Five Advantages Of Small Airports For Passengers

The airport journey can vary greatly between countries and between airports. As the skies have become increasingly congested across the world, smaller airports are taking advantage of their unique position to offer a convenient passenger experience.

There are more than 5,000 airports in the US alone, ranging in size from international mega hubs, such as Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
(ATL), to the likes of the country’s smallest airport, Dawson Community Airport (GDV) in Montana. Annual passenger numbers at these two airports range from over 90 million to around 2,000, respectively.

Commercial

For passengers, there are several reasons why traveling out of a global hub airport like Atlanta might be beneficial. For starters, an airport of such an impressive size typically offers intercontinental connections to destinations across the globe. Atlanta, for example, has hundreds of flights and is the largest global hub for Delta Air Lines.

What is often overlooked, however, are the numerous advantages that smaller facilities offer to passengers. By flying out of a smaller airport, passengers can often save themselves the hassles of a larger airport, alongside numerous other benefits that we discuss below.

1

Fewer crowds

Smaller airports offer a more relaxing experience

Airports can be extremely busy places, particularly at peak times, and the associated noise and crowds can all add to the stresses of traveling. Smaller airports, however, offer a relaxed, stress-free passenger experience, without the crowds often seen at larger hubs.

Singapore Changi Airport

Photo: DerekTeo | Shutterstock

Exclusive airport lounges can offer passengers a respite from the chaos of larger airports. One of Asia’s largest airports, Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN), for example, is home to multiple lounges to cater to passengers’ varying needs. However, at smaller, less crowded airports, this may not be necessary.

Another thing to keep in mind is that flying in and out of larger airports often involves a lot of wait time variability. Crowds will emerge at chokepoints like airport security checkpoints, but passengers often forget the extra amount of time they spend waiting in traffic, in parking lots, at stores, or at baggage claim. When flying out of an airport that only handles a couple of flights every day, the likelihood of running into these kinds of excessive crowds is significantly lower.

2

Shorter queues

Lines move quicker in comparison to big airports

For many passengers, waiting in line at the security checkpoint is one of the least enjoyable parts of the airport journey. With fewer people to process, lines can move a lot quicker at smaller airports, making the experience much more seamless and relaxing. Here are three reasons why shorter airports may have significantly lower wait times at airport security checkpoints:

  • Fewer flights and thus fewer passengers passing through the checkpoint
  • Fewer flights per day means TSA will be better able to prepare for waves of passengers
  • With fewer checkpoints, there will never be situations in which some checkpoints are not open, which at larger airports significantly increases passenger wait times

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3

Access to ground transportation

Everything is often close by

Quick and easy access to ground transportation can cut journey times significantly. At smaller airports, car parking is often found within walking distance of the terminal building, in contrast to many larger airports, which rely on shuttle bus transfers to and from the parking lots.

John Wayne Airport

Photo: The Toidi | Shutterstock

Although smaller airports can be further outside the main urban area, they are often very well-connected, with frequent and reasonably priced public transportation. By contrast, even if a smaller regional airport is not as connected to public transportation, accessing taxis may be extremely easy, as there will be relatively few people waiting in line at the terminal.

4

Short walks

Facilities are smaller

In stark contrast to the large distances that passengers often need to cover at larger airports, their smaller counterparts tend to have everything a passenger may need nearby. For starters, these smaller facilities may have only a handful of gates for passengers to navigate. Furthermore, there are fewer baggage carousels to walk around upon arrival. Almost always, these smaller airports have only a single terminal.

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The AirTrain connects all the terminals at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), for example, leading to often lengthy transit times. Meanwhile, at nearby Stewart International Airport (SWF), which last year welcomed PLAY
with its daily service to Reykjavik-Keflavik International Airport (KEF), there is just one terminal building, meaning that end-to-end journeys are much swifter.

5

Friendly atmosphere

Many small airports have local and personal touches

The atmosphere in an airport is difficult to quantify, but equally important to the passenger experience. Many passengers prefer the more relaxed feel of smaller airports, which often come with plenty of local touches and personality too.

Many American Airlines aircraft parked at gates.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

With air travel now fully, or almost fully, recovered in the majority of markets following the pandemic, airports around the world will undoubtedly become busier and busier. Smaller airports can, therefore, take advantage of their unique position and market their benefits to stand out from the crowd, attracting new airlines, routes, and passengers.

Some smaller airports in the United States have developed their own unique identities, some in ways that you would never have expected. Jackson Hole International Airport (JAC) offers a unique wooden interior, one following the mountain theme of nearby recreation areas in the Teton Mountains. Portland Airport (PDX) in Oregon has become known worldwide for its famous carpet, which has developed a popular online following.

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