4/ 4 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“Fuel, including hi octane mogas, is dispensed through a self service facility in front of the terminal.”
John “Jay” McGowan5★ on Google
Airports / Minnesota / AEL
Small airport · AEL
Albert Lea Municipal Airport.
Albert Lea, Minnesota · 1,260 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
4.8/5
Google rating
8 ratings
0
Operators based
1,260
Elevation ft
Albert Lea, MinnesotaELEV 1,260 FTSmall airport
4.8
Google rating
8
Google reviews
ratings on Google
1,260
Field elevation
feet above sea level
31
Nearest alternate
nm to MCW
Field standing
#9 / 38
Minnesota airports by Google rating
4.8★ across 8 Google ratings , ranked against 38 rated MN fields.
31 nm
To the nearest alternate
Mason City Municipal Airport (MCW), 3 fields within 50 nm.
Overview
Albert Lea Municipal Airport, listed as KAEL / AEL, is a general aviation field in Albert Lea, Minnesota. The airport sits 1,260 feet above sea level. With no scheduled airline service, it caters to private, charter, and general aviation traffic.
No charter operator is headquartered on the field, but operators routinely position aircraft into AEL for departures. When weather or ramp space demands it, nearby options are Mason City Municipal Airport (MCW, 31 nm), Rochester International Airport (RST, 40 nm), and Northeast Iowa Regional Airport (CCY, 49 nm). With 2 runways, the longest 5,000-foot paved runway, AEL can typically accommodate aircraft as large as super-midsize jets.
Charter pricing from AEL depends on aircraft category, positioning distance, and trip timing. Compare rated operators or run a route through the cost estimator to gauge pricing from Albert Lea.
Run an FBO at KAEL? Become the preferred FBO
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
2/ 4 reviews
FBO & ground handling
“Fuel, including hi octane mogas, is dispensed through a self service facility in front of the terminal.”
John “Jay” McGowan5★ on Google
2/ 4 reviews
Staff & service
“Fuel, including hi octane mogas, is dispensed through a self service facility in front of the terminal.”
John “Jay” McGowan5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Albert Lea Municipal Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
KAEL
IATA
AEL
FAA / Local
AEL
Elevation
1,260 ft
Coordinates
43.6815° N · 93.3672° W
Airspace
G · GolfClass G, GolfUncontrolled field, no tower. Pilots self-announce and sequence themselves on the common traffic advisory frequency.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Small
Scheduled svc
No
Elevation vs MN fields
state range 656–1,799 ft
At 1,260 ft, AEL sits higher than 64% of the 56 Minnesota fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
2 runways
longest 5,000 ft
- 17/355,000 ft × 100 ftAsphaltLighted
- 05/232,898 ft × 75 ftAsphaltUnlit
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 5,000 ft
AEL's 5,000 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to super-midsize jets.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 31nmMCWMason City Municipal AirportMason City
- 40nmRSTRochester International AirportRochester
- 49nmCCYNortheast Iowa Regional AirportCharles City
- 72nmMSPMinneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain FieldMinneapolis
- 76nmSTPSaint Paul Downtown Holman FieldSaint Paul
- 77nmFODFort Dodge Regional AirportFort Dodge
Location
Open the full mapKAEL · Albert Lea Municipal Airport · Albert Lea, MN
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from AEL on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago (ORD) | 261 nm | 1h 0m |
| Nashville (BNA) | 548 nm | 1h 40m |
| Denver (DEN) | 555 nm | 1h 41m |
| Vail / Eagle (EGE) | 653 nm | 1h 55m |
| Aspen (ASE) | 663 nm | 1h 57m |
| Dallas (DAL) | 671 nm | 1h 58m |
| Jackson Hole (JAC) | 753 nm | 2h 9m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 770 nm | 2h 11m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use AEL?
- Albert Lea Municipal Airport's longest paved runway is 5,000 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to super-midsize jets. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at AEL?
- Albert Lea Municipal Airport has 2 runways; the longest measures 5,000 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- What is the nearest major airport to AEL?
- The closest alternate is Mason City Municipal Airport (MCW), about 31 nm away, followed by Rochester International Airport (RST) at 40 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from AEL to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Chicago about 1h 0m (261 nm), Nashville about 1h 40m (548 nm), Denver about 1h 41m (555 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.