AVIATION HISTORY IN THE HEART OF OHIO
Named for American fighter pilot and local native Eddie Rickenbacker—who was the most successful fighter ace in World War I, a Medal of Honor recipient and longtime head of Eastern Air Lines—the airport features two runways and more than 500,000 square feet of air cargo facility space. While it offers convenient access to the passenger-focused Port Columbus International Airport, Rickenbacker has offered an increasing number of passenger flights and charter carriers over the past decade. Whether you’re a passenger or arranging for a cargo shipment, there are several hotels near Rickenbacker Airport if you need to stay the night.
In addition to its famous namesake, the airport is notable for its significance in military history. In 1942 it was the Northeastern Training Center of the Army Air Corps, it provided B-17 flight training to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), and also served as a training facility for glider pilots in the CG-4A Waco glider. The primary unit at the base was the 447th Composite Group, an all-black unit best known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Training activities ended after WWII.
Since then the area has been used for different purposes. The airport served as the backdrop for the aircraft exterior shots in the 1997 action movie “Air Force One,” starring Harrison Ford. A decade later, Rickenbacker hosted the “Gathering of Mustangs and Legends” air show—which is one of the largest-ever conventions of operable classic warbirds, including the P-51 Mustang.
If you’re looking for convenient Rickenbacker Airport hotels, look no further than the selection from Choice Hotels!
BOOK YOUR RICKENBACKER INT’L AIRPORT HOTEL TODAY
Book a room at one of the Columbus airport hotels from the Choice Hotels collection and stay near this historic facility!