Older ALB terminal maps still list a McDonald’s that’s gone
Albany International’s current concessions line-up in the Main terminal does not include a McDonald’s, even though some third-party sites still say it does. HMSHost phased out several national brands here in the mid‑2010s, swapping them for Burger King and local concepts. So if you land at ALB craving a Big Mac, you won’t find one past security or pre‑security anywhere in the building.
In the Main terminal concourse today, the national burger slot is taken by Burger King, not McDonald’s. Expect the usual Whopper-and-fries setup, with prices running roughly $2–$4 above street locations for combo meals. Hours generally track the flight bank, opening for the first departures around 4:30–5:00 a.m. and winding down after the last evening flights, so don’t count on a post‑11 p.m. burger.
The historical McDonald’s references usually point to older food courts near the security checkpoint on the ticketing level of the Main terminal. Those have been reworked under HMSHost’s “restaurant enhancements” plan from around 2015–2017. If you see an airport blog or review saying “grab McDonald’s by security at ALB,” treat it as out of date. The airport’s own guide and current concession list make no mention of McDonald’s at all.
That 3‑star “McDonald’s at ALB” rating floating around on review sites mostly reflects confusion, not current service. Some visitors likely rated “the McDonald’s” while actually eating at another chain or before the changeover to Burger King. Take those numbers lightly when planning food stops during a 45‑minute layover.
Tip: If a flight search app still shows McDonald’s in the Main terminal at ALB, cross‑check against the airport’s official concession list before counting on it for a quick meal between gates.