Flying high! Huntsville International voted No. 1 Best Small Airport

HUNTSVILLE – The city of Huntsville has been named the best in the nation for different qualities of life by national and international publications.

So, it should come as no surprise that Huntsville International Airport lands accolades of its own.

Cue the water cannon salute by the Port of Huntsville Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting  trucks.

HSV has been named the No. 1 Best Small Airport in the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards. HSV, which is a perennial Top 10 contender, is the only airport in Alabama to have secured a spot among the airports selected from across the country by an editorial board for the voting contest.

“We are thrilled voters chose HSV as the Best Small Airport in the U.S. in the Newsweek Reader’s Choice Awards,” said Philip “Trey” Bentley, chair of the airport Board of Directors. “Huntsville International Airport is well-known for its convenience and the beauty of our campus, but our team members are our greatest asset.”

Airports are categorized by the Federal Aviation Administration as large, medium and small hubs depending on the percentage of annual passenger boardings at an airport in relation to the overall number of boardings in the U.S.

Huntsville International recorded its largest number of passengers, more than 1.47 million, in 2023.

According to newsweek.com, criteria by which the small hub airports were selected included ease with which travelers could navigate the airport, short lines, friendly service and an attractive customer experience that might include “live music, art galleries and visits from therapy dogs.”

“It’s our privilege to give the best customer service we can and provide first-rate facilities to our community, and we are thankful to our customers for supporting their hometown airport,” said Butch Roberts, Huntsville International Airport CEO. “We appreciate the significant contributions of our airline partners to the success of Huntsville International including newly expanded air service meaning more frequent flights and bigger planes.

“Together, we take great pride in being the number one choice for our valued passengers each and every day.”