The 10 Best Small U.S. Airports, According to a New Survey

While the biggest hubs frequently make headlines for flight delays and long TSA lines, small airports tend to fly under the radar. And that’s part of their appeal. Travelers appreciate them for their easy access, uncrowded terminals, and thoughtful amenities that are often lacking in busier airports. Wondering which small U.S. airports fly above the rest of the pack? To find out, we turned to a new survey from readers of USA Today 10Best that ranked the top 10 small U.S. airports (in terms of passenger volume) in 2025. Did your favorite airport make the cut? 

10. Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FAT) – California

Travelers looking to visit the nation’s second- and third-oldest national parks (Sequoia and Yosemite, respectively) will have no problem breezing through Fresno’s pleasant and efficient airport, which acts as a gateway to both parks, along with nearby Kings Canyon. Ranked No. 10 in the survey from USA Today readers, the airport highlights works from local artists and has a lobby filled with replicas of the giant sequoias that made the surrounding parks famous. 

9. Pensacola International Airport (PNS) – Florida

Welcoming travelers to Florida’s western panhandle, Pensacola’s airport has just one terminal with 12 gates, though a five-gate expansion project is currently underway to handle increased demand. Despite its small size, Pensacola has an impressive roster of destinations throughout the Midwest, Northeast, and South, including recently announced flights to San Antonio for the first time on Breeze Airways. 

8. Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) – Kansas

Named after the 34th U.S. president, who was a Kansas native, Wichita’s airport is small but mighty. In 2025, it notched a new record of 1.8 million annual passengers; top destinations included Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Chicago, Atlanta, and St. Louis. Wichita is known as the “Aviation Capital of the World” due to its long history of aircraft manufacturing, and travelers can explore the city’s rich aviation heritage at the Kansas Aviation Museum, which occupies the airport’s original terminal dating to 1935. 

7. Huntsville International Airport (HSV) – Alabama

Huntsville’s airport may offer only 18 nonstop flights a day, but it consistently draws praise among travelers for its streamlined passenger experience and updated amenities, including an on-site hotel, a beer garden highlighting local breweries, and a space-themed pizzeria, a nod to Huntsville’s “Rocket City” heritage. In fact, it was the first commercial U.S. airport licensed by the FAA to land a commercial space vehicle, the Sierra Space Dream Chaser spaceplane in 2022.

6. Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) – New York

The Finger Lakes are often overlooked as a vacation destination, but those in the know are delighted by the scenic lakes and more than 100 wineries found in this corner of upstate New York. Rochester’s airport is not only a convenient home base for exploring the area, but also one of the nation’s most pleasant small airports to transit. In 2020, it was renamed after abolitionist and civil rights pioneer Frederick Douglass, one of the city’s most famous residents, who is buried in Rochester’s Mount Hope Cemetery. The airport features a number of exhibits honoring his legacy, as well as works from local artists. 

5. Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) – North Carolina

Given its motto, “Fly Easy,” it’s no surprise to see this airport serving the cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point at No. 5 on the list of best small airports in America. The easily navigable terminal features amenities such as a PGA grill and gift shop (the annual PGA Tour takes place in Greensboro) and an observation area where you can watch planes departing and landing. 

4. Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) – South Carolina

Heading to one of America’s most famous boardwalks for spring break? You’re probably not going to have any issues flying through Myrtle Beach International Airport. Travelers appreciate its user-friendly layout and short security lines — not to mention 50 nonstop destinations to choose from and some of the lowest fares in the country. The airport even offers therapy dogs to calm anxious flyers. 

3. Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) – Rhode Island

Another perennial passenger favorite, Providence’s airport was voted No. 1 in Travel + Leisure’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Located only 10 miles from downtown, the convenient airport is also just an hour’s drive from Boston and serves as a gateway to popular summer destinations such as Cape Cod. One of the airport’s fastest-growing airlines is low-cost carrier Breeze Airways, which offers nonstop flights to destinations as varied as Cancun, Charleston, Los Angeles, Orlando, and Tampa. 

2. Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) – New York

Heading to the Hamptons or the wineries of the North Fork? Avoid the crowds and chaos at LaGuardia or JFK Airport and consider flying into MacArthur Airport in Islip, Long Island, instead. The second-best small U.S. airport offers flights up and down the East Coast on Avelo, Breeze, Frontier, JetBlue, and Southwest. Travelers can park close to the terminal and take advantage of easy access to the nearby Long Island Railroad (LIRR) for exploring the surrounding area. 

1. Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) – Michigan

America’s best small airport, according to USA Today readers, is Gerald R. Ford Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Efficient, clean, and crowd-free, the airport serves as a gateway to western Michigan and popular lakefront towns such as Saugatuck. It’s also investing over $600 million in infrastructure updates, including expanded concourses and seating areas, new concessions, and a consolidated rental car facility. According to its website, it is one of the largest capital expansion projects in the U.S. for an airport of its size — an investment that is clearly paying off, if its No. 1 ranking is any indication.