! 2 of the 3 women scanning bags were rude and snappy. I could have gone without their tooth sucking, eye rolling and «hmph».
Luckily, the 3^rd woman was very nice, as was the man who had to go thru my bag manually (I was travelling with metal bangle bracelets, which look weird on the scanner).
Why take out your bad day on a military servicemember, in uniform? My Army soldier had a flight to catch, so she bit her tongue. I had a much harder time doing so.
If you don’t like the military, fine. If you don’t like visitors, fine. At least DO YOUR JOB without acting like an ass.
If you don’t like your job, someone else would LOVE to have it.

This airport is understaffed by airlines, can’t handle flights heading out back to back, and has only a couple food options if you’re stuck there for a while. Ooh, and there is no TSA pre??? Sad times.
That being said, it’s clean, well lit, and comfortable. There is even free WiFi. It was fast enough for me to stream a little video.
The food options are not great, but they are not bad for a tiny tiny airport. Just not great. So I’d eat beforehand, but you won’t starve if you don’t. There is also only one shop once you get past airport security (which as mentioned earlier can be slow bit to lack of TSA pre). So don’t also expect many opportunities to buy souvenirs. I’d do that at the State House or university.
At any rate, this is not my favorite airport. But if you’re traveling to Columbia, SC, it s convenient.

Out of all the airports I’ve been to, this one is by far the best. It comforts me to know that the process to get on the plane is a breeze. I honestly feel so relaxed that I only show up 45 minutes before my flight leaves. I’ve been there many many times and it has never been crowded in the least. I’ve never had a problem at all with this airport.
Some people may find it negative that they do not have any type of real selection as far as food options and there are no red eyes available (it’s not a 24 hour airport). These matters don’t affect my rating because as far as flying, these factors are very low on my priority list. I just want to get on the plane and get off as quick as possible in this airport helps me do just that.
Oh…and the people actually smile that work there and are extremely friendly!

I really love our airport here in Columbia. It’s always just so stress free flying in or out.
There’s plenty of parking that’s conveniently located. Short lines at the counters. Going through security is always a breeze.
The airport only has a few shops, but that’s all we need. Not many restaurants, but I’m never there long enough to eat anyway.
It’s always clean. Bathrooms are also clean. Nicely landscaped.
If you can fly out of here rather than Charlotte or Atlanta, I recommend it.

What a cute little baby airport CAE is! Trying to get to Augusta from NYC can be a pain in the butt since you always have to connect and if your flight is delayed and you miss your connection, you’re pretty much screwed. Thus, I fly into CAE and just deal with the 1 hour drive, which isn’t really that bad at all. Flights are also much cheaper!
Arrival into CAE: around 10pm — place was pretty much dead. Clean airport with plenty of signage to get you where you need to go. Pick up area is efficient.
Departure out of CAE: 7am flight — free coffee everywhere! I’ve never been to any airport that just offers out free coffee (and free candy) to its patrons. This deserves a round of applause, especially from tired me who absolutely hates mornings. I take the first flight out and go straight into work, so this coffee really made my morning.
Staff is nice all around.
Not many food options, but that’s expected out of this tiny airport.

A small airport, but it is convenient and well run.
It has pre-​check which is always good.
The food options however are not great.

This is a convenient and reliable airport. Background: I travel weekly for work, and frequently use CAE.
The airport is laid out very well, with one terminal that is facilitated with a centralized TSA security checkpoint. The pre-​check lane is fantastic! It is a truly dedicated lane that is open nearly all the time, even for early Monday morning flights.
The prices are extremely competitive, and everything is just easy with this airport.
There is some room for improvement:
–Food options are minimal. There is just nothing worth eating at this airport. Eat before you get here.
–Jet bridges frequently break down, resulting in the deplane process occurring with stairs. Not a fun experience in the rain.
–Number of direct flights is minimal, especially compared to GSP.
–The airport commission has a hard time retaining regional airlines.
–A remodel within the central core of the airport is long overdue.
–The Delta baggage office has one employee, which is a pretty big mess when there are several missing bags from multiple flights at the same time. I once waited over an hour in that line, even as a Sky Priority customer.
Fun fact — UPS uses this airport as one of their sort centers /​hubs, so the runways are really busy at night!