Airports / Alaska / VDZ
Valdez Pioneer Field.
Valdez, Alaska · 121 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
4.4/5
Google rating
40 ratings
0
Operators based
121
Elevation ft
Google rating
Google reviews
Field elevation
Nearest alternate
Field standing
20 nm
To the nearest alternate
Tatitlek Airport (TEK), 2 fields within 50 nm.
Overview
Valdez Pioneer Field, listed as PAVD / VDZ, is a mid-sized airport in Valdez, Alaska. The field lies at an elevation of 121 feet. The airport supports scheduled airline service as well as private jet and charter movements.
VDZ has no resident charter fleet; trips here are typically flown by operators repositioning from surrounding airports. Useful alternates include Tatitlek Airport (TEK, 20 nm), Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport (CDV, 45 nm), and Gulkana Airport (GKN, 65 nm). VDZ offers a single 6,500-foot paved runway, which supports charter types through the VIP airliner class.
Quotes for flights out of VDZ vary with aircraft type, repositioning, and schedule flexibility. The airport is also known as Valdez Number 2. Use the cost estimator to model a trip from VDZ, or browse verified operators serving the area.
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Field capability
ICAO
PAVD
IATA
VDZ
FAA / Local
VDZ
Elevation
121 ft
Coordinates
61.1327° N · 146.2466° 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
Medium
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs AK fields
state range 2–3,318 ft
At 121 ft, VDZ sits higher than 51% of the 285 Alaska fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
1 runway
longest 6,500 ft
- 06/246,500 ft × 150 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 6,500 ft
VDZ's 6,500 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.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 20nmTEKTatitlek AirportTatitlek
- 45nmCDVMerle K (Mudhole) Smith AirportCordova
- 65nmGKNGulkana AirportGulkana
- 82nmNCNChenega Bay AirportChenega
- 86nmPAQWarren "Bud" Woods Palmer Municipal AirportPalmer
- 96nmPABVBirchwood AirportBirchwood
Location
Open the full mapPAVD · Valdez Pioneer Field · Valdez, AK
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from VDZ on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle (SEA) | 1,162 nm | 3h 6m |
| Jackson Hole (JAC) | 1,639 nm | 4h 13m |
| San Francisco (SFO) | 1,672 nm | 4h 17m |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) | 1,744 nm | 4h 27m |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | 1,909 nm | 4h 50m |
| Vail / Eagle (EGE) | 1,933 nm | 4h 54m |
| Los Angeles (VNY) | 1,937 nm | 4h 54m |
| Aspen (ASE) | 1,955 nm | 4h 57m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use VDZ?
- Valdez Pioneer Field's longest paved runway is 6,500 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 VDZ?
- Valdez Pioneer Field has one runway; the longest measures 6,500 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- What is the nearest major airport to VDZ?
- The closest alternate is Tatitlek Airport (TEK), about 20 nm away, followed by Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport (CDV) at 45 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from VDZ to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Seattle about 3h 6m (1,162 nm), Jackson Hole about 4h 13m (1,639 nm), San Francisco about 4h 17m (1,672 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.