St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport — Local services in Pinellas Park

DISABLED PEOPLE PLEASE READ! When we went inside the line for Allegiant was extremely long. It was approximately 5:30 am. I approximate it being a 45 minute wait. We did not have a bag to check. I had been told via email to see an allegiant agent to get a wheelchair, but I could not stand that long to see one so we went ahead to security. I told the man I was supposed to get a wheelchair and he said that I was supposed to get it upfront from an agent and they would get someone to help me. I told him I could not stand that long. He went and got me one and brought it back. He rolled it up behind me and did not put the brakes on, but told me so. It was extra wide and old. I sat down in it with my husband ahead of me with my rollater walker, the suitcase, and either one or both of the backpacks. When I backed up to sit down, I hit my lower leg right above my ankle. It hurt and is still bruised today (8 days later) and it is even a bruise on the front part of my leg. I tried to roll myself, but it was awkward because it was such a big wheelchair. I could not get the wheelchair through the narrow line. Someone behind me tried to push the trays that were in the way over some, but it did not help. I got up and pushed my own wheelchair through holding on to the handles carefully! Next they gave me a very tall wooden cane. Way too tall for the average person. I am 5‘6“. It was very difficult to even walk a few steps using this. I am used to one with the four prongs. I went inside the x-ray machine and a man helped me out the other side, which was a TSA agent. I don’t remember if my husband pushed me in the wheelchair onto our gate or if I used my Rollator walker. Wheelchairs are genuinely uncomfortable so I thought I would just go ahead and sit in one of the chairs at the gate. The lady at the desk was nice and told us to just leave the wheelchair in front of the desk. When time came to load a nice young man came and rolled me up the very steep ramp. I did not understand why any airport was ever built the way this one is. You should not have to go outside to get on an airplane! The building should’ve been made taller to begin with. Steep ramps are hard for a lot of people to walk on. The airplane outside the gate was not ours so it was a bit of a trek to get to ours. Even the young man commented on it. After we got to the airport, our seats had changed. After multiple emails to the ACAA I had assumed that our seats in the very back of the plane near the bathrooms were given to us because of my disability. For whatever reason our seats were changed to row seven and my husband and I were across the aisle from each other. We needed to sit together so he would be to my left to protect my left hip and leg. When my seat mates came in it was a woman with a small child. This was a horrible experience but a story for another day. Thank goodness I did not have to use the restroom during this time. It was difficult to let them out into the aisle when we arrived at our destination. After waiting to the end, we discovered it was not a ramp at Newburgh Stewart airport, but instead they had a jet bridge. I walked with my Rollator walker into the airport. It felt human and nice! I will be sending a detailed report of this to allegiant and to the ACAA and also reporting this on a disabled Facebook travel group. When we returned, the flight attendant said it was a jet bridge to get back so I did not ask for a wheelchair. I got off the jet bridge and guess what? A very long steep ramp inside the airport! I held on tight to the railing and went down slowly. Flight attendants need to be more aware of what handicapped people will be dealing with when they get...

I recently had the pleasure of flying through the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Florida Airport, and I must say that my experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I arrived to the moment I departed, the airport impressed me with its efficient operations, cleanliness, and friendly staff. Here's why my journey through this airport was an absolute pleasure:

Seamless Check-in Process: Upon arrival, I was greeted by the sight of a well-organized and spacious check-in area. The check-in counters were adequately staffed, ensuring a swift and hassle-free process. The airport's modern self-check-in kiosks were user-friendly and helped expedite the process for those who preferred a self-service option.

Effortless Security Screening: The security screening process was conducted with efficiency and professionalism. The staff members were courteous and knowledgeable, guiding passengers through the necessary steps while maintaining a pleasant atmosphere. The lines moved swiftly, and the screening procedures were thorough yet unobtrusive.

Clean and Inviting Terminal: The terminal itself was clean, spacious, and thoughtfully designed. The architecture and interior decor reflected the vibrant spirit of the surrounding area. The airport management had clearly made an effort to create a comfortable and welcoming environment, with plenty of seating options, charging stations, and well-maintained restroom facilities.

Abundance of Amenities: St. Petersburg/Clearwater Florida Airport went above and beyond to provide a range of amenities for travelers. The variety of dining options was impressive, with both local and national brands represented. Whether I was in the mood for a quick snack or a sit-down meal, there were plenty of choices to satisfy my cravings. Additionally, the airport featured a diverse selection of retail stores, from souvenir shops to luxury boutiques, allowing me to browse and make purchases at my leisure.

Exceptional Customer Service: Throughout my time at the airport, the staff members I encountered were friendly, helpful, and genuinely interested in ensuring a pleasant experience for every traveler. From the information desk attendants to the gate agents, their warm and accommodating demeanor made me feel valued as a passenger.

Efficient Departure and Arrival Experience: The boarding process was well-organized, and the departure and arrival procedures were smoothly executed. The airport's commitment to timeliness was evident, as my flights departed and arrived punctually, leaving me with peace of mind and minimizing any potential stress associated with air travel.

Overall, my experience at St. Petersburg/Clearwater Florida Airport was truly delightful. The airport's commitment to efficiency, cleanliness, and passenger comfort was evident in every aspect of my journey. I wholeheartedly recommend this airport to anyone traveling to or from the area. St. Petersburg/Clearwater Florida Airport is a shining example of how an airport can create a positive and enjoyable...

We recently flew into and out of PIE, and while arrival was smooth, our departure turned into the worst airport experience I’ve ever had.

Arrival: Deplaning was easy, and we were quickly on our way to baggage claim. However, both the men’s and women’s restrooms had extremely long lines — it doesn’t seem like this airport has enough restrooms to handle the number of passengers. Baggage claim was also painfully slow, easily the slowest I’ve ever experienced at any airport, regional or international. Aside from those frustrations, we were able to get our rental car right away and start our vacation without issue.

Departure (the nightmare): Our Allegiant flight was scheduled to depart at 7:00 AM, with boarding at 6:15 AM and doors closing at 6:45 AM. Following Allegiant’s own guidance, we arrived at PIE at 5:00 AM (two hours early), returned our rental car in under 20 minutes, and went straight to bag drop. The check-in line snaked around the ropes six times and spilled into the lobby. It took an hour and a half to reach the counter.

At 6:30 AM — 15 minutes before the official boarding doors should have closed — we were told our flight had already departed. Shocked, I clarified the schedule, only to be informed the doors were closed early to “free up the gate” and the flight had actually left 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Not only were the three of us stranded, but so were at least seven other passengers.

We spent four hours stuck at PIE and then another eight hours at Tampa International (TPA) before finally catching a last-minute Southwest flight home at five times the price. Allegiant’s staff at PIE were helpful, even exploring options with other airlines and rental cars, but the situation was outrageous. When I called Allegiant customer service, the representative confirmed this should never have happened — it’s not company policy to depart before the listed time, and he had only ever heard of this happening at PIE. Allegiant issued us a full refund, but that didn’t erase the stress and cost of the ordeal.

Facilities: PIE itself is underwhelming. Food options are essentially non-existent outside of small convenience stores, the air conditioning was poor, and the whole terminal felt dated and cramped. With only one airline operating here, I don’t understand the rush to free up a gate by stranding paying customers.

Bottom line: We love the St. Pete/Clearwater area and will absolutely return — but never through PIE. Next time, we’ll gladly use Tampa International (TPA), which offers far better service, facilities, and reliability. This experience at PIE was anything but...