Top Budget-Friendly U.S. Airports for Affordable Flights

Cheapest Airports for Domestic Travel

While domestic airfare continues to rise, there are airports where you can find excellent deals. According to recent government data, passengers flying out of San Bernardino, California (SBD) enjoy the lowest average airfare at $98.03 for a trip. In stark contrast, travelers from Aniak, Alaska (ANI) face significantly higher costs, averaging $1,733 for their itineraries.

The findings are part of the Average Domestic Airline Itinerary Fares By Origin City for 2022 report from the U.S. government’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. All airfare amounts were calculated based on 2022 prices and adjusted for inflation. Notably, the average U.S. domestic airfare in 2022 stood at $378.

Following San Bernardino, the airports with the lowest fares include:

  • Santa Maria, California (SMX)
  • Ogden, Utah (OGD)
  • Provo, Utah (PVU)
  • Stockton, California (SCK)
  • Concord, North Carolina (USC)
  • Fort Collins/Loveland, Colorado (FNL)
  • Wilmington, Delaware (ILG)
  • Trenton, New Jersey (TTN)
  • Hagerstown, Maryland (HGR)

Most Expensive Airports to Fly From

The 10 most expensive airports generally share a commonality; they tend to be located in more remote destinations rather than being major airline hubs. Guam (GUM) ranks second, with an average airfare of $1,589.24, followed by:

  • Unalaska, Alaska (DUT) – $1,433.86
  • Pago Pago, American Samoa (PPG) – $1,139.36
  • Sandpoint, Alaska (SDG) – $1,037

Tips for Saving on Travel

As international airfare prices from the United States have surged more than 200 percent over the past year, choosing to travel domestically becomes an increasingly appealing option. Moreover, knowing which airports generally offer better prices can be invaluable.

For instance, flights in and out of Atlantic City, New Jersey average around $161.05. This airport not only provides access to many popular beach towns on the Jersey Shore, but it’s also conveniently located just an hour from Philadelphia. Comparatively, Newark International Airport averages fares of $403.22, while Philadelphia International Airport is not far behind at $396.79.

Likewise, flights to and from Hilo, Hawaii are comparatively economical, averaging $193.54. This is remarkably lower in contrast to Lanai, Hawaii, where flights average $966.43. Therefore, savvy travelers can save considerably by opting to fly to Hilo first before continuing on to Lanai.


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