Finding a really good deal on a flight is always exciting. But despite whatever budget travel hacks you might use, one thing that can make it all more challenging is which airport you fly out of.
CivMetrics, a nonprofit journalism organization, collected the average cost of flights in and out of the 100 busiest U.S. airports based on 2022 Q3 data from the Bureau of Transportation Services.
Among the busiest airports, Ted Stevens Anchorage International in Alaska was the most expensive, with an average flight price of $540. On the other end, St. Pete Clearwater International in Florida, where flight costs average around $147, ranked as the cheapest airport.
The most expensive airports in the U.S.
- Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
- Dane County Regional Airport (MSN)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
- Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)
- Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- Pensacola International Airport (PNS)
- Portland International Airport (PDX)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ted Stevens Anchorage International was one of the busiest in the country. A rush to ship supplies like masks, and other medical equipment led to an increase in cargo operations, according to Anchorage Daily News.
The airport is also located in a geographical position that is an excellent refueling spot for planes making long-haul flights to Asia.
The second-most-expensive airport on the list is the Dane County Regional Airport in Wisconsin. It has 13 gates on one concourse. In 2021, the airport started a planned $85 million expansion that will accommodate larger aircrafts, too.
Washington Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia, came in third place. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Dulles has the most international passenger traffic of any airport in the Mid-Atlantic outside of those within New York City.
The Ted Stevens International Airport is a critical supply chain hub.
Patrick T. Fallon | Afp | Getty Images
The cheapest airports in the U.S.
- Metro Oakland International Airport (OAK)
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Bob Hope Airport (BUR)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Kahului Airport (OGG)
- Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA)
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
- Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
- Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)
- St. Pete Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
St. Pete Clearwater International Airport in Florida is the cheapest U.S. airport to travel out of, according to the report. It has an average flight cost of $147. The airport serves the Tampa Bay area and is a destination for low-cost carriers like Las Vegas-based airline Allegiant Air.
Another Florida airport, Orlando Sanford International, took second place, where the average cost of a flight is also $147. The airport is a base for Allegiant Air as well.
Myrtle Beach International in South Carolina ranked the third cheapest in the United States. The average flight price for this airport is $240.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Services, Myrtle Beach International Airport ranked as the second-busiest airport in South Carolina, after Charleston International Airport.
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