Our Review of Omaha Airport (OMA)

Table of contents: Our Review of Omaha Airport (OMA) Pros and Cons of Omaha Airport (OMA) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Omaha Airport (OMA)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Eppley Airfield (OMA) generally receives strong reviews, especially when compared to larger U.S. airports. Average ratings are typically around 8/10, reflecting a consistently positive passenger experience.

Most praised aspects:

Ease of navigation, with a compact and simple layout
Short security wait times, often under 15 minutes
Clean and uncrowded environment
Friendly and helpful staff
Very close proximity to downtown Omaha

Most common criticisms:

Limited variety of restaurants and shops
Some areas feel slightly outdated
Fewer premium services compared to major hubs

Final Rating: 8.1 / 10

Justification:
OMA performs very well in efficiency, convenience and overall passenger comfort. While it lacks the range of services found in larger airports, its simplicity and speed make it a highly practical and reliable airport for most travelers.

Pros and Cons of Omaha Airport (OMA)

Pros

Very easy to navigate (compact terminal)
Short security wait times
Close to downtown (10–15 minutes)
Generally clean and uncrowded
Easy parking with short walking distances

Cons

Limited dining and shopping options
Few premium services (lounges, etc.)
Some areas feel outdated
Limited public transport options
Fewer direct flights compared to major hubs

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Eppley Airfield (OMA) is the main airport serving Omaha, Nebraska, and is widely appreciated for its simplicity, efficiency and convenient location. Situated just 5 km (3 miles) from downtown, it offers one of the quickest airport-to-city transfers in the United States, with most journeys taking around 10–15 minutes by car.

The airport operates from a single terminal divided into two concourses (North and South), connected through a central check-in and security area. This compact layout makes navigation extremely easy, even for first-time visitors. Walking distances are short, and passengers can typically reach their gate within minutes after passing through security.

One of OMA’s biggest advantages is its efficiency. Security lines are usually quick, often taking less than 15 minutes, and the overall passenger flow is smooth and well organized. For departures, arriving 90 to 120 minutes before your flight is generally sufficient, which is significantly less stressful compared to larger airports.

Transport options at OMA are straightforward and reliable. There is no metro or train connection, but taxis, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, rental cars and shuttle services are all readily available just outside the terminal. Given the airport’s proximity to the city, ride-sharing is often the fastest and most cost-effective option.

Parking is another strong point. Multiple options are available, including short-term, long-term, garage and economy parking, all located close to the terminal. In many cases, you can walk directly from your parking spot to the terminal in just a few minutes, which adds to the overall convenience.

In terms of services, OMA offers all the essentials: free Wi-Fi, ATMs, car rental desks and a selection of restaurants and shops. Dining options include both national brands and local favorites, such as Upstream Brewing, giving travelers a taste of the region. However, compared to major international airports, the variety of food, retail and premium services is more limited.

Overall, Omaha Airport is not designed to impress with luxury or scale, but rather to provide a smooth, stress-free travel experience. Its ease of use, short distances and efficient operations make it an excellent choice for travelers who value convenience over complexity.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation