5/ 5 reviews
Easy in & out
“TSA tends to be quick especially in the off-peak.”
Max Rosenthal5★ on Google
Airports / South Carolina / CHS
Large airport · CHS
Charleston International Airport.
Charleston, South Carolina · 46 ft elevation. 1 charter operator based here.
4.4/5
Google rating
5,130 ratings
1
Operators based
46
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
Charleston, South CarolinaELEV 46 FTLarge airportScheduled service
4.4
Google rating
5,130
Google reviews
ratings on Google
1
Based operators
charter operators on the field
2
FBOs on field
ramp, fuel and handling
46
Field elevation
feet above sea level
Field standing
43 nm
To the nearest alternate
Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field (KNBC).
Overview
Charleston International Airport (KCHS / CHS) sits in Charleston, South Carolina, where it functions as a large commercial airport. The airport sits 46 feet above sea level. Alongside scheduled airline service, the airport handles a steady flow of private and charter traffic.
The airport anchors local charter capacity, International Air Ambulance is based here. When weather or ramp space demands it, nearby options are Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field (KNBC, 43 nm), Hilton Head Airport (HHH, 52 nm), and Orangeburg Municipal Airport (OGB, 53 nm). With 2 runways, the longest 9,001-foot paved runway, CHS can typically accommodate aircraft as large as VIP airliners.
Planning a trip? The Charleston, SC destination guide covers routes, aircraft options, and what to expect on the ground. In directories and search listings it also appears under Charleston Air Force Base. Compare rated operators or run a route through the cost estimator to gauge pricing from Charleston.
2 FBOs serve KCHS. Run one? Become the preferred FBO
Ramp services
FBOs on the field
Atlantic Aviation Charleston
Your FBO? Claim it, freeLocated just a few miles north of beautiful downtown Charleston, Atlantic Aviation Charleston promises to meet your every need. Relax in our pilot's lounge or check out one of the flight school's simulators and trainer U.S. military aircraft at nearby Charleston Air Force Base.
- Fuel
- Hangar
- Mon-Sun: 24 Hours
- Unicom 129.375
- Executive lounge
- Conference room
- Wi-Fi
- Courtesy car
- Shuttle
- Car rental
- Restrooms
- Hotel help
- +15 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address
Signature Flight Support Charleston
Your FBO? Claim it, freeFounded in 1670, this quaint city has a unique charm. Cobblestone streets line the city, with horse-drawn carriages and eighteenth-century houses. Go for a walk alongside the Charleston Harbor, take in the views around the elegant French Quarter and Battery districts. Check out the MAGNOLIA Plantation and Garden to see why Magnolia is South Carolinas Most Visited Plantation.
- Fuel
- Hangar
- 24/7
- Unicom 131.625
- Executive lounge
- Customs
- Conference room
- Wi-Fi
- Cafe
- Vending
- Courtesy car
- Car rental
- +21 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address
Directory data, unpaid. FBOs can take the Preferred slot above.
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
5/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“Clean with a large, open atmosphere and good restaurants.”
Max Rosenthal5★ on Google
2/ 5 reviews
Staff & service
“Another thing we enjoy is that the airport reflects the welcoming charm of Charleston itself.”
Brian Murphy4★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Charleston International Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
KCHS
IATA
CHS
FAA / Local
CHS
Elevation
46 ft
Coordinates
32.8962° N · 80.0382° W
Airspace
C · CharlieClass C, CharlieRadar-controlled airspace around mid-size hubs. Aircraft must be in two-way radio contact and squawking a transponder while approach control sequences arrivals.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Large
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs SC fields
state range 10–1,048 ft
At 46 ft, CHS sits lower than 74% of the 43 South Carolina fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
2 runways
longest 9,001 ft
- 15/339,001 ft × 150 ftConcreteLighted
- 03/217,000 ft × 150 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 9,001 ft
CHS's 9,001 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- 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.
Based charter operators1
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 43nmKNBCBeaufort MCAS - Merritt FieldBeaufort
- 52nmHHHHilton Head AirportHilton Head Island
- 53nmOGBOrangeburg Municipal AirportOrangeburg
- 68nmSSCShaw Air Force BaseSumter
- 72nmMMTMc Entire Joint National Guard BaseEastover
- 73nmMYRMyrtle Beach International AirportMyrtle Beach
Destinations served
Location
Open the full mapKCHS · Charleston International Airport · Charleston, SC
From the ramp
Google Places photography of Charleston International Airport, tap any frame to view full-screen, then cycle with the arrows or your keyboard.
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from CHS on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach (PBI) | 373 nm | 1h 16m |
| Nashville (BNA) | 381 nm | 1h 17m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 384 nm | 1h 18m |
| Miami (MIA) | 427 nm | 1h 24m |
| New York (TEB) | 557 nm | 1h 42m |
| Chicago (ORD) | 661 nm | 1h 56m |
| Boston (BED) | 709 nm | 2h 3m |
| Houston (HOU) | 805 nm | 2h 16m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use CHS?
- Charleston International Airport's longest paved runway is 9,001 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. 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 CHS?
- Charleston International Airport has 2 runways; the longest measures 9,001 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Are there charter operators based at CHS?
- Yes. 1 charter operator list Charleston International Airport as a home base, including International Air Ambulance. You can also request quotes from operators that reposition aircraft into the field.
- Which FBOs are at Charleston International Airport?
- 2 FBOs serve CHS: Atlantic Aviation Charleston and Signature Flight Support Charleston. Phone, website, hours, unicom and services for each are listed on this page. Call ahead for fuel, ramp space, and ground handling.
- What is the nearest major airport to CHS?
- The closest alternate is Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field (KNBC), about 43 nm away, followed by Hilton Head Airport (HHH) at 52 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from CHS to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Palm Beach about 1h 16m (373 nm), Nashville about 1h 17m (381 nm), Washington DC about 1h 18m (384 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.