The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021 categorized it as a non-hub primary commercial service facility.

The first commercial air services in Montgomery operated at Maxwell Field, a military facility founded by the Wright Brothers west of the city.

It opened in 1943 and was named for ENS Clarence Moore Dannelly Jr., USN, a Navy pilot killed in a 1940 training accident and considered to be the first casualty of World War II from Montgomery.

The city took title to Dannelly in 1946, although joint commercial and military use continued, and erected a permanent passenger terminal and control tower north of Runway 9/27 in 1955.

The 187th Fighter Wing evolved from the 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron that began operating at Dannelly Field in 1953.

An Air National Guard Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) unit is located at the airport, equipped with multiple fire fighting and rescue vehicles, to augment the airport's civilian ARFF unit.

A $40 million capital program that finished in November 2006 doubled the size of the terminal, transformed its appearance, and modernized it with second-floor boarding, passenger loading bridges, and a rotunda with a domed ceiling that simulates sunrises, sunsets, and stars at night.

Some college football teams visiting Auburn University charter larger aircraft into Montgomery.

In the year ending September 30, 2022 the airport had 63,511 aircraft operations, average 174 per day: 35% military, 51% general aviation, 11% air taxi, and 3% airline.

Prior to the merger with American in October 2015, US Airways Express flew direct to Charlotte three times daily.