Rated as the nation’s No. 1 family beach vacation destination, Myrtle Beach was once considered a regional driving destination. The vast majority of visitors arrived by the carload, while the old Myrtle Beach Airport was little more than a shared runway with the neighboring Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. But those days are now in the rear-view mirror as air travel to and from the Grand Strand has taken off in recent years, thanks to the expansion of the airport terminal and the addition of more airline services.
Following a massive $320 million renovation project that was completed in 2015, Myrtle Beach International Airport serves as a modern and accommodating complex that lets passengers know they have arrived somewhere special from the moment their feet hit the ground. Featuring state-of-the-art facilities that rival new airports in major cities, MBI offers a wide selection of airlines, destinations, one-way flights and international travel to make it easier than ever to fly to the Grand Strand.
Providing service from a total of eight airlines, MBI offers more than 30 nonstop flights and connections to nearly anywhere in the world. Modern furnishings along with expanded dining and shopping opportunities give patrons a great environment before and after their flights, and the upgraded road system around the airport allows visitors to hit the ground running and start enjoying their vacation almost immediately. In fact, Long Bay Resort guests can be beachside within minutes of touching down.
Among the airlines offering direct domestic service to and from MBI are Allegiant Air (Indianapolis, Fort Wayne (IN), Huntington (WV), Clarksburg (WV), Cleveland, Youngstown (OH), Columbus (OH), Cincinnati, Toledo (OH), Lexington (KY), Syracuse, Stewart (NY), Pittsburgh, Allentown (PA) and Harrisburg (PA)); American Airlines (Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and New York La Guardia); Delta Airlines (Boston, Detroit, Atlanta, New York La Guardia); Spirit Airlines (Akron/Canton (OH), Atlantic City, Baltimore/Washington, Boston, Charleston (WV), Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Newark (NJ), Fort Lauderdale (FL), Latrobe (PA), Niagara Falls (NY), New York LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Plattsburgh (NY), Dallas/Fort Worth); and United Airlines (Chicago and Newark).
MBI offers all the support on the ground you need for an enjoyable experience. Rent a car, catch a cab, or take public transportation shuttles to nearly anywhere in the city while you make the mental transition to vacation mode. Or, if you want a drink or a bite to eat, check out the on-site vendors including The Boardwalk Cafe, Caribou Coffee, Hudson News, Steak n’ Shake, Nacho Hippo, Subway, Pavilion Bar and Grill, or the Grab N Go, where you can pick up any items you might have forgotten to pack.
Not only have the services and facilities inside MBI been vastly improved, but the surrounding area has also grown to provide air travelers a better all-around experience. The opening of Harrelson Boulevard, a divided, four-lane expressway that runs directly to MBI, makes it easier for visitors to get to and from their destinations as well as find fun things to do while waiting for a flight. The Market Common, built on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base site, and the nearby Coastal Grand Mall offer excellent last-minute shopping opportunities. The adjacent Whispering Pines Golf Course gives golfers the chance to sneak in one last round before flying back home, and it's only a 5-minute drive to the beach to catch some rays during a delay.
After a long flight in, it’s time to kick back and relax in luxury at Long Bay Resort, an oceanside oasis for visitors who enjoy the best of both worlds. Enjoy the comfortable accommodations and first-class amenities on the resort property, and take in all the sights and sounds Myrtle Beach has to offer just a short distance from the resort. Regardless of where you take off from, you are sure to have a happy landing at MBI and Long Bay Resort.
