:St. Louis Lambert International Airport

File:NAS St Louis NAN2-48.jpg

The airport had its beginnings in 1909, when the Aero Club of St. Louis created a balloon launching base called the "Permanent Aviation Field and Dirigible Harbor" in Kinloch Park, a suburban development of the 1890s.{{Cite news|last=Gonzales|first=Daniel|date=2018-01-02|title=At St. Louis' Kinloch Field, Theodore Roosevelt became the first U.S. President to travel by plane|url=https://www.stlmag.com/api/content/f30820a6-efc8-11e7-a45a-121bebc5777e/|access-date=2022-01-06|magazine=St. Louis Magazine|location=St. Louis|language=en-us|archive-date=February 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207060049/https://www.stlmag.com/history/where-the-president-first-flew-kinloch-field-and-early-flight/|url-status=live}} In October 1910, the airfield hosted the first International Air Meet, attracting "many famous persons," including the Wright brothers, who brought six airplanes and their Exhibition Team. President Theodore Roosevelt accepted the club's telegraphed invitation to attend, and after initially ruling out a flight,{{Cite book|last=Wright|first=John Aaron|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K2_ZMVtnsd0C&q=+kinloch+field|title=Kinloch: Missouri's First Black City|date=2000|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0-7385-0777-4|language=en|access-date=January 10, 2022|archive-date=February 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207060048/https://books.google.com/books?id=K2_ZMVtnsd0C&q=+kinloch+field#v=snippet&q=kinloch%20field&f=false|url-status=live}} took off on October 11 with pilot Arch Hoxsey, becoming the first U.S. president to fly.{{Cite web|last=Gonzales|first=Daniel|date=2018-01-02|title=At St. Louis' Kinloch Field, Theodore Roosevelt became the first U.S. President to travel by plane|url=https://www.stlmag.com/api/content/f30820a6-efc8-11e7-a45a-121bebc5777e/|access-date=2022-01-06|website=www.stlmag.com|language=en-us|archive-date=February 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207060049/https://www.stlmag.com/history/where-the-president-first-flew-kinloch-field-and-early-flight/|url-status=live}} The following year, the airfield—generally called "Kinloch Field"—was the takeoff point for what is generally regarded as the first parachute jump from an airplane.{{Cite news|last=Reichhardt|first=Tony|title=Berry's Leap|url=https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/berrys-leap-111412656/|access-date=2021-11-01|magazine=Air & Space/Smithsonian|location=Washington|publisher=Smithsonian Institution|archive-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101024042/https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/berrys-leap-111412656/|url-status=live}} The club's lease on the land expired in 1912, and the field was closed and its grandstand demolished. Efforts to revive the facility were unsuccessful.

In June 1920, a nearby 170-acre field was leased to the Missouri Aeronautical Society,{{cite web|title=Lambert History|url=http://www.lambert-stlouis.com/flystl/about-lambert/history/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822210016/http://www.lambert-stlouis.com/flystl/about-lambert/history/|archive-date=August 22, 2011|access-date=February 3, 2011|work=Lambert-Saint Louis International Airport}} which named its facility the "St. Louis Flying Field." Among the Society's leading members was Albert Bond Lambert, an Olympic silver medalist golfer in the 1904 Summer Games, president of Lambert Pharmaceutical Corporation (which made Listerine),{{cite book|last=Christensen|first=Lawrence O.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6gyxWHRLAWgC&q=Albert+Bond+Lambert+Listerine&pg=PA469|title=Dictionary of Missouri Biography|publisher=University of Missouri Press|year=1999|isbn=0-8262-1222-0|page=469|access-date=October 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630135304/http://books.google.com/books?id=6gyxWHRLAWgC&pg=PA469&lpg=PA469&dq=Albert+Bond+Lambert+Listerine&source=bl&ots=D9Noyxq7eZ&sig=hpa2FWaeROxj69SG9gQ3i2mMHL8&hl=en&ei=yyq3TdmtCpS5tgein6ibAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Albert%20Bond%20Lambert%20Listerine&f=false|archive-date=June 30, 2014|url-status=live}} and the first person to receive a pilot's license in St. Louis. So vigorous was Lambert in his efforts to promote St. Louis aviation that in 1923 the field was renamed "Lambert-St. Louis Flying Field." Lambert purchased the field outright in February 1925, and added hangars and a passenger terminal. In the late 1920s, the airport became the first with an air traffic control system–albeit one that communicated with pilots via waving flags. The first controller was Archie League.{{cite news|last=Mola|first=Roger|title=Aircraft Landing Technology|url=http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Evolution_of_Technology/landing_navig/Tech32.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031538/http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Evolution_of_Technology/landing_navig/Tech32.htm|archive-date=September 30, 2007|access-date=July 24, 2007|publisher=Centennial of Flight Commission|location=Washington|df=mdy}}

Charles Lindbergh's first piloting job was flying airmail for Robertson Aircraft Corporation from the airfield. He stopped at the airport during his cross-country San Diego to New York flight about a week before his record-breaking flight to Paris in 1927. In February 1928, the City of St. Louis leased the airport for $1. Later that year, Lambert sold the airport to the city after a $2 million bond issue was passed, making it one of the first municipally owned airports in the United States.{{cite web |url=http://lambert-stlouis.com/index/about_History.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204222910/http://lambert-stlouis.com/index/about_History.html |title=The History of Lambert – St. Louis International Airport |work= Lambert-St. Louis International Airport |access-date=December 26, 2012| year=2005 | archive-date= February 4, 2005}}

In 1925, the airport became home to Naval Air Station St. Louis, a Naval Air Reserve facility that became an active-duty installation during World War II.{{cite web|url=http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/county/stlouis/aviation/navy.htm |title=The Navy at Lambert Field, 1925–1958 by George Everding, LCDR USN (ret) |publisher=Usgennet.org |access-date=November 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824005020/http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/county/stlouis/aviation/navy.htm |archive-date=August 24, 2011 }}

In 1930, the airport was officially christened "Lambert–St. Louis Municipal Airport" by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd. The first terminal building opened in 1933, and within the decade, the airport was served by Robertson Air Lines, Marquette Airlines, Eastern Air Lines, and Transcontinental & Western Air (later renamed TWA).{{cite web|url=http://www.flystl.com/AboutLambert/History/Timeline.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722025401/http://www.flystl.com/AboutLambert/History/Timeline.aspx|archive-date=2012-07-22|title=Lambert – St. Louis International Airport > About Lambert > History > Timeline|date=July 22, 2012|access-date=November 16, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/rob3004.htm|title=Robertson Air Lines|website=www.timetableimages.com|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322125451/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/rob3004.htm|archive-date=March 22, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/robert.htm|title=Robertson Air Lines|website=www.timetableimages.com|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322113002/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/robert.htm|archive-date=March 22, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/rac28/rac28-1.jpg |title=Timetable |website=www.timetableimages.com |format=JPG |access-date=September 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815050851/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/rac28/rac28-1.jpg |archive-date=August 15, 2008 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/rac28/rac28-2.jpg |title=Timetable |website=www.timetableimages.com |format=JPG |access-date=September 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815050618/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/rac28/rac28-2.jpg |archive-date=August 15, 2008 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/marq39/marq39-1.jpg |title=Timetable |website=www.timetableimages.com |format=JPG |access-date=September 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910164847/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/marq39/marq39-1.jpg |archive-date=September 10, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/marq39/marq39-2.jpg |title=Timetable |website=www.timetableimages.com |format=JPG |access-date=September 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910164935/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/marq39/marq39-2.jpg |archive-date=September 10, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/ea39/ea39-3.jpg |title=Timetable |website=www.timetableimages.com |format=JPG |access-date=September 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910164944/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/ea39/ea39-3.jpg |archive-date=September 10, 2018 |url-status=live }}

In August 1942, voters passed a $4.5 million bond issue to expand the airport by {{convert|867|acre}} and build a new terminal.

During World War II, the airport became a manufacturing base for the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (later McDonnell Douglas, now Boeing) and Curtiss-Wright.{{cite web |url=https://dnr.mo.gov/shpo/docs/moachp/Curtiss-Wright%20Aeroplane%20Factory.pdf |title=Curtis Wright airline factory |publisher=Missouri Department of Natural Resources|location=Jefferson City |access-date=September 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224151637/http://dnr.mo.gov/shpo/docs/moachp/Curtiss-Wright%20Aeroplane%20Factory.pdf |archive-date=February 24, 2017 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.flystl.com/about-us/history|title=History – St. Louis Lambert International Airport|location=St. Louis|publisher=St. Louis City Airport Commission|date=July 12, 2016|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115014000/https://www.flystl.com/about-us/history|archive-date=November 15, 2018|url-status=live}}

File:Historical Lambert Airport Main Terminal pre 1965 addition.jpg

File:McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31, Ozark Air Lines JP5960812.jpg at Lambert]]

After the war, NAS St. Louis reverted to a reserve installation, supporting carrier-based fighters and land-based patrol aircraft. When it closed in 1958, most of its facilities were acquired by the Missouri Air National Guard and became "Lambert Field Air National Guard Base." Some other facilities were retained by non-flying activities of the Naval Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve, while the rest was redeveloped to expand airline operations at the airport.

Ozark Air Lines began operations at the airport in 1950.

To handle increasing passenger traffic, Minoru Yamasaki was commissioned to design a new terminal, which began construction in 1953. Completed in 1956 at a total cost of $7.2 million, the three-domed design preceded terminals at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City and Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport. A fourth dome was added in 1965 following the passage of a $200 million airport revenue bond.{{cite news|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/multimedia/lambert-expansion-the-never-ending-story/image_f6fc28ab-155a-5f91-a841-7240fb64ce4c.html|title=Lambert expansion: the never-ending story|access-date=November 16, 2018|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|publisher=Lee Enterprises|location=St. Louis|archive-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416173538/https://www.stltoday.com/news/multimedia/lambert-expansion-the-never-ending-story/image_f6fc28ab-155a-5f91-a841-7240fb64ce4c.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/main-lambert-terminal-gets-shiny-new-roof/article_dd04d754-de49-56d1-a225-74c032db3b86.html|title=Main Lambert terminal gets shiny, new roof|first=Paul|last=Hampel|access-date=November 16, 2018|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|publisher=Lee Enterprises|location=St. Louis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713234020/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/main-lambert-terminal-gets-shiny-new-roof/article_dd04d754-de49-56d1-a225-74c032db3b86.html|archive-date=July 13, 2018|url-status=live}}

The April 1957 Official Airline Guide shows 44 weekday TWA departures; American, 24; Delta, 16; Ozark, 14; Eastern, 13; Braniff, 6 and Central, 2. The first scheduled jet was a TWA 707 to New York on July 21, 1959.St Louis Post-Dispatch 22 July 1959 p3{{cite web|title=Facility Orientation Guide – St. Louis Air Traffic Control Tower|url=https://pointsixtyfive.com/files/welcome_guides/STL.pdf|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration|location=Washington|via=Point Sixty Five|access-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809035956/https://pointsixtyfive.com/files/welcome_guides/STL.pdf|archive-date=August 9, 2017|url-status=live}}

In 1971, the airport became "Lambert–St. Louis International Airport."

In the 1970s, St. Louis city officials proposed to replace Lambert with a new airport in suburban Illinois. After Missouri residents rejected that, Lambert in 1977 received a $290-million expansion that lengthened the runways, increased the number of gates to 81, and boosted its capacity by half. (In 1997, MidAmerica St. Louis Airport would open in Mascoutah, Illinois, far from the site proposed in the 1970s.) Concourse A and Concourse C were rebuilt into bi-level structures with jet bridges as part of a $25 million project in the mid-1970s designed by Sverdrup. The other concourses were demolished. Construction began in the spring of 1976 and was completed in September 1977.{{cite book |title=Continuing Progress at Lambert|year=1977|publisher=City of St. Louis Airport Authority}} A $20 million, {{convert|120000|sqft|adj=mid}} extension of Concourse C for TWA and a $46 million, {{convert|210000|sqft|adj=mid}} Concourse D for Ozark Air Lines (also designed by Sverdrup) were completed in December 1982.{{cite web|title=Timeline|url=http://www.flystl.com/AboutLambert/History/Timeline.aspx|work=City of St. Louis Airport Authority|access-date=July 2, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722025401/http://www.flystl.com/AboutLambert/History/Timeline.aspx|archive-date=July 22, 2012|df=mdy-all}}{{cite journal|year=1986|title=Lambert International: Architectural Creativity in Steel|journal=Modern Steel Construction|volume=26|issue=1|pages=5–9|location=Chicago|publisher=American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc.|access-date=July 2, 2012|url=http://www.modernsteel.com/archives/PDFs_61-90/1986A9_26-1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514014134/http://modernsteel.com/archives/PDFs_61-90/1986A9_26-1.pdf|archive-date=May 14, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

Ozark established its only hub at Lambert in the late 1950s. The airline grew rapidly, going from 36 million revenue passenger miles in 1955, to 229 million revenue passenger miles in 1965. The jet age came to Ozark in 1966 with the Douglas DC-9-10 and its network expanded to Denver, Indianapolis, Louisville, Washington, D.C., New York City, Miami, Tampa, and Orlando. With the addition of jets, Ozark began its fastest period of growth, jumping to 653 million revenue passenger miles in 1970 and 936 million revenue passenger miles in 1975;Handbook of Airline Statistics (biannual CAB publication) Ozark soon faced heavy competition in TWA's new hub at Lambert.

In 1979, the year after airline deregulation, STL's dominant carriers were TWA (36 routes) and Ozark (25), followed by American (17) and Eastern (12).{{cite web|title=Airlines and Aircraft Serving Saint Louis Effective November 15, 1979|url=http://www.departedflights.com/STL79intro.html|publisher=DepartedFlights.com|access-date=10 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017192852/http://www.departedflights.com/STL79intro.html|archive-date=October 17, 2015|url-status=live}} In April 1980, British Caledonian began a nonstop flight to London's Gatwick Airport using a Boeing 707. This was the airport's first transatlantic service.{{cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/129859157/ | title=Non-stop London flights begin with pomp, ballyhoo | work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch | date=1980-05-01 | accessdate=12 August 2023 | author=Swayzee II, Cleon | archive-date=August 12, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812153709/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/129859157/ | url-status=live }} The company later partnered with Ozark so that the latter's network could feed the flights.{{cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-stl-27sep83-bcal/87335031/ | title=British Caledonian, Ozark team up for non-stop flights to London | work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch | date=1983-09-27 | accessdate=12 August 2023 | author=Freeman, Gregory B. | archive-date=August 12, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812153107/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-stl-27sep83-bcal/87335031/ | url-status=live }} British Caledonian severed the link in October 1984.{{cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-stl-12oct84-bcal/87335778/ | title=Non-stop flights from St. Louis to London to be ended Oct. 28 | work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch | date=1984-10-12 | accessdate=12 August 2023 | author=Sanford, Robert | archive-date=August 12, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812153009/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-stl-12oct84-bcal/87335778/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-stl-22apr85-tw-l/87340584/ | title=TWA puts Lambert back on European flight plans | work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch | date=1985-04-22 | accessdate=12 August 2023 | author=Wagman, Paul | archive-date=August 12, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812160708/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-stl-22apr85-tw-l/87340584/ | url-status=live }}

File:Lockheed L-1011-1 Tristar, Trans World Airlines (TWA) JP5893659.jpg at Lambert]]

After airline deregulation in 1978, airlines began to change their operations to a hub and spoke model. Trans World Airlines (TWA) was headquartered in New York City but its main base of employment was at Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and had large operations at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) as well as St. Louis. TWA deemed Kansas City's terminals unsuitable to serve as a primary hub. TWA reluctantly ruled out Chicago, as its Chicago operation was already losing $25 million a year under competition from American Airlines and United Airlines. This meant that St. Louis was the carrier's only viable option. TWA downsized in Chicago and built up in St. Louis, swapping three Chicago gates for five of American's St. Louis gates. By December 1982, St. Louis accounted for 20% of TWA's domestic capacity. Lambert's terminal was initially too small for this operation, and TWA was forced to use temporary terminals, mobile lounges and airstairs to handle the additional flights.{{cite news|title=STL: How To Build A Hub|url=http://statehistoricalsocietyofmissouri.org/cdm/ref/collection/twa/id/8132|access-date=11 September 2015|work=TWA Mainliner|date=11 October 1982|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017161105/http://statehistoricalsocietyofmissouri.org/cdm/ref/collection/twa/id/8132|archive-date=October 17, 2015|df=mdy-all}} Concourse D was completed in 1985.{{cite web|title=History|url=http://flystl.com/AboutLambert/History.aspx|publisher=Lambert-St. Louis International Airport|access-date=11 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813131725/http://flystl.com/AboutLambert/History.aspx|archive-date=August 13, 2016|df=mdy-all}} In April 1985, TWA began service from Lambert to London-Gatwick, Frankfurt, and Paris. It operated the flight to London with Boeing 747s and the ones to Paris and Frankfurt with 767s.{{cite news | title=TWA is set for St. Louis-Europe non-stop | work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch | date=1985-04-21 | author=Kohn, Edward H. | pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/129858326/ 1D], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/129858848/ 10D]}}{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/129859218/ | title=International flights off with officials leading way | work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch | date=1985-04-29 | accessdate=12 August 2023 | author=Smith, Bill | archive-date=August 12, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812153706/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/129859218/ | url-status=live }}

TWA's hub grew again in 1986 when the airline bought Ozark Air Lines, which operated its hub from Lambert's B, C, and D concourses. In 1985, TWA had accounted for 56.6% of boardings at STL while Ozark accounted for 26.3%, so the merged carriers controlled over 80% of the traffic.[http://www.gao.gov/assets/80/77171.pdf Fare and Service Changes at St. Louis Since the TWA-Ozark Merger] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805132038/http://www.gao.gov/assets/80/77171.pdf |date=August 5, 2012 }}, United States General Accounting Office. September 21, 1988. Retrieved July 27, 2013. The carriers were merged on October 26, 1986 at which time TWA served STL with nonstop service to 84 cities, an increase from 80 cities served by TWA and/or Ozark in 1985, before the merger.

Lambert again grew in importance for TWA after the airline declared bankruptcy in 1992 and the following year moved its headquarters to St. Louis from Mount Kisco, New York.{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/08/12/TWA-to-relocate-headquarters-to-St-Louis/2701745128000/|title=TWA to relocate headquarters to St. Louis|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724062610/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/08/12/TWA-to-relocate-headquarters-to-St-Louis/2701745128000/|archive-date=July 24, 2018|url-status=live}} TWA increased the number of cities served and started routing more connecting passengers through its hub at Lambert. The total number of passengers departing Lambert jumped almost 20% in a year, from 19.9 million passengers in 1993 to 23.4 million in 1994. Growth continued, to 27.3 million by 1997 and the airport's all-time peak of 30.6 million in 2000.{{cite web|title=Historical Passenger Statistics Since 1990|url=https://www.flystl.com/uploads/documents/public-notices-and-reports/Historical-Passenger-90-2018.pdf|website=www.flystl.com|publisher=STL Airport|access-date=29 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130162006/https://www.flystl.com/uploads/documents/public-notices-and-reports/Historical-Passenger-90-2018.pdf|archive-date=January 30, 2019|url-status=live}}

By September 1999, Lambert was TWA's main hub, with 103 destinations served by 515 daily flights: 352 on TWA mainline aircraft and 163 on Trans World Express flights operated by its commuter airline partners. Lambert became the eighth-busiest U.S. airport by flights. Congestion caused delays during peak hours and was exacerbated when bad weather reduced the number of usable runways from three to one, and traffic projections made in the 1980s and 1990s predicted enough growth to strain the airport and the national air traffic system.{{cite web |title=The Expansion Story|url=http://www.lambert-stlouis.com/e/newwebsite/id261.asp|access-date=July 25, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501193743/http://www.lambert-stlouis.com/e/newwebsite/id261.asp|archive-date=May 1, 2008}} As a result, city leaders decided to build a {{convert|9000|foot|adj=on}} runway, dubbed Runway 11/29, parallel to the two larger existing runways. At $1.1 billion, it was the costliest public works program in St. Louis history.{{cite news|title=St. Louis' Airports Aren't Too Loud: They're Too Quiet|first=Gary|last=Stoller|url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2007-01-09-st-louis-usat_x.htm|newspaper=USA Today|date=January 9, 2007|access-date=July 25, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070118213734/http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2007-01-09-st-louis-usat_x.htm|archive-date=January 18, 2007|url-status=live}} It required moving seven major roads and destroying about 2,000 homes, six churches, and four schools in Bridgeton.{{cite web|title=Airport/Mass Transit November 2005 – Feature Story|url=http://midwest.construction.com/2005/11/01/MC_11_01_2005_p27-01.asp|work=Engineering News-Record|date=November 1, 2005|access-date=July 25, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216014225/http://midwest.construction.com/2005/11/01/MC_11_01_2005_p27-01.asp|archive-date=February 16, 2011|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Airports and Cities: Can they coexist?|url=http://www.sdearthtimes.com/et0901/et0901s2.html|work=SD Earth Times|access-date=July 25, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316120322/http://www.sdearthtimes.com/et0901/et0901s2.html|archive-date=March 16, 2011|url-status=live}} Work began in 1998 and continued even as traffic at the airport declined after the 9/11 attacks, the collapse of TWA and its subsequent purchase by American, and American's flight reductions several years later.{{cite web|title=Historical Operation Statistics by Class for the Years: 1985–2006 |url=http://www.lambert-stlouis.com/index/about_Facts_oper_stat.html |work=Lambert–St. Louis International Airport |access-date=July 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711231321/http://www.lambert-stlouis.com/index/about_Facts_oper_stat.html |archive-date=July 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}{{cite news|title=New $1 Billion Runway Opens This Week, But It's Not Needed Anymore |url=http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2006/04/st_louis.html |newspaper=USA Today |date=April 11, 2006 |access-date=July 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830212520/http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2006/04/st_louis.html |archive-date=August 30, 2007 }}

File:N76200 (6103457857).jpg at Lambert]]

File:F-15Cs Missouri ANG over St Louis IAP 2008.jpg

As TWA entered the new millennium, its financial condition deteriorated; it was purchased by American Airlines in April 2001.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-apr-10-fi-49088-story.html|title=AMR's Takeover of TWA Finalized|first=Simon|last=Hirschfeld|date=April 10, 2001|access-date=November 16, 2018|via=LA Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012043228/http://articles.latimes.com/2001/apr/10/business/fi-49088|archive-date=October 12, 2015|url-status=live}} The last day of operations for TWA was December 1, 2001, including a ceremonial last flight to TWA's original and historic hometown of Kansas City before returning to St. Louis one final time. The following day, TWA was officially absorbed into American Airlines.{{cite web|url=http://twaseniorsclub.org/needknow/last_flight.htm|title=TWA's Last Flight|website=twaseniorsclub.org|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116120435/http://www.twaseniorsclub.org/needknow/last_flight.htm|archive-date=November 16, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2001/12/24/focus3.html |title=Stories |date=December 24, 2001 |website=www.bizjournals.com |format=PDF |access-date=September 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830052536/http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2001/12/24/focus3.html |archive-date=August 30, 2008 |url-status=live }} The plan for Lambert was to become a reliever hub for the existing American hubs at Chicago–O'Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW). American was looking at something strategic with its new St. Louis hub to potentially offload some of the pressure on O'Hare as well as provide a significant boost to the airline's east/west connectivity.{{cite web|url=https://www.avgeekery.com/twa-last-day|title=The Last Day of TWA – A Sad Day For Aviation — Avgeekery.com – News and stories by Aviation Professionals|website=www.avgeekery.com|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902220635/https://www.avgeekery.com/twa-last-day/|archive-date=September 2, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2001/01/10/deals/amr_twa/|title=TWA to be bought by American – Jan. 10, 2001|website=money.cnn.com|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205164658/https://money.cnn.com/2001/01/10/deals/amr_twa/|archive-date=December 5, 2018|url-status=live}}

The September 11 attacks depressed air service nationwide: total airline industry domestic revenue passenger miles dropped 20% in October 2001 and 17% in November 2001.{{cite web|title=Bureau of Transportation Statistics|url=https://www.transtats.bts.gov/TRAFFIC/|website=Bureau of Transportation|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719185935/https://www.transtats.bts.gov/TRAFFIC/|archive-date=July 19, 2017|url-status=live}} Overnight, American no longer had the same need for a hub that bypassed its hubs at Chicago and Dallas/Fort Worth, which suddenly became less congested.{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/business/airline-industry/20130126-american-airlines-battles-a-history-of-unsuccessful-mergers.ece|title=American Airlines, a History of Unsuccessful Mergers|publisher=Dallas News|access-date=July 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523032135/http://www.dallasnews.com/business/airline-industry/20130126-american-airlines-battles-a-history-of-unsuccessful-mergers.ece|archive-date=May 23, 2013|url-status=live}} As a result of this and the ongoing economic recession, service at Lambert was reduced to 207 flights by November 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/AA-to-cut-back-St--Louis-operations/|title=AA to cut back St. Louis operations: Travel Weekly|website=www.travelweekly.com|access-date=July 20, 2013|archive-date=February 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207060351/https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/AA-to-cut-back-St-Louis-operations|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.airtimes.com/cgat/usa/american/ar/aa2003.pdf |title=Info |website=www.airtimes.com |access-date=September 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526195453/http://airtimes.com/cgat/usa/american/ar/aa2003.pdf |archive-date=May 26, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.stlmag.com/TWA-Death-Of-A-Legend/|title=TWA – Death Of A Legend|first=Elaine X.|last=Grant|date=July 28, 2006|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909115811/https://www.stlmag.com/TWA-Death-Of-A-Legend/|archive-date=September 9, 2018|url-status=live}} Total passenger traffic dropped to 20.4 million that same year. On the international front, American dropped flights to London-Gatwick in October 2003, leaving St. Louis without transatlantic service.{{cite web |url=http://www.airtimes.com/cgat/usa/american/pdf/aa031001.pdf |title=Info |website=www.airtimes.com |access-date=September 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018153011/http://www.airtimes.com/cgat/usa/american/pdf/aa031001.pdf |archive-date=October 18, 2006 |url-status=live }}{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/129884576/ | title=How cuts will affect air travel | work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch | date=2003-07-17 | accessdate=12 August 2023 | author=O'Neil, Tim | archive-date=August 12, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812231331/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/129884576/ | url-status=live }}

In 2006, the United States Air Force (USAF) announced plans to turn the 131st Fighter Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard into the 131st Bomb Wing. The wing's 20 F-15C and F-15D aircraft were moved to the Montana Air National Guard's 120th Airlift Wing at Great Falls International Airport/Air National Guard Base, Montana, and the Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Wing at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. The pilots and maintainers moved to Whiteman AFB, Missouri to fly and maintain the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber as the first Air National Guard wing to fly the aircraft. Lambert Field Air National Guard Base formally shut down on June 13, 2009, when the final two F-15C Eagles did a low approach over the field and then flew away, ending an 86-year chapter of Lambert's history.{{cite web | title=Last two F-15's leave Lambert | publisher=St. Louis Public Radio | date=June 15, 2009 | url=https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/last-two-f-15s-leave-lambert | access-date=April 8, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910165657/http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/last-two-f-15s-leave-lambert | archive-date=September 10, 2018 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | title=Missouri Air National Guard celebrates End of Era with final F-15 departure | publisher=Whiteman AFB Home Page | date=July 6, 2016 | url=https://www.whiteman.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/326126/missouri-air-national-guard-celebrates-end-of-era-with-final-f-15-departure/ | access-date=April 8, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408201343/https://www.whiteman.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/326126/missouri-air-national-guard-celebrates-end-of-era-with-final-f-15-departure/ | archive-date=April 8, 2019 | url-status=live }}

2006 also saw the completion of the W-1W airport expansion after eight years of work. The culmination of this program was the opening of Runway 11/29, the airport's fourth, on April 13, 2006, when American Airlines [https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL2470/history/20060413/1634ZZ/KSNA/KSTL Flight 2470] became the first commercial airliner to land on the new runway.{{cite web|url=http://webpages.charter.net/dandassow/Flight_2470.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222021436/http://webpages.charter.net/dandassow/Flight_2470.htm|url-status=dead|title=American Airlines Flight 2470 – First Commercial Airliner to Land on …|date=February 22, 2013|archive-date=February 22, 2013|access-date=November 16, 2018}}

In 2008, Lambert's position as an American Airlines hub faced further pressure due to increased fuel costs and softened demand because of a depressed economy. American cut its overall system capacity by over 5% during 2008.{{cite news|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/correct-american-airlines-to-cut-capacity-further|title=American Airlines to trim capacity, add new bag fee|first=Christopher|last=Hinton|newspaper=Marketwatch |access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902151622/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/correct-american-airlines-to-cut-capacity-further|archive-date=September 2, 2018|url-status=live}} At Lambert, American shifted more flights from mainline to regional.[http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2008/05/fuel-cost-fallout-aa-is-latest-carrier-to-cut-routes-flights/770991/1 USA Today, Fuel-Cost Fallout: American Airlines is the latest carrier to cut routes, flights, retrieved July 26, 2013] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319090211/http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2008/05/fuel-cost-fallout-aa-is-latest-carrier-to-cut-routes-flights/770991/1 |date=March 19, 2014 }} Total passengers enplaned fell 6% to 14.4 million in 2008, then fell another 11% to 12.8 million passengers in 2009. In 2009, American announced that as a part of the airline's restructuring, it would close its St. Louis hub by reducing its operations from about 200 daily flights to 36 daily flights by summer 2010.{{cite news|title=With AA's Cuts, St. Louis Will Fall From the Ranks of Hub Cities|first=Ben|last=Mutzabaugh|url=https://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=68499380.blog|newspaper=USA Today|location=St. Louis|publisher=Gannett|date=September 18, 2009|access-date=September 18, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524015141/http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=68499380.blog|archive-date=May 24, 2010|df=mdy-all}} American's closure of the St. Louis hub coincided with its new "Cornerstone" plan, wherein the airline would concentrate itself in several major markets: Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York, and Los Angeles.{{cite web|url=https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/american-airlines-cornerstone-worldview-55731|title=American Airlines' "cornerstone" worldview|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902151626/https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/american-airlines-cornerstone-worldview-55731|archive-date=September 2, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2012/04/26/consultants-we-studied-possibi|title=Consultants: We studied possibility of closing down one of American Airlines 'cornerstone' cities|last=Maxon|first=Terry|newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|location=Dallas|date=April 26, 2012|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120043801/https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2012/04/26/consultants-we-studied-possibi|archive-date=November 20, 2018|url-status=live}} A 12-gate section of Concourse D closed in 2009 as a result of the hub closure.{{cite news |title=STL To Close D-Concourse Link Between Terminals |url=http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=8f249dfb-9a9d-4fe4-ac6c-5da6ef879740 |access-date=14 March 2023 |agency=Aero News |date=8 December 2008 |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314001326/http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=8f249dfb-9a9d-4fe4-ac6c-5da6ef879740 |url-status=live }} Further flight reductions led to the closure of Concourse B and the rest of Concourse D in 2010 (though some gates at the east end of Concourse D are now part of Concourse E).{{cite web |title=St Louis: The Incredible Shrinking Airport |url=https://crankyflier.com/2010/02/22/st-louis-the-incredible-shrinking-airport/ |website=Cranky Flier |date=February 22, 2010 |access-date=14 March 2023 |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314001315/https://crankyflier.com/2010/02/22/st-louis-the-incredible-shrinking-airport/ |url-status=live }}

File:Windows boarded up at STL.jpg

File:Lambert-StLouisT1Ticketing2017-06-05.jpg

In the aftermath of the American hub closure, Southwest Airlines boosted daily departures from 74 to 83, adding six new destinations for a total of 31. Southwest quickly replaced American as the carrier with the most daily flights, and continues to dominate the airport to this day.{{cite web|last1=Moseley|first1=Jace|date=7 August 2017|title=The Near Death and Resurgence of St. Louis International Airport|url=https://airlinegeeks.com/2017/08/07/the-near-death-and-resurgence-of-st-louis-international-airport/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914050545/http://airlinegeeks.com/2017/08/07/the-near-death-and-resurgence-of-st-louis-international-airport/|archive-date=September 14, 2017|access-date=5 April 2019|website=AirlineGeeks.com}}{{cite web|title=Thirty years since arriving at Lambert, Southwest's dominance takes hold|date=January 25, 2015 |url=https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/thirty-years-since-arriving-at-lambert-southwests-dominance-takes-hold/article_1f3a3619-6edd-564d-a3ac-01b6fe0295e8.html|access-date=1 June 2021|archive-date=June 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214751/https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/thirty-years-since-arriving-at-lambert-southwests-dominance-takes-hold/article_1f3a3619-6edd-564d-a3ac-01b6fe0295e8.html|url-status=live}} Southwest Airlines had been growing steadily at Lambert since the mid-1990s. In 1998, the East Terminal (known today as Terminal 2) and Concourse E opened to accommodate Southwest's growth, where they operate today.{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.flystl.com/about-us/history |website=St. Louis Lambert International Airport |access-date=13 March 2023 |archive-date=November 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115014000/https://www.flystl.com/about-us/history |url-status=live }}

On April 22, 2011, a tornado (rated EF4 nearby but not at the airport itself) struck the airport's Terminal 1, destroying jetways and breaking more than half of the windows.[https://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=04_22_2011 April 22nd Tornadic Supercell Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427022149/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=04_22_2011 |date=April 27, 2011 }}, National Weather Service, St. Louis, Missouri. (April 23, 2011).{{cite news|title=St. Louis Airport Storm Caught on Camera |first=Kevin |last=Held |url=http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/255902/3/Days-not-hours-until-Lambert-St-Louis-Airport-re-opens |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103133405/http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/255902/3/Days-not-hours-until-Lambert-St-Louis-Airport-re-opens |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 3, 2013 |work=KSDK |date=April 23, 2011 |access-date=April 23, 2011 }}{{cite news |last1=Gay |first1=Malcolm |last2=Harris |first2=Elizabeth A. |title=Tornadoes Tear Through St. Louis, Shutting Down the Airport |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/24/us/24stlouis.html |access-date=5 April 2019 |newspaper=The New York Times|location=St. Louis |date=23 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027032506/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/24/us/24stlouis.html |archive-date=October 27, 2017 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|title=Residents: St. Louis Was "Bedlam" During Tornado|first=Cynthia|last=Bowers|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/residents-st-louis-was-bedlam-during-tornado/|work=CBS News|location=St. Louis|date=April 23, 2011|access-date=April 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425042430/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/23/eveningnews/main20056781.shtml|archive-date=April 25, 2011|url-status=live}} The wind damaged a Southwest Airlines aircraft by pushing a baggage conveyor belt into it. Four American Airlines aircraft were damaged, including one that was buffeted by {{convert|80|mph|km/h kn|abbr=on}} crosswinds while taxiing after landing.{{cite news|title=Tornado Cleanup Starts Quickly in St. Louis Area|first1=Jim|last1=Salter|first2=Jim|last2=Suhr|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110423/ap_on_re_us/us_missouri_storms|work=Yahoo! News|location=St. Louis|agency=Associated Press|date=April 23, 2011|access-date=April 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424073614/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110423/ap_on_re_us/us_missouri_storms/|archive-date=April 24, 2011|url-status=live}} Another aircraft, with passengers still on board, was moved away from its jetway by the storm.{{cite news|title=Lambert Passengers Watch Plane Move, Then Evacuate Terminal |first=Bryce |last=Moore |url=http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Lambert-passengers-watch-plane-move-then-evacuate-terminal-120532999.html |date=April 23, 2011 |access-date=April 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425170822/http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Lambert-passengers-watch-plane-move-then-evacuate-terminal-120532999.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |df=mdy }} The FAA closed the airport at 8:54 pm CDT, and reopened it the following day at temporarily lower capacity.{{cite news|title=UPDATE: Lambert Reopening Today, Expects to Be at 70 Percent Capacity Sunday|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_f7e801d4-6dc7-11e0-b60f-0019bb30f31a.html|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|last=Mann|first=Jennifer|publisher=Lee Enterprises|location=St. Louis|date=April 23, 2011|access-date=April 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425224310/http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_f7e801d4-6dc7-11e0-b60f-0019bb30f31a.html|archive-date=April 25, 2011|url-status=live}} The damage to Concourse C even forced the airport to temporarily reopen some of Concourses B and D for additional gate space. Concourse C underwent renovations and repairs and reopened on April 2, 2012.{{cite news|title=Lambert Opens Refurbished C Concourse After Twister|first=Ken|last=Leiser|url=https://www.stltoday.com/travel/lambert-opens-refurbished-c-concourse-after-twister/article_8a5f5baa-7cd3-11e1-8923-0019bb30f31a.html|newspaper=St. Louis Post Dispatch|access-date=July 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706123907/http://www.stltoday.com/travel/lambert-opens-refurbished-c-concourse-after-twister/article_8a5f5baa-7cd3-11e1-8923-0019bb30f31a.html|archive-date=July 6, 2012|url-status=live}}

In late 2016, officials with the City of St. Louis announced that brand researchers had found that travelers might be confused by the name "Lambert–St. Louis International Airport".{{cite web|title=Retrieved September 9, 2016.|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2016/09/07/airport-commission-to-consider-lambert-name-change.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915132234/http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2016/09/07/airport-commission-to-consider-lambert-name-change.html|archive-date=September 15, 2016|access-date=2018-11-16|publisher=Bizjournals.com}} They said they might rename it St. Louis International Airport at Lambert Field to freshen up the airport's image and emphasize "St. Louis" in the name. Descendants of Albert Bond Lambert opposed the change, arguing that it de-emphasized the importance of Maj. Lambert to the airport's history and the history of aviation. The proposal was amended, and the St. Louis Airport Commission voted unanimously to change the name to St. Louis Lambert International Airport.{{cite web |author=Post-Dispatch store |url=https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/st-louis-and-lambert-trade-places-in-new-name-for/article_c95608ec-c97b-5440-b8e6-fac6cbd0e7ee.html |title=Retrieved September 9, 2016 |date=September 7, 2016 |publisher=Stltoday.com |access-date=2018-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909212534/http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/st-louis-and-lambert-trade-places-in-new-name-for/article_c95608ec-c97b-5440-b8e6-fac6cbd0e7ee.html |archive-date=September 9, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author=On Air 9:52AM |url=http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/airport-commission-votes-to-change-name-of-lambert-airport/315256320 |title=Retrieved September 9, 2016 |publisher=Ksdk.com |date=2016-09-07 |access-date=2018-11-16 |archive-date=September 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909181013/http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/airport-commission-votes-to-change-name-of-lambert-airport/315256320 |url-status=dead }}

In May 2018, Wow Air began flights between St. Louis and Reykjavík on an Airbus A321. This was the airport's first service to Europe since 2003.{{cite web|title=WOW Air, known for $99 Europe fares, adds four new U.S. cities|first=Ben|last=Mutzabaugh|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2017/08/23/wow-air-known-99-europe-fares-adds-four-new-u-s-cities/591771001/|newspaper=USA Today|date=August 23, 2017|access-date=August 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824014923/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2017/08/23/wow-air-known-99-europe-fares-adds-four-new-u-s-cities/591771001/|archive-date=August 24, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first1=Leah|last1=Thorsen|access-date=2018-10-16|title=Wow, that was quick: Wow Air to end flights from Lambert in January|url=https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/wow-that-was-quick-wow-air-to-end-flights-from/article_24c15891-2ebd-5445-8970-837b36362b34.html|newspaper=St. Louis Post Dispatch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016000204/https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/wow-that-was-quick-wow-air-to-end-flights-from/article_24c15891-2ebd-5445-8970-837b36362b34.html|archive-date=October 16, 2018|url-status=live}} Despite strong sales, Wow ended the route in January 2019 amid financial struggles.{{cite web|url=https://www.flystl.com/newsroom/stl-news/2018/announcement-regarding-wow-air|title=Announcement Regarding WOW air – St. Louis Lambert International Airport|first=St Louis|last=Lambert|date=October 15, 2018|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017123851/https://www.flystl.com/newsroom/stl-news/2018/announcement-regarding-wow-air|archive-date=October 17, 2018|url-status=live}} In June 2022, Lufthansa commenced nonstop service to Frankfurt using Airbus A330s. German firms like Bayer and the Merck Group have a significant presence in St. Louis.{{cite news | url=https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/germany-s-lufthansa-to-launch-nonstop-service-from-st-louis-to-frankfurt/article_267deec8-1b58-571f-9043-39ef43acf5de.html | title=Germany's Lufthansa to launch nonstop service from St. Louis to Frankfurt | publisher=Lee Enterprises | date=December 21, 2021 | last=Barker | first=Jacob | newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch | location=St. Louis | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214010509/https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/germany-s-lufthansa-to-launch-nonstop-service-from-st-louis-to-frankfurt/article_267deec8-1b58-571f-9043-39ef43acf5de.html | archivedate=2021-12-14}}{{cite news | url=https://www.stlmag.com/news/travelers-first-lufthansa-flight-lambert-st-louis-airport/ | title=Behind the scenes at Lambert's first Lufthansa flight | work=St. Louis Magazine | date=2022-06-02 | accessdate=12 August 2023 | author=Stefanescu, Victor | archive-date=August 13, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813012755/https://www.stlmag.com/news/travelers-first-lufthansa-flight-lambert-st-louis-airport/ | url-status=live }}

In early 2022, airport officials released a plan that would consolidate both existing terminals into one, at the existing Terminal 1 site.{{cite news |last1=Bush |first1=Mike |title=Proposed plan would get rid of Terminal 2 at St. Louis Lambert Airport |date=January 6, 2022 |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/proposed-plan-get-rid-terminal-2-st-louis-lambert-airport/63-3b506226-12da-4ea2-9be0-3317444390cd |access-date=6 January 2022 |archive-date=January 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106151212/https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/proposed-plan-get-rid-terminal-2-st-louis-lambert-airport/63-3b506226-12da-4ea2-9be0-3317444390cd |url-status=live }} The proposal would gradually demolish Concourses A, B, C and build a single new concourse with 62 gates in its place, while retaining the iconic domed terminal building.{{cite press release|url=https://www.flystl.com/uploads/documents/airport-layout-plan-study-highlights/STL-ALPU-Commission-Briefing_20220105-final-v3.pdf|title=Airport Layout Plan Update|publisher=St. Louis City Airports Commission|location=St. Louis|access-date=6 January 2022|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105235502/https://www.flystl.com/uploads/documents/airport-layout-plan-study-highlights/STL-ALPU-Commission-Briefing_20220105-final-v3.pdf|url-status=live}} Following the completion, Terminal 2 would be demolished or repurposed.

File:St. Louis Lambert E Concourse.jpg

The airport has two terminals, five concourses, and 54 gates.

• Terminal 1 contains 36 gates across two concourses, lettered A and C.{{cite web |title=STL Airport Diagram |url=https://www.flystl.com/uploads/documents/airport-operations/STL_Gates-Diagram_2017.pdf |publisher=St. Louis City Airports Commission |location=St. Louis |access-date=5 April 2019 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308195742/https://www.flystl.com/uploads/documents/airport-operations/STL_Gates-Diagram_2017.pdf |url-status=live }} It also has an American Airlines Admirals Club and one of the nation's largest USO facilities.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070110174609/http://www.usostl.org/aboutus.aspx James S. McDonnell USO]}}
• Terminal 2 contains 18 gates across one concourse, lettered E. It also has a public lounge operated by Wingtips.{{cite press release |last=Clever |first=Boxing |date=January 4, 2018 |title=Wingtips St. Louis Lounge Opens in STL's Terminal 2 – St. Louis Lambert International Airport |url=https://www.flystl.com/newsroom/stl-news/2018/wingtips-st-louis-lounge-opens-in-stls-terminal-2 |publisher=St. Louis City Airports Commission|location=St. Louis|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106173036/https://www.flystl.com/newsroom/stl-news/2018/wingtips-st-louis-lounge-opens-in-stls-terminal-2 |archive-date=January 6, 2018 |access-date=January 6, 2018}} All international flights without border preclearance are processed in Terminal 2.

Inter-terminal transfers/connections can be made by Terminal Shuttle Buses or on the Metro rail between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (rail connection is free between the terminals as of July 2024)

File:St. Louis Lambert Western Gable T1.jpg

The airport has four runways: three parallel and one crosswind. The crosswind runway, 6/24, is the shortest of the four at {{convert|7607|ft|m|adj=off}}. The newest runway is 11/29, completed in 2006 as part of a large expansion program.{{cite web|url=https://www.airnav.com/airport/KSTL|title=AirNav: KSTL – St Louis Lambert International Airport|website=www.airnav.com|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115170749/http://airnav.com/airport/KSTL|archive-date=November 15, 2018|url-status=live}}

The airport's current ~{{convert|156|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us|adj=on}} control tower opened in 1997 at a cost of about $15 million.{{cite web|title=World's sky-high civilian air traffic control towers|url=https://panethos.wordpress.com/2014/02/22/worlds-sky-high-civilian-air-traffic-control-towers/|website=wordpress.com|date=February 22, 2014|access-date=August 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806030104/https://panethos.wordpress.com/2014/02/22/worlds-sky-high-civilian-air-traffic-control-towers/|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Lambert St. Louis Airport Control Tower, Bridgeton|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/263727/lambert-st-louis-airport-control-tower-bridgeton-mo-usa|website=Emporis|access-date=August 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806023045/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/263727/lambert-st-louis-airport-control-tower-bridgeton-mo-usa|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=usurped}}

File:Lambert-train.jpg station at Terminal 1]]

The airport is served by MetroLink, the light rail transportation system serving Greater St. Louis. The Red Line has stations at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.{{cite web | title=MetroLink | website=Metrostlouis.org Site | date=April 8, 2019 | url=https://www.metrostlouis.org/metrolink/ | access-date=April 8, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408195100/https://www.metrostlouis.org/metrolink/ | archive-date=April 8, 2019 | url-status=live }} The Metro lines serve the city of St. Louis, along with cities in St. Louis County, and Illinois suburbs in St. Clair County.

The airport is served by I-70; eastbound leads to downtown St. Louis and Illinois with a north–south connection at I-170 immediately east of the airport, while westbound leads to St. Louis exurbs in St. Charles County with a north–south connection at I-270 immediately west of the airport.

File:St. Louis Lambert Monocoupe 110 Special at T2.jpg in Terminal 2]]

Black Americans in Flight is a mural that depicts African American aviators and their contributions to aviation since 1917. It is located in Terminal 1 / Main Terminal on the lower level near the entrance to gates C and D and baggage claim. The mural consists of five panels and measures {{convert|8|ft}} tall and {{convert|51|ft}} long. The first panel includes Albert Edward Forsythe and C. Alfred Anderson, the first black pilots to complete a cross-country flight; the Tuskegee Institute and the Tuskegee Airmen; Eugene Bullard; Bessie Coleman; and Willa Brown, the first African American woman commercial pilot. The second panel shows Benjamin O. Davis Jr., Clarence "Lucky" Lester, and Joseph Ellesberry. The third panel shows Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James, Capt. Ronald Radliff, and Capt. Marcella Hayes. The fourth and fifth panels show Ronald McNair, who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986, Guion Bluford, who in 1983 became the first African American in space, and Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space. Spencer Taylor and Solomon Thurman created the mural in 1990.{{cite news|title=Linking the Past to the Future|first=Henry T.|last=Brownlee Jr.|url=http://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2009/february/i_history.pdf|location=Chicago|publisher=The Boeing Company|date=February 2010|access-date=July 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012051836/http://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2009/february/i_history.pdf|archive-date=October 12, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Many St. Louis Sites Significant in Black History: "Black Americans in Flight" Mural|url=http://www.explorestlouis.com/media/pressKit/africanAmerSites.asp|work=St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission|access-date=July 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607225855/http://www.explorestlouis.com/media/pressKit/africanAmerSites.asp|archive-date=June 7, 2011|url-status=live}} The mural had a re-dedication ceremony in 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/multimedia/lambert-rededicates-its-black-americans-in-flight-mural/image_0a77e9d0-c423-5925-a06c-dc5dfa176c72.html|title=Lambert rededicates its "Black Americans In Flight" mural|first=Christian|last=Gooden|date=February 16, 2012|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125073145/https://www.stltoday.com/news/multimedia/lambert-rededicates-its-black-americans-in-flight-mural/image_0a77e9d0-c423-5925-a06c-dc5dfa176c72.html|url-status=live}}

One aircraft from the Missouri History Museum currently hangs from Lambert's ceilings. This aircraft, a red Monocoupe 110 Special manufactured in St. Louis in 1931, hangs in the ticketing hall of Terminal 2.{{cite web|title=Charles Lindbergh's Monocoupe – St. Louis, MO – Static Aircraft Displays|url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5BWR_Charles_Lindberghs_Monocoupe_St_Louis_MO|publisher=Groundspeak, Inc.|date=December 15, 2008|access-date=July 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015115353/http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5BWR_Charles_Lindberghs_Monocoupe_St_Louis_MO|archive-date=October 15, 2012|url-status=live}} The airport has also played host to two other aircraft. A Monocoupe D-127 hung near the eastern security checkpoint in Terminal 1. Charles Lindbergh bought it in 1934 from the Lambert Aircraft Corporation and flew it as his personal aircraft. It was removed in 2018 and returned to the Missouri Historical Society, from which the aircraft had been on loan since 1979, for preservation purposes.{{cite web|title=Lindbergh Monocoupe Exhibit Ending its Run at STL Airport|url=https://www.flystl.com/newsroom/stl-news/2018/lindbergh-monocoupe-exhibit-ending-its-run-at-stl-airport|work=Lambert Airport|date=June 7, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140602/https://www.flystl.com/newsroom/stl-news/2018/lindbergh-monocoupe-exhibit-ending-its-run-at-stl-airport|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=live}} Until 1998, a Ryan B-1 Brougham, a replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, hung next to the D-127.{{cite web|title=Midnight Maintenance: Caring for Lindbergh's Monocoupe|first1=Robert|last1=Mullen|first2=Sharon|last2=Smith|url=http://www.mhmvoices.org/2008SpringDept2.php|work=Missouri History Museum|date=Spring 2008|access-date=July 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110419080152/http://www.mhmvoices.org/2008SpringDept2.php|archive-date=April 19, 2011|url-status=live}}

{{Airport destination list |3rdcoltitle = References|3rdcolunsortable = yes

| {{nowrap|Air Canada}} | Montréal–Trudeau,{{cite web |title=STL welcomes increased Air Canada service and routes this summer |url=https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/airport/news/air-canada-montreal.cfm |website=stlouis-mo.gov |date=May 2024 |access-date=15 May 2024}} Toronto–Pearson{{cite web |title=Air Canada reveals major US route changes for summer 2025|url=https://insideflyer.com/2024/11/23/air-canada-reveals-major-us-route-changes-for-summer-2025/|website=Inside Flyer |access-date=24 November 2024}} | {{cite web|title=Air Canada flight schedules|publisher=Air Canada|url=https://beta.aircanada.com/us/en/aco/home/book/routes-and-partners/flight-schedules.html?acid=beta%7Credirect%7Caircanada.com%7CNoBar|access-date=7 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925064718/https://www.aircanada.com/us/en/aco/home/book/routes-and-partners/flight-schedules.html?acid=beta%7Credirect%7Caircanada.com%7CNoBar|archive-date=September 25, 2019|url-status=live}}

| {{nowrap|Air Canada Express}} | Montréal–Trudeau,{{cite web |title=STL welcomes increased Air Canada service and routes this summer |url=https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/airport/news/air-canada-montreal.cfm |website=stlouis-mo.gov |date=May 2024 |access-date=15 May 2024}} Toronto–Pearson |

| Alaska Airlines | Seattle/Tacoma
Seasonal: Puerto Vallarta{{cite web | url=https://news.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/alaska-airlines-expands-winter-travel-options-with-18-exciting-new-sun-and-ski-routes/ | title= Alaska Airlines expands winter travel options with 18 exciting new sun and ski routes |website= Alaska Airlines | date=July 10, 2024 }} | {{cite web|title=Alaska Airlines flight timetable|publisher=Alaska Airlines|website=alaskaair.com|url=https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/timetables.aspx|access-date=29 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202123138/https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/timetables.aspx|archive-date=February 2, 2017|url-status=live}}

| American Airlines | Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York–LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Washington–National
Seasonal: Cancún | {{cite web|title=American Airlines flight schedules and notifications|publisher=American Airlines|website=aa.com|url=https://www.aa.com/travelInformation/flights/schedule|access-date=5 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202010611/https://www.aa.com/travelInformation/flights/schedule|archive-date=February 2, 2017|url-status=live}}

| American Eagle | Boston, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York–LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Washington–National |

| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City | {{cite web|title=Flight schedules for Delta|publisher=Delta Air Lines|url=https://www.delta.com/flightinfo/viewFlightSchedulesSetup.action|access-date=June 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621123636/http://www.delta.com/flightinfo/viewFlightSchedulesSetup.action|archive-date=June 21, 2015|url-status=live}}

| Delta Connection | Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–JFK (begins September 8, 2025),{{cite web | url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/05/02/delta-adds-new-routes-from-orlando-austin-jfk-and-more/ | title=Delta Air Lines Adds New Routes from Orlando, Austin, JFK and More | date=May 2, 2025 }}

New York–LaGuardia |

| Frontier Airlines | Atlanta (begins June 12, 2025),{{cite web |title=Frontier Airlines 2Q25 Atlanta Network Expansion |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250228-f9ns25atl |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=28 February 2025}} Cancún, Denver, Las Vegas, Orlando
Seasonal: Dallas/Fort Worth, Montego Bay, Punta Cana | {{cite web|title=Frontier Airlines schedule|publisher=Frontier Airlines|url=https://www.flyfrontier.com|access-date=7 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912053526/https://www.flyfrontier.com/|archive-date=September 12, 2017|url-status=live}}

| Lufthansa | Frankfurt | {{cite web |title=Timetable & flight status {{!}} Lufthansa |url=https://www.lufthansa.com/is/en/timetable-and-flight-status#/ |access-date=14 December 2021 |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214191239/https://www.lufthansa.com/is/en/timetable-and-flight-status#/ |url-status=live }}

| {{nowrap|Southern Airways Express}} | Burlington (IA) (ends June 30, 2025),https://www.regulations.gov/document/DOT-OST-2001-8731-0178 Jonesboro, Quincy | {{cite web |url=https://iflysouthern.com/ |title=Southern Route Map |publisher=Southern Airways Express |access-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-date=September 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919184704/https://iflysouthern.com/ |url-status=live }}

| Southwest Airlines | Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Burbank,{{cite web|title=Southwest Airlines Extends Flight Schedule With New International Options And Most-Ever Departures|date=October 26, 2023|url=https://swamedia.com/releases/release-d5bda4d2c147f577fd1d8c167c5baaab-southwest-airlines-extends-flight-schedule-with-new-international-options-and-most-ever-departures|access-date=October 26, 2023|archive-date=November 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101194653/https://swamedia.com/releases/release-d5bda4d2c147f577fd1d8c167c5baaab-southwest-airlines-extends-flight-schedule-with-new-international-options-and-most-ever-departures|url-status=live}}{{better|independent source needed|date=February 2025}} Cancún, Charlotte, Chicago–Midway, Cleveland, Columbus–Glenn, Dallas–Love, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Houston–Hobby, Jacksonville (FL), Kansas City, Las Vegas, Little Rock, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Nashville, New Orleans, New York–LaGuardia, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Pittsburgh, Raleigh/Durham, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose (CA), Sarasota, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington–National, Wichita
Seasonal: Charleston (SC), Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Montego Bay, Myrtle Beach, Norfolk,{{Cite web |url= https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2023/10/26/southwest-airlines-to-add-west-coast-stop.html |title= Southwest Airlines to add West Coast stop from Lambert airport, more flights |access-date= October 26, 2023 |archive-date= February 7, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240207060041/https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2023/10/26/southwest-airlines-to-add-west-coast-stop.html |url-status= live }} Oakland, Panama City (FL), Pensacola, Portland (OR), Punta Cana, Salt Lake City, San José del Cabo, San Juan, Savannah, Seattle/Tacoma,{{Cite web |url= https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/airport/news/schedule-update-routes.cfm |title= Southwest's Latest STL Schedule Update Expands/Resumes Routes |date= August 3, 2023 |access-date=5 June 2024 |archive-date= August 4, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230804085824/https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/airport/news/schedule-update-routes.cfm |url-status= live }}{{better|independent source needed|date=February 2025}} West Palm Beach (FL) | {{cite web|title=Southwest Flight schedules|url=https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/index.html|publisher=Southwest Airlines|access-date=25 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202053931/https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/index.html|archive-date=February 2, 2017|url-status=live}}

| Spirit Airlines | Detroit (begins June 12, 2025),{{cite web |title=Where can you fly with Spirit Airlines? New routes coming this spring for Michigan fliers |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/03/26/new-spirit-airlines-destinations-detroit-metro-michigan-flights/82671341007/ |website=Detroit Free Press |access-date=10 April 2025 }} Fort Lauderdale
Seasonal: Orlando | {{Cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/st-louis-nearly-doubles-its-nonstop-options-with-spirit-airlines-as-spirit-celebrates-first-flight-with-expansion-announcement-301300898.html |title=St. Louis Nearly Doubles its Nonstop Options with Spirit Airlines as Spirit Celebrates First Flight with Expansion Announcement |access-date=May 27, 2021 |archive-date=May 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527151416/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/st-louis-nearly-doubles-its-nonstop-options-with-spirit-airlines-as-spirit-celebrates-first-flight-with-expansion-announcement-301300898.html |url-status=live }}

| Sun Country Airlines | Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul | {{cite web |title=Sun Country Expands Minneapolis Network in NS23 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221116-syns23msp |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=16 November 2022 |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116152457/https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221116-syns23msp |url-status=live }}

| United Airlines | Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, San Francisco
Seasonal: Newark{{cite web|url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/business-journal/united-airlines-adding-flights-lambert-airport-to-san-francisco/63-0941f158-4ded-46e2-bf24-2e078d71842b|title=Airline adding flights at Lambert Airport to key destination|publisher=KSDK|date=April 22, 2024|accessdate=April 24, 2024}} | {{cite web|title=United Airlines timetable|url=https://www.united.com/en/us/flightstatus|publisher=United Airlines|access-date=5 June 2024|archive-date=September 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904192457/https://www.united.com/en/us/flightstatus|url-status=live}}

| United Express | Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, Washington–Dulles |

}}

{{Airport destination list | 3rdcoltitle = Refs | 3rdcolunsortable = yes

| Amazon Air | Baltimore, Ontario, San Bernardino | {{cite web|url=https://flightaware.com/live/flight/ABX3943/history/0400Z/KSTL/KONT|title=ABX Air 3943 ✈ FlightAware|publisher=Flightaware.com|access-date=2019-09-19|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626143757/https://flightaware.com/live/flight/ABX3943/history/0400Z/KSTL/KONT|url-status=live}}

| DHL Aviation | Cincinnati, Omaha |

| FedEx Express | Indianapolis, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul |

| UPS Airlines | Boise, Chicago/Rockford, Kansas City, Louisville, Portland (OR) |

}}

{{Airport-Statistics|iata=STL}}

• August 5, 1936: Chicago and Southern Flight 4, a Lockheed 10 Electra headed for Chicago, crashed after takeoff, killing all eight passengers and crew. The pilot became disoriented in fog.{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/25677|title=Accident description for NC16022 at aviation-safety.net|website=aviation-safety.net|accessdate= June 8, 2024}}
• January 23, 1941: a Douglas DC-3 of Transcontinental & Western Air crashed 0.4 miles west of St. Louis Municipal Airport during a landing attempt in adverse weather, killing two occupants out of the 14 on board.{{ASN accident|id=19410123-0|title=NC17315|wikibase=no}}
• August 1, 1943: during a demonstration flight of an "all St. Louis-built glider", a Waco CG-4A, USAAF serial 42-78839, built by sub-contractor Robertson Aircraft Company, lost its starboard wing due to a defective wing strut support and plummeted vertically to the ground at Lambert Field, killing all on board, including St. Louis Mayor William D. Becker; Maj. William B. Robertson and Harold Krueger, both of Robertson Aircraft; Thomas Dysart, president of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce; Max Doyne, director of public utilities; Charles Cunningham, department comptroller; and Henry Mueller, St. Louis Court presiding judge.Bowers, Peter M., "Breezing Along with the Breeze", Wings, Granada Hills, California, December 1989, Volume 19, Number 6, p. 19. The failed component had been manufactured by Robertson subcontractor Gardner Metal Products Company, of St. Louis, which, coincidentally, had been a casket maker.Diehl, Alan E., PhD, "Silent Knights: Blowing the Whistle on Military Accidents and Their Cover-ups", Brassey's, Inc., Dulles, Virginia, 2002, Library of Congress card number 2001052726, {{ISBN|978-1-57488-412-8}}, pages 81–82.
• September 6, 1944: the starboard engine of the sole completed McDonnell XP-67 prototype, USAAF serial 42-11677, caught fire during a test flight. Test pilot E.E. Elliot executed an emergency landing at Lambert Field and escaped, but the fire rapidly spread, destroying the aircraft. This was a crippling setback to the XP-67 program, which had been plagued by delays and technical problems, and the second prototype was only 15% complete, so flight testing could not promptly resume. The United States Army Air Forces deemed the XP-67 unnecessary and canceled the program.{{cite book |last=Mesko |first=Jim |date=2002 |title=FH Phantom/F2H Banshee in action |location=Carrollton, Texas, United States |publisher=Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc. |pages=4–5 |isbn=0-89747-444-9 }}
• May 24, 1953: a Meteor Air Transport Douglas DC-3 crashed on approach to the airport, killing six of the seven people on board.{{ASN accident|id=19530524-0|title=N53596|wikibase=no}}
• February 28, 1966: astronauts Elliot See and Charles Bassett – the original crew of the Gemini 9 mission – were killed in the crash of their T-38 trainer while attempting to land at Lambert Field in bad weather. The aircraft crashed into the same McDonnell Aircraft Corporation building (adjacent to the airport) where their spacecraft was being assembled.{{cite web|title=Losing The Moon|url=http://www.stlmag.com/St-Louis-Magazine/May-2006/Losing-The-Moon/|work=St. Louis Magazine|date=May 2006|access-date=June 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319095826/http://www.stlmag.com/St-Louis-Magazine/May-2006/Losing-The-Moon/|archive-date=March 19, 2014|url-status=live}}
• March 20, 1968: a McDonnell F-4 Phantom II jet fighter crashed on takeoff during a test flight. The aircraft pitched up and stalled almost immediately after lifting from the runway; both crewmen were able to eject and were not seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed in the ensuing explosion and fire. The crash was allegedly caused by a wrench socket, mistakenly left in the cockpit by maintenance crews, becoming lodged inside the control stick well on takeoff, jamming the stick in the full aft position.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhajoju_7Qc|title=US Navy F-4J Phantom II aircraft takeoff and crash in St. Louis, Missouri; Fireme...HD Stock Footage|last=CriticalPast|date=May 6, 2014|access-date=April 5, 2019|via=YouTube|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411073424/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhajoju_7Qc|archive-date=April 11, 2016|url-status=live}}
• March 27, 1968: Ozark Air Lines Flight 965, a Douglas DC-9-15, collided with a Cessna 150F on a local training flight approximately {{convert|1.5|miles}} north of the airport while both aircraft were on approach to runway 17. The Cessna was destroyed and both of its occupants were killed. The DC-9 sustained light damage and was able to land safely; none of its 44 passengers or five crewmembers were injured. The accident was attributed to inadequate visual flight rules (VFR) procedures in place at the airport, the failure of the DC-9 crew to spot the other aircraft in time, the Cessna crew's deviation from their traffic pattern instructions, and poor communications between the Cessna pilots and air traffic control.{{cite web |url=https://www.fss.aero/accident-reports/dvdfiles/US/1968-03-27-US.pdf |title=Accident report |date=1968 |access-date=July 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215234027/http://fss.aero/accident-reports/dvdfiles/US/1968-03-27-US.pdf |archive-date=December 15, 2010 |url-status=live }}
• July 23, 1973: while on the approach to land at St. Louis International Airport, Ozark Air Lines Flight 809 crashed near the University of Missouri – St. Louis, killing 38 of the 44 persons on board. Wind shear was cited as the cause. A tornado had been reported at Ladue, Missouri, about the time of the accident but the National Weather Service did not confirm that there was a tornado.[https://www.gendisasters.com/missouri/4931/st.-louis,-mo-airliner-crashes-landing,-july-1973 St. Louis, MO Airliner Crashes On Landing, July 1973 | GenDisasters ... Genealogy in Tragedy, Disasters, Fires, Floods] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507123629/http://www3.gendisasters.com/missouri/4931/st.-louis,-mo-airliner-crashes-landing,-july-1973 |date=May 7, 2013 }}. .gendisasters.com. Retrieved on August 16, 2013.
• July 6, 1977: a Fleming International Airways Lockheed L-188 Electra, a cargo flight, crashed during the takeoff roll; all three occupants were killed.{{ASN accident|id=19770706-2|title=N280F|wikibase=no}}
• January 9, 1984: Douglas DC-3 registration C-GSCA of Skycraft Air Transport crashed on take-off, killing one of its two crew members. The aircraft was on an international cargo flight to Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada. Both engines lost power shortly after take-off. The aircraft had been fueled with jet fuel instead of avgas.{{cite web|title=C-GSCA Accident Description|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19840109-0|work=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=July 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707114806/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19840109-0|archive-date=July 7, 2011|url-status=live}}
• April 8, 1990: A Missouri Air National Guard F-4 Phantom II veered off the runway during takeoff, crashed, and burst into flames. The pilot suffered minor injuries after his ejection seat failed to deploy and he was forced to exit the burning wreckage while the weapons officer fractured his left leg when he ejected from the aircraft.{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/04/08/F-4-crashes-no-fatalities/2246639547200/|title=F-4 crashes; no fatalities|website=UPI|access-date=April 5, 2019|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024103315/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/04/08/F-4-crashes-no-fatalities/2246639547200/|url-status=live}}
• November 22, 1994: TWA Flight 427 collided with a Cessna 441 Conquest, registration N441KM, at the intersection of runway 30R and taxiway Romeo. The TWA McDonnell Douglas MD-82 was taking off for Denver and had accelerated through {{convert|80|kn}} when the collision occurred. The MD-82 sustained substantial damage during the collision. The Cessna 441, operated by Superior Aviation, was destroyed. The pilot and the passenger were killed. The investigation found the Cessna 441 had entered the wrong runway for its takeoff.{{cite book |url=http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/ntsb/aircraft-accident-reports/AAR95-05.pdf |title=Aircraft Accident Report, Runway Collision Involving Trans World Airlines Flight 427 And Superior Aviation Cessna 441, Bridgeton, Missouri, November 22, 1994 |publisher=National Transportation Safety Board |date=August 30, 1995 |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009000209/http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/ntsb/aircraft-accident-reports/AAR95-05.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2016 |url-status=live }}
• September 28, 2007: American Airlines Flight 1400, an MD-82 from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport to O'Hare International Airport, suffered an engine fire on the left engine right after takeoff, and a partial hydraulic and electrical failure. The aircraft returned to Lambert-St Louis after a go-around where a successful emergency landing was made, after the nose gear had to be extended by the emergency landing gear extension procedure. No injuries were reported among the 138 passengers and crew, although the aircraft was substantially damaged. During the investigation it was determined that the captain and ground crew had started the engine using an unapproved method.{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2009 |title=Aircraft Accident Report - Aviation |url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/accidentreports/reports/aar0903.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=National Transportation Safety Board}}
• February 12th, 2025: United Airlines Flight 4427, a Bombardier CRJ-550 operated by GoJet Airlines from Washington-Dulles International Airport suffered a runway excursion while landing on Runway 11. There were no injuries.https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/477060

• In the "Airport" episode of the television show NewsRadio, bad weather keeps Bill and Dave at Lambert for the entire show.
• In "The Airport" episode of the television show Seinfeld, Jerry and Elaine leave from Lambert.
• In the "Meg and Quagmire" episode of the television show Family Guy, Glenn Quagmire tells a story about landing at Lambert.

• In the 1986 film Manhunter, FBI agents fly into Lambert during their pursuit of the killer.
• In the 1987 film Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Neal Page (Steve Martin) attempts to rent a car at Lambert, with disastrous consequences.{{cite news|title=Missouri Boasts a Proud History of Being on the Silver Screen|first=Caroline|last=Dohack-McCrary|url=http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/mar/13/through-the-lens/|newspaper=Columbia Daily Tribune|date=March 13, 2011|accessdate=March 13, 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321170137/http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/mar/13/through-the-lens/|archivedate=March 21, 2012|df=mdy-all}}
• Part of the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs was shot at Lambert.
• In the 2003 film Anger Management, Dave Buznik (Adam Sandler) takes a flight to Lambert.
• Part of the 2006 film The Lucky Ones, set in Austin, Texas, was shot at Lambert.
• One scene from the 2009 film The Informant!, directed by Steven Soderbergh, was filmed at Lambert.{{cite news |title=Steven Soderbergh, Film Revolutionary|first=Joe|last=Williams|url=http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/joes-movie-lounge/joes-movie-lounge/2009/01/steven-soderbergh-film-revolutionary/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120918071328/http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/joes-movie-lounge/joes-movie-lounge/2009/01/steven-soderbergh-film-revolutionary/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 18, 2012|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=January 28, 2009|accessdate=January 29, 2009}}
• The 2009 film Up in the Air was filmed in the St. Louis area, including in Lambert's Concourse D, between March 3 and the end of April 2009. In the film, George Clooney alludes to Lambert Field's rich history with the Wright Brothers and Charles Lindbergh.{{cite news|title=Clooney Was Here: St. Louis Locations in 'Up in the Air' |first=Joe |last=Williams |url=http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/stories.nsf/moviereviews/story/3E8BDC74070D543A862576870066BEE2?OpenDocument |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=December 11, 2009 |accessdate=December 11, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091230053217/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/stories.nsf/moviereviews/story/3E8BDC74070D543A862576870066BEE2?OpenDocument |archivedate=December 30, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}{{cite news |title=George Clooney to Film Next Movie in St. Louis|first=Ann|last=Rubin|url=http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=163164|work=KSDK|date=December 12, 2008|accessdate=December 29, 2008}}{{cite web|title=Official Information for the St. Louis film "Up in the Air" |url=http://www.missouribusiness.net/film/hotline.asp |work=Missouri Film Commission Project Hotline |date=January 15, 2009 |accessdate=January 18, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510141333/http://www.missouribusiness.net/film/hotline.asp |archivedate=May 10, 2008 }}{{cite news|title="Up in the Air" Movie Opens: Lambert Airport Has Prominent Role |first=Bill |last=Reker |url=http://www.kmox.com/-Up-in-the-Air--movie-opens--Lambert-Airport-has-p/5877295 |work=KMOX |date=December 12, 2009 |accessdate=December 12, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091218015231/http://www.kmox.com/-Up-in-the-Air--movie-opens--Lambert-Airport-has-p/5877295 |archivedate=December 18, 2009 }}
• The 2017 film The Layover was partially filmed and set at Lambert Airport.{{cite news|title=Lea Michele, Kate Upton, William H. Macy Team For Road Trip Comedy 'The Layover' |first=Mike Jr. |last=Fleming |url=https://deadline.com/2015/03/lea-michele-kate-upton-william-h-macy-the-layover-road-trip-sex-comedy-1201398781/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=March 25, 2015 |access-date=August 1, 2017}}

{{Portal|United States|Aviation|Missouri}}

• List of airports in Missouri
• Missouri World War II Army Airfields

{{clear}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• [http://www.flystl.com/ St. Louis Lambert International Airport] official site
• {{FAA-diagram|00360}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIlpDwMKzJo&t=95s Video] of President Theodore Roosevelt's October 1911 flight, from the Library of Congress{{US-airport|STL}}
• OpenNav [http://www.opennav.com/airport/KSTL airspace and charts for KSTL]
• Passenger, Cargo and Flight [https://stlairportdata.com/ Open Data for STL]

{{Minoru Yamasaki}}

{{St. Louis}}

{{Greater St. Louis Transportation}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Louis Lambert International Airport}}

Category:Airports established in 1928

Category:1923 establishments in Missouri

Category:Airports in Greater St. Louis

Category:Concrete shell structures

Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Missouri

Category:Transportation buildings and structures in St. Louis County, Missouri

Category:Berkeley, Missouri

Category:Government of St. Louis