Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA)
Medium airport · Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Airport data
| Name | Fairbanks International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | PAFA |
| IATA | FAI |
| Elevation | 439 ft (134 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 64°48'54" W 147°51'22" 64.81510, -147.85600 |
| Location | Fairbanks, Alaska, United States |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/20 | 2,900 ft (884 m) | 75 ft | GRVL | No |
| 02L/20R | 11,800 ft (3597 m) | 150 ft | ASPH-G | No |
| 02R/20L | 4,510 ft (1375 m) | 75 ft | ASPH-G | No |
| 02W/20W | 5,400 ft (1646 m) | 100 ft | WATER | No |
Fairbanks International Airport at a glance
Fairbanks International Airport is a medium airport in Fairbanks, Alaska, United States, known to airline systems as FAI. The field elevation of 439 ft (134 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at PAFA 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 4 runways, the longest — 02L/20R — offers 11,800 ft (3597 m) of asph-g surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 02L points roughly 20° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for PAFA 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 Fairbanks International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ladd Army Airfield | PAFB | 12 km (6 NM) |
| Eielson Air Force Base | PAEI | 39 km (21 NM) |
| Nenana Municipal Airport | PANN | 65 km (35 NM) |
| Clear Airport | PACL | 83 km (45 NM) |
| Allen Army Airfield | PABI | 137 km (74 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Fairbanks International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 439 ft field elevation of Fairbanks International 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 Fairbanks International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Fairbanks International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Fairbanks International Airport is PAFA, and its IATA code is FAI. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Fairbanks International Airport above sea level?
Fairbanks International Airport sits at an elevation of 439 feet (134 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Fairbanks International Airport located?
The airport lies at 64.8151, -147.8560 — in Fairbanks, Alaska, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Ladd Army Airfield, about 12 km away.
Does PAFA publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for PAFA 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 Fairbanks International Airport?
Fairbanks International Airport has 4 runways. The longest, 02L/20R, measures 11,800 ft (3597 m) with a ASPH-G surface.