There’s been a major uptick in post-pandemic travel, with more than 45,000 flights in and around the U.S. each day, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. In fact, American travelers are willing to pay more for a flight today than they were before COVID, reports Airline Weekly.
As always, though, air travel habits and prices can drastically vary between airports. Ones with the most passenger traffic can typically offer the cheapest fares, but the “affordability” of flights also depends on the local wage levels — i.e., how many hours of work it would cost to purchase a plane ticket in a given location. With these factors in mind, here are America’s most affordable airports for domestic travel.
10. LaGuardia Airport
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Location: Queens, New York
Hours (at local wage) to afford average domestic flight: 8.81
LaGuardia has always been more popular for domestic flights, compared to JFK International, which also serves the Greater New York Metropolitan Area. And LaGuardia's popularity will only continue with the affordable prices it offers.
Of course, high local wage levels likely make this airport more affordable since the state of New York ranks No. 3 when it comes to the affordability of domestic flights by state.
* Data is sourced from NetCredit’s U.S. Flight Cost Index, using Q2 2023 data from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics and 2022 hourly wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
9. Oakland International
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Location: Oakland, California
Hours to afford average domestic flight: 6.92
California is another state that ranks in the top 10 in terms of affordability of domestic flights by state, which is why Oakland International is considered one of the nation’s cheapest airports.
Plus, it’s a hub for both Southwest and Spirit airlines, which are known for offering some of the best flight prices in the biz.
8. Hilo International
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Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Hours to afford average domestic flight: 6.84
Located on Hawaii’s Big Island, Hilo International is very affordable. This is likely due to the fact that the airport is only served by two airlines — Hawaiian and Southwest — to local destinations like Honolulu and Kahului.
So, if you’re looking to fly back to the continental U.S., you’ll have to fly through one of the other islands first. But for Hawaiian island hopping, this is your airport.
7. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway
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Location: Mesa, Arizona
Hours to afford average domestic flight: 6.78
Considered a “reliever airport” to the busier Phoenix Sky Harbor International, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway is a great option for those looking to get bargain plane tickets without the congestion.
Plus, it’s a base for Allegiant Air, another discount airline offering affordable rates for domestic flights.
6. Long Island MacArthur
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Location: Long Island, New York
Hours to afford average domestic flight: 6.75
Here’s another small airport that can be a great alternative for flying in and out of New York City, especially considering its great record for on-time performance.
About 74 percent of the airport’s flights arrived on time in 2023, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics, from Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
5. Punta Gorda
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Location: Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours to afford average domestic flight: 6.65
Located just north of Fort Myers in Punta Gorda, Florida, this is another airport serviced by Allegiant Air, which flies to 51 destinations out of this hub.
Its busiest routes take travelers to and from the Midwest to states like Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.
4. Atlantic City International
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Location: Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
Hours to afford average domestic flight: 6.42
Since New Jersey is the most affordable state for domestic flights, we’re not surprised to see Atlantic City International on this list. Serving Atlantic City, this airport is another base for Spirit Airlines and even offers flights from Caesars Entertainment on its Caesars Rewards Air.
Because of Atlantic City International's small layout and only 10 gates, this airport is a breeze for travelers looking for more affordability and to avoid the congestion of Philadelphia International or Newark Liberty International.
3. Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International
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Location: San Jose, California
Hours to afford average domestic flight: 6.41
The San Francisco Bay Area is served by three major airports — two of which are on this list. Like Oakland International, the San Jose airport ranks high because of its affordability compared to the hourly wages of the several tech employees who live in the surrounding Silicon Valley.
Southwest is also its most popular airline, making the airport a no-brainer for those looking to purchase cheap flights in and out of this tech hub.
2. Orlando Sanford International
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Location: Sanford, Florida
Hours to afford average domestic flight: 5.55
Orlando’s secondary commercial airport, Orlando Sanford International offers cheaper tickets, but it is farther away from downtown Orlando and Walt Disney World than Orlando International. So, make sure to factor in ground transportation costs when booking a flight in and out of here.
That said, it’s an affordable and too-often-overlooked choice for those coming from the Midwest and other cities along the East Coast.
1. St. Pete-Clearwater International
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Location: Clearwater, Florida
Hours to afford average domestic flight: 5.46
That brings us to the most affordable airport: St. Pete-Clearwater International. Serving Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg and, of course, Clearwater, this Florida airport says it all with its advertising slogan, “Tampa Bay the Easy Way.”
With only 12 gates, it’s another one that’s super easy to fly in and out of on the way to America’s best beach in St. Pete.
For more well-rated American airports, check out "20 Biggest Airports in the U.S., Ranked by Size."