Top 10 Smallest Airports in the United States of America

There are about 380 small and mid-sized commercial airports in the United States. Many of these airports are located in less populated areas and serve only a few thousand passengers each year. They typically operate just a few flights each day, primarily to nearby cities or regions.

Even though these smaller airports don’t have big terminals, fancy restaurants, or lots of flight options like major airports such as JFK, they are often easier and faster to use. Travelers can enjoy shorter lines, quicker check-ins, and a more relaxing experience overall.

Read on for a comprehensive guide to the top 10 smallest airports in the United States. The article covers everything from the number of flights to terminals, runways, acres, and airlines that serve the airports – all about the small but essential hubs.

10 Smallest Airports in the United States of America

There’s something magical about arriving at a small airport with fewer than 20 gates. These airports often feature more imaginative designs that truly capture the spirit of their destination. Below, we’ll explore 10 small airports in the US.

1. Dawson Community Airport (GDV) — Glendive, Montana

Situated in Dawson County, Montana, about 5 miles northwest of Glendive, Dawson Community Airport is the smallest commercial airport in the United States. Covering just 413 acres, the airport features two asphalt runways and a small, basic passenger terminal. You won’t find an airport restaurant or a conveniently located car rental counter here.

Despite its modest size, this airport is ideal for travelers who want to avoid lengthy, stressful TSA lines, as wait times are typically less than a minute due to the low passenger volume. According to the FAA, Dawson Community Airport serves approximately 2,000 passengers annually.

Cape Air is the sole airline operating here, offering two daily flights to Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) at a round-trip cost of around $52.

2. Havre City-County Airport (HVR)

Montana’s Havre City-County Airport serves fewer than 6,000 passengers annually on average and ranks among the smallest commercial airports in the country.

Cape Air is the only airline serving Havre, operating small aircraft designed for underdeveloped areas with flights to Billings. These flights are reasonably priced, and thanks to the plane’s compact size, every seat offers both an aisle and window view.

Havre Airport provides basic amenities such as aircraft parking, pilot supplies, restrooms, and courtesy cars for local transportation. However, it lacks dining options and rental car kiosks. Despite its simplicity, travelers can expect to breeze through TSA screening in just minutes and enjoy a stress-free experience.

3. Southeast Iowa Regional Airport (BRL)

As the name suggests, Southeast Iowa Regional Airport serves the southeastern Iowa area and handles approximately 6,000 passengers annually. It offers three daily flights, two to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and one to St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), with an additional evening flight to St. Louis on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

For passenger convenience, there is an Avis car rental desk located in the terminal, though the airport does not have a restaurant on site. It offers several perks, including free parking, quick security checkpoints, and personalized phone calls to notify passengers in case of flight delays, making for a comfortable and stress-free travel experience.

The airport is beautifully situated on river bluffs and boasts a rich heritage as a center of commerce and culture. Its charming and relaxed atmosphere is often compared to the nostalgic vibe of the TV show Wings, leaving a memorable impression on travelers.

4. Garden City Regional Airport (GCK)

Garden City Regional Airport (GCK), located in Garden City, Kansas, is a small but important commercial airport serving southwest Kansas. Covering approximately 1,848 acres, the airport has two concrete runways and handles around 50,000 passengers annually.

The airport offers excellent parking options just outside the terminal on the right side, allowing travelers to reach the gate within minutes. With minimal TSA wait times, check-ins are hassle-free. In addition to the restaurant Milk & Honey, the terminal features three rental car counters for passenger convenience.

American Airlines’ commuter service, American Eagle (AAL), operates two daily flights from Garden City to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Round-trip fares typically run around $360.

5. Western Nebraska Regional Airport (BFF)

William B. Heilig Field, also known as Western Nebraska Regional Airport (BFF), is located in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, about 3 miles northeast of Scottsbluff. Covering 1,806 acres, the airport features two asphalt runways: Runway 12/30, which is 8,279 feet long, and Runway 5/23, measuring 8,002 feet.

The airport offers enough space for passengers to relax, an Italian restaurant, a Hertz (HTZ) rental car counter, and convenient parking. Here, you won’t have to chase your bags along an endless conveyor belt, just one simple turn from the carousel, and you’re good to go.

Served by a single passenger airline under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, the airport supports a fleet of 33 based aircraft, including 28 single-engine planes, 4 multi-engine planes, and 1 ultralight.

6. Devils Lake Regional Airport (DVL)

Devils Lake Regional Airport (DVL), located in North Dakota, is one of the smallest commercial airports in the country, providing essential air transport services to the region. The airport covers 730 acres and features two asphalt runways: one measuring 6,400 by 100 feet, and the other 4,314 by 75 feet.

While Devils Lake Regional Airport does not have a restaurant or upscale lounge, it offers one daily flight each to Jamestown Regional Airport (JMS) in North Dakota and Denver International Airport (DEN) in Colorado.

A recently built jetway allows travelers to avoid disembarking directly onto the cold tarmac during the harsh North Dakota winters. The airport also completed a 5,200-square-foot terminal expansion, improving amenities despite serving fewer than 10,000 passengers annually.

The new terminal includes additional vending machines, an ATM, and a mother’s room for infant care. It also offers free parking, internet access, and a car rental counter, enhancing convenience for commercial travelers.

7. Veterans Airport (MWA) – Marion, Illinois

Situated near Marion, Illinois, Veterans Airport (MWA) is one of the smallest commercial airports in the US. The airport features a lodge and a rental car desk, but there is no restaurant in the terminal.

Contour Airlines is the sole carrier serving the airport, offering multiple daily flights to Chicago’s O’Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW) airports. In 2023, Southern Illinois’ Veterans Airport recorded 10,558 enplanements.

According to local media, the terminal’s large glass windows flood the space with natural light. The lobby includes a check-in desk and a lounge, while the left side houses a secure waiting room and baggage claim area. On the right side of the main lobby, passengers will find a charter flight lounge, which can also be rented out for parties and events.

8. Thief River Falls Regional Airport (TVF)

Thief River Falls Regional Airport, located in Minnesota, is one of the smaller commercial airports in the United States, serving thousands of passengers annually. In 2023, the airport recorded 8,418 passenger boardings, slightly down from 8,648 in 2022. It is served by Denver Air Connection, which operates Essential Air Service (EAS) flights to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP).

Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft are available, and the terminal offers several convenient amenities, including free Wi-Fi, family restrooms, and charging stations. TSA PreCheck is available, helping to minimize wait times. Combined with the airport’s compact size and simple layout, travelers can expect a smooth and stress-free airport experience.

9. Paine Field Airport (PAE) Everett, Washington

Paine Field in Washington was ranked third in Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Small Airport in the U.S. In contrast to nearby Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which manages around 600 daily departures to destinations like Las Angeles (LAX), Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), Anchorage (ANC), and Tucson (TUS), Paine Field operates just 24 daily departures from its two-gate terminal.

Despite its smaller size, travelers enjoy a modern, well-designed terminal featuring high-speed Wi-Fi, electrical outlets at every seat, and floor-to-ceiling windows. With lounge-style seating and separate gender-neutral restrooms, the 30,000-square-foot terminal offers a calm, upscale pre-flight experience.

10. Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI), Greensboro, North Carolina

Living up to its tagline, “Fly Easy,” Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI) offers quick security checkpoints, short queues, and a relaxed, traveler-friendly environment. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this regional airport offers nonstop daily flights to 13 U.S. cities, including major destinations such as Miami (MIA), Detroit (DTW), Atlanta (ATL), Orlando (MCO), Denver (DEN), and Chicago (ORD).

Serving the Piedmont Triad region, PTI handled approximately 1.76 million passengers in the past year. While smaller than major airport hubs, it still offers a wide range of amenities and services. The passenger terminal features 296,000 square feet of public space, 25 gates, and clearly defined areas for each concourse’s ticketing and baggage claim, making navigation easy for travelers.

Smaller commercial airports in the U.S. offer a distinctly different and often more pleasant travel experience compared to major international hubs. Less crowded airports such as Dawson Community Airport in Montana and Thief River Falls Regional Airport in Minnesota play a vital role in connecting remote communities across the country.

While these airports may lack upscale dining options or a wide variety of food vendors, they make up for it with quick security screening, efficient check-in procedures, friendly staff, and calm, stress-free environments, providing travelers with a smooth and enjoyable journey from start to finish.

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