If you’ve ever flown out of a regional airport, you know it is a much different experience than flying from a larger, international airport. Smaller airports are often overlooked when booking a flight. Don’t count them out just yet, though. These airports have many benefits. For one, smaller airports are much easier to navigate. When I flew into the Quad City International Airport in Moline, finding my bus on the other side of the gate was a cinch. Even the most seasoned traveler will add an additional hour and a half to her travel time just for getting through security and navigating airports like LAX, JFK, or OHR. Although some people think smaller airports only exist in the middle of nowhere, this is not always true. The airport in Trenton is approximately an hour from either PHL or EWR, while the Akron-Canton Airport is a similar distance from the international airport in Cleveland. In addition to cutting down travel time, parking time and lines, these airports also tend to have reduced prices past the gate. At Trenton-Mercer Airport, you can get a cocktail or beer for $3, less than a third of what it might cost you at a larger airport like Newark. Similarly, domestic rates at smaller airports are often lower than their larger counterparts. All that being said, sometimes small does come with a price. Fewer planes mean flight delays and cancellations can bring a greater burden than they would otherwise. This is particularly a problem on domestic airlines such as Sprint and Frontier, where flight delays can often set you back a full day in your travel. This is the price to pay with limited flight availability, though it is often much easier to reach someone who will help you at one of these smaller airports. Overall, the convenience of flying from a lesser-known airport is great, particularly if you have a flexible schedule. The next time you’re booking a flight, just look for the “add other local airports” option, and you’ll be able to see if there are better deals from a smaller airport. I would highly recommend this option — you may save both time and money. — Daphne Gould, intern