The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: October fourth, with thoughts on flying where the crowds are fewer.

These days, traffic, both in the air and on the ground, is creating havoc at major airports during peak travel periods. These traffic problems make many of the nation's smaller regional airports increasingly attractive alternatives for time- conscious travelers.

Most big cities have several airports, the newer one that's heavily traveled, and smaller, older fields that may be more centrally located. Traffic delays and high costs at big hubs have many private, regional and even national carriers scheduling flights in and out of the feeder airports. Often, it even costs less to fly to smaller airports. So the next time you fly, consider one of these lesser known alternatives.

Midway is 11 miles closer to Chicago than O'Hare and it even has its own namebrand carrier. In addition to LaGuardia, Kennedy and Newark, the Greater New York area features White Plains in Westchester and MacArthur Field on Long Island. When flying to Washington DC, you can chose Dulles as well as Reagan. Travelers to Orlando are discovering service to Sanford Field has its advantages.

Dallas offers two DFW alternatives, Love and Meachem Fields. Houston's Hobby Field is another Texas alternative. Los Angeles has four airports apart from LAX: John Wayne Field in Orange County, Long Beach, Ontario Field and Burbank. If flying to the Bay area, try Oakland or San Jose as other options to busy San Francisco.

Direct service to these alternative airports may not be as frequent, but with the right connections, they can save time as well as money, by letting you get a bit closer to your final destination.

Back to October 2002 Main

Look through the list of fascinating places and off-beat features we’ve covered. Search text versions of past episodes and articles in our archives.