I live about 30 miles north of New York City, within an hour and a half drive of three major US airports: Newark, LaGuardia and JFK. When I’m searching for trips on Google Flights, I get dozens of options at a variety of prices on multiple airlines.
Life is good.
But, recently, I’ve started flying in and out of Westchester County Airport, a small, regional facility with commercial airline service to many non-stop destinations and connections through US hub cities.
My friends think I’m nuts. But it’s one of the smartest travel moves I’ve made. Here’s why.
Advantages of Flying from a Regional Airport
By choosing a regional airport instead of a large, multi-terminal international airport, I’ve discovered several pros, including the ability to arrive about an hour before flight time when I’m traveling with just a carry-on.
Although I have TSA PreCheck, I never need it at my regional airport because the security line is nonexistent.
There’s no long shuttle ride from a distant parking lot. The terminal is steps from short-term parking. And the daily parking rate is cheaper than what I’d pay at a large airport.
Weekend trips that would be a hassle if traveling to and from Newark, JFK or LaGuardia are easy peasy when booked at my local airport.
Access to Cheaper Fares
Years ago, fares were much higher at my local regional airport. In the past few years, fares have become competitive with larger airports because operating expenses are lower.
And budget carriers like Breeze that fly in and out of smaller airports offer dramatically lower fares than the major airlines.
Disadvantages of Flying from a Regional Airport
The convenience of booking flights at my regional airport comes with some disadvantages.
Not Many Flights to Choose from
Flight options are fewer, so I have to be more flexible about my arrival and departure times.
Connecting Flights
Nonstop service to my destination is often not available, and I need to connect in a hub city, like Chicago or Charlotte. This extends my travel time.
Don’t Expect Restaurants and Shops At A regional Airport
Westchester County Airport has a small restaurant; it’s never open when I’m flying. And there are two tiny grab-and-go markets for essentials like morning coffee.
Be Prepared for Drama in the Event of a Delay or Cancellation at a Regional Airport
Several years ago, my JetBlue flight to Puerto Rico was canceled at the last minute. After waiting and wondering, the airline put passengers in limos to LaGuardia to catch a later flight. It was a hassle but also an adventure.
The One Big Drawback to Regional Airports
If you fly internationally, your local regional airport may not be an option for you. Although some offer international flights, primarily to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, most don’t.
You can book a connecting flight through a hub city to travel internationally. I haven’t done it because I prefer to travel on nonstop flights when going abroad to minimize possible flight delays or cancellations.
Do the Pros of a Regional Airport Outweigh the Cons?
I always include my regional airport in my Google Flight searches. When the fare is competitive and the travel time works for my trip, I choose the regional airport option.
Because it’s close to my suburban home, I never have to deal with traffic. I sweep in for my departure without long security lines. And, on the few occasions when I check a bag, there’s no wait because there’s only one carousel. I don’t know how they manage the arrivals, but I’ve never waited longer than 15 minutes for my luggage.
Why It’s Worth It
Air travel is inherently stressful because so many variables you can’t control impact your experience. By choosing to fly out of a regional airport, I minimize my stress and that’s priceless.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Which regional airports have you used? What was your experience? Would you recommend or not?
