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Smaller Airports a Traveler's Pleasure?
This summer when I landed at the airport in Bellingham, Washington and found the Hertz car rental counter so close to baggage claim that I could pick up my bag and rent the car at the same time, I was hooked on the simpler life. I'm not alone. According to Gary Stoller's article in USA Today, business folks often prefer smaller airports without all the amenities that the bigger ones do.
Convenience is the reason. There isn't as much traffic to get to them, car rentals, as in Bellingham, are closer, gates aren't miles apart to get to or for connections between flights and security lines are generally shorter.
Not all small airports are equal, however. Some lack in speed when it comes to uniting passenger with bags. Austin-Bergstrom airport in Texas is one of the culprits. This slower than molasses in January approach landed it on the bottom of the ratings. Texas generally does airports right, though. It has the highest ranked airport as well, plus a few high ranking others. William P. Hobby airport is number one. Dallas Love Field is number two. San Antonio International Airport is three and El Paso is number four. I found it interesting that Port Columbus International (in AP photo, Jay LePrete) is ranked number 17, only two higher than Austin-Bergstrom. If it's not one of the best, I have to say, it's not bad. As a helpful hint, Wendy's has $1 meal options, but you have to go there before you go through security.
Large airports still have a large fan club in tact. If you miss a connection, it's more likely you'll get another flight fairly quickly. Plus, there's more to do to pass the time in airports geared for keeping the masses entertained while they wait.
Filed under: Transportation, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
A Oct 10th 2007 10:40AM
proofreading?
Adam Oct 10th 2007 12:28PM
Small airports are the way to go!
Carianne Oct 10th 2007 9:56PM
I agree, SWF is too far for me to consider it a good alternative to EWR. However, I've recently been flying a fair bit in or out of HPN. Yes it involves a stop at ORD or DTW (AA/NWA) but it's not usually a huge deal and I can't beat the 15 min door to door. This past August it was 37 minutes, gates open-front door open. That I like.
coach Oct 10th 2007 3:49PM
here's the deal: small airports are fine IF you can fly direct to your destination. unfortunately, they often route you through a hub, where all bets are off.
an example: i flew direct to oklahoma city from newark; i arrived in a couple of hours. my boss flew from westchester BUT was routed through o'hare to oklahoma city, causing him to be over 12 hours late, due to trouble at o'hare. (o'hare shuts down, say, if a snowflake falls in north dakota, or a butterfly flaps it's wings in singapore)
the better test is this: can you avoid changing planes.