Northwest Alabama Regional Airport (KMSL)
Medium airport · Muscle Shoals, Alabama, United States
Airport data
| Name | Northwest Alabama Regional Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KMSL |
| IATA | MSL |
| Elevation | 551 ft (168 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 34°44'42" W 87°36'47" 34.74512, -87.61298 |
| Location | Muscle Shoals, Alabama, United States |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/29 | 6,693 ft (2040 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 18/36 | 4,000 ft (1219 m) | 100 ft | ASP | Yes |
Northwest Alabama Regional Airport at a glance
Northwest Alabama Regional Airport is a medium airport in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, United States, known to airline systems as MSL. The field elevation of 551 ft (168 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KMSL are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 11/29 — offers 6,693 ft (2040 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 11 points roughly 110° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KMSL shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Northwest Alabama Regional Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville International Airport | KHSV | 78 km (42 NM) |
| Redstone Army Air Field | KHUA | 85 km (46 NM) |
| Tupelo Regional Airport | KTUP | 119 km (64 NM) |
| Columbus Air Force Base | KCBM | 144 km (78 NM) |
| McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport | KMKL | 152 km (82 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Northwest Alabama Regional Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 551 ft field elevation of Northwest Alabama Regional Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Northwest Alabama Regional Airport
What is the ICAO code of Northwest Alabama Regional Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Northwest Alabama Regional Airport is KMSL, and its IATA code is MSL. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Northwest Alabama Regional Airport above sea level?
Northwest Alabama Regional Airport sits at an elevation of 551 feet (168 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Northwest Alabama Regional Airport located?
The airport lies at 34.7451, -87.6130 — in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Huntsville International Airport, about 78 km away.
Does KMSL publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KMSL appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Northwest Alabama Regional Airport?
Northwest Alabama Regional Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 11/29, measures 6,693 ft (2040 m) with a ASP surface.