Manchester 5th Least-Crowded U.S. Airport

If you’re looking to fly out of an emptier airport this Christmas, you're in the right place at the right time as Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, ranks number 5 least crowded according to a ValuePenguin analysis of 2019 Bureau of Transportation Statistics data from the 100 largest U.S. airports.

Holidays are stressful times to travel, but COVID-19 in 2020 is increasing tension for many potential travelers. For those making the choice to travel this month, flying out of an emptier airport may limit the risk of exposure and allow for a little peace of mind.

With coronavirus cases still surging across the country, things will be a bit different this year and it might be prudent to think about airport capacity. 

Top 5 Least Crowded Airports:

1. Myrtle Beach International Airport - South Carolina
2. Portland International Jetport - Maine
3. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport - Alaska
4. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport - Georgia
5. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport - New Hampshire

Key findings: 

• Passengers flying out of Myrtle Beach, S.C., last December departed from the emptiest airport. Nearly 52,700 flew out of Myrtle Beach International Airport in December 2019, compared with its monthly average that year of more than 106,700, meaning December travel out of the airport was 49.3% that of a typical month. Up next were Portland International Jetport in Maine and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska.
• 3 Florida airports — in warmer climates — were the fullest airports. Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Myers) and Palm Beach International Airport all saw December 2019 passenger traffic that was at least 17% higher than the average month that year.
• The biggest airports tend to be a bit busier in December, so it may be difficult this month for many passengers to avoid the rush. Of the 10 busiest U.S. airports, only 3 saw less passenger volume in December 2019 than their monthly average: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, Denver International Airport in Colorado and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport in Nevada.
• One piece of good news for flyers worried about crowds this year: Transportation Security Administration data shows that the number of travelers in November 2020 was about one-third the level it was in November 2019. That trend has also continued during the first nine days of December 2020 compared with the same period in December 2019.

View full report: Least Crowded Airports