27. August 2025
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Muscle Shoals Airport (MSL)

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Muscle Shoals Airport (MSL)

Muscle Shoals Airport (MSL)
3.8

Rating

 3.8/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Good location with free parking
  • Friendly staff

Flyctory.com Cons

  • Limited services at the airport

The best (i.e. most economic) way to integrate a day in Charlotte, North Carolina, to my Six US States and Nashville trip was another Essential Air Service experience. From Muscle Shoals Airport (MSL), also called Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, I had a morning flight to North Carolina and an afternoon flight back. Here is my experience of having my first ever flights to and from Alabama.

 

Muscle Shoals Airport (MSL) – Location & Transport

The Northwest Alabama Regional Airport (MSL) is located on the East edge of Muscle Shoals. The airport itself is slightly separated from the adjacent commercial zone. Avalon Ave, where the airport is located, also offers some restaurants, which are typically family restaurant style. Major grocery stores and gas stations are located rather closer to city center.

There is no public transport to the airport. You either have to drive yourself or take a taxi / rideshare. There is free parking right in front of the terminal building.

 

Muscle Shoals Airport (MSL) – Connections

Muscle Shoals Airport (MSL) is currently solely connected by an Essential Air Service connection to Charlotte (CLT), driven by Contour Airlines. Depending on the day, there are one to two connections daily in each connections. Due to the co-founded character of the aviation program, these flights are significantly cheaper than comparable connections from other airports in the region, e.g. Huntsville (HSV). Contour has agreements with other airlines, so that you can transfer from Charlotte (CLT) to other destinations.

 

Arriving at Muscle Shoals Airport (MSL)

Arriving a the airport is rather straight-forward. From the ramp at the plane, you have a short walk to the gate area. The baggage claim is rather a slide and not a typical belt, which is absolutely fine for the travel volume from that place.

 

Departing from Muscle Shoals Airport (MSL)

Despite the terminal is rather large, it features just what you need to board your flight. There are check-in desks at one end of the building. You typically wait on the landside part of the terminal, i.e. before TSA / security. The small airside part opens roughly 30 minutes before scheduled departure. There are just some seats airside. As you would expect at an airport of that size, security is professional, but also very efficient. Before you enter the secured area, you can also make use of a waiting room, which features workdesks as well.

 

Muscle Shoals Airport (MSL) – Services

The airport offers free WiFi. There is no restaurant or cafe at the airport. The only way to have some basic nutrition is a vending machine. There is a local car rental in front of the building. Interestingly, the airport’s office is selling various kinds of merchandise, which might be a nice thing for aviation nerds. Toilets are located landside and airside.

 

 

Muscle Shoals Airport (MSL) – My View

Muscle Shoals Airport (MSL) does get the job done conveniently. The staff is lovely and as all my Essential Air Service experiences so far, the airport offers very fast and efficient processing of your flight. The location is not central, but convenient. Not my top notch US regional airport experience, but a very solid one – I would definitely choose it again!

 

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