The Asheville Airport

The Asheville Airport is a breath of fresh air in a crazy air travel world. It's relatively small, easy to navigate, and for the most part the people who work there are very friendly.

Technically called the Asheville Regional Airport, our little airport serves Asheville with flights from major hubs including Atlanta and Charlotte. Continental, Delta, and US Airways all provide service to Asheville. Most requrie connecting flights.

***Update: Beginning in June, 2009, AirTran will begin non-stop service between Asheville and Orlando, FL.

The types of planes that you'll ride to Asheville are usualy the smaller ones. Though you may find yourself on a 737, most likely you will be on a regional jet or commuter plane.

Practically, this means that if you carry on a bag, it will be checked at the gate. The ground crew will hand it to you as you get off the plane in Asheville.

It also means you'll be a bit more tightly packed in your seat.

And, bumpy rides over the mountains are a lot more fun in a smaller plane.

Flying here does have its advantages. Just like if you were driving, your mountain experience begins before you touch the ground at the Asheville Regional Airport.

On a clear day, the aerial view coming into Asheville can be spectacular. As you approach the Asheville Airport, you may be able to see the French Broad River winding its way toward Tennessee. You may also be able to find Mount Pisgah in the distance. If you happen to be looking in the right direction, the Biltmore Estate is not difficult to pick out. You will see the mountain ranges for sure.

Once on the ground, baggage claim and ground transportation are close and easy to find. The ground crew is pretty efficient at getting your checked bags to you.

***Update: Renovations have been completed to the baggage claim area. It is now a much more comfortable place to wait.

If you do have some extra time, be sure to check out the airport gift shop. By far the best airport gift shop I have ever seen. They stock a lot of local maps, books, and crafts that make browsing interesting. We have actually made a special trip to the airport to buy a map I knew they had. Not many people can say they have made a special trip to their airport's gift shop.

Once you have your bags and are ready to go with ground transportation, it's time to leave the Asheville Airport behind and start exploring.