• HOME
• FOOD
• RECIPES
• DINING
• DRINKS
• SHOP
• TRAVEL
• ABOUT

When searching for somewhere to fly from, it is too easy to just head straight to Heathrow or Gatwick to start your journey. Have you ever considered flying from a more local airport? There are many great advantages if you choose to fly from a smaller starting place. Let’s take a look at what they may have to offer you today.

Smaller Does Not Mean Little

When we say a smaller airport, we only mean smaller in comparison to Heathrow or Gatwick. Approximately 45% of the UK’s passengers move through one of these airports every year. However, these are not the only international airports the UK has to offer. Be one of the 55% who fly through another one of the UK’s airports and save yourself a lot of stress and worry.
You can still reach a whole host of great destinations like the USA and Australia. All you have to do is choose to fly from an airport like Manchester or even one of the other London airports like Luton. If you are willing to do transfers, you might even find a cheaper deal by going through a few more airports. You don’t always have to fly through major hubs to get places and you don’t always have to fly with the big airlines. An Emirates flight will probably take you to Dubai; a KLM one to Amsterdam. If you are looking to avoid these major airlines and these major airports, smaller airports and smaller carriers are always going to be your answer.

More Local to You

No-one wants to drag themselves out of bed to drive for a few hours to get to a big airport and spend hours standing around in queues. The alternative isn’t that much better; airport hotels can be noisy and don’t always offer the best quality of sleep before that 5AM flight.
Instead, look to see where you can get to from the airport closest to you. Some of the destinations may surprise you. What might appear to be a once-a-week flight to a tiny airfield in the middle of nowhere might actually turn into the beloved bolthole which you happily return to year after year. Everyone wants to find their ideal holiday destination. If you are looking for the perfect vacation off the beaten track, your local airport might be the perfect place for you to start looking.

More Cost-Effective

Flying through a smaller airport might not seem than cost-effective at first. However, when you add up all the costs of getting to the airport, you might find yourself a little more willing to pay the slightly inflated fees.
Imagine you live in Cornwall. Getting up to Heathrow means either driving yourself or taking the train and neither are going to be particularly cheap. Even if you do decide to drive yourself, you have to factor in the cost of parking your car for however long you intend to be away for.
Instead, imagine parking at Bristol Airport and hopping on your flight. Bristol Airport parking is easier than you might think it to be. You can even drive right up to the terminal to hand your vehicle over to a qualified driver. They will take it away and look after it, returning it to you in time for your journey home. Compared to heading to a larger airport, it may be far more cost-effective to leave the car at Bristol. Find out more information here: https://www.bristolparking.com/

Shorter Queues

One of the top things people always cite about a smaller airport is the shorter queues. Whether it is a check-in or a queue for security, you can find yourself zipping through in a smaller airport when you know you would instead get bogged down at a major hub.

You can know every tip and trick in the book to get through security faster but if the queue isn’t moving then there is nothing you can do about it. However, many people have reported that everything flows so much better at a smaller airport. Whether it is through security or at baggage reclaim, everything feels a little bit more effortless. You are more of a passenger and less of just another face moving through the crowd. If this feels like an experience which appeals to you, you should definitely consider looking into flying from a smaller airport.

Overall, a smaller airport is just a nicer way for you to kick off your holiday time. There is little rush, little stress, and it can be so much more cost-effective than heading to a major hub. You can still reach a great number of destinations by flying from slightly smaller airports. If you think you cannot face Heathrow once more, you still have plenty of other places to choose from. See which destinations your local airport offers today!