Which airport is closer to Destin Panama City or Pensacola?

To contribute to the tourism sector of Florida, a city called Destin located in Okaloosa County plays an important role as it features white beaches and emerald green waters. There are various recreational events conducted at Destin’s beaches. Over 4.5 million tourists visit Destin every year to enjoy the natural beauty. 

You must be wondering how to reach Destin Florida to explore the whitest beaches and enjoy various natural amenities. Well, you can reach Destin via roadway however, we will be dealing with airway transportation in this article. 

For that, we have presented all the closest airports to Destin Florida including airport technical information, commercial operation, airlines, airport facilities and much more.

Table of Contents

  • Closest Airports to Destin Florida
  • Destin Executive Airport
  • Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport
  • Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport 
  • Pensacola International Airport
  • DeFuniak Springs Airport
  • Conclusion
  • Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Closest Airports to Destin Florida

There are 6 closest airports to Destin Florida including Destin Executive Airport, Destin-Florida Beach Airport, Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, Pensacola International Airport and Defuniak Springs Airport.

AIRPORT NAMEDISTANCE FROM DESTIN FLORIDAESTIMATED DRIVING TIMEDestin Executive Airport1.9 miles5 minutesDestin-Fort Walton Beach Airport15.8 miles25 minutesNorthwest Florida Beaches International Airport 51.9 miles1 hour 4 minutesPensacola International Airport51.1 miles1 hour 6 minutesDeFuniak Springs Airport45 miles49 minutes

Note: The distance mentioned in the table above are presented from Google Maps considering the fastest route with the usual traffic.

With this basic information, let’s explore all the closest airports to Destin Florida in detail.

Destin Executive Airport

Destin Executive Airport (ICAO: KDTS, IATA: DSI, FAA LID: DTS) is among the closest airports to Destin Florida as it is just 1.9 miles away. The airport owned by Okaloosa County is situated at an elevation of 22 ft (7m) AMSL.

destin-executive-airport-closest-airports-to-destin-florida-aviatechchannelDestin Executive Airport (Closest Airports to Destin Florida)

The airport is also a primary base for Southern Airways Express which operates local flight services to various cities in the United States. DSI features one asphalt runway with the designation 14/32 and a dimension of 5,001 ft by 100 ft (1,524 m by 30 m).

Talking about the commercial operation, Southern Airways Express operates scheduled commercial flights at Destin Executive Airport connecting Memphis and Tampa. Likewise, JSX (independent air carrier in the U.S) conducts seasonal flights to Houston-Hobby and Dallas-Love from Destin.

DSI Technical Information

ICAO CODEKDTSIATA CODEDSIFAA LIDDTSELEVATION22 ft (7m) AMSLAREA395 acres (160 ha)RUNWAY14/32 (5,001 ft by 100 ft)

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (ICAO: KVPS, IATA: VPS, FAA LID: VPS) located in Okaloosa County is owned and operated by the United States Air Force. It is also among the closest airports to Destin Florida which serves the Fort Walton Beach region.

destin fort walton beach airport aviatechchannelDestin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (Closest Airports to Destin Florida)

The airport is just 15.8 miles away from Destin, Florida and is situated at an elevation of 87 ft (27m) AMSL. Commercial flights are only conducted from this airport so, operators must use Destin Executive Airport for non-commercial operations.

VPS Runway and Terminal Information

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is equipped with two asphalt runways; Runway 12/30 and Runway 01/19.

RUNWAY DESIGNATIONDIMENSIONSSURFACE12/3011,987 ft by 300 ft (3,654 m by 91 m)Asphalt01/1910,001 ft by 300 ft (3,048 m by 91 m)Asphalt

VPS features one passenger terminal that accommodates five second-level gates along with passenger jetways. In addition, there are three ground-level commuter gates with passenger jetways. The passenger terminal is divided into two levels; First Level holds Gates A1, A2 and A3 with waiting areas and concessions whereas the second level accommodates Gates B1, B2 and B3 with a restaurant and concessions.

Facilities including baggage handling, ticketing, security check, food court and check-in are available at the passenger terminal.

Airlines and Destinations

AIRLINESDESTINATIONSAllegiant AirAsheville, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Memphis, Minneapolis, New York City, Oklahoma, Washington and much more.American AirlinesWashington DC, Chicago, Dallas, CharlotteDelta Air LinesNew York and AtlantaSouthwest AirlinesSt. Louis, Austin, Kansas City, Nashville, Dallas and Baltimore

VPS Technical Information

ICAO CODEKVPSIATA CODEVPSFAA LIDVPSELEVATION87 ft (27 m) AMSLAREA6,500 acres (2,630 ha)RUNWAY12/30 (11,987 ft by 300 ft)
01/19 (10,001 ft by 300 ft)

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ICAO: KECP, IATA: ECP, FAA LID: ECP) is also on the list of closest airports to Destin Florida. The airport is situated at an elevation of 69 ft (21 m) AMSL and serves Panama City and Panama City Beach area.

northwest florida beaches international airport aviatechchannelNorthwest Florida Int’l Airport (Closest Airports to Destin Florida)

Major US Carriers including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines operate scheduled commercial flights to various cities across the nation. 

ECP Runway and Terminal Information

Northwest Florida Int’l Airport is equipped with only one concrete runway having the designation 16/34. This runway has a dimension of 10,000 ft by 150 ft (3,048 m by 46 m).

The airport features a new larger terminal covering a total area of 105,000 square feet. This terminal holds seven gates numbered from 1 to 7. Among 7 gates, Gates 1-5 are equipped with jet bridges whereas the remaining Gates 6 and 7 are placed on the ramp level to facilitate regional aircraft operation.

Airlines and Destinations

AIRLINESDESTINATIONSAmerican AirlinesWashington DC, Chicago, Charlotte, PhiladelphiaDelta Air LinesAtlantaSouthwest AirlinesHouston, Nashville, Washington DC, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, BaltimoreUnited AirlinesWashington DC, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Denver

ECP Technical Information

ICAO CODEKECPIATA CODEECPFAA LIDECPELEVATION69 ft (21 m) AMSLAREA4,000 acres (1,600 ha)RUNWAY16/34 (10,000 ft by 150 ft)
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Pensacola International Airport

Pensacola International Airport (ICAO: KPNS, IATA: PNS, FAA LID: PNS) is another closest airport to Destin Florida which is located in Escambia County. The airport resides at an elevation of 121 ft (37 m) AMSL and serves the Pensacola region in Florida.

pensacola international airport closest airports to destin florida aviatechchannelPensacola Int’l Airport (Closest Airports to Destin Florida)

The airport is owned and operated by the City of Pensacola. Major US Carriers including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines operate commercial flights to and from the Pensacola Int’l Airport.

PNS Runway and Terminal Information

Pensacola Int’l Airport features one concrete runway and one asphalt runway. Runway 17/35 is built with a concrete surface and has a dimension of 7,004 ft by 150 ft (2,135 m by 46 m). Likewise, Runway 08/26 has an asphalt surface with a dimension of 7,000 ft by 150 ft (2,134 m by 46 m).

RUNWAY DESIGNATIONDIMENSIONSURFACE17/357,004 ft by 150 ft Concrete08/267,000 ft by 150 ftAsphalt

The airport is equipped with one passenger terminal that holds 12 gates. Among 12 gates, 10 are placed on the second floor while the remaining two are available on the ground floor. Gates are assigned to airlines operating at the airport. Facilities including check-in, security, baggage claim, restaurant, ticketing, etc. are available at the terminal.

PNS Technical Information

ICAO CODEKPNSIATA CODEPNSFAA LIDPNSELEVATION121 ft (37 m) AMSLAREA1,211 acres (490 ha)RUNWAY17/35 (7,004 ft by 150 ft)
08/26 (7,000 ft by 150 ft)

DeFuniak Springs Airport

DeFuniak Springs Airport is also among the closest airports to Destin Florida. This is a public-use airport located in Walton County, Florida.

defuniak-springs-airport-aviatechchannelDeFuniak Springs Airport (Closest Airports to Destin Florida)

Residing at an elevation of 289 ft (88 m) AMSL, DeFuniak Airport serves the DeFuniak Springs region by facilitating private and recreational flying activities. Besides, the airport also provides business and corporate aviation flights.

The airport covers a total area of 343 acres and features two runways with the designation 09/27 and 18/36. Runway 09/27 is built with an asphalt surface and has a total length of 4,146 ft (1,264 m) whereas dirt runway 18/36 is 2,700 ft (823 m) long.

DeFuniak Springs Airport Technical Information

ICAO CODE–IATA CODE–FAA LID54JELEVATION289 ft (88 m) AMSLAREA343 acresRUNWAY09/27 (4,146 ft long) – Asphalt Surface
18/36 (2,700 ft long) – Dirt Surface

Conclusion

If you are planning to visit Destin Florida for any reason, you can land at the airports we discussed above and reach there easily. However, you need to select the airports operating scheduled commercial flights to and from Destin.

Among the 5 closest airports to Destin Florida, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport and Pensacola International Airport facilitate commercial flights connecting to various cities in the United States. Major US Carriers operate flights from these airports.

Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the closest major airport to Destin Florida?

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) is the closest major airport to Destin Florida as it is just 15.8 miles away. Major US Carriers including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Allegiant Air and United Airlines operate flights to and from VPS.

What airlines fly close to Destin Florida?

Major airlines including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Allegiant Air, Silver Airways and United Airlines fly close to Destin Florida.

What Southwest airport is closest to Destin Florida?

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) is the closest Southwest Airport to Destin Florida.

Is Panama City closer to Destin or Pensacola?

Panama City is closer to Destin as it is just 55.6 miles away whereas Pensacola is 103 miles away from Panama City.

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David Smith

David Smith is contributing as a Content Editor and Writer at AviaTech Channel since 2021. He makes sure the contents created by the authors are optimized well to provide authentic information to our visitors.

What is the closest major airport to Destin?

The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) is the closest airport to Destin..
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport - 52 miles from Destin..
Pensacola International Airport - 56 miles from Destin..
Tallahassee International Airport - 165 miles from Destin..

Is it cheaper to fly into Pensacola or Destin?

Sample the Local Flavors in Pensacola When comparing the travel costs between Destin and Pensacola, we can see that Pensacola is more expensive.

How far is Panama City away from Destin?

There are 52.43 miles from Destin to Panama City in southeast direction and 56 miles (90.12 kilometers) by car, following the US-98 route. Destin and Panama City are 1 hour 11 mins far apart, if you drive non-stop . This is the fastest route from Destin, FL to Panama City, FL.

How far apart are Destin and Pensacola?

There are 43.01 miles from Pensacola to Destin in east direction and 48 miles (77.25 kilometers) by car, following the US-98 route. Pensacola and Destin are 1 hour 6 mins far apart, if you drive non-stop .