In a recent survey of U.S. air travelers, participants ranked the cost of airfare as a top priority, with 53% saying it is their No. 1 consideration when booking a flight. Basic-economy tickets — the bottom rung on the economy-class ladder — offer the lowest possible price, but they come with trade-offs that travelers should understand before booking, such as limited flexibility and fewer perks. Here’s how to decide when basic economy makes sense, and when it’s best avoided.

When Basic Economy Makes Sense

Basic economy works best for budget-conscious travelers who can pack light and don’t mind where they sit. (On U.S. airlines, the seats themselves and the in-flight services, such as food and entertainment, are the same as in standard economy.) In these situations, the savings can outweigh comfort or flexibility.

When You’re Flying Nonstop

In general, nonstop flights are typically best for booking basic economy because you aren’t under a time crunch. Passengers with the lowest airfare typically board last, are seated toward the back of the plane, and are among the last to deplane after arrival. On a large aircraft, there might be 200 or more passengers ahead of you.

If you’re trying to make a tight connection, waiting for dozens of rows of passengers to deplane ahead of you can be stressful, especially since many airports have a minimum domestic layover time of just 30 minutes. On a nonstop flight or an itinerary with a generous layover, how fast you deplane is far less of an issue.

If You’re Traveling Solo

During solo adventures, basic economy can be a practical option, allowing you to stretch your budget in other places. Since most U.S. airlines do not include free seat selection with these fares, seats are assigned at check-in and are often middle seats. There is no guarantee of sitting with travel companions, but for those traveling alone, this is less of a concern.

Some airlines allow paid seat selection at the time of booking basic economy. However, once that cost is added, you’ll negate a good chunk of your savings from purchasing a basic-economy ticket — on average, travelers can expect to save between $50 to $70 compared to a standard main-cabin ticket.

When You’re Packing Light

Travelers on short trips, or those who always pack light, can benefit from basic economy. Some airlines — such as United, Spirit, and Frontier — do not offer a free carry-on bag for basic-economy fares. This means everything you’re traveling with must fit into a small personal item — such as a backpack, shoulder bag, or laptop bag — that fits under the seat in front of you.

If more space is needed, regular carry-on bags incur an additional fee. At United Airlines, for example, the fee starts at $35 if you prepay before check-in. If you do not pay for a larger carry-on in advance and it doesn’t fit under the seat, the fee to check it at the gate is $65. In many cases, the fare difference between basic and main cabin is modest — around $49 on average at United, which makes basic fare savings negligible after baggage fees are added.

However, rules vary by airline. For instance, at Southwest, Delta, and American, passengers are allowed one personal item and one standard carry-on when traveling on a basic-economy ticket. Checked bag fees usually start at $35. For premium-economy, business-class, and first-class fares, at least one checked bag is free.

When Basic Economy Is Best Avoided

Basic economy isn’t ideal for every traveler. Those who value flexibility, are traveling with children or large groups, or hope to earn airline rewards may find that a standard or premium fare is a better value.

When You Need a Flexible Itinerary

Many airlines now offer free changes and cancellations on standard economy tickets, but basic economy is typically excluded from this practice. With JetBlue, for instance, changes are not allowed for basic economy (“Blue Basic”), and cancellations for domestic flights incur a $100 fee. Other JetBlue fare types allow free changes and cancellations, which are issued as travel credit.

Delta permits changes and cancellations for basic-economy tickets, but fees apply. Any change also requires paying the fare difference, and cancellation fees are deducted from the travel credit issued. Other Delta fare types allow for free changes and cancellations — and airlines like American and United feature similar policies. If there’s a chance your plans might change, basic economy can quickly become as expensive as a standard ticket.

If You’re Traveling With Family

Many airlines do not include complimentary seat selection with basic-economy fares, which can result in groups, including children, being separated.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has a helpful dashboard outlining which airlines offer fee-free family seating, guaranteeing that a child 13 or under will sit adjacent to an accompanying adult at no additional cost. This applies to all fare types — even basic economy. Airlines that follow this practice include Alaska, American, Frontier, Hawaiian, and JetBlue. At United and Southwest, the policy applies to children 12 and under. Note, however, that it pertains only to one adult in the group; any other adults may be separated. 

Other airlines, including Allegiant, Delta, and Spirit, do not formally guarantee families will be seated together for basic-economy tickets. If this is the case for your flight, you may ask a gate agent at check-in to accommodate your situation by altering seat assignments — but there is no guarantee they can or will do so.

If You Want To Earn Reward Points

Travelers who value frequent flyer miles or elite status should review airline policies before booking a basic-economy ticket. With some airlines, basic-economy fares earn fewer or no loyalty benefits.

For instance, Delta‘s basic-economy tickets do not earn mileage credit or count toward Medallion Status, and they exclude the typical elite member perks such as complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, lounge access, and same-day standby changes.

Similarly, as of December 2025, American Airlines no longer awards miles or loyalty points for basic-economy tickets. With United Airlines, basic-economy tickets booked after April 2, 2026, require you to hold a United co-branded credit card or elite status to earn redeemable miles. So, while basic economy may save money at booking, the long-term benefits of a higher class might outweigh these savings.

Featured image credit: tonefotografia/ Adobe Stock 

When deciding which hotel to stay at, the plethora of options may feel overwhelming. There are seemingly countless chains and boutique hotels to choose from at every price point, from modest accommodations to luxurious experiences. When it comes to the major chains, to help narrow down the options, we turned to the experts in the field of consumer behavior and satisfaction at J.D. Power, who recently released their 2025 North America Guest Satisfaction Index Study. This study examined 102 hotel brands and ranked them based on a 1,000-point scale. Take a look at the winners in each category below.

1. Luxury Chains

Average score: 734 out of 1,000

• The Ritz-Carlton (779)
• Waldorf Astoria (773)
• The Luxury Collection (757)
• JW Marriott (746)
• (tie) Four Seasons and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts (740)

The Marriott group’s Ritz-Carlton brand boasts the highest score of any hotel chain in North America — luxury or otherwise. Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria portfolio is a close runner-up, while Fairmont has the lowest ranking (692) of the 12 chains in the luxury category.

According to the study, one of the most important amenities when it came to guest satisfaction was having a smart TV in the room — 40% of surveyed guests considered this a “need to have” feature, with 60% saying they used smart TVs during their stay.

2. Upper Upscale Chains

Average score: 701 out of 1,000

• Omni Hotels & Resorts (731)
• Hard Rock Hotels (727)
• Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts (716)
• Le Méridien (713)
• (tie) Marriott and Westin Hotels & Resorts (711)

Omni Hotels & Resorts tops the list of what J.D. Power classifies as “upper upscale” chains, which offer premium amenities and dining at a slightly more affordable price than luxury hotels. Omni’s rating of 731 is just a few points higher than that of runner-up Hard Rock Hotels. At the bottom of this category, you’ll find Graduate Hotels at No. 20 with a score of 678.

Hotels in this category (and all other categories) were likelier to receive higher rankings if they invested in maintaining high-quality rooms. Guests reported being satisfied by furnishings that were kept in good condition, nice bathroom fixtures, and comfortable bedding, to name a few. Common issues that led to negative ratings included excessive noise, unpleasant odors, and disputes during the check-in process.

3. Upscale Chains

Average score: 682 out of 1,000

• Drury Hotels (738)
• Best Western Premier (713)
• Cambria Hotels (703)
• Hilton Garden Inn (701)
• Delta Hotels (699)

With a satisfaction rating of 738, Drury Hotels takes the cake in the “upscale” category. This chain currently operates over 150 locations in 30 states, primarily in the Midwest, Southwest, and South. On the flip side, Sonesta Select ranks last of the 19 upscale chains, with a rating of 636.

One reason that Drury Hotels ranks so highly is the perceived value from guests. In the 2025 J.D. Power study, the “upscale” category was one of the three categories that saw the most significant positive gains in terms of perceived value compared to the nightly rate that guests paid.

4. Upscale Extended-Stay Chains

Average score: 679 out of 1,000

• Hyatt House (705)
• Staybridge Suites (680)
• Residence Inn (679)
• Homewood Suites by Hilton (673)

Upscale extended-stay hotels provide amenities such as an in-room kitchen or laundry. With its score of 705, the Hyatt House chain takes the top spot in this category for the fourth consecutive year. This is also the only category in the entire study with fewer than five entries. The average score in this category is 679, a few points higher than the 677 average across all categories.

5. Upper Midscale Chains

Average score: 662 out of 1,000

• Hampton by Hilton (694)
• Fairfield by Marriott (678)
• Holiday Inn Express (667)
• Best Western Plus (665)
• Holiday Inn (653)

In the “upper midscale” category, familiar hotel chains such as Hampton by Hilton, Fairfield by Marriott, and Holiday Inn Express top the list. But Hampton by Hilton is a clear runaway, netting a satisfaction ranking that’s 32 points higher than the average for this category.

One key finding from the study across all hotel categories was that users of the hotel’s mobile app reported higher levels of satisfaction than those who hadn’t downloaded the app. Guests in the former category rated their stay at an average of 699 on the 1,000-point scale, compared to an average of 631 for those without the app.

6. Upper Midscale and Midscale Extended-Stay Chains

Average score: 643 out of 1,000

• Home2 Suites by Hilton (711)
• Candlewood Suites (673)
• TownePlace Suites (665)
• Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham (653)
• MainStay Suites (620)

For the third-consecutive year running, Home2 Suites by Hilton ranks the highest among upper midscale and midscale extended-stay hotels. Ranking last of the eight chains in this category was Extended Stay America, with a score of 558 out of 1,000.

Happiness aside, J.D. Power found that the average daily rate for a hotel room across all categories rose to $158.67 in 2024, denoting the highest such value on record. Interestingly, despite the cost increase, guests in every category reported higher levels of satisfaction.

7. Midscale Chains

Average score: 613 out of 1,000

• Tru by Hilton (723)
• Wingate by Wyndham (656)
• Best Western (646)
• Sleep Inn (616)
• AmericInn (608)

Tru by Hilton offers the best experience at the midscale price point, while Baymont by Wyndham holds the eighth and bottom spot in this category with a 575-point score. The “midscale” category is generally defined by hotels that offer limited services that fulfill basic needs. Historically, these hotels have provided amenities such as Wi-Fi, TVs, and gym access, but in recent years, many midscale chains have taken steps to update their offerings to attract a new clientele. As a result, you may now find features such as breakfast buffets, pools, and smart TVs during your stay at a midscale chain.

8. Economy Chains

Average score: 544 out of 1,000

• Microtel by Windham (619)
• (tie) Days Inn and SureStay (588)
• Howard Johnson (584)
• Americas Best Value Inn (576)

Economy hotels offer bare-bones accommodations at an affordable price, so it should probably come as no surprise that their satisfaction scores rank far lower compared to luxury and upscale chains. In the “economy” category, one chain stands out on top: Microtel by Windham, the only economy chain to crack the 600-point threshold. This category also includes the worst-rated hotel chain in the study: OYO, with a rating of 386.

9. Economy Extended-Stay Chains

Average score: 544 out of 1,000

• Microtel by Windham (619)
• (tie) Days Inn and SureStay (588)
• Howard Johnson (584)
• Americas Best Value Inn (576)

There’s only one chain in the “economy extended-stay” category that J.D. Power considered above-average, and that honor goes to WoodSpring Suites, with a satisfaction score of 600 out of 1,000. Hotels in this category cater to extended-stay travelers but offer more limited and basic amenities than those in the upscale or midscale extended-stay range.

About the data: J.D. Power’s NAGSI (North America Guest Satisfaction Index) Study is one of the longest-standing hotel satisfaction studies in the industry. The 29th edition of the study analyzed the viewpoints of 39,219 hotel guests who stayed at properties in North America between May 2024 and May 2025 across seven key dimensions — check-in/check-out, communications and connectivity, facilities, food and beverage, guest room, staff service, and value for price — with questions specific to each hotel category. You can read the full report here.

From its early days flying short hops around Texas in the 1970s, Southwest Airlines was known as an industry disruptor, offering low fares and low-frills (but friendly) service that gained the airline a cult following. But with recent changes such as charging for checked bags and ending its famous open-seating policy, Southwest is starting to look a lot like other U.S. airlines. If you’re planning an upcoming trip on Southwest, here are five things to know before you book.

Seats Are Now Assigned (But Not All Seats Are Equal)

Gone are the days of setting an alarm to check in for your Southwest flight 24 hours before departure in hopes of securing a better seat. Previously, flyers were assigned a boarding number in group A, B, or C based on when they checked in. When it came time to board the plane, you lined up according to your boarding number and then chose any available seat once you walked on the plane. The lower your boarding number (e.g., A15 instead of C37), the better odds you had to secure a window or aisle seat toward the front.

But in January 2026, Southwest officially abandoned its free-for-all seating model in favor of the traditional assigned seating you’ll find at every other U.S. airline. As is the case with those other carriers, Southwest’s basic fare type does not allow you to choose your own seat for free; instead, one will be assigned to you at check-in. A free advance seat assignment is included in higher fare classes. 

The other big news is that Southwest has reconfigured its aircraft to add “extra-legroom” and “preferred” seats. Extra-legroom seats offer up to 5 additional inches of legroom and are located at the front of the cabin and at exit rows. Preferred seats have standard legroom, but are located closer to the front of the plane. Some fare types allow you to choose these upgraded seats for free, which brings us to our next tip.

Pay Close Attention to Your Fare Type

Southwest overhauled its fare offerings in 2025, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the new system before you book. Each fare type comes with different benefits and restrictions and also determines how many points you’ll earn under Southwest’s loyalty program, which is called Rapid Rewards. 

The cheapest fare, Basic, mirrors the basic-economy offerings at other U.S. airlines — you’ll be the last to board and have to pay extra if you want to choose a seat. However, unlike with some airlines, there’s no cancellation fee for Southwest’s Basic fare, you can still bring a full-size carry-on (checked bags are extra), and you’ll still earn frequent flyer points (though at a lower rate).

Choice fares, the next step up, offer free standard seat selection at the time of booking, more Rapid Rewards points earned per dollar, and free flight changes, including same-day change and standby (a fare difference may apply). However, two free checked bags — once one of Southwest’s biggest selling points — are no longer included.  

Choice Preferred fares offer free preferred seats, earlier boarding, and other perks like refundability, while Choice Extra fares include free extra-legroom seats and 14 Rapid Rewards points per dollar. Choice Extra is also the only fare type to still offer two free checked bags. 

Consider a Credit Card for Valuable Perks

If you miss the days of free checked bags but don’t fly Southwest enough to earn elite status (which waives bag fees), fear not. Sign up for any of Southwest’s three Rapid Rewards credit cards, and you’ll get one free checked bag for yourself as the primary cardholder and up to eight people traveling together on the same reservation. As of early 2026, the annual fees for these cards range from $99 to $229, but considering Southwest now charges $35 for your first checked bag and $45 for your second bag, it can be easy to make up the cost of the fee by traveling a few times per year.

These credit cards offer a slate of other valuable perks, too. For instance, the Rapid Rewards Plus card allows you to choose a free standard seat 48 hours prior to check-in, which can be useful if you’ve purchased a basic fare. In addition to bonus points for Southwest purchases and other categories such as gas stations and grocery stores, the cards offer boarding benefits, bonus points on your cardmember anniversary, and 25% back on in-flight purchases. Some cards can also help you achieve elite status faster, which unlocks other valuable perks.  

Look Out for Companion Pass Offers

There’s one other very important way to save when flying Southwest: a unique perk called the Companion Pass that no other U.S. airline offers. Essentially, the Companion Pass allows you to bring a friend with you on any flight for free; you’ll just pay the taxes and fees (from $5.60 one way). Once you earn the pass (more on that below), you’ll be able to use this benefit an unlimited number of times for the remainder of the year and the full following calendar year. You must designate one companion, but for added flexibility, you can change your companion up to three times per calendar year. 

Obviously, this can be a huge money saver if you fly Southwest frequently with a loved one, but qualification is steep: You have to fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. 

That said, Southwest frequently runs promotions for its Companion Pass. As of February 2026, customers who open a new Southwest credit card can earn a Companion Pass as part of the sign-up bonus. If you already have a Southwest credit card, look for other limited-time promotions, such as the one the airline ran earlier in February that unlocked a Companion Pass if you booked just one round-trip flight. (This was a limited promotional pass that was valid for only a short period of time.)

Take Advantage of Increased Flexibility 

Even with all the recent changes, Southwest is still one of the most flexible airlines in the U.S. As mentioned above, the airline does not charge a change fee on any fare, even for Basic tickets. It’s also easy to cancel your Southwest flight and get a flight credit for a future trip. Just pay close attention to the expiration date on your credit, which varies by fare type. (Credits from Basic fares expire within six months, versus 12 months for Choice fares, for example.) 

If you’ve ever hesitated to book a flight because you’re worried the fare will drop, Southwest also makes it easy to reprice your flights. Once you find a cheaper flight, simply log into your booking details on Southwest’s website or app and rebook for the lower fare. You’ll get the difference in money back in the form of a credit for a future trip. Better yet, there’s no fee to reprice, and you can do this as many times as you wish — even up to 10 minutes before your flight departure. And if your plans change late in the game, you can also cancel your flight altogether up to 10 minutes before departure to retain a future flight credit on Southwest. 

For almost 60 years, 911 has been the number to call in the U.S. in the event of an emergency. However, it’s not universally adopted across the globe, as many parts of the world use their own systems. If you plan to travel overseas in the near future, it’s wise to check the number to call in an emergency as part of your pre-trip preparations. In the meantime, here’s a look at what happens if you dial 911 in another country.

The History of Dialing 911 in the U.S.

Before the practice of dialing 911 for emergencies began in 1968, one had to call their local fire department or police station directly to report emergencies. When AT&T facilitated the adoption of a standardized system, its aim was to reduce confusion and speed up response times so that those in urgent need didn’t have to waste precious time looking up local numbers. The number 911 was chosen because it was brief, easy to remember, and easy to dial on the rotary phones of the time. 

Calls for a centralized system had been in place for several years before that. In 1957, the National Association of Fire Chiefs recommended that a single set of numbers be used for reporting fires. And during Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency, the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement noted: 

“In trying to call the police from an ordinary telephone, a person may be bewildered by the many police jurisdictions and the various telephone numbers associated with them. In the Los Angeles area alone, there are 50 different telephone numbers that reach police departments within Los Angeles County. It should be possible to have a single telephone number to reach the police directly.” 

The report also referenced England, which was the first country to introduce a universal number — 999 — in 1937. In 1968, the U.S. finally followed suit, and the first 911 call in the U.S. was made in a demonstration by Alabama House Speaker Rankin Fite to the Haleyville Police Department. 

What Happens if You Dial 911 Elsewhere?

Alas, AT&T’s influence didn’t extend to many other parts of the world, particularly outside the Americas. Had you dialed 911 in London in the 1970s, you would have heard a recorded message stating that the number was not recognized. But the advent of cellphones and the communications technology associated with them — namely, the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) — has revolutionized that. 

Dial 911 from a cellphone in the U.K. today and you’ll most likely be redirected to the 999 number used locally for emergency services, because modern GSM networks automatically recognize 911 as an emergency number. This is also often, but not always, the case across the EU, where the emergency number is 112.

However, the same can’t be said for landlines, and even with mobile phones, there’s no guarantee that your call will be redirected if you call 911 while overseas. In the event of a true emergency, losing vital seconds as you hang up and dial again could have unwanted consequences, so it makes sense to familiarize yourself with this handy list from the U.S. State Department with the correct emergency numbers for the country in which you’re traveling, just in case.

Where Else Is 911 the Official Emergency Number?

911 is the official emergency number in many parts of the Americas, including Canada. In some remote locations, such as the Yukon Territory, you are advised to use a landline where possible. That’s because cell signal is patchy, and, in some cases, if your cellphone isn’t local, a call may not reach the Yukon 911 call center. 

Prior to 2017, Mexico operated a system of three separate numbers: 068 for fire, 065 for ambulance, and 060 for police. But that year, the country officially migrated to 911, beginning with its adoption in states such as Quintana Roo, Baja California, Chiapas, Guanajuato, Nayarit, and Oaxaca in 2016.

Several Latin American countries, including Brazil, Bolivia, and Uruguay, also use 911. Argentina operates a dual system in major cities such as Buenos Aires: 911 is the general emergency number, but you can also access medical help directly by calling 107 and the fire department by dialing 100. 

Within the Caribbean, you can dial 911 (999 also works) in countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. However, Cuba uses 104, 105, or 106, depending on the type of assistance you need; and in Barbados it’s 211, 311, or 511 — each is assigned to a specific service, such as police, fire, or medical. 

Meanwhile, in the U.S. territorries of Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa, 911 is the official emergency number. Indeed, 911 is a prominent emergency number across the Pacific region: Samoa, Palau, Tonga, and Fiji all use this number. However, in Vanuatu you’d need to call 111 for police, 113 for fire, or 112 for medical assistance. Farther south, Australia uses 000 (dialing 112 also works on a cellphone, though 911 does not), while neighboring New Zealand requires those in need of assistance to phone 111. 

As a final note, remember that, no matter where you’re traveling, emergency numbers are just that — they should be dialed only when there is a genuine need for emergency assistance.

When opening a box with a new product for the first time, you’ve probably noticed those tiny silica gel packets that always seem to accompany whatever item is inside. There’s a reason for this — silica gel packets containing silicon dioxide beads are highly effective at absorbing moisture, which helps keep the contents of a package free from excessive humidity or mold. This is why so many manufacturers rely on these pouches when it comes to shipping brand-new products. However, there’s another use for silica gel packets that every traveler should be aware of. Here’s why you should throw a few of these tiny packets into your suitcase before embarking on your next trip.

Moisture Removal

If you’re traveling to a particularly humid environment, such as the Caribbean or Southeast Asia, the elevated levels of humidity won’t just cause unusually frizzy hair — they can also pose a risk to certain items in your luggage.

For example, humidity can affect the consistency of makeup and other topical products you may be traveling with, leading to clumping and ineffectiveness. Tossing a silica gel packet into your toiletry bag helps maintain a low relative humidity inside the bag compared to the surrounding environment, which keeps your beauty products from changing textures. You might also consider placing a few silica packets inside your camera bag, computer case, or adjacent to any other electronics in your luggage to prevent excess moisture from damaging your devices.

Silica gel packets even help remove moisture from clothing, such as wet bathing suits or sweaty workout gear. In the event your clothing hasn’t had a chance to fully dry before it’s time to pack up and leave, stuff a few silica gel packets into your luggage to help expedite the drying process. As a bonus, doing so helps keep moisture from forming on any other clothing inside the suitcase. Lastly, if you’re planning to bring back any local spices as a souvenir, you can prevent clumping by storing them beside a few silica gel packets.

Odor Mitigation

These tiny packets also act as natural deodorizers, making them excellent tools for limiting smelly odors in your suitcase. As you travel, you may not have access to laundry services, forcing you to mix all of your dirty and clean clothing inside the same bag. Such close contact may cause odors to transfer, leaving any clean clothing just as smelly as the stuff you’ve already worn. Placing a few silica gel packets in your suitcase helps absorb that unpleasant odor. (You should also put a couple of packets in your shoes for the same reason.) Additionally, silica gel packets can absorb odors from souvenir spices, perfumes, or any other pungent gifts you may have purchased.

Wet Phone Recovery

If you’re using your phone at the beach or sitting by the pool, there’s always a risk that the device may get wet. When this happens back home, many people turn to the classic rice trick to absorb moisture from their phone and get it working again (though experts advise against that). If you accidentally drop your device in water when traveling, reach for those silica gel packets you’ve already packed. Take several packets and place them in a sealed container or plastic bag with your phone. Over the next day or two, the packets should absorb moisture from the phone.

Word of Caution

As useful as silica gel packets are, it’s important to use caution since they can be a choking hazard. If you’re traveling with any young children or pets who may mistake the packets for food, be sure to keep the packets out of reach, preferably inside a secure zipped pouch.

Lastly, it’s best to use brand-new silica gel packets, which can be easily purchased in bulk online. While it’s tempting to reuse old packets you may have lying around, those packets may have already absorbed moisture, thus leaving them less effective. Fresh silica gel packets offer much greater odds of keeping moisture and odors at bay.

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.