Myrtle Beach Intl Airport (MYR) Flights & Flight Status

Myrtle Beach (MYR) is one of the biggest tourist destinations on the southeast coast, and its airport plays a major role in fueling the region’s growth. aving grown up vacationing in the area, I remember the days of the small terminal where passengers walked onto the airport apron to board flights by stairs amid the swaying palm trees. These days, the terminal is unrecognizable as it has grown in size to offer more than a dozen jet bridges served by traditional and low-cost carriers to more than 50 cities. Here’s what you need to know when passing through MYR.

Terminals that are easy to navigate

The departure area is bathed in glass and adds far more space than there ever was before. Kiosks supplement the traditional check-in counters. Frequent travelers may notice that many passengers flying low-cost airlines are less familiar with the check-in process and associated bag rules leading to longer lines.

You can easily walk from one end of the terminal to the other in just a few minutes while perusing the numerous shops and food outlets. No matter the time of day, there is something to fit every palate.

Airport dining options

Do not expect gourmet dining. Instead, MYR’s terminals are more likely to offer fast food or grab-and-go options rather than celebrity chef fare. My favorite venue is Nacho Hippo Cantina Maxima for Tex-Mex dishes and margaritas in a sit-down restaurant.

A reliable grab-and-go favorite for me is Chick-fil-a, but the lines can sometimes be quite long. If you want something particularly local, Pavilion Bar and Grill serves fan favorites like pizza, burgers and salads. I like that some of the craft beers on tap are from local breweries.

I like to plan ahead and bring a few snacks with me through security rather than pay the inflated prices in the airport. There are also several bars and even vending machines in the airport. Salt & Tide has a nice mix of domestic and international wine plus numerous beer choices.

Parking tips

Leaving a car here is not cheap, and there are different lots with varying prices. The airport is working diligently to increase parking capacity and make more room for rental cars since they are in high demand.

I appreciate that you can park for less than 15 minutes without a charge if picking up someone or want to help them into the terminal to check in for their flight. There is also a cell phone parking lot for people idling in their cars while waiting to pick up someone.

Travelers that are eligible for handicapped parking are in for a special perk at MYR. They receive one day of free parking in the short or long-term lots before standard rates kick in for using designated spaces.

Word to the wise: some third-party operators try to charge for advance parking reservations at the airport. These may work for non-airport operated lots, but are not something that the airport offers.

How to get to or from MYR

If not driving yourself, the airport has offices for all of the major rental car companies. One of the best perks of the rental car facility here is that the vehicles are within walking distance without needing to wait for a shuttle.

Myrtle Beach also has the usual network of taxis, rideshare services and limo companies. If you prefer to take public transportation, the Coast RTA Route 155 stops near the airport on Jetport Road. it goes up and down the Grand Strand, but I would not recommend it if traveling with large suitcases.

TSA security wait times

Wait times can be lengthy early in the morning when almost every gate has a plane waiting to depart. Luckily, the TSA PreCheck lanes can help save some time. The airport website has real-time information on wait times.

There are times when I have breezed through the TSA PreCheck line and other times when it took 15 minutes or so. During those longer waits, the general line was taking some people as much as an hour. The number of flights that pass through the airport has stretched the terminal facilities thin at times so check online to allow enough time.

This is an international airport with immigration and customs services for private flights. The airport’s flights from Canada undergo pre-clearance immigration and customs at the departure airport so the airport itself does not have any in-terminal immigration facility for arriving commercial flights yet. If flying to or from Canada though, do not forget your passport.

Airline service

Service to Myrtle Beach can be heavily seasonal with winter seeing fewer flights than spring through fall. Ten airlines serve the airport: Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines and United Airlines.

Remember that not all low-cost airlines (like Allegiant, Avelo and Southwest) appear on all booking engines. In some instances, you will need to compare prices by visiting individual airline websites because you may find a lower price with these discount carriers only through their reservation system.

Interesting airport amenities for travelers

The airport may not be a major hub, but there are plenty of interesting distractions and amenities for both departing and arriving passengers. Don’t miss these during a transit through the airport.

Quiet room

With accolades from the Champion Autism Network, the airport’s quiet room (look for room #171 outside of security) is for those that need a break from crowds and want to relax free from distraction. While sleeping is not allowed there (and loud noise from cell phones or laptops is discouraged), it is a place for anyone to read a book or meditate.

Family activities

When traveling with kids, I love to print out the scavenger hunt page from the airport’s website. It sends them on a journey through the terminal (hopefully with their parents’ watchful eye) to look for things like someone drinking coffee or someone wearing a tie. There is no prize for those that find them all, other than healthy distraction for kids.

Mothers traveling with young children can use one of the Mamava lactation suites for privacy. One thing this airport is missing, however, is that there is no luggage storage facility, which would be nice for hitting the beach while waiting for a delayed flight.

Visitor’s booth

If you are planning a vacation in Myrtle Beach, the visitor’s booth in the arrivals area has plenty of tourism booklets and maps. Many of these are packed with coupons and special offers throughout that can save travelers quite a bit of cash. It’s worth picking a few up.

What to do in a flight delay situation

While the airport does not normally offer connecting flights with any type of layover, anyone who arrives at the airport earlier than check-in time at their accommodation has plenty to do within a short drive of the airport.

Myrtle Beach SkyWheel

Just over 10 minutes by car, this panoramic Ferris Wheel overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum. This is the hub of family entertainment in Myrtle Beach and a great first stop to explore what the area has to offer.

Broadway at the Beach

Ten minutes by car in the other direction, this inland shopping paradise offers everything from cinemas and theater revue shows to restaurants and bars. You can easily spend a day here while your bags are safely locked in the trunk.

Golfer paradise

Golfers have come to the right place since Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand is often referred to as the “Golf Capital of the World” with over 90 options in every category (championship courses to themed mini-golf for families).

Free entertainment shuttle

During the high-traffic months of spring through fall, there is a free entertainment shuttle that takes guests between major attractions like Broadway at the Beach, the SkyWheel and some hotel areas. It does not stop at the airport though. If you find out about a delay or cancellation with ample time, this free option could come in handy.

Airport hotels

If you find yourself stranded in the Grand Strand due to a delayed or canceled flight, there are plenty of affordable overnight options near the airport. Hotels like the Hilton Garden Inn Myrtle Beach/Coastal Grand Mall include a shuttle to and from the terminal.