The Cheapest Airports for Domestic Flights
Finding the best airfare isn’t just luck—it’s strategy. While flash sales and flight alerts can help, one of the most overlooked factors in scoring a great deal is choosing the right departure airport. Some airports consistently offer lower fares thanks to competition, carrier volume, or location, and knowing which ones they are can save you real money before you even start packing.
A new study from online lender NetCredit analyzed average domestic ticket prices across the U.S. to uncover the most affordable airports in the country. Before you book your next getaway, take a look. The right airport could be your ticket to a cheaper trip (and maybe a nicer hotel at your destination).
-
The Cheapest Airports for Domestic Flights
- Orlando Sanford International, Florida
- St. Pete Clearwater International, Florida
- Punta Gorda Airport, Florida
- Phoenix - Mesa Gateway, Arizona
- Atlantic City International, New Jersey
- Hilo City International, Hawaii
- Lihue Airport, Hawaii
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, Florida
- Ellison Onizuka Kona International at Keahole, Hawaii
- Long Island MacArthur, New York
-
What Influences the Cost of Airfare
NetCredit compiled data from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor to determine which domestic airports offered the most affordable flights based on the cost of airfare compared to the average local hourly wage and salary.
The states with the cheapest options are Hawaii, New Jersey, and Florida, while the most expensive are South Carolina, North Caroline, and New Mexico.
If you’re looking to snag a deal, the ten cheapest airports for domestic flights in the United States are:
Many factors beyond cabin class influence airfare prices. Airlines practice dynamic pricing, making real-time fare adjustments to account for factors such as the time of booking, competition, and seasonality.
Time of Booking: For the best deals on domestic flights, book roughly two months in advance. After that, prices begin to rise as the departure date approaches. While it's possible to snag a down-to-the-wire deal as airlines scramble to sell unsold seats, it's not a guarantee. Your departure day also influences how much you'll pay, with weekends generally showing higher prices and mid-week departures (think Tuesdays and Wednesdays) offering better deals.
If you want to know when prices will be lowest, set up fare alerts to be sent directly to your email through services like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or SmarterTravel’s sister site Airfarewatchdog.
Competition: Routes serviced by many airlines are highly competitive and therefore likely to offer lower prices to maintain their edge. On the other hand, routes flown only by select airlines may be more expensive.
Seasonality : Flights during high seasons, like the winter holidays or summer break, tend to be more expensive. Airfare also typically increases to destinations hosting popular seasonal events, like tulip season in the Netherlands or peak Northern Lights viewing in Iceland.
Other factors: Airline operational costs, such as fuel prices, influence an airline's overall pricing strategy. Proximity to your final destination also influences airfare — a one-hour flight to a nearby city will almost always be cheaper than a six-hour cross-country haul.