Flying Arkansas at XNA
The first time I drove to Northwest Arkansas Airport (XNA) I was expecting to find a tiny rural airport because the immediate surroundings were gentle rolling hills, cow pastures and palatial homes on sprawling lots. I was surprised to find a modern and vast airport located in a desirable area. I haven’t visited very many national airports which offer the amenities of XNA. Regional airports, yes, national no. It’s a nice contrast to the hustle and bustle commonly associated with air travel.
Northwest Arkansas National Airport opened in November, 1988. It’s locatedin Highfilll, which is just outside of Bentonville. The airport is 15 nautical miles northwest of Fayetteville and 10 nautical miles northwest of Springdale.
XNA offers service from 6 airlines: Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, and United. It also offers an aerage of 50 flights a day to major cities all over the country. There are 20 plus destinations across the US which includes major cities such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City and Washington D.C. Much of the airport’s buisness is a result of Walmart, the world’s largest company by revenue whose world headquarters are in nearby Bentonville. It’s also frequented by athletic teams at the University of Arkansas traveling to Away games, along with Razorback opponents flying in to play in one of the many UofA stadiums in Fayetteville.
Once you get through TSA (located on the 2nd floor) dining options include Auntie Anne’s, Core Brewing Company, Jammin Java, Say si Bon Gourmet Market and Smokewood American Grill.
The airport recently received a grant which among other improvements will include a skybridge connecting the covered parking to the terminal. The improvements will cost more than 40 million dollars and the goal is to make air travel at XNA easier on passengers. More than 500 airports across the United States submitted applications to receive federal money from the US Dept of Transportation Small Community Development program. The Transportation department was looking to support airports that had aging infrastructure, and ADA compliance issues.
XNA was one of 85 airports to receive money and it ended up receiving 13 million dollars which will help bring two new escalators and two new elevators inside the terminal. The existing ones have been running since 1998. This will include a skybridge that will connect to the covered parking deck and also a new control tower. The project will include collaboration with Crystal Bridges Museum of Art where they’ll soon feature original works of art in the terminal to showcase Northwest Arkansas culture. The improvements are expected to be completed by the Spring of 2025.
The ability to rent a car is conveniently located right within the terminal on the first floor across from Baggage Claim. No having to ride a shuttle just to rent a car, everything is housed under one roof. The Rental cars available at XNA include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty. The 40 million dollars of improvements will also enhance the baggage claim area.
There are many fun things to do within close proximity of XNA. For example the Walmart Museum, Crystal Bridges Museum, Lake Fayetteville, Battlefield Park in Prairie Grove, The Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks, Walmart AMP to name only a few are located between 20 to 45 minutes away. Unlike a lot of airports XNA is kind of smack in the middle of everything versus at the end of town or in a commercial/industrial area. Here in Northwest Arkansas air travel is surprisingly easy, affordable and enjoyable. I say affordable because of the two economy airlines, Frontier and Breeze. Having a nice airport like XNA absolutely improves the quality of life Northwest Arkansas affords.
