Airports in North America

T.F. Green Airport (PVD) is located six miles (10 km) south of Providence, in Rhode Island, USA. Established in 1931, the airport was named after Theodore Francis Green, Rhode Island’s former governor and senator. It was completely rebuilt in 1996 and in 2011 it handled almost 4 million passengers.

T.F. Green’s terminal comprises of two levels. Some areas are open to visitors while other areas, including some retail and dining venues, are limited to passengers only. Concessions are not plentiful, but they provide sufficient amusement for those waiting for flights.  

T.F. Green Airport is a no-frills airport. Amenities are generally modern and clean, queues short and staff friendly and efficient. It’s difficult to find fault with this charming little airport. 

Tucson International Airport (TUS) is the gateway to Arizona’s stark, beautiful, desert landscape. It is just six miles (10 km) from downtown Tucson and has good transport options to get passengers to and from the airport. There are fewer than 10 airlines offering flights to Tucson International Airport. Passengers can fly directly to Tucson from several cities across the United States, including Chicago, Houston, Seattle and Los Angeles.

The airport has a good number of restaurants as well as shopping opportunities ranging from golfing equipment to souvenirs and gifts. If none of those interests you, then the arts and culture program is sure to keep passengers entertained. A permanent exhibition and a number of temporary installations convey the culture and beauty of Arizona. Passenger feedback indicates that Tucson’s relatively small size means shorter queues and friendlier service than larger airfields.

V C Bird International Airport (ANU) is a relatively small airport used mainly by those vacationing on the islands of Antigua and Barbuda. However, it was originally built by the US army and still retains something of a militaristic feel. The airport is on the island of Antigua just 5 miles (8km) from the capital, St John’s.

V C Bird International Airport was originally named Coolidge International Airport, as the original air force base went by that name. Sir Vere Cornwall Bird was Antigua and Barbuda’s first prime minister and the airport was named after him in 1985. 

Flights to V C Bird International Airport can be booked easily on Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT), which uses the airport as a base. There are also many flights to Antigua from airports in the Caribbean as well as Canada, New York, Miami and even London.

V C Bird International remains a modest airport with a limited selection of amenities. While it’s an easy airport to get out of once you’ve arrived, check-in queues for departing passengers can sometimes seem endless, and the landside part of the terminal is not air-conditioned, so it is best to get to check-in early and then grab a drink somewhere while waiting for your flight.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has a wide range of non-stop flights to Europe, Asia and the Americas and is conveniently located only 7.5 miles (12km) from downtown Vancouver.

What’s special about this airport is that it is located on Sea Island, just across the river from Vancouver.  A large conservation project, it is designed to offset the environmental impact of the airport

Passengers using Vancouver International will find that there’s a lot to do at the airport. Shopping ranges from small souvenirs to great duty-free items. There is a variety of restaurants and snack bars and there’s a host of other services to enjoy. As the second-busiest airport in Canada, it is easy to find flights to Vancouver International. The airport is a regional hub for Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and Air Transat. 

Vancouver International Airport is the gateway to the famously cosmopolitan city of Vancouver and the natural charms of western Canada. There is plenty to do at the airport, and with its friendly staff and beautiful surroundings this is a great introduction to the region.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) handles close to 24 million passengers each year. This architecturally beautiful airport is situated 26 miles (42km) from downtown Washington DC and serves a metropolitan area that includes Washington, Baltimore and Northern Virginia.

Washington Dulles International Airport was named after John Foster Dulles who was a former US Secretary of State. The airport is well-connected to Washington and Virginia, and is also connected to more than 125 destinations around the world, making it a popular gateway to the eastern United States.

The airport has a range of shopping options including book shops, fashion, jewelry, gifts, gadgets and music. The duty-free shops at the Washington Dulles International Airport are well-stocked and the amenities are top-class.

The airport serves as a hub for United Airlines, however passengers can book flights to Washington Dulles International Airport on most major international and domestic airlines.

Westchester County Airport (HPN) is just three miles (5km) from White Plains in New York State. It is close to the New York-Connecticut border and just 33 miles (53km) from Manhattan.

Flights to Westchester County Airport are available from several cities across the United States. Some of the more popular routes are to Atlanta, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Chicago and Detroit. Interestingly, Westchester County Airport caters for a significant number of corporate planes.

Westchester County Airport has a great location, the staff are helpful and when there is only one flight arriving or departing the queues aren’t long and you get in and out quickly. However, if more than one plane is arriving or departing then the airport can get quite crowded. In short, it’s a great airport to use if you’re not planning to spend a great deal of time there, as the facilities are modest, with only a few shopping and dining options.

William P Hobby Airport (HOU) is just seven miles (11km) from downtown Houston and is affectionately known as Hobby Airport. It’s a great airport to use for passengers wanting to avoid the hustle and bustle of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, which also serves the Houston area. However, this smaller airport, named after a former Texas governor, is growing quickly and currently serves more than 8 million passengers each year.

As George Bush Intercontinental Airport handles all the international flights coming into Houston, most of the flights to William P Hobby Airport are domestic. Many well-known US carriers operate flights to Hobby Airport and some of the most popular routes connect it with Atlanta, LA, New York and Austin.

Hobby Airport’s small size confers certain advantages. Often the security process seems quicker and the service offered more personal. Hobby Airport has a number of shopping opportunities and a few dining options, but there isn’t a great deal of choice at the airport. Some passengers may find this refreshing, as they are not bombarded by advertising and exhortations to buy constantly.