Airports on the Gulf Side of Florida

Panhandle-It-Up In Pensacola

• Pensacola International Airport, Florida's northern-most airport on the Gulf of Mexico, is the best choice for those wishing to fly into the Panhandle -- even if your final destination isn't in Florida. Pensacola's close proximity to Alabama (about an hour and a half) and Mississippi (slightly more than two hours) make this airport a must-look-into alternative. Domestic flights depart daily from the single terminal airport on Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Silver Airways, US Airways and AirTran.

Party Hard At Northwest Beaches International Airport

• If you are looking to join the throngs of spring breakers who flock to Panama City Beach, then look no farther than the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport near Panama City Beach. It services both domestic and international flights on Delta or Southwest Airlines, with direct flights to Orlando, Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston and Nashville. For those looking to hit the beach, you can be in your bikini on the sands of Panama City Beach or South Walton within a half-hour.

Taking Care of Business in Tampa

• Tampa International Airport is the largest airport on the Florida Gulf Coast, and is ideal for those attending to business or vacationing on central Florida's east coast as it is only about 15 minutes from Clearwater and St. Petersburg, and even Orlando is a mere 90-minute drive away. Plus, it offers free Wi-Fi and an amusing 1970s decor/design. Domestic and international flights are available daily from Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Silver Airways, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines/AirTran Airways, Air Canada, Delta Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, American Airlines, US Airways, WestJet Airlines, British Airways, Cayman Airways and Edelweiss Air.

Sometimes Small is Better

• St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is worth looking into if an airport near you is serviced by Vision Airlines, Allegiant Air, Sunwing Airlines or Air Transit, or if your final destination is St. Petersburg. The small airport is only 4 miles from St. Petersburg and is usually not as crowded as Tampa International Airport. It offers a few dining options and one bar, shuttle services, and free Wi-Fi.

Skip Traffic With Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

• Available for commercial flights since the 1960s, Sarasota-Bradenton Airport is a quiet alternative to Tampa International Airport and lets you skip the extra few hours of driving to reach Sarasota's award-winning Gulf Coast beaches from Tampa. Here, you may also seasonally charter flights, or hop on one of the daily scheduled international or domestic flights from Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airways, US Airways, United Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, Alitalia or KLM. The airport has complimentary Wi-Fi.

The Airport You've Never Heard Of

• On the southern Gulf Coast of Florida in Fort Meyers, Southwest Florida International Airport is busier than you may think -- in 2012, the airport reports it served 7.3 million passengers! With nonstop domestic service and international flights to Germany and Canada, multiple airlines fly in and out of this conveniently located airport. Location is everything, and Southwest Florida International Airport is close to everything from pristine beaches to the Everglades -- it boasts that you can "go from bag claim to beach in under 30 minutes." Three concourses serve Air Berlin, Air Canada, AirTran, American, Cape Air, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, United, US Air and West Jet.