What is the difference between Class A and Class B airports?

Class A: All Airspace above 18,000 ft. Anybody flying here must receive a clearance from, be talking to, and be controlled by ATC. Class B: Airspace within approximately 30 miles and 10,000 feet of the ground around the busiest airports in the US.



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There are six classifications of airspace in the United States; A, B, C, D, E, and G. Class A is the most restrictive and Class G the least restrictive. They can be categorized as: Class A – 18,000 feet and higher above mean sea level (MSL). Class B – Airspace around the 40 most congested airports in the country.

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The airspace around the busiest US airports is classified as ICAO Class B, and the primary airport (one or more) for which this airspace is designated is called Class B airport. As of January 2023, there are 37 Class B airports in the United States.

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Class A: All Airspace above 18,000 ft. Anybody flying here must receive a clearance from, be talking to, and be controlled by ATC. Class B: Airspace within approximately 30 miles and 10,000 feet of the ground around the busiest airports in the US.

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Class C airspace areas are designed to improve aviation safety by reducing the risk of mid-air collisions in the terminal area and enhance the management of air traffic operations therein. Aircraft operating in these airspace areas are subject to certain operating rules and equipment requirements.

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Most Class C airports are home to flight schools and small aircraft hangars as well as scheduled service by airlines. While still busy, Class C airports have less traffic than Class B, so ATC doesn't need as much space to keep them organized. Like Class B, approach control services are provided.

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Regardless of weather conditions, an ATC clearance is required prior to operating within Class B airspace. Pilots should not request a clearance to operate within Class B airspace unless the requirements of 14 CFR Sections 91.131, 91.215, and 91.225 are met.

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The ceiling of a Class C airspace should be 4,000 feet above the primary airport's field elevation. The surface area extends from the surface to the upper limit of the airspace. The floor of the airspace between the 5 and the 10 NM must extend from no lower than 1,200 feet AGL to the upper limit of the airspace.

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To enter Class B airspace, all aircraft must meet the following requirements:
  1. ATC clearance required to enter.
  2. Establish and maintain two-way communication prior to entering and while in airspace.
  3. Mode C transponder (within 30 nm, up to 10,000 feet msl)
  4. Student pilot operations restricted.


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ICAO classifies them using a letter system: Class A aircraft are small piston powered aircraft. Class B aircraft are small-medium sized turboprop powered aircraft.

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To enter Class B airspace, all aircraft must meet the following requirements:
  1. ATC clearance required to enter.
  2. Establish and maintain two-way communication prior to entering and while in airspace.
  3. Mode C transponder (within 30 nm, up to 10,000 feet msl)
  4. Student pilot operations restricted.


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Requirements to fly in Class A Airspace: An instrument rating and IFR flight plan. An aircraft that is appropriately equipped for instrument flight. DME for operating at and above FL240 (Distance Measuring Equipment, a fancy way of saying GPS or something that tells you how far you are from a VOR / navigational station ...

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(c) No person may operate an aircraft in the airspace underlying a Class B airspace area designated for an airport or in a VFR corridor designated through such a Class B airspace area, at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots (230 mph).

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The approval needed to enter Class C airspace is like Class D in that you do not need a specific clearance, but you do need to establish two-way communication with control. To be able to enter Class C airspace, a pilot must contact ATC prior to arrival.

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Such operations shall comply with paragraph (a) of this section. (c) No person may operate an aircraft in the airspace underlying a Class B airspace area designated for an airport or in a VFR corridor designated through such a Class B airspace area, at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots (230 mph).

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Because Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark are so close, the Class B airspace for the three airports overlaps. Class B airspace is often described as an upside-down wedding cake (see accompanying picture). The top of the airspace is 7,000 feet above sea level for New York's Class B.

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Airports are locally owned and operated. All but one U.S. commercial airport are owned and operated by public entities, including local, regional or state authorities with the power to issue bonds to finance some of their capital needs.

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• Class I airplanes, which typically are single reciprocating engine airplanes un- der 6,000 pounds. • Class II airplanes, which typically are multiple reciprocating engine, multiple turbine engine and single turbine engine airplanes under 6,000 pounds.

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