KRIC (Richmond Intl) has Virginia’s longest runway at 9,003 ft, while KHSP (Ingalls Fld) tops the state at 3,792 ft elevation.
The brief
Virginia flying changes character fast. The coastal plain around KORF (Norfolk Intl) starts nearly at sea level, while western fields climb into the Blue Ridge and Appalachian terrain. That makes the state more varied than its size suggests. A cross-state trip can move from marine haze and flatland pattern work to ridge winds, higher field elevations, plus valley weather. KRIC (Richmond Intl) is the statewide heavy hitter in this data set. It is towered, has ILS capability, offers the state’s longest runway at 9,003 ft. lists 2 FBOs. KORF (Norfolk Intl) is close behind with a 9,001 ft runway at 26 ft elevation. KPHF (Newport News/Williamsburg Intl) adds another towered ILS option in the tidewater area with an 8,003 ft runway and 2 FBOs. Western and valley airports deserve separate planning. KROA (Roanoke/Blacksburg Rgnl, Woodrum Fld) is towered with ILS at 1,175 ft elevation. KPSK (New River Valley) is non-towered with ILS and a 6,201 ft runway at 2,105 ft. KSHD (Shenandoah Valley Rgnl) gives the valley another non-towered ILS field with a 6,002 ft runway. For IFR practice, alternates, fuel planning, or mountain-aware cross-countries, Virginia offers a useful spread of airport types.
Best of Virginia
Superlatives selected from the Virginia top airports list, with the why.
KRIC (Richmond Intl) has Virginia’s longest runway at 9,003 ft, tower service, ILS capability, plus 2 FBOs. It is the strongest statewide choice when runway margin and services matter.
KORF (Norfolk Intl) gives Hampton Roads pilots a towered airport with ILS, 9,001 ft of runway, low field elevation at 26 ft, plus an on-field FBO. It is a practical coastal launch point.
KROA (Roanoke/Blacksburg Rgnl, Woodrum Fld) sits at 1,175 ft with tower service, ILS capability, a 6,800 ft runway, plus an FBO. It is the standout controlled-field option near western Virginia terrain.
KPSK (New River Valley) is non-towered but has ILS capability, a 6,201 ft runway, 2,105 ft field elevation, plus an FBO. It rewards careful mountain-area planning without giving up instrument access.
KJYO (Leesburg Exec) is towered with ILS, a 5,500 ft runway, 390 ft elevation, plus an FBO. It is a useful option for pilots working the busy northern part of the state.
KSHD (Shenandoah Valley Rgnl) is non-towered with ILS, a 6,002 ft runway, 1,201 ft elevation, plus an FBO. It works well for valley arrivals when weather and terrain need extra attention.
Where pilots fly
What to know
Virginia has 64 public-use airports. Only 8 are towered, so most operations happen at non-towered fields. The towered list includes major practical anchors such as KRIC (Richmond Intl), KORF (Norfolk Intl), KPHF (Newport News/Williamsburg Intl), KLYH (Lynchburg Rgnl/Preston Glenn Fld), KCHO (Charlottesville-Albemarle), KROA (Roanoke/Blacksburg Rgnl, Woodrum Fld), KJYO (Leesburg Exec), plus KBKT (Allan C Perkinson/Blackstone AAF).
Instrument access is a real strength in Virginia. The state has 32 airports with ILS. That includes large towered airports like KRIC (Richmond Intl) and KORF (Norfolk Intl), plus regional non-towered fields such as KPSK (New River Valley), KMTV (Blue Ridge), KSHD (Shenandoah Valley Rgnl). KRMN (Washington Exec/Stafford Rgnl). That mix gives IFR pilots useful alternates across both the coastal plain and the western valleys.
Field elevation changes quickly as you move west. KORF (Norfolk Intl) sits at only 26 ft, while KPSK (New River Valley) is 2,105 ft. KHSP (Ingalls Fld) is the highest public-use airport in Virginia at 3,792 ft. Plan performance carefully on warm days. Expect terrain-driven ceilings, localized wind, plus ridge effects along the Blue Ridge and higher Appalachian areas.
Runway length varies from international-airport scale to regional utility. KRIC (Richmond Intl) offers 9,003 ft, the longest runway in the state. KORF (Norfolk Intl) is nearly as long at 9,001 ft. KPHF (Newport News/Williamsburg Intl) has 8,003 ft. Western regional airports such as KROA (Roanoke/Blacksburg Rgnl, Woodrum Fld), KPSK (New River Valley), KMTV (Blue Ridge). KSHD (Shenandoah Valley Rgnl) provide useful 6,000 ft class runways.
Anecdotes
KRIC (Richmond Intl) has Virginia’s longest runway at 9,003 ft. That is only 2 ft longer than KORF (Norfolk Intl), which lists a 9,001 ft runway at 26 ft elevation.
KHSP (Ingalls Fld) is Virginia’s highest public-use airport at 3,792 ft elevation. It is a useful reminder that Old Dominion flying includes real mountain-airport performance considerations, not just lowland East Coast operations.
Norfolk leads Virginia cities in airport count with 3 public-use airports. Lynchburg and Richmond each list 2. That distribution reflects Virginia’s mix of coastal, central. western aviation demand.
Service
Ranked by services count, fuel availability, hours and host airport.
Weather
Virginia weather is driven by contrast. Coastal airports near Norfolk and Newport News can see marine moisture, haze, low ceilings, fog, plus wind shifts tied to nearby water. Central Virginia often has summer heat and convective buildup. Western Virginia adds terrain complications, with ridge winds, valley fog. obscured higher ground. At higher fields such as KPSK (New River Valley) and KHSP (Ingalls Fld), density altitude deserves attention during warm months.
Training
Virginia supports a wide range of training profiles. KLYH (Lynchburg Rgnl/Preston Glenn Fld), KCHO (Charlottesville-Albemarle), KROA (Roanoke/Blacksburg Rgnl, Woodrum Fld). KJYO (Leesburg Exec) all combine tower service with ILS capability. KEZF (Shannon) is notable for 3 runways, which can help pattern planning and wind selection when conditions allow.
Fuel prices
Live from FBO postings · refreshed hourly
FAQ
KRIC (Richmond Intl) is the top airport in the provided Virginia data. It has the state’s longest runway at 9,003 ft, tower service, ILS capability, 168 ft field elevation, plus 2 FBOs. KORF (Norfolk Intl) is close on runway length at 9,001 ft and serves the Hampton Roads side of the state with tower service, ILS, plus an FBO. For a statewide hub, Richmond Intl has the best combination of runway length and service depth.
Virginia has several good fields for instrument and towered-environment practice. KLYH (Lynchburg Rgnl/Preston Glenn Fld) has a tower, ILS, a 7,100 ft runway, plus 2 FBOs. KCHO (Charlottesville-Albemarle) has a tower, ILS, a 6,801 ft runway, plus an FBO. KJYO (Leesburg Exec) gives Northern Virginia pilots a towered ILS field with a 5,500 ft runway. KEZF (Shannon) is also notable because it has 3 runways, the most at one Virginia field.
Western Virginia needs mountain-aware planning. KROA (Roanoke/Blacksburg Rgnl, Woodrum Fld) is towered with ILS at 1,175 ft elevation. KPSK (New River Valley) is non-towered with ILS at 2,105 ft elevation. KSHD (Shenandoah Valley Rgnl) sits at 1,201 ft. KHSP (Ingalls Fld) is the highest public-use airport in the state at 3,792 ft. Check density altitude, ridge winds, valley ceilings, plus escape routes before committing.
Fuel and FBO access are generally good for a state with 64 public-use airports. The data lists 55 total FBOs. KRIC (Richmond Intl) and KPHF (Newport News/Williamsburg Intl) each have 2 FBOs. Many regional fields also show one FBO, including KORF (Norfolk Intl), KLYH (Lynchburg Rgnl/Preston Glenn Fld), KCHO (Charlottesville-Albemarle), KROA (Roanoke/Blacksburg Rgnl, Woodrum Fld), KJYO (Leesburg Exec), KPSK (New River Valley), KMTV (Blue Ridge), KSHD (Shenandoah Valley Rgnl), plus KRMN (Washington Exec/Stafford Rgnl).
For coastal or tidewater flying, KORF (Norfolk Intl), KPHF (Newport News/Williamsburg Intl). the Norfolk-area public-use airports are natural candidates. KORF has a 9,001 ft runway, tower service, ILS, plus an FBO. KPHF has an 8,003 ft runway, tower service, ILS, plus 2 FBOs. Pilots should expect low coastal elevations, marine moisture, haze, fog, plus changing wind near the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic side.
KRMN (Washington Exec/Stafford Rgnl) is a strong non-towered option with ILS, a 6,000 ft runway, 219 ft elevation, plus an FBO. KPSK (New River Valley), KMTV (Blue Ridge). KSHD (Shenandoah Valley Rgnl) are also non-towered ILS airports with runways over 6,000 ft. They are useful when you want instrument capability without operating from a towered airport.
