Most Reliable Airports in the U.S. for Stress-Free Travel

These smaller airports rarely have delays or cancelations.

Large airports offer convenience and options, but the price is often the headache of chaotic schedules. When thousands of flights are coming in and out, it’s easy for something to go awry, often leading to canceled, rerouted or delayed flights.

On the flip side, small airports are usually ignored by commercial flights, but they’re often on time and operate seamlessly.

So, which U.S. airports offer the most reliable flights? Don’t overlook these 10 smaller ones.

9. Deadhorse Airport, Alaska (Tie)

Airport in Deadhorse, Prudhoe Bay, Alaska

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Location: Prudhoe Bay

Flights with issues: 11.7 percent

Despite Alaska’s often inclement and unreliable weather, Deadhorse Airport in Prudhoe Bay manages to have an impressive track record of seamless flight operations. Out of 556 inbound and outbound flights from January to August 2023, only 65 experienced an issue.

* Data sourced from a Jettly report that used flight data from January to August 2023; airports with fewer than 500 total arrivals and departures during this timeframe were excluded.

9. Falls International/Einarson Field, Minnesota (Tie)

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Location: International Falls

Flights with issues: 11.7 percent

This tiny airport is only serviced by Delta Connection with flights to and from Minneapolis/St. Paul. If your trip takes you through here, though, rest easy. Only 97 out of 830 flights in the first eight months of 2023 didn’t go as planned.

8. Southwest Georgia Regional Airport, Georgia

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Location: Albany

Flights with issues: 11.6 percent

Another airport serviced only by Delta Connections, Southwest Georgia Regional only had 62 of 570 flights delayed and two canceled. Used mostly by non-commercial planes, travelers use it to get to Atlanta.

7. Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, Michigan

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Location: Kalamazoo

Flights with issues: 11.3 percent

Kalamazoo International Airport may not be big, but it does receive connecting flights from American Eagle to Chicago-O’Hare, Avelo Airlines to Orlando and Delta Connection to Detroit. United Airlines used to service it but cut all flights from here in 2022.

If you’re worried about your flight getting canceled, you’ll be reassured after learning that only 12 flights suffered this fate here.

6. Cedar City Regional Airport, Utah

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Location: Cedar City

Flights with issues: 11.1 percent

Servicing Cedar City, this airport sees 327 daily flights. While most flights are non-commercial, those that are always head to Salt Lake City on Delta Connection. Just a little over 11 percent of flights experienced issues.

5. Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport, Wisconsin

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Location: Rhinelander

Flights with issues: 10.3 percent

While 88 percent of flights at this airport are general aviation (meaning that they’re not commercial), only 100 flights in 2023 were canceled, delayed or diverted. Like many airports on this list, Rhinelander has flights through Delta Connection, which takes people to Minneapolis/St. Paul.

4. Range Regional Airport, Minnesota

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Location: Hibbing

Flights with issues: 10.1 percent

Another general aviation airport with a great flight record, the people of Minnesota can thank Range Regional for their packages being delivered on time, as almost 90 percent of flights go smoothly. Delta Connection once again saves the day by taking passengers to Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.

3. Helena Regional Airport, Montana

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Location: Helena

Flights with issues: 9.7 percent

Even though it’s the state capital, Helena only has a population of about 33,120. Its airport reflects its size, with only 1,854 flights from January to August of 2023. Out of these, only 179 experienced any problems. the airport is connected to Seattle, Salt Lake City and Denver with flights operated by Alaska Airlines, Delta Connection and United Express, respectively.

2. La Crosse Regional Airport, Wisconsin

American Eagle at La Crosse Regional Airport, Wisconsin

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Location: La Crosse

Flights with issues: 9.3 percent

Close to U.S. Army Fort McCoy, La Crosse Regional has had the honor of receiving several U.S. presidents in its runways. If you don’t have a private aircraft, you’ll likely fly to and from Chicago-O’Hare on American Eagle. Sit back and relax as you wait for boarding — there’s a very low chance of your flight changing.

1. Bert Mooney Airport, Montana

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Location: Butte

Flights with issues: 8.8 percent

Connecting to Salt Lake City through Delta Connection and to Denver International through United Express, Bert Mooney is the most reliable airport in the country. The tiny aviation port boasts a record of 91.2 percent of flights without issues.