{"id":1898,"date":"2024-05-04T17:06:49","date_gmt":"2024-05-05T00:36:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jettreks.com\/?p=1898"},"modified":"2026-06-05T15:07:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T22:37:45","slug":"dont-worry-about-big-airports-fly-to-gulf-shores-al","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jettreks.com\/?p=1898","title":{"rendered":"Gulf Shores International Airport, Gulf Shores, AL"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF, KJKA, FAA LID: JKA)<\/strong> is a towered public airport owned by the Gulf Shores Airport Authority<\/strong>. Also known as Jack Edwards Field<\/strong>, it’s located 2 nautical miles north of the city of Gulf Shores<\/strong> in Baldwin County, Alabama<\/strong>. This airport was upgraded to commercial in 2023, with a new terminal opened in May of 2025, and expansions to that terminal slated for completion in 2027. This airfield has two runways as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Direction<\/strong><\/td> Length<\/strong><\/td>Surface<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
9\/27<\/td>6,962 x 100 ft <\/td>Asphalt\/grooved-good<\/td><\/tr>
17\/35<\/td>3,596 x 75 ft<\/td>Asphalt\/good<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

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FBO & Services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Gulf Air Center<\/strong> is this airfield’s full-service FBO<\/strong>, which includes fuel, aircraft maintenance, catering, GPUs, lavatory service, a pilot planning computer station, and options for after-hours service. After-hours phone is 251-979-7270 if you need it.

Jack Edwards Field is home to Aeropro Flight School<\/strong> and Skywarrior Flight School<\/strong>. There is also the Coastal Aircraft Services, Inc<\/strong>., for AOG and off-site maintenance. It’s a full-service aircraft maintenance company.


Commercial traffic at Gulf Shores International Airport<\/strong> began in May of 2025. Allegiant Airlines<\/strong> offers six nonstop routes.
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Transportation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Crew cars are available from the Gulf Air Center<\/strong>. You can also get a shuttle\/taxi to or from Pensacola to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach through United Airport Shuttle.<\/a><\/strong> Rental cars are available at the airport through Hertz<\/strong> or Enterprise<\/strong> and in nearby Foley through Expedia.com<\/a>. (affiliate link)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Food and Drink<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just for the experience, you should drive up to Foley, Alabama, <\/strong>and try Lambert’s Cafe<\/strong>, Home of the Throwed Rolls. Lambert’s Cafe<\/strong> is a bit of an epicurean adventure. The food was great, there was lots of it, and it was fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If down-home cookin’ isn’t your thing, you’ve literally landed in seafood heaven. For a nice view of the Gulf, I would recommend the Original Oyster House Boardwalk, almost any seafood you could imagine, and the prices aren’t outrageous. If you want to support the local economy, the shrimp platter at a place called the Shrimp Basket is great, and they use locally sourced catches, so everything is as fresh as can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another place with a great view and great food is the Sea-N-Suds Restaurant<\/strong>. Famous for gumbo and hush-puppies, it has a very laid-back and casual beachy atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We tried the Pier House Restaurant Bar<\/strong> and really liked it. Flaming desserts and seafood pasta to die for! Apparently, I missed out by not ordering the cheesecake eggrolls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re looking for somewhere decent close to the airport, <\/strong>LuLu’s<\/strong><\/a> is your ticket. Nice cocktails, good food, great key lime pie, and live music on occasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another great place was the Sunliner Diner<\/a><\/strong>, a very cool old-style diner complete with antique cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Grab a burger and a milkshake at the counter while listening to the oldies at the Sunliner Diner in Gulf Shores, Alabama!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Things To Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Springtime in Orange Beach has plenty of outdoor adventures! Down on Orange Beach. There is usually volleyball, always shell searching, sunset watching, and sometimes music. The three-day Music Hangout Festival<\/a><\/strong> generally starts the third weekend of May. There are dolphin and sunset sailing trips if you like to be on the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want something a little different that is still aviation-related, and you’re a brave soul, check out BeachFlight Aviation<\/strong>. They have gyroplanes that give you a great view of the coast. They’ll even let you fly a little, although not alone. Sorry pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are 8 public golf courses in Gulf Shores and another 7 within 20 miles. The highest rating is for ONE<\/strong> Club Golf<\/strong>, which is straight north of the field, right off of Highway 59. Inspired and designed by Arnold Palmer, you know it’s gotta be good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The easiest and cheapest way to take in some of the local flavor and attractions is probably the Gulf Shores\/Orange Beach Area Multi-Attraction Pass<\/a> from Expedia.com<\/strong><\/a>. If your stay is short and you only have time for one or two excursions, it’s probably not worth it. However, if you’re staying a few days and want to take in the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo<\/strong>, the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park<\/strong>, the Wharf<\/strong> Ferris Wheel, Blakely State Park<\/strong>, and Foley’s Depot Museum and model train exhibit<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> it’s worth it in spades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where to Stay Near Gulf Shores International Airport<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I found great deals on Orbitz.com<\/a><\/strong> if you want to stay near the zoo. Beachside hotels are more expensive. You could also choose the One Club Gulf Shore <\/a><\/strong>upscale condo at the golf course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the beach is your thing, the Condeaux Beach V<\/a><\/strong> is right up your alley. Any condo near the beach will supply bed linens, but all of them ask you to bring your own beach towels. Their bath towels are not allowed off the property, and some of them only allow monthly rentals during winter, so be sure to ask if you’re looking for sunshine in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why Fly Here<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Shores<\/strong> and Orange Beach<\/strong> make for a lovely getaway. The weather is usually pretty mild (except in the dog days of summer), and the prices are wonderful compared with most of the East or West Coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As always, if you have a suggested airport, please let us know. You can sign up for email notifications about our latest airport information by using this link: jettreks.com<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safe travels,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jo@jettreks.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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